Where to Shop for Home Décor in Bluffton SC and Nearby
The sofa is in place, the furniture fits, and the walls are painted. Yet somehow, the room still feels unfinished.
Often, it’s the extras that are missing: artwork with enough presence over the buffet, pillows that bring the colors together, or an interesting vase that makes a table feel like part of your home.
When I’m shopping for home décor for my Bluffton and Hilton Head clients, I have favorite sources for different things. Some are right here in the Lowcountry. Others are online shops or stores I make a point of visiting when I’m traveling. These are the places I turn to for artwork, florals, pillows, decorative accents, and rugs.
Artwork from Ethan Allen
Ethan Allen is one of my favorite sources for artwork, probably because I worked there for so many years and have seen so much of the collection in person. The website photographs rarely do the pieces justice. In person, you can appreciate the scale, the framing, and the details that make them feel like true statement pieces.
One option many people overlook is Ethan Allen’s Custom Frame Studio, found under Décor and Artwork on its website. It offers a separate collection of images with framing options, making it a useful place to look when you like an image but need a different presentation for your room. Depending on the piece, you can explore sizes, paper or canvas, and framing details such as mats and decorative edges.
I’ve found many pieces in the few-hundred-dollar to roughly $1,200 range. That can be quite reasonable once you factor in the frame.
I learned that lesson after purchasing artwork at a local Bluffton art festival a few years ago. I thought I was saving money by buying the art and having it framed later. Then I got the framing estimate.
I still love finding art from local artists, but now I consider the finished cost from the beginning. When I find a piece I love with a beautiful frame already included, I know exactly what I’m getting and what it will cost to put it on the wall.
Realistic Faux Florals from Branches on Hilton Head or Ethan Allen
For faux florals and greenery that look convincing, I like Branches on Hilton Head and Ethan Allen. Ethan Allen’s faux florals are some of the most realistic I’ve seen, and in my opinion, they’re among the best. The arrangements are beautifully done, but they come with a hefty price tag. When I worked there, I was fortunate to purchase them at nearly cost, which made bringing them home much easier. Of course, that isn’t an option for most people.
That’s one reason I love Branches on Hilton Head. You can select realistic stems and greenery to create your own arrangement, or have their expert designers put one together for you. It’s a lovely way to choose the container, colors, and scale that suit your home, with more control over how much you spend.
Good stems can be an investment. I’ve seen some greenery priced around $20 per stem, and a full arrangement can add up quickly. But the quality of the main branches and greenery makes an enormous difference. When those look stiff or plasticky, it’s hard for the finished arrangement to look natural.
My approach is to invest in the stems that do most of the visual work, then mix in a few more affordable pieces. You don’t have to spend the same amount on every stem.
At home, I keep the same base arrangement on my table throughout the year. Around Thanksgiving, I add feathers and pinecones. At Christmas, I bring in pops of red berries. A few seasonal changes keep it interesting without rebuilding the entire arrangement.
I also like Dutchmans Casual Living, where I shopped when I lived in North Carolina. The Cornelius store was one of my stops, and they also have locations in Athens and Saint Simons Island, Georgia, along with an online store. It’s another source I keep in mind when looking for florals and finishing touches.
Designer Fabric Pillows from Etsy and Judy M Brown Designs
Pillows are one of my favorite ways to introduce a fabric I love without committing to an entire upholstered piece.
A lot of people don’t realize how many independent pillow makers sell through Etsy. If you’ve fallen in love with a Thibaut or Schumacher fabric, try searching for the fabric name along with “pillow cover.”
Depending on the seller, you may be able to choose the size, use the patterned fabric on the front or both sides, and add a welt for a more tailored finish. Read the listing carefully to see whether you’re purchasing a cover alone or a pillow with an insert. Also, don't skimp on the insert. Purchasing a high quality feather down insert will fill out your pillow for that decorator look. Also, make sure your insert is 2" larger than the pillow casing cover. This will ensure your pillows look full.
My absolute favorite pillow fabricator is Judy M. Brown Designs, whose pillows are sold at Cotswold Marketplace in Charlotte.
These are a splurge. The pillows I’ve admired have generally been around $250 to $300 each, but I think they’re worth it. A beautiful fabric and careful construction can make a pillow feel like a small custom piece for the room.
If you’re ever in Charlotte, Cotswold Marketplace is worth a stop for home décor beyond pillows, too. I always try to work it into my visits when I’m back in the area seeing family.
Decorative Accents from Antique and Vintage Markets
For vases, brass bowls, and those interesting little pieces that make a room feel personal, my favorite shopping trip is often to a large antique or vintage market.
Avonlea in Jacksonville and Mount Pleasant Mall are two places I enjoy browsing. I’m drawn to pieces with some age, an unusual shape, or a bit of history. An interesting vessel or an old brass object can bring character to a room without needing to match everything around it.
There’s also something satisfying about finding a piece you weren’t expecting. You might go in looking for a vase and leave with the perfect little box for your coffee table.
I would rather bring home a few things I’m excited about than buy a cart full of accessories just to fill empty shelves. Leaving some breathing room lets the pieces you do choose stand out.
For more places to explore, including options closer to Bluffton, read my guide to where to shop for antiques and eclectic finds from Charleston to Savannah and Jacksonville.
Rugs from Gilman Floors and Fletcher’s in Yemassee
A rug may be bigger than the other “extras,” but it plays a major role in making a room feel finished. It also helps to see one in person whenever possible.
Gilman Floors near Bluffton
Gilman Floors, on Fording Island Road in the Bluffton and Hilton Head area, has been a go-to source when a client needs several rugs that won’t break the budget.
I like being able to see full-size rugs hanging in the showroom. It’s much easier to judge the overall pattern and color balance than it is from a tiny sample or an image on a screen.
On a recent project, I found three great 9-by-12-foot options for a client that averaged around $1,000 each. When you’re furnishing several rooms at once, that kind of pricing makes a difference.
They also have sample boards to browse for custom-size rugs and stair runners. If a standard rug size isn’t quite right for your space, ask about the materials and finishing options available.
Fletcher’s in Yemassee
For classic and traditional rugs, I like Fletcher’s in Yemassee. They are only open Thursdays-Saturdays with limited hours, so check their current hours before making a trip.
I’ve found a large selection of Persian, Turkish, and other traditional rugs in a wide range of colors and patterns, with very reasonable pricing.
One of the things I appreciate is the opportunity to try a rug at home before purchasing. Ask about their current take-home approval arrangements when you visit. Seeing a rug alongside your furniture and in your own light can make the decision much easier.
A traditional rug can also work beautifully in a coastal home. It can bring warmth and depth to a room with lighter upholstery, natural textures, and relaxed furnishings.
Finishing a Bluffton Home with Pieces You Love
You don’t have to buy all the finishing touches in one trip, or even from one store.
Start with the part of the room that feels unresolved. Perhaps the wall needs artwork with more presence, the sofa needs a little pattern, or the shelves need something personal mixed in with the books.
For my own home and my clients’ homes, I like combining sources: beautifully framed artwork, a special pillow, a rug that works with the room, and a vintage find with a story. Those choices take a little time, but they’re what make a home feel like yours.