Photo: West Elm
We all know that IKEA is the go-to destination for affordable, modern design, but what if you're looking for something else? Design Within Reach is hardly in reach for many shoppers with sofas starting at $1,300 for a glorified futon. Here are seven other retailers that offer relatively affordable, contemporary designs:
BoConcept
Another Scandinavian brand, BoConcept has retail stores throughout the U.S. The Danish company offers consumers an almost dizzying amount of options for customization with its modular furniture. BoConcept's design feels tougher and more masculine that its competitors. Prices are higher for this brand that others, and some complain about the high delivery costs.
CB2
The little sister to Crate & Barrel, CB2 is a fun and affordable version of one of the largest home furnishings retailers. CB2's look is sleek and colorful. In addition to furnishings, CB2 offers an extensive selection of home accessories, tabletop and gift items. While CB2 only has six retail locations, its website makes it a nationwide brand
EQ3
This Canadian furniture retailer has shops in 26 states in the U.S. EQ3's founder started the brand when he discovered how few options there were for affordable, modern furnishings in North America. CasaSugar calls EQ3 "Ikea for grown-ups," which is an apt description of the brand's wares. Read ShelterPop's review of EQ3 here.
Photos: Urban Outfitters
While you may think of Urban Outfitters a place where teenagers shop for the latest, fashion trends, the hipster brand has a surprisingly appealing selection of home furnishings with a distinctly modern bent. While their partnership with BluDot seems to have come to an end, you can find many modern furnishings on UO's site.
West Elm
Launched in 2002, West Elm is the youngest and the hippest of the Williams-Sonoma-Pottery Barn family. West Elm delivers well-priced and appealingly-designed pieces at 36 stores in 18 states. While their couch selection is limited, West Elm is one of ShelterPop's go-to destination for dining chairs, desks and shelving. WE's modernism has a warmth and natural-vibe that other contemporary brands lack.
Photo: The Conran Shop
Sir Terence Conran was one of the original proponents of design-for-all with his revolutionary Design Research shops, which from 1953 to 1978 were America's first modern lifestyle shops. Today, The Conran Shop offers both pricey designs by the likes of Knoll and Herman Miller alongside its own brands Content By Conran and the more affordable Well Considered line that are both designed in the clean, simple manner of mid-century classics.
Chiasso
A Chicago-based company, Chiasso offers a hip selection of furnishings that hit affordable, but not rock-bottom prices. While self-described as "rooted in the strict principles of mid-century modernism," Chiasso's version of modern design errs more towards the contemporary with lots of stainless steel and white leather.
Room & Board
Less distinctly modern and pricier than the other retailers on our list, Room & Board does offer some deals for those seeking modern furniture on a budget. Like The Conran Shop, Room & Board sells the big names like Eames and Emeco alongside its own lesser-priced wares. We've always been big fans of the company's sofas, particularly the Jasper model.
