shopping for the home

in brooklyn

New York City is a playground for shopping of any category.

When it comes to shopping for home goods, there are many places in the city that offer everything from mass brands to legacy names, every form of custom decor, many vintage shops and independent designers. It is, after all, a place for the pro’s: from interior designers to real estate professionals to staging studios to set designers.

Even for those of us normal folk who want to build a home with taste but also are working with limited NYC square footage, there are so many interesting shops for curating the perfect living space. And while the best home finds might very well be at an estate sale in the West Village or from a brownstone in Park Slope via Facebook Marketplace, I am a big advocate for home and houseware shopping in Brooklyn, where wonderfully curated shops make gems easy to stumble upon.

From vintage furniture stores to lifestyle boutiques that make for hybrid gift shops, from restored mid-century finds to new designs, and spanning every aesthetic from organic minimalist to eclectic maximalist and everything in between, there’s a lot to work with. So whether you’re looking for something in particular, or just wanting to spend a day wandering and ogling and pretty things, here are some neighborhoods with clusters of shops for ease of wandering.

Honestly, even if you aren’t looking to specifically shop for something, it still makes for a great weekend activity, particularly in the dark days of winter when it’s too cold to be outside and you’re wearing far too many layer for trying on clothes. So pick a neighborhood and go get some home inspiration.

copper+plaid, greenpoint

greenpoint

Greenpoint does vintage well. If you’re looking for something unique, a rare find, something with character, history, this is a great place to start. Vintage ranges from well-restored mid-century furniture to quirky thrifty decor. There’s also plenty of shoppy shops for tableware and more.

dream fishing tackle, greenpoint

copper+plaid: a small shop specializing in beautiful mid-century and danish furniture. (update: as of summer 2024, they have closed the shop are now online only)
renewfinds: this showroom houses a constantly evolving and beautifully curated collection of furniture and art that they also sell online. even if you’re not in the market for new furniture, it is a great place for inspiration. note that it is open only on the weekends, and by appointment only during the week
dream fishing tackle: this aged storefront is easy to miss, but packed to the brim with vintage furniture, records, and decor, look to their instagram for some great mid-century furniture drops
big night: the ultimate grown up dinner party shoppy shop, great for housewarming gifts (for yourself and for friends)
cibone: this home goods shop is filled with beautiful objects that could probably fit right into an art gallery as much as a home. prices are pricey, but taste is priceless.

feng sway, greenpoint

feng sway: tiktok loves this colorful, frenetic, eclectic shop with lots of unique decor items, plants, and other knick knacks that would be the pride and joy of any 20-something year old’s first brooklyn apartment. the vibes feel like what urban outfitters should have been 15 years ago, and it is always packed on the weekends
big night: the ultimate grown up dinner party shoppy shop, great for housewarming gifts (for yourself and for friends)
acre: this japanese cafe has a front section with some well-curated kitchen and tableware from japan, there’s always a line on the weekends for the cafe, but pop in to peruse the shop section
dobbin street vintage co-op: this vintage shop has a location in Greenpoint () and a second spot in Williamsburg. it features homeware, furniture, and some clothes. the shop is great for perusing, but if you’re looking for furniture, keep an eye on their instagram where they post the latest things and DM to buy
tula house: a beautiful plant shop with a wide variety of indoor and outdoor plants, and expert staff that can help you pick the best fit for your home

tula house, greenpoint

acre, greenpoint

dobbin street, greenpoint + williamsburg

williamsburg

Williamsburg has some vintage shops, as well as curated design boutiques and brands, in addition to the inevitable DTC block that every yuppie neighborhood has (think: Parachute, Brooklinen, Framebridge). But among the commercialized streets, there are some gems that prove there’s still some personality here.

beam, williamsburg

mogutable, williamsburg

beam: think hem, or hay, but a little more local. the modern shop has furniture, tableware and more, all with a perfect balance of sophisticated and playful
mogutable: this tiny shop has a highly curated selection of Asian ceramics, glassware and other kitchen utensils. always well stocked with beloved brands like kinto, hasami and more.
stella dallas living: the clothing shop is a well loved vintage shop, but the “living” shop next door has some truly beautiful vintage textiles for home as well.

leif, north + east williamsburg

leif: with two locations, one on either side of the BQE, this shop feels like a more intimate version of anthropologie’s home section, full of pretty things from candles to throw pillows to tableware for a perfect tea party.
mociun: this artful shop is full of the finer things that cater to your wants and definitely not to the needs, both jewelry and home decor
geometry garden: one side of the shop is more of a garden center and plant store, complete with a patio that has outdoor plants as well. the other side is for florals and gifts. both offer plenty of options to spruce up a home.

geometry garden, williamsburg

boerum hill

Boerum Hill is for those who can afford to spend a pretty penny. The block of Atlantic Ave between Bond and Hoyt is historically “antique row” and currently a destination for beautiful homeware, old and new. From vintage goods to custom designs, it feels like grown up home shopping, fitting for this neighborhood.

the primary essentials: minimalist boutique with beautiful home goods, with many local designers showcased.
mud: this australian brand has delicate, simple tableware that makes for great gifts and dinner party table settings
collier west: spread over a few storefronts, collier west has artful, eclectic gifts and homeware, from crystal chandeliers to local art and curiosities. well worth visiting during the holidays for some beautiful seasonal decor as well.
humble house: this shop feels like a home, and features a curated selection of furniture and home decor that seem destined to star in the parlor level of a boerum hill brownstone.
michele varian: a shop featuring products of michele’s designs, from lighting and pillows to art, as well as other curated homeware and decor from other designers.
assembly line: the kind of showroom that is annoyingly pretty, and a source of constant home envy, with many scandinavian brands and local designercollaborations. they also have a “residence” gallery in fort greene that features even more of their roster of designer goods.
porta: this beautiful shop exudes cool girl taste. founded by two friends from london, the small space is thoughtfully filled with pretty things from small designers all over europe
sterling place: this thrifty vintage shop has a bunch of unique things, from funky furniture to retro barware to eclectic art
horseman antiques: a multi-level antique showroom with an impressive inventory of midcentury, danish modern, industrial and contemporary furniture from this tri-state business that has been around for decades
east fork: it’s basically every cool restaurant’s favorite pottery, and for good reason. this is the asheville brand’s first and only permanent outpost in new york

dumbo

If you can avoid the tourists clamoring for a shot of the Manhattan Bridge, and steer clear of the Timeout Market, DUMBO does have some shops worth hopping on the F train to York St. Given the location, its unsurprising that many of the shops here are on the pricier end, but beautiful even if just for inspiration. On the weekends, it’s also worth checking out the Brooklyn Flea under the Manhattan Bridge, open from mid March through December.

front general store: a japanese owned shop that includes homeware and clothes. don’t miss the annex on the 2nd floor upstairs.
m collection home + design: a studio showroom featuring furniture and homeware from a curated list of brands
natural selection: this spacious shop hosts a collection of homeware and decor with culture, craft and worldly personality
with love vintage home goods: a petit shop with beautiful vintage glassware
plum: a small shop with beautiful tableware from ceramics to glassware and other kitchen and dining items

industry city

Industry City is deeper in Brooklyn than most people typically go, unless you’re furniture shopping. The converted warehouses have become a hub for furniture outlets. From Design Within Reach to Restoration Hardware to ABC Carpet and Home, the outlet stores have decent inventory. There’s also CityFoundry, a spacious antique shop that is packed to the brim with 20th century furniture, decor, lighting and more.

cityfoundry, industry city

Other Brooklyn Home Brands:

cold picnic: the cool, colorful rugs that you’ve definitely seen on the internet
home union: beautiful vintage and new furniture and homeware