Image via abc carpet & home
This year, we're making our way through updates of the Racked 38s, the essential shops on the internet, from the indie to the vintage and beauty editions of the original Racked 38 listicle. And today, in the spirit of spring cleaning, we bring you the freshly updated home goods 38.
Since last time, we've removed a slew of old favorites like Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, C.Wonder, Fab, and Barneys, and replaced them with some alternative online stores. Because when it come to your home, the URL less-traveled can make all the difference.
The stores below are still just as excellent for making over your whole home as they are for gifting other people. So whether you're gearing up for wedding season, refreshing certain rooms or planning a total overhall, there's something for you in the 38 best home shops of 2014 (in no particular order).
Clic General Store. There isn't a massive home decor inventory at this New York-by-way-of-St. Barth shop. But the artwork, kitchen knick-knacks and various textiles pack a quirky punch. It's an excellent stop if you're looking to tweak a room with some signature pieces without spending a ton of money.
Leontine Linens. The be-all, end-all on monograms. This shop was founded in the South, but any proper lady (or proper lady in training) will look ten times more glamorous with a monster-sized 'gram on their bed. It's also a no-brainer when you're stuck for a wedding gift.
Wayfair. Need a bunch of furniture in a hurry? Whether you've just upgraded to a multi-bedroom house or recently found yourself on the empty-apartment side of a break-up, you'll want bookmark this site. There's a huge, easy-to-sort selection for every imaginable room. Consider it the easy, quick-shipping way to shop brands big (Sferra) and small (Coyuchi).
Parachute Home. Sheets can be ridiculously expensive, which is where this Los Angeles startup comes in. It offers the highest-quality, Italian-made bedding at more reasonable prices and in a soothing array of neutral colors.
Serena & Lily. With a girly aesthetic just a hair shy of preppy, this is where whimsical meets geometric in a very happy home decor marriage. If you're decorating a nursery, you're in luck: The selection of linens and furniture for the baby's room is as extensive and charming as options for the rest of the house.
A + R. This may be the only high-end design shop where you'll discover both the perfect bookends and the perfect vibrator. The lighting section here is especially awesome, with plenty of funky, affordable solutions to balance out with the $1500 floor lamp of your modernist dreams.
Canvas. Soft, unstructured shapes and gentle colors define the modern-rustic aesthetic here. Canvas gets bonus points for their commitment to fair trade and sustainable production, and more bonus points for collabing with Jason Wu on a home collection. Tabletop and textiles are all chic and affordable enough for everyday, while the furniture is expensive enough to inspire confidence in its longevity.
John Derian. Truth be told, there's no substitute for the magical, fairy tale experience of wandering John Derian's East Village NYC shops. But if you are in need of a wedding or housewarming gift and a trip to the East Village isn't on your calendar, swing by the designer's website. The decoupage master's trays and paperweights make you the ultimate guest.
John Robshaw. Yards and yards of block-printed goodness is what you'll find at John Robshaw's online shop. Known for his updated spin on Asian and Indian patterns, Robshaw's extensive collection of bedding, pillows, curtains, rugs, stationery, and more is shoppable here. Prices are surprisingly affordable for all that hand work: think $295 for a 5x7 rug or $395 for a hand-stitched quilt.
Dering Hall. Shop like a designer at this high-end online marketplace. Dering Hall takes credit for democratizing "to the trade" wares and giving interior designer access to the masses. Welcome to the inner sanctum.
World Market. There's a reason World Market is a favorite of recent college grads and young couples all over the country: They have hands down the best prices for globally influenced furnishings and accessories. Skip the practical furniture—coaches, tables, and the like, where quantity tends to trump quality—and head for the decorative accents. Rad flatware and marzipan pigs are just a few of the hidden gems. Pinterest devotees will also love their "Most Pinned Products" section.
Design Within Reach. Behold the Mecca of modern, where you can shop all the furniture from your favorite magazines as well as classic design pieces, like the famous Eames lounge chair. This is not your starter furniture store. Nothing here is cheap; hell, for many people, nothing here is even affordable. But who needs affordable when you've got iconic?
Furbish. Get ready to hear "Where did you find that?!" about every piece you buy from this North Carolina-based online shop. Kaleidoscopic patterns and eccentric color mixing are signatures of owner Jamie Meares's style. Enjoy browsing quirky statement gifts for under $100, a mix of new and antique furniture, and unique finds, like one-of-a-kind Kilim rugs.
Lulu and Georgia. Founder Sara Sugarman has managed to create an online experience that mirrors the feel of shopping with your best girlfriend. Colorful, classic, Jet Set-inspired pieces for nearly any budget can be found here, and bonus points for the site's helpful, achievable decorating guides.
Zinc Door. When it comes to popular homegoods brands, the more the merrier at this one-stop-shop for trendy accessories. If you're in need of contemporary basics from designers like Jonathan Adler, Dwell Studio, Trina Turk, and dash & albert, look no further.
Jonathan Adler. This is where Barbie would shop, if Barbie had a sense of humor. Cheeky touches and bright colors are the signatures of Adler's happy-chic style, and his collections have grown along with his empire. Shop everything from ceramic bookends to upholstered chairs and glass tables. Leave your fear of pink at the door.
Pieces Inc. "Cool girl" vintage pieces reimagined with Southern flair is what you'll find at the online outpost of this Atlanta boutique. From furniture to mirrors, rugs, and chandeliers, every piece is one-of-a-kind. It's also one of the pricier shops on this list, but head here for inspiration even if you don't plan to drop $2000 on a pair of lucite lamps: The site is designed more like a blog than a traditional e-commerce platform, which means you can search by color and material, making browsing the continually changing inventory all the more fun.
CB2. The gateway drug between your Ikea years and your long future as a design affectionado. Modern, functional basics for distinctly achievable prices are the name of the game here, and one of the best parts for apartment dwellers is that many of the pieces are designed specifically with small spaces in mind—a rare find in the world of chic interiors. Thanks for the under-the-bed storage, CB2!
West Elm. Great prices, pretty excellent quality, and on-trend design are on offer at at Pottery Barn's younger, hipper offshoot. Like CB2, this store is geared towards city dwellers—so you can expect smaller-scale furniture, easy assemblage, and a totally decent shot at finding a bookshelf to fit in that weird corner of the living room.
Room & Board. Furniture goes for a slightly higher price than the average chain retailer here, but it's worth it for the many custom and classic design pieces in the company's lineup. The Minnesota-based brand also puts a strong emphasis on American craftsmanship, with more than 90% of its assortment made by woodworkers, weavers, printmakers, metalworkers, and artisans across the United States.
Thomas Paul. The funkiest of the high-end print makers, Thomas Paul encourages you to indulge your love of geometric patterns, botanical sketches, vintage typewriters, and birds on things. There's nothing Paul can't slap a print on, from silk pillows to lamp shades. He also gets the prize for best elephant shower curtain we've ever laid eyes on.
Decor NYC. Like a super-luxe version of Craigslist, this site has some great designer cast-offs and amazing bang for your buck in both the decor and furniture arenas: Think John Derian plates for $45, half-price Arne Jacobsen bar stools, and a decent array of fancy sofas.
Leif Shop. Feeling like you've grown out of your Urban Outfitters apartment? Then Leif could be a great next step. Prices are comparable to the giant retailer and the goods—from the home decor to the "apothecary" to the paper products—are bright with beautiful patterns. Unfortunately you won't find furniture here.
Muji. Everything at this Japanese import is utilitarian and carefully crafted for modern (cramped) living quarters. No piece is too pedestrian to get Muji's gloss of clean design, from brooms to make-up storage.
The Future Perfect. Up and coming designers know they've made it when they're stocked at this shop. There's a very urban focus on stripped-down cool, and a very high price tag to go with.
Poppin. Every home office deserves a touch of Poppins electric-hued desk necessities—their orange stapler alone serves as a mini makeover. Top that off with free monograms on just about everything and you've got the most cheerful way to show up for work we've yet discovered.
One Kings Lane. One Kings Lane has moved away from its flash sale model in large part, and made the site a whole lot easier to search specific categories. We're keeping them on the list for user friendliness (and of course their always consistent mix of furniture and accessories).
DwellStudio. Originally a bedding destination, DwellStudio's collection has grown to encompass everything from furniture to baby accessories. Here's where you can find the cheery textiles and feminine furniture you recognize from online home tours and show like The Mindy Project.
Module R. Behold amazing solutions for small spaces that look much cooler than you'd expect for the price. The schtick here is customizable, modular storage. Buy as many units as you need and then stack, nest, alter, expand, and recombine to your heart's content.
MoMA Store. Skip over the art posters and go straight for accessories inspired by the masters. The museum shop is especially good for mugs, tchotchkes, stocking stuffers, and other gifts for people you really don't know very well.
2 Modern. There's a massive range of options and pricing at this California-based etailer, but the aesthetic is mostly paired-down and clean. Bonus: The company is into eco-friendly practices and an American-made ethos where possible.
1stdibs.com. Serious collectors take note: this is the industry's leading marketplace for vintage and antique pieces—specifically the classics. Nearly every dealer worth their weight in Eames has a listing here.
Matter. For those who don't blink at a $2,500 coffee table, there's Matter, a store dedicated to the very best in clean, arty interior design. Each piece here is crafted by industry notables, from up-and-comers to better-known artists such as Tom Dixon.
Eskayel. Dreamy, watercolor-y, kaleidoscope-y patterns in wallpaper, pillows, rugs, etc. that will leave every visitor marveling over your good eye. This is also a good stop for anyone with fussy significant others or roommates of the opposite sex, as the painterly feel of the designs hits a nice balance between masculine and feminine.
Hunters Alley. The ladies that brought us One King's Lane launched Hunters Alley early in 2014 (Here's what they have to say about it). It's a peer-to-peer model in which you shop the homes of various tastemakers with style. While some stuff feels a little pricey, the site nails the inspiration-based shopping thing: Beautiful images accompanying the curated edits are a joy to browse through.
ABC Carpet & Home. If you love (and have the budget for) Anthropologies' home section, then the often whimsical NYC stalwart is for you. You don't have to look far for stunning pieces here (there. is. so. much. stuff.), but you will have to dig deep in those pockets to get it.
Circa Lighting. Lighting is one of the hardest decor problems to solve, so praise the internet gods who saw fit to bring this emporium to the world wide web. Brilliant sconces, pages of floor lamps, and every chandelier you could possibly imagine have a home here.
H&M Home. Last year, this fast-fashion retailer launched a comprehensive US e-shop with a home goods section worth plundering. Its got everything from bedding to plates, all at seriously low rates.
Thirty-eight not enough for you? Let us know what we missed in the comments.