If you’re a regular follower of Dwell Beautiful, you know I like to do a series that I call “Get the Look for Less.” It’s a series where at least once a month, I pick a room out of a catalog of a high end store, like Restoration Hardware, Room and Board, Crate and Barrel and more and recreate the look using budget pieces that I find at other stores. Some of my recent favorites have been this Williams-Sonoma Bedroom and this Room and Board Living Room! You can also check out the full category of all of my Get the Look for Less posts here.
This month, as I was looking for a room to budgetize (if that’s not a word, then it is now!) I came across Anthropologie and some of their new arrivals. I’ve done an Anthropologie Living Room before, but this time I decided to just pick a couple of their new arrival items that went together and also seemed ridiculously expensive and tried to find their counterparts online. The result is some major savings! Take a look at my finds below 🙂
The Rug
The rug. You know which one I’m talking about. Yes, THE rug that everyone seems to own. I don’t know why, but I find myself kind of falling for it, too! Mayhaps it’s the furry, fuzzy, oh-so-soft shag, or maybe it’s the modern yet subtle diamond pattern, but I do know that it is beautiful and that I’d love to have one in my home! Anthropologie wants just about 2k for an 8×10 while Wayfair has one in the same size for a mere fraction of the cost! And if I’m honest, I like the Wayfair one better – I’m more partial to the brighter white because I think it looks cleaner! This rug may or may not be coming home with me in the near future… just saying. Savings: 67%
Trendy Terrarium
I simply ADORE succulents and basically have been sticking them in little pots all over my house – it’s the one plant that I don’t immediately kill! I’ve been looking to add a bigger terrarium for succulents so that the greenery can really shine and when I came across the ones at Anthropologie, I was first elated and then deflated once I saw the price tag. Almost a hundred bucks for glorified planter? I think not. I found a MUCH more affordable option at West Elm that has the same trendy globe shape but with a cheaper price tag. Savings: 70%
Octopus Wall Art
Nautical themes and sea creatures are pretty in right now, especially for summer decor. This blue octopus art from Anthropologie is poppy and fun, but I could never in a million years justify dropping 1,400 bucks on a piece of art that looks like I could make myself. My Etsy find? WAY better if you ask me, both in price and in looks. The Anthro version, while bold and fun, is a little too simplistic and the streaky paint drips bother me. The Etsy version just says sophistication and class while keeping your wallet happy! I’d say that’s a score right there. Savings: 96%
Ring Cone Holders
I’d never heard of ring cones until I found these beauties on Anthropologie, but I must admit, they are a clever and stylish way to hold your rings! And while I think they are clever, paying $40 for a tiny piece of ceramic just doesn’t sound appealing. I looked to Etsy again and found these lovely ceramic ring cones for only $18 each! Muuuuch better. Plus, I love supporting small businesses and individual artists – these crafters and artists put so much love and hard work into each piece. A much better use of my money than supporting a big box store, that’s for sure! Savings: 53%
Wire Baskets
Who could always use more storage? My hand is definitely raised on this one. From blankets to hand towels, to firewood or shoes, I LOVE having baskets around to store all my odds and ends. You can just never have enough! With the Anthro version, you get a set of 3 for about 140 bucks. They are pretty hues, I’ll give them that, but that’s a chunk of change for some wire! My World Market finds are a bit more cost-effective – they are all sold separately, so you don’t have to get stuck with a color or size you don’t need or want. The small red basket is $29.99, the medium green basket is $39.99, and the big blue basket is $49.99. Added bonus: they have cotton liners that you can use or not use depending on what you store in the baskets! Savings (if you bought all 3): 13%
So as you can see, if you forgo the spendy Anthropologie pieces and instead pick up some of my budget finds, you are going to save yourself a chunk of change! I love the look of nice items, but I love saving money and supporting small businesses just as much! As always, you can always save even MORE money if you opt to try to find look-alikes at thrift stores or garage sales or if you buy 1 piece at a time instead of getting all your new items at once. Happy shopping and happy saving!
What store/room/piece would you like to see me do next? Sound off below!
Absolutely love that octopus! Great finds Erica.
Thanks so much, Stacey! I think the Octopus is just so fun, too 🙂
I’m kinda obsessed with that octopus art! Love this series 🙂
Me, too! It’s just so bold and fun 🙂 Thanks so much!
Wow, Erica! You really know how to find the same beautiful styles for a lot less money. I’m always so impressed by your thrifty shopping abilities. Nice job!
Aw, thanks so much, Carrie! It really is fun to see how low I can get the prices – it’s almost like a game 🙂
Erica, I can so see you making your own octopus art using http://www.blockposters.com/, using air-dry clay to make your own ring cones and using dye or fabric paint to make your own carpet pattern. Rock on!
Aw, thank you so much Christina! I totally have never heard of Block Posters, but I’m definitely going to have to use it – it looks like such a neat site!