Under $100: Best home buys for August

Going Green

Despite failing to keep most of my summer plants alive, I have decided to give this gardening thing another go and this planter is my inspiration. The sleek, modern design can be style in most settings and it’s just the right size to hold a mid-sized beginner plant for someone like myself.  —Murissa Barrington, digital assistant

Planter with stand, $21, structube.com. 

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A Cut Above

While I love a good wooden cutting board (for using and for serving), I have to say that this marble one by H&M has also caught my eye. The silicone underneath means it won’t slip all over the place and the deep green colour is one that I’d love to add to my neutral kitchen space. —Alexandra Donaldson, fashion and beauty editor

Marble cutting board, $35, hm.com. 

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Green Cleaning

I’m quite sensitive to scents (thanks allergies!) and have always found my go-to cleaning products quite harsh, so this year, I’ve made the initiative to switch over to ones that are a little less harsh on my nose—and the environment. This glass cleaner from Mrs. Meyers has been the perfect solution for cleaning the glass surfaces of my apartment, and with 98% of ingredients being plant-derived, it’s also helped my green thumb. —Linda Cotrina, web producer

Mrs. Meyer’s Lemon Verbena Glass Cleaner, $7.22, mrsmeyers.ca. 

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Strategic Storage

Struggling to store your belongings while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing space? Try these file boxes featuring a marble pattern to effortlessly blend in your storage as décor. The neutral colourings coupled with the rose gold metallic label slot instantly emit a sophisticated elegance, despite its cardboard construction. —Samara Abells, fashion and beauty intern

Marble File Box, $11, forever21.com/ca. 

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No-Fuss Laundry

While I wear nice things to work that rarely get dirty (unless I’m clumsy), my husband is a contractor and he comes home covered in plaster, paint and dust pretty much every day. I definitely don’t want my blazers and blouses mixing in with his work pants in the laundry basket. Which is why I’ll be picking up this heavy duty laundry duffle bag for him. He can keep his dirty work stuff separate and contained, but also easy to transport to the laundromat. Win-win. —AD

Essential Needs laundry bag, $15, thebay.com.

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Small Changes

Even though I’m no longer in school, I still see the last couple of weeks before September hits as a time to refresh a couple of things in my life, no matter how small. This year, I’m starting with a new iPhone case, and this one right here combines two of my favourite things in a cool, artsy way: pizza and flowers. —LC

Recover X Paul Fuentes Flower Power Pizza iPhone Case, $24, urbanoutfitters.com.

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Twisted Dreams

It’s always great when you find a home decor piece that adds a slightly different feeling than your average finds. This knotted throw cushion from Jysk doesn’t look like your typical pillow and stands out in a good way from everything else in my living room decor. —MB

Knot throw pillow, $25, jysk.ca. 

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Message Me

How cute is this felt letterboard? Perfect for a kid’s room or even your desk at work, you can write yourself reminders, inspirational messages or just a few of your favourite phrases that will help keep you on track. —AD

Large felt letterboard, $34, drakegeneralstore.ca. 

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Top it Off

For quick and easy access, we tend to display our everyday essentials (like accessories and fragrances) on top of our dressers. If we’re not careful, these items can build up, get messy and lead to a chaotic situation. Use this modern tray as functional décor to showcase the items on your dresser—organized stylishly. —SA

Umbra Accessory Organizer Prism Tray, $15, simons.ca.

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Pack It Up

When you have a narrow entryway and A LOT of shoes, it’s pretty easy to end up tripping over a mountain of shoes by the end of the week. That’s why I’ll be picking up this shoe cabinet from Ikea to finally get my family’s shoes together and out of sight. It only costs $35 per cabinet set allowing me to grab a couple and also has a shallow area on top for dropping off keys as you come through the door. —MB

Trones shoe/storage cabinet, $35/pack of 2, ikea.com/ca. 

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Take a Seat

My husband and I have been known to host movie nights with a bunch of our friends, and though it’s a lot of fun, seating in our tiny apartment can get a little tricky. I’m thinking that investing in a couple of these floor pillows might be the answer. They’re comfy, can also store away easily in the hall closet or under the bed. —AD

Floor Pillow, $44.50, chapters.indigo.ca.

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Serve in Style

Host your next dinner party with these serving spoons that are sure to complement any of your salad bowls. Their stainless steel construction makes them durable, while their unique handles give off a modern and edgy vibe. Functional doesn’t need to mean basic. —SA

Metal Salad Servers, $15, hm.com/ca. 

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Scissorhands

Everyone needs a great pair of scissors. I have about three already handy, each with its own purpose: one for ribbon, one for paper and one for cutting off those pesky clothing labels. While I know I don’t need another one, I just couldn’t pass up on this aesthetically-pleasing pair. Perhaps I can use them for…I don’t even know, but aren’t they pretty?! —LC

Maude Scissors, $24, anthropologie.com.

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Beautiful Bedding

All-white bedding has been my go-to choice for as long as I can remember. I love how it keeps bedrooms looking crisp, clean, and matches a variety of décor approaches. Offered in both twin and queen sizes, and equipped with a comforter and two shams, this timeless bed set features a textured panel design that adds a little something extra to an otherwise simple style. —SA

DH Nora Three-Piece Comforter Set (Queen), $90, thebay.com.

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Free Flow

Clogged up bathtub drains are a common issue in my household thanks to my hair constantly shedding and my weekly hair washing routine. I’m excited to use this nifty little device because not only does it stop hair from going down the drain, it also doubles as a regular drain stopper with just the push of a button. —MB

Flex drain stop & hair catcher, $7, umbra.com. 

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Get the Message

Whether used for grocery lists or daily memos, this dry erase board is an easy and efficient way to leave notes for yourself, roommates or family members. This piece features a magnetic backing that can attach to your fridge, but is also sold with screws and adhesive strips if you’d prefer to display the board elsewhere. Quit wasting paper with this reusable pick! —SA

Poppin Dry Erase Board,  $24, urbanoutfitters.com/ca. 

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