Etsy is one of my favorite places to shop for home decor. If you’re unfamiliar, Etsy is a marketplace of individual sellers specializing in both vintage and homemade goods. It’s home to a wide assortment of treasures and includes shops from all over the world. Etsy makes it easy to shop for home decor from the comfort of my phone 24/7– which can be a double-edged sword. I’ve definitely fallen into the rabbit hole of ordering vintage rugs at 2:00 AM!

Why Shop Etsy for Home Decor?

Etsy has everything from clothing to party supplies, but I especially like Etsy for home decor for a few reasons.

1. Etsy supports small business

Sellers on Etsy are usually makers and small businesses that you can work directly with to find or create the home decor of your dreams. Etsy has carpenters that can make you custom shelves or sewists that can make you custom pillows. Which takes me to my next point..

2. Etsy has customized items

Maybe you aren’t a DIYer. That’s ok! Artists on Etsy can often create or modify products to meet your exact needs. Customized items can really come in handy when you have a small space or need something oddly specific.

3. Uniqueness

Your home is a reflection of your personality. It’s a place that should feel safe, comforting and unique to you. Etsy enables that kind of uniqueness in home decor through hard-to-find vintage items, antiques and carefully crafted homewares.

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How to Shop Etsy for Home Decor

There’s about 8 million sellers on Etsy, so sorting through everything can be a bit overwhelming if you don’t know what you are doing.

To shop, go to the Etsy homepage and use the search bar at the top to enter keywords for what you’re looking for try searches like “boho wall art,” “modern rug,” “custom throw pillows”. Or, browse by categories under “Home & Living” to explore different home decor sections like furniture, lighting, wall art, textiles, etc.

Overwhelmed already? Don’t be! Shopping on Etsy should be fun. Check out these tips for some helpful tricks.

Shop my Etsy home decor picks:

8 Tips for Shopping for Home Decor on Etsy

1. Determine your style

There are so many decor styles out there– Art Deco, Midcentury Modern, Farmhouse, Boho, Industrial, Traditional, the list goes on and on! Do a bit of searching on Pinterest or in your favorite home magazines to determine your style before you start your search. By determining your style, you’ll create a more cohesive look in your home, simplify your decision making and even may help you save from making a regrettable purchase.

2. Get as specific as possible to narrow your Etsy home decor search

Even with knowing your style, you still may be overwhelmed with the choices on Etsy. This is where a filter can come in handy. On Etsy you can filter by price range, location, material, color, size and more to get a truly tailored shopping experience. If I wanted a blue ceramic vase, for example, I’d put in a price range from $0-$200, United States, blue and minimalist.

3. Check reviews

By checking a shop’s reviews, you may notice something you missed. Perhaps the seller only ships on Mondays or your item will arrive in a recycled box. Reviews can also help give you peace of mind that the shop is a 5 star experience.

4. Check shop policies

Be sure to also check the shop policies of the seller. The shop policies will indicate what payments they accept, as well as if the item is available for returns or exchanges.

5. Peruse other items in that Etsy home decor seller’s store

If you find something you like, I’d encourage you to also click over to the other items in that seller’s store. Oftentimes shops will have a theme like linen pillows or Pyrex bowls. You may find more decor that you “need!”

6. Pay attention to shipping times

Since Etsy is run by individual shop owners, there may be varying shipping times. Etsy is a global marketplace, so items may also be coming from all over the world. Be sure to pay attention to shipping times to avoid disappointment.

7. “Heart” Etsy home decor items to come back to later

It’s smart to take a beat before making a purchase, especially something you are going to live with for a long time, like home decor. By “hearting” items on Etsy, you can save them to come back to and buy later after thinking it over.

8. Leave a review

After you’ve received your item, it’s helpful to leave a review for the shop owner and for future customers. It’s good karma to leave reviews, especially to small business owners.

Do you have any more tips for shopping home decor on Etsy? I’d love to hear more!

Photography & styling by Jojotastic.