Apartment Upgrades: Decorating Bargains That Look Expensive

By Food & Wine
Updated June 24, 2015
Credit: © Houston Museum of Natural Science
Looking to redo your place without applying for a loan? Elevate your style with our selection of inexpensive finds for the home.
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Soma Water Filter Pitcher

Credit: Courtesy of Soma Water

More functional than a glass carafe, and more stylish than other filtered pitchers, Soma’s version puts you in a perpetually glass-half-full situation. Available at drinksoma.com, $39.

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FactoryTwentyOne Pallet Shade

Credit: Courtesy of Fab

Brighten up those light fixtures that came with the apartment with an ecofriendly shade constructed of recycled pallet wood. Plus, with high-end designer Tom Dixon’s stamp of approval, you can’t go wrong. Available at fab.com, $34.50

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Color Cord Company Pendant Light Cord

Credit: © Color Cord Company

Make a minor home improvement (i.e., no tools required), and swap your basic light cord out for a jazzy, cloth-covered version. Available at colorcord.com, $30.

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Skirted Broom

Credit: Courtesy of Anthropologie

Forget about the broom closet, this stunner deserves to be on view. Available at anthropologie.com, $38.

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Hario Olive Wood Tea and Coffee Press

Credit: © Kaufmann Mercantile

This Japanese press, crafted from olive word and heatproof glass, brews both coffee and tea, making it twice as nice. Available at kaufmann-mercantile.com, $45.

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Cotton Craft Hand-Knit Dori Pouf

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

Kick up your heels and celebrate the fact that these hand-knit ottomans are available in thirteen colors and cost only sixty bucks. Available at amazon.com, $59.99.

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Magical Thinking Faceted Glass Vanity Box

Credit: Courtesy of Urban Outfitters

While we can't comment on how much you may have splurged on its contents, we can commend you on the economical purchase of the box itself. Available at urbanoutfitters.com, $14.

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Metal Rope Wall Mirror

Credit: Courtesy of Kirklands

If you’re nautical by nature, make sure your surroundings reflect your seaworthy charm. Strung from a rope, the bronze-framed mirror made us to do a double take. Available at kirklands.com, $30.

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Loft Floor Lamp

Credit: © The Land of Nod

If you forgot to ditch that Chinese lantern when you graduated college, it’s time for an upgrade to this copper and navy blue stunner. Available at landofnod.com, $160.

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Crosley Manchester Entertainment Center Stand

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

This piece by Crosley fits a turntable on top, and files albums neatly below. Plus, it’ll gives your digs that midcentury vibe you’ve been coveting for a fraction of the price. Available at amazon.com, $47.

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Spartan Shop Spanish Wine Glasses

Credit: © Spartan Shop

No more crying over spilled wine and broken glasses. Topping out at six bucks a piece, you can replace your whole set and still have enough cash leftover for a celebratory bottle or two. Available at spartan-shop.com,$6.

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Agate Coaster Set

Credit: © Houston Museum of Natural Science

You might be mixing cocktails with well spirits but anything perched atop these magnificent geodes looks top notch. Available at museumstore.hmns.org, $24.

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