34 Cheap (But Expensive-Looking) Apartment Décor Accents Under $20
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While schlepping to a brick-and-mortar store like HomeGoodsorIkea for cheap bowls, trash cans, water pitchers, and dish towels can be a convenient way to get all your apartment decorating done at once, it isn’t the only option. With a little digging, you can find lots of more handsome and well-priced home décor online — you just have to know where to look. From faux-sheepskin rugs to Turkish towels to chic coasters, any of the 34 items below — all of which are (roughly) $20 or less — will go a long way toward sprucing up your home. Most of the things on this list are all available at Amazon, but we’ve found a few of them elsewhere for those who like to shop around. And if you’re looking for even more cheap (but expensive-looking) home décor, check out our individual roundups of things for bathroom, bedroom, dining room, kitchen, and nursery.
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A cool Matisse that’sless obvious than the ubiquitous Blue Nudeprint.
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After using similar ones to hang artworks from friends, Strategistsenior writer Liza Corsillo wrote that poster rails like the two in this set are a foolproof way to display prints — they cost a fraction of traditional frames and look just as good.
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This highly rated cluster of dried pampas-grass plumes comes with 30 stems and would look nice in a sculptural vase.
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If you’re channeling the coastal grandmother (or are a coastal grandmother), this $17 waffle throw blanket looks straight out of a Nancy Meyers movie.
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If you’re an orange-obsessed person but don’t want to splurge on a Bellhop lamp, this little accent light is both colorful and affordable.
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These simple walnut bookends will give your bookshelf a mid-century vibe.
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A (faux) fur rug to zuzh up a forgotten corner.
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These teen-favorite LED lanterns add a cozy, whimsical feel to a room.
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This amber acrylicvase will look nice whether you put artificial ordriedflowers in it or the real thing.
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Here’s a retro non-ticking clock for your wall that’s, well, timeless.
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An iridescent jar that would make a nice-looking home for candy, cotton balls, or small knickknacks.
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This stylish Turkish towel can double as a picnic blanket. Plus it’s machine washable.
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This serving tray is big enough to hold a nail-polish collection or to function as a family catchall on any entryway table.
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This necklace holder is one of our favorite jewelry organizers, used by jewelry designer Melinda Maria to display necklaces. Pro tip: Keep your most-worn pieces on the ends for easy access.
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Decant your coffee beans, pasta, or other dry goods in this sturdy, stylish glass-and-wood pantry container.
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Londo Leather-Tray Organizer
This handsome leather tray is subdued enough to blend into most any décor scheme and comes with two compartments to keep it from looking too cluttered.
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Spectrum Diversified Wire Storage Basket
A wire basket is a more stylish place to stash toiletries than a plastic tub. This one comes in other metallic finishes as well.
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Areaware’s graphic coasters are a twofer: When arranged together, they form a trivet.
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Coasters, a breakout star in the pandemic home-décor boom, allow you to style your coffee table and protect it from water ringsat the same time. These recycled rubber offcuts are the product of a collaboration between Studio Proba and Slash Objects. They’re not only for drinks — you can also use them as trivets or beneath a small planter.
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With its minimal packaging and Le Labo–esque typeface, this highly reviewed candle has the vibe of a status candle at a fraction of the price.
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A see-through lamp for folks who like to keep things light (!) and airy.
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This elegant ceramic dish is perfect for holding a kitchen sponge or displaying a fancy soap collection. It also comes in glossy black and bright white.
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Complete the display with this poppy-scented soap made by Portuguese brand Claus Porto, a favorite of former Strategist writerHilary Reid.
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This sleek, design-y watering can will keep your plants hydrated and looks nice enough to leave on the windowsill.
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David Hockney: The Arrival of Spring in Normandy
A perfectly placed coffee-table book can give your apartment that put-together look. We especially like this book of digitally painted landscapes by artist David Hockney that we named one of the best books to gift in 2021.
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Keep this little guy in your sink to rid your hands of onion, garlic, and other cooking-related smells.
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A curvy toilet-brush holder that doubles as an accent piece. See more bathroom accessories we love here.
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RH 802-Gram Turkish Bath Towel
It’s fair to consider a towel an accent when it’s as thick and luxurious as this option from Restoration Hardware. This comes in a wide variety of muted colors includingeucalyptus green and light blue.
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Nawrap, a Japanese company founded in the 1930s that originally made mosquito nets, infuses these dish towels with an anti-odor and anti-microbial binchōtan charcoal.
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These tear-a-sheet linen cocktail napkins, first recommended to us by Vogue sustainability editor Tonne Goodman, will be a hit at your next party.
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For an extra-fancy soft-boiled egg.
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If you’re not ready for a checkerboard rug, this frame is an easier way to tap into the trend. The resininlay makes it look much pricier than it is.
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This magnetic dish hanger made by Strategist-favorite brandYamazaki is especially good for maximizing usable space in a small kitchen.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
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