I’m just going to put it out there. As a former Californian with many, many consumer options (hello, Target), where does the average Canadian go to buy decor or home improvement supplies?

When you are in the thick of a renovation and on a budget, sometimes you have to do your research and get creative. This means comparison shopping or finding dupes that will do the trick.

Shopping local is always a good option. Because this tends to be pricier, I will often focus on special pieces that I know will be an investment. Things like artwork or accessories that will add a local vibe to your decor. Depending on where you live, local may not be a feasible option based on both price points & a lack of retailers.

Here is our go-to list of retailers for all things design & renovation:

Wayfair has so many options. Everything from area rugs, to mattresses to whatever random artwork your heart desires. The best thing is that shipping is always free and Wayfair factors in the taxes & duty into the cost of their product. This is a huge sticking point if you are a resident of the great north, true and free.

Homesense is another great option if you have a general idea of what you want and don’t want to wait for shipping. Stagers and DIY designers flock to these stores because of their inexpensive & on-trend furniture & accessories. Only catch, Homesense does not have an ecommerce site. You actually have to make your purchases in a brick and mortar store.

Living on the west coast of Canada, I was thrilled to stumble upon Simons, a Quebec based department store. The crazy part is that Simons was founded in 1840, so it has a longstanding Canadian legacy. The department store has reasonable prices and is where I sourced my sweet rope light fixtures that will be featured in our kitchen.

When it comes to quick DIY projects, Lowes is a great option. With a past flip we purchased kitchen cabinets & counter tops through Lowes. They looked sharp and didn’t break the bank.

These are all a great starting point for any renovation project. Ultimately if you do the research there are more options than ever (even for Canadians), we just have to work a little harder to find them.