I Moved in With My Boyfriend—These Are the 30 Affordable Home Items We're Buying
You may be thinking, aren't you the girl quarantining with your boyfriend? Well, we decided to make things official. When the lockdown for the pandemic started, my boyfriend and I had just gotten back from a vacation in Kauai. (Yes, we know how lucky our timing was. Yes, we know to never take a vacation for granted.) I decided to hunker down with him to reduce the back and forth from our homes out of the safety for ourselves and my two roommates.
So eight days together turned into a month, which turned into another month, and now we're in a third month, and things feel good. If we can spend every day together for, what, 90 days—in pretty grave circumstances, mind you—and still feel the love, then we figured this step only makes sense.
So now it's time to make this apartment a home. Normally, we're the type of people who'd love to scour vintage shops, flea markets, and garage sales for our homewares, but since that's not really an option right now, we're turning to our favorite retailers to brighten up our home. Sometimes we may not immediately agree on what to buy and in what shade, but we always align on one thing: affordability. So here are 30 super-cute, under-$100 items we're buying to decorate our home. I know you'll want to snag them, too.
Daisies aren't just a popular motif in the fashion world right now. You can bring the cheerful trend to your front door, too.
This super-cute turmeric pot is perfect for succulents since they like a smaller living environment.
I love a circular side table. It doesn't take up too much room but manages to still serve a much-needed purpose.
Ever since Teen Vogue named Kimberly Drew as a young voice to follow years ago, I have kept my ear to the ground. Drew's career in the art and fashion worlds have been so exciting to watch. Her new book has a home on my coffee table.
I love the dimpled style on this lamp and the blue finish makes it even better.
We have a teal-colored sofa, so we thought it would be fun to mix and match some black-and-white throw cushions.
Sometimes I like to sit on the floor instead of the couch, so I need throw pillows that can double as floor cushions.
This basket isn't large, but neither is our living room. It's perfect for storing some rolled-up throw blankets.
This rug is great next to our kitchen sink, where water always seems to get airborne. Plus, it's really chic.
Okay, this may not be the chicest piece of home décor, but my boyfriend bought this for our refrigerator at the beginning of quarantine, and he leaves me a message on it pretty much every day. It's been one of the biggest sources of joy I've been able to experience since the pandemic started.
How fun is this shape? It comes in a few shades, but thank goodness my boyfriend and I both love the yellow option.
It's more important than ever to have framed pictures of my friends around the apartment since it feels like I haven't seen them in years.
If my mom came to my house and saw I didn't use coasters, I would be in trouble.
This handwoven bowl isn't just incredibly pretty, it also is created through an amazing cause. Indego Africa is a nonprofit that empowers women in Rwanda through economic and education opportunities.
This planter is a really nice alternative from the macramé styles often available for hanging plants.
If we're being honest, this hook rack is probably going to see more of my boyfriend's belts and caps than any jewelry, but we shall see.
I'm so happy these simple-but-cute frames come in different sizes. They're perfect for the different pieces of art we have from all our friends.
Pro tip: Pull-chain switches are game-changing details for bedside-table lamps.
I wish I could say our ladder shelf is a cute, decorative nook for photos and knickknacks, but every inch is taken up by cookbooks. (I also wish I could say it was our only bookcase.) After working in print publishing for five years, I may have acquired too many books, so we'll need one of these.
It's always nice to have a pretty tray, especially when it has a price tag like this one.
Want to feel like you're having a picnic at home? Spread a tablecloth like this over your coffee table.
This is the kind of table runner I'd leave on the dining table 24/7.
Aside from any of the glorious smells that can waft from a kitchen, jasmine is my absolute favorite. I find it really comforting to light a jasmine-scented candle in the evening.
I'll be honest: One of my boyfriend's good friends made us a custom shelving unit that kind of blows this one out of the water, but since you don't know him you'll just have to settle for this one.
This is a crazy price for a ceramic plant pot with a stand. I love these wood stands because you always want airflow beneath your plants, and these provide plenty.
Up next, these 37 random under-$100 items make me feel rich.
Aralyn Beaumont joined Who What Wear as the copy editor for branded content after a career in food media. Years of poring over intricate recipes with a fine-tooth comb and working with high-profile chefs has prepared her well for working with fashion's top brands while honoring Who What Wear's voice. Her background as a research editor makes her a finicky editor who will probably care too much about making sure all copy is as factually accurate and aligned with the house style guide as can be. Maybe it's because she's a Gemini, but her personal style is impossible to pin down: One day you'll see her in a turtleneck sweater tucked into a midi skirt with heeled boots, and the next, she'll be wearing mom jeans, a white Hanes tee, and classic Vans. At the end of the day, her style reflects her various moods. Sometimes it will be feminine and elegant, and others it will be grungy or androgynous. Certain things will always remain constant, though. She'll forever be on the hunt for the perfect pair of high-waisted jeans.
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