Making a living room, bedroom, or first apartment feel finished can get pricey, especially with West Elm as your inspiration. Rugs, plants, wall art, and stylish storage pull a room together, but their costs add up quickly.
When looking for ways to get the most out of your Sam's Club membership, consider these tips and lesser-priced options. For those who are starting from a blank apartment or trying to make mismatched furniture feel more pulled together, these picks stay in a modern lane and lean pieces that can change the feel of a room fast.
Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.
- 18-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60-69
- 70-79
- 80+
Member's Mark Everwash Washable Area Rug
Price: $99.98
This washable 6-by-9 area rug gives a main seating zone the grounded look that can make starter furniture feel more deliberate. It is the kind of piece that helps define where the sofa, chair, and coffee table belong, especially in an open-plan apartment.
The washability is useful for households that actually live in their living rooms, not just style them for guests. It can also soften a bedroom without committing to a high-maintenance floor covering.
West Elm's Emma Chamberlain Stripe Washable Rug runs $49 to $799 across multiple sizes, but for the same size, you'll be looking at $399.
Blue and Cream Set Midcentury Abstract Canvas Print by Oliver Gal Prints
Price: $171.25
Abstract wall art can do a lot of visual heavy lifting when the furniture is simple. The blue and cream palette keeps the piece easy to place above a sofa, console, bed, or dining nook without making the wall feel crowded. The 24-by-36 size can be very versatile in several places in the home.
The midcentury-style shapes work especially well with wood tones, black metal accents, cream upholstery, and other apartment-friendly basics. A set also helps fill more space than a single small frame, which is helpful when a blank wall is making the room feel unfinished.
Compare this to West Elm's Oliver Gal Expressive Imagination Abstract Wall Art Set, priced at $1,199 for the same size.
Faux 72" Ficus Tree in Roped-Style Handwoven Basket
Price: $67.98
A tall faux tree is one of the easiest ways to make an empty corner look intentional. This ficus comes in a roped-style handwoven basket, so it brings texture as well as height.
It is a good fit for renters or busy households that want greenery without watering, leaf drop, or worrying about light levels. Place it near a reading chair, beside a media cabinet, or in a bedroom corner that needs a vertical accent.
West Elm's Faux Potted Snowball Tree runs $399 for a similar size.
Member's Mark Everwash Washable 2-Piece Runner and Accent Rug Set
Price: $34.98
The two rug sizes give you plenty of options throughout your home. The runner can add warmth to a hallway, soften a galley kitchen, or create a cozy spot by the bathroom vanity or beside a bed, while the smaller accent rug fits neatly at an entry door or in front of a sink.
The matching set helps a small home feel more cohesive without requiring a full rug plan for every room. Because the pieces are washable, they also make sense for high-traffic spots that collect shoes, crumbs, or pet messes.
At West Elm, the same sized Caria Performance Rug is $149, and that is just for the runner.
Seville Classics 12-Drawer Rolling Organizer Cart
Price: $59.98
This rolling organizer cart is useful when a first apartment has to make one room handle several jobs. The drawers can corral office supplies, craft materials, beauty products, tech cords, or small household tools instead of letting them take over a desk or closet shelf.
The casters make it easy to move from a work area to a closet or bedroom corner when the room needs to look neater. For anyone without built-in storage, a rolling cart can function like a flexible little command center.
While it might be a little more fancy, West Elm's Marlowe Storage Cart is priced at $699.
Bottom line
These five Sam's Club finds total $434.17, compared with $2,845 for the West Elm pieces listed above, which is a savings of $2,410.83. While the pieces differ in materials, features, and design, they offer a similar modern look for a fraction of the cost.
This mix is best for someone who wants a modern, pulled-together home quickly and is comfortable choosing budget-friendly materials. It is not for someone who needs exact brand finishes, custom sizes, or heirloom furniture.
For a rental, first apartment, guest room, or refresh on a tighter budget, the savings create room to address more than one corner of the home, while using one of the best cash back credit cards could help you earn rewards on those purchases.
on Wells Fargo's secure website Intro Offer
$100 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee $0 Why we like it
If you love earning cash rewards but prefer to avoid the hassle of tracking spending categories, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card could be a good option for you. Card members can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
This card also offers a 0% intro APR on qualifying balance transfers and purchases for 12 months from account opening, then 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable. Those looking for straightforward rewards and an introductory APR will likely find value in this card.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
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