Amazon is known for its variety, its speed, its convenience, and its prices. We all shop at Amazon. Whether it's for bulk buying household essentials or ordering last-minute gifts, but do interior designers rely on it like us too?
I speak with so many designers about where they source pieces from and I love hearing about (and sharing) the hidden gems they reveal and their tips and tricks for getting unique pieces. But with Amazon Prime Day coming up, I have spent a lot of time over there recently finding lots of gorgeous homeware and decor, and I was intrigued if designers ever shop on Amazon alongside all these wonderful one-off stores – because let's be honest, when you need quick and easy products, surely it's the same place we are all heading.
Turns out yes, they do.
5 designers on what they always shop at Amazon
The best faux olive tree out there, unbeatably affordable bathroom accessories, and last-minute DIY essentials are just a few of the things designers turn to Amazon for...
1. Finishing decor pieces
'Amazon can be a great resource for us as we approach the end of a project and it's time to install everything,' explainer designer Mollie Ranize. 'We are able to quickly get last-minute items that always come in handy for styling.'
'We use Amazon as a resource for things like coffee table books, marble coasters, wooden and glass beads, and even smaller pottery pieces. The key is to always read dimensions before ordering since sometimes they arrive much smaller than it would seem!'
Very helpfully, Mollie has curated all her go-to Amazon buys in an Amazon store front. I find storefronts so helpful when navigating Amazon. Loads of designers and celebrities have them now too.
This brand – Lawrence Frames – featured in quite a few designer Amazon storefronts. They have loads of chic, affordable frames to suit all styles. I picked out this one because right now it has a huge saving with 64% off.
There is so much nice home decor to be found on Amazon if you know where to look. This piece looks far more expensive that just $18. I always check the reviews for images and it looks even more chic in situ.
Elevate any surface with this marble tray. It would make for a great catch-all on a coffee table, a bedside table, or a console in a hallway. There are a few different colors available depending on the look you are after. The white is a total classic, but I am very tempted by the green.
2. Coffee table books, storage and kitchen utensils
Designer Jennifer Walter also relies on Amazon for these smaller decor pieces. She says, 'We are always styling homes and photo shoots throughout the year but we can’t always have everything on-hand when we need it. Sometimes, we’re installing a house, and we need additional tea towels, utensils for the countertop, or coasters! Most often, we’re sourcing smalls or accessories we can get quickly.
'The items we use Amazon for the most are – coffee table books, mats or small rugs for garages and entry points, baskets and storage and kitchen essentials like cloths, towels, wood utensils.'
'We also order tons of install items like carpet tape, rubber stool stoppers, rug pads, and other installation items. We have even set up an Amazon storefront for clients and followers to buy items we like, approve, or have used ourselves!'
If there is a way to make something ordinary look beautiful, I am all for it. This oil dispenser set is in Jennifer's storefront, along with 100s more gorgeous kitchen pieces. These come with lots of labels you can put on yourself or leave bare.
Honestly, I just didn't know Amazon stocked piece like this. These mango wood utensils are truly beautiful and those handles are wrapped in leather – such a luxury set for under $15.
This is a staple on many coffee tables. Soho House's bible to creating their iconic laidback but luxurious vibe in your own home. There's design tips, gorgeous recipes and inspiring photography.
3. Faux trees
'We love leveraging the convenience and efficiency of Amazon to keep our projects running smoothly. We rely on Amazon for a variety of essential products, including cabinet hardware, budget-friendly rugs, quick plumbing parts that save us from job delays, and accessories,' explains designer Jennifer Davis.
'The best faux olive tree that we use all the time is from Amazon. The fast turnaround time and hassle-free return process make Amazon a go-to resource for our team, ensuring we meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality or style.'
Jennifer also has a storefront where you can find more of her favorite Amazon buys.
This is the faux olive tree Jennifer mentions she uses in many of her projects. There are three sizes to choose from, all really reasonably priced. Olive trees are expensive and can be tricky to keep indoors, so this faux option is the perfect solution for bringing a rustic Mediterranean touch to any room.
Jennifer told me this is the soap she uses in all of her finished projects I can vouch for this product too. It's currently sat in both my bathroom and kitchen. The almond scent is always my go-to, and the grapefruit is gorgeous for a fresh bathroom scent. I wasn't aware this brand was stocked on Amazon, so thanks Jennifer!
Made from 100% Natural Travertine this is the perfect accessory for creating that very on trend modern organic look. There's a very colors to choose from, a black and white marble and a gorgeous deep green.
4. Bathroom accessories
'We are sourcing freestanding loo roll holders on Amazon Prime Day because they offer several advantages,' designer Kati Curtis tells me. 'First, they provide flexibility in positioning, allowing you to place them exactly where they are needed most without committing to a permanent location. This mobility makes them ideal for bathroom layouts that require frequent adjustments or for renters who cannot make alterations to the walls.'
'Additionally, freestanding holders often come with extra storage space for additional rolls, ensuring you never run out of toilet paper at an inconvenient moment. Their ease of installation and lack of required drilling also preserve wall surfaces like wallpaper or tile, making them a practical, non-invasive solution for maintaining the aesthetic integrity of your bathroom.'
As chic as this bathroom essential comes. This loo roll holder is how Kati describes, moveable and has extra storage too. It's also subtle and sleek which is what I want from my toilet paper storage.
This is such a steal at under $20. There are 5 serious luxurious options available and you could use this as a catch-all for jewelry in the bathroom too. I am always misplacing pieces I take off to shower or wash my hands so having this on the side in the bathroom would be ideal.
I love waffle towels. Admittedly I bought them for how they look, but quickly realized they are so much more absorbent, hardwearing, and softer than your average towel. So a waffle bathmat makes sense to me, especially if you like a more modern rustic style.
5. Lightbulbs, carpet grippers and furniture pads
Amazon is the go-to place for all things practical. Designer Bethany Adams told me she uses Amazon for all those easy-to-forget, but key products, 'I always stock my "install day" kit with items from Amazon including furniture pads to match the floor color, led light bulbs, carpet corner grippers, and a wood repair crayon set for minor scratches that may occur.'
I feel like I have had my eyes opened to what Amazon has to offer. I knew there was nice homeware available if you did some digging, but I didn't know how nice it could get. And really these designer picks are just the tip of the iceberg, have a proper look through their storefronts and keep your eye on the brands that feature there and you will find 1000s more gorgeous pieces that you would never guess came from Amazon.