This YouTuber Was Studying for the MCAT—Now She’s a Pro at Finding Chic Amazon Decor

Kiva Brent was pursuing a degree in biochemistry and studying for the MCAT when the pandemic hit. Suddenly, instead of hunkering down in a lab, she found herself spending a lot more time in her Pittsburgh home, and like the rest of us, she started redecorating. Unlike most of us, though, Brent began documenting her updates and sharing her tips on YouTube. Her videos started taking off, with uploads such as “10 Reasons Why Your Home Looks Cheap” and “How to Make Your Bed Look Luxurious and Expensive” accruing hundreds of thousands of views. “I like making design accessible,” shares Brent. “I think a lot of people are like, ‘Oh, I can’t have an interior designer until I make a million dollars.’ Some people never make that amount of money, so I wanted to show them you can do things really affordably.” 

In the past two years, Brent has become an expert at creating a luxe-looking home on a shoestring budget. In addition to answering people’s DMs about how high they should hang their artwork or where they should situate their sofa, she is also very open about where to buy inexpensive home decor that’s chic. Cue her Amazon finds. Brent has a whole Instagram highlight dedicated to her favorite items from the e-commerce site, which you can check out here, but we decided to go to the pro directly and have her narrow down her top 10 picks in her own words. 

For Your Book Nook

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O’Bright Dimmable LED Pharmacy Floor Lamp, Amazon ($63)

Frame a sitting area beautifully with two of these task lamps, which provide tons of light for reading and game play.

For Sleepers Who Run Warm

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Simple & Opulence Linen Duvet Cover Set, Amazon ($136)

Linen is popular right now because it’s an organic fabric that lends well to so many different design styles. I love this duvet cover because it is stylish, affordable, and temperature balancing.

For a Polished Touch

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Beautural Steamer for Clothes, Amazon ($25)

Steaming your curtains and bedding instantly elevates your home. This one warms up quickly and gets the job done.

For a Hotel-Worthy Rest

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Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows, Amazon ($65)

These pillows are fluffy, which ensures you’ll have a stunning arrangement, but they’re still comfortable enough to sleep with.

For Some Contrast

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Miulee Pack of 2 Velvet Pillow Covers, Amazon ($22)

These velvet pillow covers (two come in each pack) are so soft and superchic. 

For a Hint of Architectural Interest

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Cassilando Full-Length Mirror, Amazon ($170)

One of the major design trends of 2022 is to add curves to a space. This mirror allows you to do just that, while also bringing a decorative touch and reflecting light throughout a room.

For the Home Office

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Globe Electric 2-Light Table Lamp, Amazon ($70)

I see similar lamps go for hundreds of dollars. This one is affordable ($70!) and gives off a ton of light.

For a Museum-Worthy Display

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Tintindoc Wireless LED Picture Light, Amazon ($29)

I love elevating art prints with picture lights. These are USB rechargeable, so you don’t have to worry about hiding cords or buying batteries.

For That New-Sofa Look

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Conair Battery Operated Fabric Shaver, Amazon ($13)

When you have light colored furniture, pill shavers are essential to removing unwanted debris from clothes and pets.

For Getting Cozy

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Pinzon Faux Fur Throw Blanket, Amazon ($36)

This throw is extremely warm, comes in several different colors, and adds wonderful texture to any room. It’s a hit with humans and pets!