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For the past fifteen or so months you’ve probably spent a ton of time in your dining area. Whether it pulled double duty as your makeshift office or became a space for friends to hang IRL, the space seen its fair share of action. And if you’re like me, you’re probably sick of staring at the same plates and glasses. Or maybe you’re in the mood to make it feel more lived in and decorated. Whatever the reason may be, if you’re looking for affordable decor finds for your dining room, Amazon has a surprising amount of stuff that only looks expensive. From glassware that closely resemble those Sophie Lou Jacobsen ripple cups that have filled your Instagram feed to ceramics that have that East Fork meets Heath Ceramics vibe to a replica Mid Century modern chair, these 34 items will help jazz up any apartment.
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A Stylish Vase
You’ve probably seen some iteration of this vase over your social media feed, usually stuffed with pampas grass or some other long lasting dried flower. They’re a solid choice for a low maintenance centerpiece.
Get Eastern Rock White Ceramic Vase ($34) →
A Textured Table Runner
Finding a cheap tablecloth that doesn’t look like it’s cheap is surprisingly hard on Amazon, unless you go for the classic white cotton look. Instead, try an interesting runner to dress up your dinner table.
Get KERIQI Braided Cotton Farmhouse Fringe Table Runner ($24) →
Aesthetic Coasters
Coasters are a sign you care about your furniture. These are simple but still touch on the marble design trend that doesn’t seem to be fading any time soon.
Get LotFancy White Marble Coasters ($12) →
Simple Coasters
That said, if you want to really protect a nice piece of furniture, soft and absorbent felt coasters are always a good choice. These are inexpensive and resemble the ones by Graf Lantz, which cost way more.
Get 8-piece Felt Drink Coaster Set ($13) →
A Minimal Pitcher
Because you should stop serving water out of your Brita pitcher at dinner parties.
Get Glass Pitcher with Bamboo Lid ($18) →
A Pitcher With Flair
If you make a large batch of cocktails you might as well serve them in a flashy looking, party-ready pitcher.
Get JIAQI Glass Pitcher ($20) →
If You’re Into Farmhouse-Style Ceramics
My favorite coffee mug has a mix of unfinished and glazed clay, much like this pitcher. It’s a little cottagecore, a little Scandi-minimalist, and a very aesthetic addition to your table.
Get Certified International Artisan Pitcher ($34) →
An Elegant Matching Set
This little matching set can be used for coffee, water, or juice. And if you want to really stretch its functions, the pitcher makes for a nice looking vase as well.
Get Jomop Stoneware Ceramic Water Pitcher Jug with Lid and Matching Cups ($26) →
A Whimsical Cheeseboard
Because your charcuterie board can and should be cute and whimsical.
[Get Iittala Aalto Oak Serving Tray ($45) → (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085LSQCFQ)
A Good Dupe for Those Instagram Glasses You’ve Seen Everywhere
Speaking of things you’ve seen all over social media, you might have also noticed Sophie Lou Jacobsen’s Ripple glass as well. Those will cost you at least $25 and up for a single glass. If that’s out of your budget, this is a nice dupe at $9. The only downside is that they don’t come with prime shipping, so you’re going to have to wait a bit longer.
Get Jlong Creative Glass Cup Vintage Drinking Glasses (from $9) →
Sleek Candlesticks
I’m a huge fan of Ted Muehling’s spindly black candlesticks. These are a similar gothic vibe, at a fraction of the cost.
Get Denique Matte Black Candle Holders Set of 3 ($15) →
Aesthetic Candlesticks if You Love Color
Ignore the gray candles here, find some slime green ones and use them instead.
Get GlrYer Candlestick Holders Set of 3 ($15) →
Aesthetic Candlesticks if You Hate Color
That said, if you’re like me, a minimalist who is color adverse, these sleek cream colored candle holders will add texture to even the sparest of rooms.
Get Worhe Marble Candle Holders Natural White Travertine Marble ($30) →
Elegant Green Candlesticks That’ll Match Everything
While the food at Chifa is delicious, their decor is even better. These marble candlesticks channel the restaurant’s luxurious jade and emerald interior.
Get Worhe Marble Candle Holders Natural White Travertine Marble ($30) →
Quirky Candles for Those Candlesticks
Last winter it felt like everyone I knew was obsessed with freaky candles and I’m still into them. These twisted beeswax ones are just weird enough to give a table some character.
Get BCandle 100% Pure Beeswax Spiral Twist Taper Candles ($20) →
Colorful Quirky Candles
Of course, if you want something that has a little more design to it, these have streaks and splatters of color that would look nice with the pink candlestick holders higher up on this list.
Get Curated Candles Co. - Handmade Twisted Taper Candles ($35) →
Placemats That’ll Go With Everything
Another fancy dining room item that I’ve had on my list forever are Chilewich’s place mats. These look very similar at a fraction of the cost. Added bonus: They’re easy to clean and all you have to do is wipe stuff off or use a bit of soap and water, if something is really stuck on.
Get SD SENDAY Placemats, Set of 8 Heat-Resistant Stain Resistant Non-Slip Placemats ($18) →
Dinner Plates That Look Like Prestige Ceramics
For that East Fork, Heath ceramics vibe.
Get Mora Ceramic Dinner Plates Set of 6 ($49) →
Another Solid Dinnerware Set
And if you’re into more of the colorful glazes that you’d find on Heath plates, this is another affordable lookalike.
Get MDZF SWEET HOME 8.3-Inch Porcelain Dinner Plates Set ($36) →
An Elegant Way to Store Bulk Items
Despite what the description says, this jar is not air tight so don’t store your bulk items like coffee, sugar, or flour in here. Instead, use it as an elegant way to stash packaged snacks, candies, and anything else that does’t go stale easily.
Get BESTONZON Glass Jar with Airtight Seal ($19) →
Proper Cloth Napkins
Because cloth napkins are both eco-friendly and grown up.
Get Solino Home 100% Pure Linen Dinner Napkins ($30) →
Scandi Style-Inspired Drinking Glasses
Another glass I’ve had on my list are the Ferm Living ripple glasses, which are not only more expensive, but also back ordered for at least two months. These have a similar ridged design at a fraction of the price and are available now.
Get LOOPIG Simple Ripple Glass ($10) →
Sculptural Flatware
Could these be from some expensive Italian home brand? Or maybe designed by a Danish architect? It definitely looks that way.
Get JASHII Luxury Flatware, Silverware Set For Four ($43) →
A Sleek Salt and Pepper Set
An upgrade from the glass ones you stole from your college dining hall.
Get 3HQ Wood Salt and Pepper Grinder Set of 2 ($19) →
Minimalist Pasta Bowls That Aren’t Boring
Staff writer Anne Cruz argues that a proper pasta bowl is important and I’m inclined to agree. This set of two nest nicely and allow you to enjoy the perfect noodle to sauce ratio.
Get Ceramic Salad, Pasta, Fruit, Or Soup Stackable Dishes,Set of 2 ($19) →
Sculptural Salad Servers
Have you ever tried to toss and serve a salad with a small fork and spoon? It’s pretty damn hard. Instead, get the proper utensils, like this set that’ll go along with your sculptural flatware nicely.
Get IMEEA 2-Piece Salad Serving Set ($14) →
Classic Salad Servers
Of course, if you have fancy ceramics and you’re terrified of scratching them up, you can’t go wrong with this wooden set.
Get Lipper International Acacia Oblong Salad Servers ($12) →
A Proper Salad Set
Are you still using a giant mixing bowl for salads? A wider, shallower bowl is ideal for properly tossing ingredients. This set comes with a matching spoon and for set for serving.
Get Wooden Serving Bowls with Salad Spoons and Fork, Set of 2 ($50) →
A Very Affordable Mid Century Modern-Inspired Chair
Design people on TikTok are all obsessed with this chair, which is a replica of Hans Wegner’s iconic Wishbone chair. The original is anywhere from $800 and up, so this is a great dupe if you’re into the design.
Get Modway Amish Mid-Century Wood Kitchen and Dining Room Chair ($215) →
Sleek Bar Stools
If you happen to live in an apartment that has high counters, a set of stools will be handy to create more dining space.
Get Rivet Pub-Height Kitchen Counter Bar Stool ($73) →
Mid Century Modern-Ish Bar Stools
And if you’re not a fan of sitting on hard wood, this upholstered set is another sleek option for your kitchen.
Get Christopher Knight Home Emmaline Fabric / Oak Finish Bar Stools, 2-Pcs Set ($143) →
A Teeny Dining Table for Two
If you’re like me, your apartment likely does not fit a proper dining table. This two seater is just wide enough that’ll it squeeze into the smallest spaces with ease.
Get Rivet Noah Round Modern Ash Dining Table ($186) →
A Dining Table for a Small Apartment
But if your apartment does have space for a proper table that’ll seat four to six people, this inexpensive find will fit in nicely.
Get Christopher Knight Home Nyala Wood Dining Table($318) →
A Vintage-Inspired Dining Table
And if you want a darker wood finish, here’s another Mid Century-inspired dining table that’s very, very affordable.
Get Walker Edison 6 Person Mid Century Modern Wood Hairpin Rectangle Kitchen Dining Table ($256) →