1. A set of two nesting drum tables that look like they'd be featured in one of Architectural Digest's celeb home tours. While they're pretty low-profile as is, if you ever need to free up additional space you can tuck them inside of one another like a Russian nesting doll. 🪆
2. A modern waterfall bench if you're purposely looking for options that lack storage so your room can't collect clutter.
Promising review: "I was nervous buying this, but it’s perfect! Perfect height, feels so soft, and it's durable! Love that it comes as one piece in a box rather than having to put it together! I also like the height of it. Not super tall, but not awkwardly low either." —Mercedes McKay
Get it from Amazon for $143.12+ (available in four colors).
3. A four-poster canopy bed that'll make you feel like an absolute queen or king even if the only person waiting on you is your cat and it's because you're five minutes late feeding him dinner.
Promising review: "This bed is absolutely beautiful. It surpassed my expectations for sure. I did see a few reviews that made me skeptical, BUT I decided to go with it. SO GLAD I DID! This is easily my favorite bed I’ve owned. I have a 12-inch mattress. No box spring needed. The bed doesn’t squeak at all if you just tighten the screws all the way. I’m a woman who doesn’t build much and was able to put this together myself in about an hour 30. This is a KING. It fits so well in my apartment. Beyond satisfied with my purchase!" —Dyimand
Get it from Amazon for $119.99+ (available in sizes Twin–Queen and in two finishes).
4. A modular L-shaped sofa with extra deep and extra wide seats you won't be able to help but cozy up in. Just imagine the naps you could take...!
Albany Park is a Black-owned small business run by a husband-and-wife team in Houston who became fed up with shopping in expensive designer showrooms and being overwhelmed with hundreds of sofa options. Albany Park's furniture is way less expensive than average, takes less time to be delivered, and is designed to be moved into apartments (aka they come in pieces that easily snap together).
Promising review: "All I can say is just do it!! Buy the couch! My husband and I were both worried about ordering a couch online, but the reviews were so good that we just went with it! Sooo comfortable. I have to make my husband sleep in our bed cause all he wants to do is sleep on the couch! You do have to adjust the cushions every now and then, but really, it's not an inconvenience cause it takes like three seconds! Highly recommend!" —Shelby B.
Get it from Albany Park for $3,149 (available in 12 colors; comes with your choice of a storage or non-storage ottoman).
5. A set of simple mid-century modern dining chairs I could honestly stare at for a good hour. The cane! The boucle! The cantilevered design! ::swoon::
Promising reviews: "I was planning to get chairs that had rattan on the back and the seat. However, the prices of those chairs were way outside of my comfort zone, so I ended up finding these, and I AM SO HAPPY I DID! Not only are they amazingly affordable, but they are also beautifully made and extremely comfortable! Also, I have rattan and boucle in other pieces in my place, and these chairs match them perfectly!" —Emmanuel Pineda
"Very impressed with the quality of my chairs. The cushion is firm yet very comfortable. The installation took literally three minutes. It fits perfectly in my dining room, and I couldn't be happier with this purchase!" —Christine
Get a set of two from Amazon for $179.99+ (available in five colors, three fabrics, and in sets of two or four).
6. A rattan headboard with two built-in shelves to hold your phone, Stanley, and remote. Depending on how ~simple~ you like to keep things, this could even eliminate the need for nightstands!
Promising reviews: "Beautiful piece, creates the vibe for the whole room. Bought with the Basi oak bed frame and looks amazing. Used Article's delivery service too and they were so nice and efficient. Will definitely be ordering from Article again." —Sarah K.
Get it from Article for $899+ (available in Queen and King sizes).
7. A cloud-shaped coffee table that looks like it'd be from one of those furniture stores that's SO expensive, you need an appointment just to go inside and look around, but really, it's less than $300 and from Amazon. 🤯
Promising review: "I love this coffee table 10 times more than I expected to. It's exactly what I wanted. The rounded edges and shape make it so unique. Such incredible quality for a very, very, reasonable price." —Barbara Cooker
Get it from Amazon for $245.69+ (available in five sizes and two colors).
8. Or, if you do have a good chunk of change burning a hole in your pocket — a chic acacia coffee table that looks like it was lifted out of a modern art museum.
Promising review: "This is a gorgeous, unique coffee table. I have a mix of warm, cool, and neutral tones in my living room and it looks beautiful." —Anthropologie Reviewer
Get it from Anthropologie for $1,198.
9. An easel-style TV stand if your style is *so* minimalist that you'd actually prefer to keep your living room media-console-less.
It's suitable for TVs 45–65 inches.
Promising review: "I was skeptical at first how sturdy this TV stand would be. To my disbelief, it is sturdy and super functional! It frees up a lot of space in my bedroom, and I love how it can be placed in a corner for an ideal viewing experience. Instructions were easy to understand, and I got the whole thing mounted and set up in less than 20 minutes. All the components are high quality, not cheap plastic. I have no doubt this TV stand will last for years. Another great thing about this stand is that it’s easy to pick up the TV and move it around. I recommend the safety mount if you have kids or pets for added peace of mind. If you want an affordable TV stand that adds a nice design element, I would recommend you purchase this." —Austin738
Get it from Amazon for $99.99 (available in three colors).
10. A floor-length arched mirror so when the time comes that you have to dress your whole body again (and not just the part that your colleagues see on Google Meet), you'll be able to gauge if you still understand fashion.
Promising review: "This was the first purchase of my new apartment and totally the best purchase. I looked up all the reviews and pictures before buying it, and I'm 100% satisfied with it. Everyone visiting my apartment tells me it's great, and they take mirror selfies with it. I highly recommend it. I like the size, gold color, shape, and quality." —Beyza Calis
Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in four sizes and three finishes).
11. A dramatic pendant light that'll draw eyes up, up, up, and accentuate your incredible vaulted ceilings. (I'm not jealous...I LOVE my 8-foot NYC ceilings. 🙃)
Get it from West Elm for $399.
12. Or a renter-friendly Tulip shade ready to hide your boob light right in plain sight!!!! The genius piece will not only bathe your space in moody low light, but installation is as simple as mounting a ring to the ceiling with double-sided tape and popping on the magnetic shade. 😭 🤲
Tulip is a small business from Lori Smyth. Her inspiration? The drab lighting in a college dorm! Her innovative design requires no re-wiring, no power tools, no nothing! (Probably just a ladder or sturdy chair so you can reach the ceiling lol.) Check out the different styles and how easily they install via Tulip's TikTok.
Promising review: "I have been searching for a paper lamp or replacement for my current apartment lights, but they either wouldn't fit or it would require too much effort that my landlord wouldn't appreciate. That's when I came across Tulip. I can't be more blunt than this — you literally Command Strip the ring to the ceiling and the shade attaches via magnet... seriously ingenious." —Oliver O.
What's included: Ceiling mount, Tulip shade, 12x removable tape, and 3x screws (as needed for textured ceiling applications).
Get it from Tulip for $145 (available in two colors and three styles).
13. A nine-drawer dresser with room for both the clothes you do and don't wear (but won't ever part with 🤫).
Get it from West Elm for $1,699 (originally $1,799).
14. An etagere bookcase where you can display your succulents, tchotchkes, and all of the books you've bought but never cracked open. One day, you'll get to them!!
15. A contemporary sling chair you can add to your primary bedroom or even use in place of a couch if you have a teensy tiny living room.
Promising review: "Fabric is soft and very nice. Pillows have funky stuffing and definitely require a good fluffing, but this chair is certainly a comp for a higher-end one that costs well over $1,000. So, it's still worth it in the end! They are very sturdy and took me almost an hour each to put together. I have a set of two." —Victoria
Get it from Amazon for $94+ (available individually or in a set of two and in seven colors)
16. A set of solid ash wishbone chairs that look a hell of a lot like way more expensive options — but for a fraction of the cost. Perhaps the best part is that they come fully assembled, so you don't have to spend even one-second sweating or cursing as you get your dining area together.
Promising review: "Very pleased with these. I bought six of these chairs to go around my dining room table. They arrive completely assembled, so you just have to unpack the chair. They are real wood and already have felt on the bottom of each leg which is a nice touch. They look beautiful and are very sturdy and comfortable to sit in. Shipping was pretty fast, each chair comes in its own box, so each shipped with their own tracking number, but all arrived together." —MotherOfCats
Get it from Amazon for $319.99+ for two (available in four colors)
17. A button-tufted bed frame with such a gorgeous silhouette, no one will even throw a glance at all the stuff you've shoved under your bed because storage in your apartment is v limited.
Promising review: "I wanted to upgrade from the floor-level platform frame I had and was going for an elevated, hotel room-like approach. This product was PHENOMENAL in helping me achieve that look. The color of the headboard and foot was more cream than stark white, and I really liked it. Sturdy and supportive so far. No complaints." —Becca Rattenberger
Get it from Amazon for $129.99+ (available in sizes Full–King).
18. An acrylic coffee table so crystal clear, guests will assume you're *really* on top of your cleaning. To the same point — reviewers suggest placing at least a coffee table book or two on top or you could walk straight into it!
Promising review: "We have been searching for a coffee table for months after buying our new house. We finally decided to get a clear coffee table, but we were between glass and acrylic. We went with this one, and I am so glad we did. It has a great presence in the room and adds to the modern/mid-century modern vibe we are going for. It fits right in and doesn’t need much else other than a coffee table book or something, so you can actually see it... It definitely is clear! We have seen similar coffee tables at a higher price point both online and in person. This table offers no discernible difference when compared to the higher-priced ones. It is definitely worth the small price tag. One of my favorite pieces." —Toby H.
Get it from Amazon for $226.19.
19. A wood-and-acrylic crate (that doubles as a side table) if your pup isn't quite yet ready for unsupervised exploration at home but you're also not jazzed about having a crate on display for an indeterminate number of months.
Fable is a small business that specializes in Scandinavian-inspired pet products. They are committed to ethical manufacturing and ensure all of their items are up to human-grade standards.
Promising review: "We love the Fable crate! It’s my favorite piece of furniture in my house now and looks so great with the rest of my mid-century modern pieces. Miso feels so cozy and safe in her crate and is always napping in it with her brother." —Sophie K.
Get it from Fable for $495+ (available in three sizes and two finishes).
20. A set of barstools with comfy saddle seats where you can park your butt when it's time for breakfast. Now, if only your oven popped out fresh blueberry muffins all on its own...
21. A floating bedside drawer that gives you a spot to put a drink (cause the last time you put it on the floor, you promptly kicked it over...) and a drawer where you can store your Kindle/TV remote/other things you frequently reach for.
Valiai Design is a small, family–run business that specializes in Scandinavian-style furniture.
Promising review: "Lovely side tables for a tight space. Very attractive and easy to install." —Priscilla Sowa
Get it from Valiai Design on Etsy for $93.39+ (originally $109.87+; available in two finishes and single or double drawers).
22. A trendy bouclé barrel chair so you can plop down into what feels like the embrace of a huge teddy bear when you're having a bad day.
Promising review: "I purchased two of these beautiful accent chairs. They are easy to assemble, and the quality is top-notch! Most of all, I love the way they look and feel. Perfect size for my area. Would definitely purchase again in a different color." —Vickie
Get it from Amazon for $98.99+ (available in 12 colors and as a set of two).
23. A solid wood console if you have little ones or pets who love to leave fingerprints (and nose prints) on everything, and you don't feel like whipping out your Windex 24/7.
Promising review: "This table is perfect for my entryway; it’s not too big, it’s a great size, and it’s sleek and elegant. This was exactly what I was looking for! Go ahead and buy it. It was easy to assemble, looks exactly like the photo, and is a great price for the quality and design!" —Nay Love
Get it from Amazon for $119.62+ (available in two sizes and seven finishes).
24. A modern pedestal table with *just* enough room for your daily mocha latte. It really is the perfect size because once you're finished, you won't have room to let cups pile up, you'll have to take care of them right away.
25. A curved velvet sofa that I'm not gonna say is soon to be your entire raison d'être...but it *will* be your most prized possession/first or favorite child (the latter being if you already have a human child...I guess).
Promising review: "This sofa is so modern and elegant. It is so different that it's like a work of modern art in your living room." —Phyllis
Get it from Wayfair for $1,119.99+ (originally $1,915.65; available in seven colors).
26. A baroque-inspired mirror — with a gorg gilded frame — if you've long dreamt of owning ***that*** Anthropologie mirror but don't want to take out a second mortgage on your home in order to do so.
Promising review: "I hopped on the gold ornate mirror trend and spent a long time trying to find one within my budget. I was initially worried because there weren’t any reviews when I first bought this. It looked amazing online and was the perfect size, so I got it. I am THRILLED with this purchase!!! One of the best things I’ve gotten from Amazon. It’s beautiful, and it looks exactly like the pictures. It came four-ish days faster than estimated. It’s perfect for my makeup desk. If there were different sizes of the same mirror, I would buy all of them." —McKinlee Mayer
Get it from Amazon for $87.99+ (available in seven sizes and five finishes)
27. An acrylic bookshelf that basically disappears into your space only to show off whatever you put on it.
Promising review: "This slim, acrylic ladder shelf was perfect for an awkward, narrow little space next to my closet. I was looking for more shelving to display a few more items, and this was perfect. I love that it’s transparent — it looks like my items are floating in the air and doesn’t take away from the aesthetic of my closet. Also, it was super easy to assemble, and this is coming from someone who hates assembly of any kind and usually hires a Task Rabbit to put together furniture. I’ll probably order another one soon." —WebGirl79
Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in two sizes).
28. A leaning ladder desk with ample room to show off your incredible taste in decor. Go ahead and use the bottom for your laptop, then fill the two other shelves with your vases, books, candles, and other things that scream "I've studied endless Pinterest photos and I *know* how to style a shelf."
Promising review: "When you buy enough pressed wood furniture over the years and get used to the crummy, flimsy assembly, you learn to appreciate a solid piece of furniture. This desk is solid! As we were assembling this desk, the quality of the craftsmanship pleasantly surprised us. This desk will probably last 10x longer than the pressed wood desks made of wood scraps and sawdust. As for how it looks assembled, it’s sleek and modern and takes up little space for people with a small work area. This desk was worth every penny, and I’ll follow this manufacturer for future designs. Seriously, I was so happy with the finished product that I might steal it from my daughter’s room and move it to my office." —Warrior Lodge
Get it from Amazon for $114.05+ (available in two finishes).
29. And a sculptural bamboo divider that is straight up a piece of art. The 6-foot by 8-foot piece can be arranged however you like since it doesn't have traditional panels, and if you need to store it for any reason, it rolls right up.
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.