Where to furnish your pad on a dime in Toronto
Back to school or post-summer apartment upgrade – whatever the moving sitch you’ve found yourself in, one thing’s for sure: ya need some stuff. Discount wares, stellar sales, and one-of-a-kind vintage pieces are ideal ways to populate your living space on a dime, and these homeware shops, antique markets and design depots are your prime local spots to get the look for less.
Honest Ed's Bargain Shopping Centre
581 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G 1K3A Toronto architectural icon, this housewares store is an emporium of everything budget-friendly, from $3 dresses to inexpensive pots and pans to vacuums to seasonal decorations. Not only is a perusal (give yourself a few hours) of the iconic hallways of this sprawling discount market a Toronto rite of passage, it’s also well worth the trip if you’re in the market for quirky décor items, kitchen basics at oh-so cheap prices, or revolving novelties like the now-infamous Elvis busts. Day or night, Honest Ed’s is hard to miss, with blinking lights and hand-painted signs urging you to buy, buy, buy.
Canadian Salvaged Timber
47 Langhorst Cres, Richmond Hill, ON L4E 0A9Here’s what you call a sweet double-act. Whether you’re crafting a DIY bar, TV stand, or bedside table, or perhaps looking to throw up a set of rustic-looking shelves, the team at Canadian Salvaged Timber is set to meet all your reclaimed wood needs. As for Act Two, the spot – nestled conveniently at Dufferin and Queen – also hosts a design-build team that can help you create anything from a butcher-block bar slab to a set of live edge charcuterie boards.
Umbra Concept Store
165 John St, Toronto, ON M5T 1X3It’s easy to spot this modern, pink-hued fortress at Queen and John Streets. A step through the reflective, rose coloured glass takes you into a world of mod housewares and ergonomic furniture designs. Umbra may look too swank for your wallet, but it’s anything but: fun kitchen products and cheeky accessories (like chrome hanging hooks that will create the look of little silver humans climbing up your wall) are decidedly in the Ikea price-point. A little local pride: the Umbra Concept Store is the headquarters for the Toronto-born brand, with their products available in 75 countries across the world.
Williams
385 Keele St, Toronto, ON M6P 2K9In the heart of the Junction, William’s is a gold mine when seeking a retro aesthetic or dash of nostalgia for your modern space. It’s also insanely affordable compared to other antique shops in the city. My suggestion? Pick up a quartet of matching or mismatched chairs (Eiffel chairs, colourful pastel options reminiscent of a retro cafeteria, or factory-style stools) to lend a little personality to a basic kitchen table. Retro-industrial desk lamps are also a steal, while those with a little more cash on hand can peruse mid-century modern desks, credenzas or one-offs like vintage maps and signs.
Muji
20 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5G 2C2When this Japanese décor and apparel brand arrived in Toronto and moved into the considerable space neighbouring the Eaton Centre, design-eyes in the city went a little crazy. Known for design accessories and organizational items like clean ceramic toothbrush holders, inspiring shower clips for holding up your shampoos and conditioners, and of course, the must-have for your chill zone: a minimalist bean chair in a series of tasteful colours. Make no mistake: this spot is an emporium of cool clothing and specialty items, so give yourself plenty of time to browse.
Morba
667 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1E6This Queen West storefront is packed with designer furniture originals, economically priced replicas and bright, eye-catching accessories. Super deals are available for the watchful eye, making it a go-to spot for aesthetic-minded folk operating on a tight budget. But if you’re looking for a splurge, Morba is also the spot to find things like a sharp table lamp that will make your desk look oh-so impressive, or some classic vintage items like plush Danish teak armchairs and original Eames seating.
Neat Storage
628 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1E4Small space? Home office? Tiny closets? Look no further than this economically minded Queen West shop, specializing in home and office organizational items. Pick up a colourful laundry bag for your first dorm room, or get aesthetic file organizers, baskets and paper trays for your work-from-home set-up. This is the spot to find a cute garbage bin that will fit in your so-tiny kitchen, or an acrylic make-up desk tray to keep your vanity sleek and organized. Plus, Neat’s price-point will have you exhaling sighs of sweet relief.
IQ Living
542 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 1P8If the big box spots can’t fulfill your kitchen, bathroom and entertaining needs, head to this Greektown homewares depot for a browse through the aisles of affordable upgrades. Hard-to-finds like glass ice buckets for chilling wine, stainless steel cheese knives, and show-stopping walnut cutting boards are on offer and seductively priced. That’s really the only tough thing about the east-end spot: controlling your inclination to buy up the entire store. Get ready for a lot of inner urges passionately proclaiming, “I need this.”
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