Shopping for the perfect couch is kind of like trying to find the perfect pair of jeans. To the eye, they all look similar, but ultimately only one fits just right—at Urban List, we know how hard finding the right pieces for your home can be.
The same goes for dining tables, coffee tables, and lamps. Don’t even get us started on rugs—that search brings with it a whole separate rollercoaster of emotions. All this and we haven’t even touched on the conviction one must possess to purchase the perfect tableware. If only someone had compiled a list of the best design and homewares stores in Sydney/Eora to make decorating your home that much easier. Oh, wait… You're in luck.
Maison Balzac
545A Bourke St, Surry Hills
Image credit: Maison Balzac | Instagram
Maison Balzac's candles have become a household name. Dreamt up by the brand's founder, French native Elise Pioch, the scents are some of the most coveted fragrances around. These days, Pioch has expanded her empire into a full lifestyle emporium, with absolutely stunning glassware at the forefront.
If dinner parties are on the horizon for you, drop into Maison Balzac's pretty Surry Hills outpost for wine goblets, champagne flutes, carafes, plates, and more, as well as the label's to-die-for home fragrance. You can also shop online here.
Jardan
42 Oxford St, Paddington
Image credit: Jardan | Instagram
Visiting Jardan feels less like going shopping and more like taking a luxe holiday. Housed inside the same iconic art deco building once inhabited by Ariel Bookshop, Jardan is a pale pink-hued wonderland of contemporary design. From the minute you open the beautifully ornate door and climb the curved staircase, you know you’re somewhere special.
Renowned for their modernist eye and aesthetic, Jardan offers a range of high-quality, high-end furniture (including their highly-sought-after Joy armchair and Miller sofa) as well as tableware, lighting, rugs, ceramics, and trinkets as far as the eye can see, sourced from all over the world. Each piece of Jardan furniture is made to order and expertly handcrafted in Melbourne to the highest environmental standards, meaning it will set you back a pretty penny—but, on the flip side, you'll be buying a piece of sustainable design that will last longer than a lifetime.
Tamsin Johnson Showroom
1 Victoria Street, Paddington
Image credit: Tamsin Johnson Showroom | Instagram
Synonymous with Sydney interior design, the Tamsin Johnson Showroom in Paddington requires no formal introduction. Serving as a natural extension of Tamsin Johnson's distinctive design philosophy, the Paddington Showroom is a haven for a meticulously curated selection of exceptional homewares, antiques, and vintage pieces, spanning categories such as lighting, furniture, and art objects.
Whether you're on the hunt for the perfect addition to your home or seeking design inspiration, the Tamsin Johnson showroom is the ideal place to immerse yourself in a world of beautiful things.
HAY Shop
255 Crown St, Darlinghurst
Image credit: HAY Shop | Instagram
Founded in Denmark in 2002, HAY offers modern Danish design at an affordable price. Ask anyone who’s spent longer than a week in Sydney, and chances are, they’ve visited HAY Shop on Crown St. If that same person happens to live in Sydney, chances are you’re sitting on a piece of HAY furniture when you visit their house.
The popular homewares brand boasts a simple, clean, and playfully colourful aesthetic, offering everything from furniture to lighting, textiles, super cool stationery, and dreamy glassware.
MCM House
16-20 Oxford Street, Paddington
Image credit: MCM House | Instagram
Nestled along vibrant Oxford Street in Paddington, MCM House stands as the quintessential destination for fans of a minimalist look seeking to elevate their home interiors. The showroom, characterised by its light, bright, and airy ambiance, provides an ideal setting for its extensive collection of furniture and home pieces.
A visit in-store will have you exploring their range of coveted items, including their much-loved couches, alongside hand-woven rattan tables, reclaimed timber creations, mirrors, and luxurious bedding options.
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Vampt Vintage Design
486-490 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Vampt Vintage Design | Instagram
A testament to the passion and commitment of its founders, Dave and Maxine, Vampt Vintage is one of Sydney’s premier destinations for scoring incredible mid-century pieces. Specialising in stocking a host of unique and rare items, sourced from around the globe, including Scandinavia, Italy, and Brazil, the store is a treasure trove for those seeking timeless and stylish pieces.
Beyond its retail offering, Vampt Vintage also provides an in-house styling service where they can help you source the perfect pieces to suit your home and design aesthetic.
Koskela
118-120 High Street, North Sydney
Image credit: Koskela | Instagram
For close to two decades, Koskela has been producing durable and contemporary furniture and homewares with a focus on sustainability. Ever visited a super cool open-plan office full of simple yet innovative furniture and thought, "How do I get my home office to look like this?" The answer is Koskela.
Ethically made and deeply committed to their social impact, all of Koskela’s products are Australian-made and built to last—something that’s sadly becoming harder to come by these days.
In Bed Store
72B Oxford Street, Paddington
Image credit: In Bed Store | Website
Just a few blocks up from Jardan in Paddington, you’ll find In Bed’s flagship store on Oxford St. True to its name, walking inside this cosy cocoon of wood and earthy tones is as calming and comfy as climbing In Bed. Best known for its luxury linen bedding, PJ sets, tea towels, and napkins, In Bed also boasts a keen eye for unique and bespoke ceramics as well as kitchenware, and a selection of natural beauty products.
In the shop, a large wall of windows overlooking a leafy backyard floods the space with light. The ambiance mimics their product line perfectly.
Provider Store
381B Riley Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Provider Store | Instagram
Nestled in Surry Hills, the Provider Store is a must-visit destination for those seeking handpicked wares with stories inspired by travel, art, and connection.
With a strong focus on Japanese items and design, the store plays host to unique handmade ceramics, linens, and homewares, many of which have been individually handpicked by the owner Tara whilst on her travels. The store also offers a variety of workshops, including candle-making classes, which you can sign up for online.
Design By Them
16 Stokes Ave, Alexandria
Image credit: Design By Them | Instagram
The "Them" behind Design By Them is Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis—two Sydney-based designers who are wholly committed to producing innovative, sustainable, and timeless Australian furniture. Their recent "Confetti" range is made from 100% recycled plastic, and they’ve used recycled materials in past collections, too.
Their pieces are the perfect mix of functionality and fun, and their store in Ultimo is a minimalist's dream. Take a seat in one of their incredibly designed chairs and ponder why you haven’t purchased something from here sooner.
Mitchell Road Antique and Design Centre
17 Bourke Rd, Alexandria
Image credit: Mitchell Road Antique and Design Centre | Instagram
Prepare to enter a time warp as you step inside this Bourke St bazaar that’s bursting with nostalgia and retro décor. Part antique store, part mid-century modern wonderland, Mitchell Road is the place to go if you’re looking to inject some character into your home.
A whole host of vendors peddle their individual vintage wares all under one giant warehouse roof, and the prices are pretty unbeatable. With everything from furniture to records to clothes to vintage Barbies for sale, you’d best clear your afternoon schedule before visiting here. You’re going to want to stay awhile.
Potts Point Galleries
67 Macleay St, Potts Point
Image credit: Potts Point Galleries | Instagram
Located on the main walk of Potts Point, Potts Point Galleries may appear relatively unassuming from its street front, but stepping inside unveils a space of remarkable magnitude and an impressive array of unique wares.
The store's expansive interior showcases the objects, pieces, and rare collectables from over 20 antique and decorative art dealers, with everything from ceramics and glassware to sculptures, antiques, and jewellery on offer. Close to the literal definition of a treasure trove, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to properly explore this space.
MUJI
1 The Galeries, 500 George St, Sydney | Shop 482/1 Anderson St, Chatswood
Image credit: MUJI | Instagram
The best way to describe the minimal mayhem of MUJI is by imagining a Japanese IKEA. Everything your heart desires lay waiting among gadgets and inventions you didn’t even know you needed until now. In this Japanese no-brand homewares store, you’ll find everything from pillows to kitchenware to luggage to cleaning products, all minimally designed and on sale for a minimal price.
Honestly, we think the main reason they sell luggage at MUJI is because it’s the only thing big enough to fit everything you’ll end up buying here.
Utopia Goods
34 Oxford St, Paddington
Image credit: Utopia Goods | Instagram
Textiles, get your textiles! Designed by Bruce Slorach and Sophie Tatlow and founded in 2012, Utopia Goods is your one-stop shop for all things pretty and patterned. Amazingly, everything here is printed by hand, with all the fabric designs inspired by Australian botanicals.
In honour of India’s textile craft, each print and piece is carefully crafted there. Need some bright, unique, and high-quality cushions? Head to Utopia Goods. Need a strikingly unique lamp? Head to Utopia Goods. Oh, you’re looking for a scarf? Okay, you get the point.
The Vault Sydney
377 Gardeners Road, Rosebery
Image credit: The Vault Sydney | Instagram
Located in Rosebery’s design hub, The Vault, founded by dynamic design duo Phoebe Nicol and Jeremy Bowker is more than just an antiques store. Challenging preconceived notions about antique furniture, the space plays host to a mix of vintage, currant, and antique pieces - all with a story to tell.
With pieces being sourced both locally and overseas, whether you’re looking for unique and affordable furniture, objects, or art, the store is the perfect place to find a special addition to your space. We think it’s worth a visit just to soak in the beautiful styling choices and atmosphere alone.
Dinosaur Designs And Extinct
Shop 77 Strand Arcade, 412-414 George Street, Sydney | 339 Oxford Street, Paddington | 585 Elizabeth Street, Redfern
Image credit: Dinosaur Designs | Instagram
Australia’s most recognisable resin jewellery brand, Dinosaur Designs, has captivated our collective imagination for over thirty years now. Co-founders Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy first started selling their jewellery at Paddington Markets, before gradually opening stores around the country. Known for their innovative take on shape and form, Dinosaur Designs offers everything from necklaces to serving ware, vases, and even resin soap dishes.
Head to their Oxford St store to explore their current collections, or take a trip to Extinct, their outlet store in Redfern. At the latter, you’ll find discontinued colours and collections for between 20% to 70% off. You can also shop online here.
The Design Ark
125a Houston Road, Kingsford
Image credit: The Design Ark | Instagram
The Design Ark is a treasure trove for those seeking distinctive industrial, modernist, or vintage pieces in Sydney. With an expansive 500sqm showroom, the store showcases a diverse and constantly evolving inventory, thanks to its list of resident dealers who introduce new stock every week.
Notably, The Design Ark has a strong commitment to sustainability, with every piece undergoing meticulous restoration, cleaning, and upcycling to ensure a second life that spans generations. Beyond their impressive selection of larger furniture items, the store also features an array of smaller homeware and eccentric decor pieces.
The DEA Store
674 Bourke Street, Redfern and 146 Regent Street, Redfern
Image credit: The DEA Store | Instagram
Offering a peaceful design haven in the heart of Redfern, The DEA Store has long been a go-to spot for those in the know for sourcing delightful design objects. Alongside a curated collection of ceramics sourced from Japan, you’ll find pieces from brands including Tom Dixon, Marble Basics and Kinto.
Alongside its more established brands, the store also plays host to a rotation of work from local artists and artisans, meaning there’s always something new and unique to be discovered.
Tangerine & Teal
1/8 Orchard Rd, Brookvale
Image credit: Tangerine & Teal | Instagram
For those with a percentage for mid-century modern furniture, a trip to visit Tangerine & Teal, located in Sydney’s Brookvale should be high on the list. Established by sisters Sacha and Vanessa in 2013, the store stocks a mix of mid-century pieces that are mostly sourced and restored by Sacha
With furniture makers including Parker, Chiswell, Fred Lowen, and Danish Deluxe on offer, whether you’re trying to source a particular piece or you’re in the market to sell a mid-century gem, the team at Tangerine & Teal will be more than happy to help.
Anibou
726 Bourke Street, Redfern
Image credit: Anibou | Instagram
Serving up timeless craftsmanship for more than three decades, Anibou has established itself as a destination for those seeking a highly curated selection of exceptional pieces that will elevate their spaces for years to come.
Its Redfern showroom, situated within a light-filled warehouse, plays host to a tight edit of renowned brands such as Artek, Thonet, and USM Modular Furniture. Whether you’re a design aficionado looking to invest in a special piece for your space or you’re just in need of some superior interior inspiration, Anibou is the place.
Mc Mullin & Co
13 Thompson St, Marrickville
Image credit: Mc Mullin & Co | Instagram
The opening of McMullin & Co’s showroom was a welcome addition to Sydneysiders who previously had only been able to shop the brand online. Originally founded in 2018, the brand’s showroom plays host to a highly curated selection of the brand's pieces, which include everything from lighting to furniture and home accessories.
Visiting the showroom? Take advantage of the brand's dedicated team of interior specialists and book a design consultation for some personalised product and styling advice to take your space to the next level.
Lunatiques
2 Kent Road, Mascot
Image credit: Lunatiques | Instagram
Located within walking distance to Mascot station, Lunatiques 3500 square metre warehouse is a treasure trove for all things old. Offering something a little different from your typical antique centre, the vast space plays host to a unique collective of dealers, furniture makers, collectors, artists, and designers all under one roof.
With a mix of everything from mid-century furniture to artwork, collectibles, and retro pieces, you’re sure to spot something different every time you visit. Looking for a particular piece? Be sure to ask their friendly staff for some help or keep an eye out on their Instagram for new arrivals.
District
85/91 William St, Darlinghurst
Image credit: District | Supplied
Backing onto a charming Darlinghurst laneway, once you step inside District’s Sydney store, you are immediately transported away from its busy William Street location. Priding itself on sourcing a unique range of contemporary home furniture and accessories, the store caters to design enthusiasts who are looking for something different and appreciate future classics.
The store's historic location alone serves up plenty of design inspiration, being nestled within a heritage masonry building that acts as the perfect backdrop for the showroom. Pieces include everything from statement chairs to handcrafted pottery and glassware.
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Image credit: Tamsin Johnson Showroom | Instagram
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