Shea McGee, Emily Henderson, and More Share Their All-Time Favorite Target Buys
Including a seriously covetable fringe-y woven basket.
Updated Jun 16, 2022 3:35 AM
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You might think an interior designer’s day is filled with combing through custom fabrics and perusing the latest in high-end furniture—and generally speaking, you’d be correct. Though sometimes, their daily activities include a trip to the nearest Target. Designers, they’re just like us!
Which totally makes sense, because the store is pretty hard to beat if you want to find the perfect budget-friendly item—if only because it’s constantly releasing so many great new products. Like a $25 woven wall hanging that looks like a bespoke art piece, or the tiny pinch bowls that Chrissy Teigen herself swears by. And remember the hotly anticipated Anniversary Collection? We’re still thinking about those Marimekko prints.
We asked seven designers to share their shopping lists, which include everything from larger furniture to smart storage finds. Suffice it to say, they gave us yet another reason to make a spontaneous run to the store this weekend:
The Multipurpose Bench
If you’ve been hunting for the perfect indoor seating, expand your search criteria to include patio furniture. Designer Kate Lester swears by this black metal bench, which she’s since used in both dining rooms and entryways. “I love that because it’s meant for the outdoors, it’s easy to wipe down and keep clean,” she says. Style it with a custom cushion to make family dinners way cozier.
The Decorative Object
This wooden bowl may seem like a small detail, but Shea McGee loves putting it alongside more expensive pieces on a bookshelf display: “Built-in styling can add up pretty fast, which is why we love mixing high and low,” she explains. The natural wood tone (and unusual shape) complement any vignette. What would you put in it?
The Just-Boho-Enough Pendant
Rattan isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but if you’re looking for a fresh twist on the material, Dee Murphy recommends this sleek light fixture. “It feels more modern than trendy,” she explains. Murphy would finish off a built-in kitchen banquet or breakfast nook with a contemporary marble table and patterned upholstered seat cushions for the perfect medley of contrasting textures.
The Everyday Dinnerware
“The whole purpose of open shelving in a kitchen is to be pretty and functional,” says Ashley Montgomery. “These pieces check both off the list.” Montgomery mixes her stoneware bowls in with other one-of-a-kind pottery she’s collected over time.
The Mini Table
The mango wood and marble combo strikes quite the balance; it reminds Katie Hodges of an antique you might find in a French farmhouse. “The juxtaposition is perfect!” she says. Pair the side table with a cushy English arm chair or slipcovered sofa (trust us, they’re making a comeback) for a prime living room nook you’ll want to spend all your weekends in.
The Classic Chair
With its neutral fabric, timeless silhouette, and vintage inspiration, is it any wonder that this budget find is an allover favorite? “When this chair ‘happened’ at Target, I was so pumped,” says Emily Henderson. “I’ve used it in countless projects, including both my homes.” (Hodges is also a fan.) The beauty of something so simple is that you can quite literally style it with whatever you want—from quiet minimalism to bold prints, there’s no wrong answer.
The Stylish Storage
Anyone who has ever tried to corral kids’ toys and knickknacks feels Kathy Kuo’s pain: Finding organizational pieces that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are durable is tough. “I have two young children at home, and this storage basket is the best of both worlds,” says the designer. She loves the rope and fringe detailing that gives it an upscale look—so much chicer than plastic bins, right?
See more designer recs: 5 Designers Predict the Biggest Decor Trends of 2020 The Most Common Decorating Mistakes, According to Designers The 9 Vintage Chairs Interior Designers Are Buying Right Now