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As a design editor, it’s not in my nature to buy things for my home on a total whim. I put a lot of thought and care behind each piece. But despite my cautiousness, I still make decisions I regret. The blue velvet armchair I bought from a big-box store? The seat cushion slides around so easily I think I’ve sat in it twice. The bubblegum-pink mushroom lamp I thought was fun and retro? It’s stashed in my parent’s basement until further notice. The checkered rug in my bedroom that sheds like crazy? I recently upgraded to a king mattress to hide as much of it as possible.
Thinking about at all of the things that fit into this category, I realized that they either play into a very specific trend or lack quality. In an attempt to not make any more of those purchases, I took a closer look around my space at the types of finds that feel classic and cool five-plus years into owning them.
A Swing Arm Table Lamp
I’ve used the swing arm lamp my step-mom passed down to me in countless rooms over the years. Not only does its brass base and large white linen shade go with practically any style of furniture, its swiveling capabilities make it super versatile. Right now, it sits atop a pile of coffee table books on our guest room nightstand.
A Striped Jute Rug
Meet my all-time favorite Amazon purchase: the Montauk Lighthouse rug by The Novogratz for Momeni. Jute and stripes are as timeless as it gets—combine them and you end up with a piece that never gets old. To make my under-$200 find look a bit fancier and feel less nautical, I like to toss a sheepskin on top. Home Depot, Rugs Direct, and Walmart are a few of the major retailers that carry this exact rug currently.
Chartreuse Throw Pillows
When Jeremiah Brent and Nate Berkus launched their very first collection with Living Spaces, they included the perfect solid color throw pillow in the mix. The tangy yellow-green shade was the antidote to my then-blah-gray couch. Even today, I have a pair of them on my cream Crate & Barrel sofa—they look great mixed with a set of graphic vintage pillows I picked up at a thrift store and a small lumbar cushion from Svenskt Tenn.
A Fabric Jewelry Box
I keep thinking I’m going to run out of room in my two-tiered jewelry box from The Container Store but miraculously I don’t, and that probably has something to do with the fact that it was designed in collaboration with Marie Kondo. Beyond all the little compartments inside, I love the linen exterior. It softens up the sharp edges and adds some interest on top of our plain wood dresser.
Extra Large Living Room Baskets
As an avid Home Goods shopper, I’ve bought items from every aisle. The thing I never regret the next day are the baskets. They’re big. They’re stylish. They’re affordable. I scooped up a set of sizable ones years ago just to fill the empty space underneath my hallway console table but, over time, they’ve been a handy source to stash spare sweatshirts and chunky blankets. Because they’re so tall, you can’t actually see what I’m hiding inside.