Embrace This Velvet Decor Trend for Fall

All Modern Jones 86'' Upholstered Sofa (Was $1,250 — Now $999)

This sapphire rust color in a sleek silhouette is a contemporary twist on Scandinavian style. Built on a solid wood frame, it's durable and comes in multiple upholstery options. The color is chef's kiss too.

Joybird Lewis Sofa (Was $2,455 — Now $1,350)

Joybird is offering up to 45 percent off best sellers and 35 percent off site wide. This best-selling sofa is a major steal right now. It has deep cushions, shelter arms, and pillowed backs to make your binge nights extra lounge-y. We love the gold velvet, but you can choose from more than 10 colors and even more upholstery options. It comes in four sizes too to fit your space.

All Modern Rae 84-inch Upholstered Sofa (Was $1,999 — Now $1,799)

This mid-century style sofa with metal legs is small-space friendly and also comes in a stylish sectional. Available in several colors, the sofa is cushiony-soft and a living room showstopper in this olive green.

CB2 Durant Wheat Velvet Sofa (Was $1,799 — Now $1,439)

This swoon-worthy sofa makes a bold statement in wheat-colored velvet and a striking design at just over 100-inch wide. Featuring feather down cushions and FSC-certified birch frame, we actually can't believe the markdown. It's stunning!

Poly & Bark Argan Leather Sofa (Was, $2,061 — Now $1649 with code LABOR)

If you want something a little more rustic, go for this buttery cognac tan leather sofa. With feather down seating and mahogany finish legs, this comfy sofa gives Magnolia Home vibes for your modern cabin style.

Article Abisko Sectional (Was $1599 — Now $1099)

This small-space sectional in quartz white fabric and titanium-finished legs looks like it belongs in a 5-star hotel. If you can manage a creamy white sofa (ie, no dogs or kids), this lounger is a spot you'll find yourself reading, watching, resting all day long. You can have nice things!

Interior Design Fiona Loveseat (Was $1845 — Now $1476)

This curvy and stylish loveseat is perfect for studio spaces with a retro silhouette that is sleek and totally lovely. The camel velvet is pretty gorgeous but you can also choose from more than 50 color and fabric combos.

Interior Define Maxwell Fabric Sofa by Apartment Therapy (Was $1845 — Now $1476)

Want to really embrace color? This berry hue is rich and so beautiful. Designed by Apartment Therapy founder Maxwell Ryan, the custom sectional sofa (you can choose from a bunch of colors and textures) is inspired by a classic silhouette with modern materials to make it light and comfy. We love the low profile and luxe deep seat you can sink into.

Pottery Barn Pacifica Return Bumper Sectional (Was $2,298 — Now $1,839)

For a subtler pink, this Pottery Barn sectional is actually more compact than it looks at 100-inches wide and features cushions so cozy you won't want to get up to do the dishes!

Burrow Ember Sofa (Was $1599, Now $1359)

Burrow is offering up to 60 percent site wide this Labor Day weekend. With extra wide, extra deep cushions made with triple-foam, plus steel hardware and a hardwood frame, this chenille sofa checks a lot of boxes for the perfect sofa. It also comes in 5 different sizes, including sectionals.

Crate and Barrel Aris Grande Deep Track-Arm Sofa (Was $1,899 — Now $1,614)

If you're a fan of the Nancy Meyers aesthetic, this coastal-style sofa - with clean lines and deep bench seating - is for you. It comes in 230 different fabrics and colors!

Burrow Range 4-Piece One Arm Sectional (Was $1799 — Now $1439)

Blue lovers, we haven't forgotten you! This compact modular sectional is perfect for hosting, napping, and streaming. It's designed for those tight corners you need to pivot a sofa into.

Article Sven Tufted Velvet Sofa (Was $1499 — Now $1049)

The blue and green varieties of this popular vintage-style sofa with tufted seating are on sale now. Go get 'em!

Harper & Bright Designs Chaise Lounge Sofa (Was $754 — Now $596)

This super affordable sofa requires no assembly and comes in a chic boucle fabric. We love the elegant chaise style, perfect for lounging and hosting.

West Elm Palour Sofa (Was $1699 — Now $1,444)

This 82-inch sofa in the color mauve (tho you can choose others) has a posh Bridgerton quality we love. The frame is sustainably sourced and the bench seating keeps your seat intact while you binge on past episodes.

IKEA Morabo (Was $1,249 — Now $1,049)

Featured in a light green fabric and metal legs, this 4-seat sectional is your new favorite spot to chill — at an affordable price!

West Elm Avalon 68.5" Channeled Sofa (Was $1,399, Now $1,189.15)

This sweet seater in evergreen velvet and channel tufting is small, stylish, and luxe. A keeper!

RIBBA Frame

IKEA is a steal for frames compared to other frame or custom frame shops. I have been using the Ribba frame for years for large-scale prints, gallery walls, and photo-sized frames. Mix them with vintage frames and trinkets like above to add character and a little soul to your space.

FLÅDIS Basket

I use these seagrass baskets everywhere to store and hide unsightly things like laundry supplies, my daughter's toys, and even to cover planters. They're collapsible and under $10!

TORNVIKEN Kitchen Island

I was searching for a kitchen island forever until I came upon this oak one and I love it! I get compliments on it all the time from guests who are surprised it's from IKEA. There's roomy storage on the shelves on one side and legroom on the other side for bar stools. I chose Serena & Lily barstools to give the look an upgrade.

BLANDA MATT Bamboo Serving Bowl

This bamboo bowl and serving set is perfect for serving big salads while entertaining.

HILDEGUN Dish towel

I grab a few of these every time I visit IKEA. They have a French country vibe and work as dish towels or dinner napkins. The 79 cents is kind of an insane price too.

ULLERSLEV Sheepskin

This real sheepskin is the soft texture every cozy home needs. I have one draped over my daughter's desk chair, but they also look great on a dining bench or in a reading nook.

BERGPALM Duvet Cover and Pillowcases

These striped duvet cover sets are a great cotton canvas for guest, kid, and master beds. I love that they come with two shams, and I'll top them with a printed quilt from Coyuchi or patterned pillows from Coterie Brooklyn to elevate the look.

FJÄLLARNIKA Duvet Insert

IKEA is also great for duvet inserts. I say go with a mid- to higher-range here for one that has some weight and comfort.

IVRIG Glass

Stemless wine glasses, which is what I use these for, are also ideal for water and juice!

STOCKHOLM Mirror

Mirrors can be so expensive! Why?! I use this walnut veneer mirror in my bedroom, just above a walnut dresser. Love the 24-inch size.

JÄMLIK Scented Tealight

I bring a few of these out for dinner parties. The sweet vanilla scent isn't overpowering and the candles give just enough light to make it feel like a cozy and intimate occasion.

LAGKAPTEN Tabletop

I've been using this tabletop for more than 10 years! It started as a sewing table with MITTBACK trestle legs and now works as my WFH desk, holding my printer on one of the trestle legs. My daughter has an IKEA desk too that we swapped with HILVER bamboo cone-shaped legs for a modern look.

LACK Wall Shelf

I've used these floating shelves for forever too. For kitchen shelves in my junior one bedroom in San Francisco a decade ago and now in my daughter's playroom to hold all of her Legos.;)

MÅLERÅS Picture Ledge

I use these picture ledges in the kitchen to hold my IKEA wine glasses, a beautiful paddle cutting board from Crate & Barrel, and a small plant.

ÄNDLIG 3-piece knife set

These IKEA knives, also a long-term purchase, stay sharp, are comfortable to use, and are great for everyday use!

BUMERANG Hanger

Finally, these IKEA hangers are affordable and look great to streamline your closet decor. No wire hangers here!

IKEA Items I Avoid

I tend to avoid the more popular items from IKEA, such as the best-selling POÄNG Armchair. If you have one, no judgement! It's a great chair. I have a kid's one in my daughter's playroom that we inherited. But I've slowly invested in more quality pieces that feel unique and bring my joy when I walk into my main spaces.

Here are a few items I avoid:

IKEA has a lot of great mattresses, but a $100 mattress doesn't quite feel like a hundred bucks. I purchased the ÅSVANG Foam Mattress for my daughter's IKEA bunk bed, and maybe because of the slats below, it is SO uncomfortable. We use it to hold her stuffies for now and plan to add an extra foam cushion above.

I've never liked IKEA's fleece-like throw blankets made of recycled polyester. They just don't have a lot of substance and the material doesn't feel as good quality as I'd like it too.

Finally, a $10 floor lamp is going to look like a $10 floor lamp (home snob, here, sorry!). The BARLAST Floor lamp or similar is a no-go in my decor book.

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

• Gifts for Him
• Gifts for Her
• Gifts for Foodies
• DIY + Handmade Gifts
• White Elephant Gifts
• Gift Sets

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!