The 11 Best Design Stores in NYC for Last-Minute Holiday Shopping
Explore some of the best New York City spots to shop for design goods for everyone on your list.
Given the conveniences of our modern world, it can be tempting to shop online from the comforts of home. But if you’ve really left things until the last minute, and you’re looking to avoid long lines and clearance-bin scuffles, consider perusing the shelves of our favorite NYC design stores for unique holiday gifts your loved ones will treasure.
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
Coming Soon, a furniture design and gift shop in the Lower East Side, is a great place to shop for eclectic and unique design gifts. Founded by former art gallerists Fabiana Faria and Helena Barque in 2013, the store’s mission is modeled after the dynamic nature of the city, and the founders say they hoped to create "a dynamic place that is always changing with new works always Coming Soon."
Coming Soon is located at 37 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Colony
Colony
Colony, the designers’ co-op, is a community of independent designers who have come together to celebrate American design. Founded in 2014 by Jean Lin, the store offers a selection of furniture, lighting, textiles, and objects from emerging independent designers. With items like Hiroko Takeda’s throw, Meg Callahan’s quilts, and Grain’s candleholders, Colony is a perfect spot for anyone on your list.
Colony is located at 324 Canal St, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10013
MoMA Design Store
MoMa
The Museum of Modern Art’s gift shop offers a selection of items that reflect the museum’s collection. The museum’s curatorial department evaluates every product in the store, which is known for its collection of unique design gifts and functional products. For more recommendations of products, you can explore their holiday gift guide.
The MoMA Design Store is located at 11 West 53rd Street and 81 Spring Street, New York, NY
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Herman Miller Eames Molded Fiberglass Armchair
Charles and Ray Eames realized their dream to create a single-shell form over 80 years ago by making their molded chairs of fiberglass. When the environmental risks of that material became known, the Eames Molded Shell Chair (1950) was changed to polypropylene, which is 100% recyclable and has a pleasant matte texture. In 2013, Herman Miller safely brought back the fiberglass shell thanks to a new proprietary production process. Today’s fiberglass chair is made of 99% recyclable materials and covered by Herman Miller’s take-back program for environmentally sound recycling. Plus, it’s true to the original with its beloved variegated surface. Also making its debut in 2013 was the stunning Eames Molded Wood Chair, a longtime dream of the Eameses finally made possible by today’s revolutionary 3-D molding technology. The result is an elegant yet strong and durable beautiful wood shell. The collection was expanded again in 2015 to include a counter stool and barstool. Each provides just the right amount of give, with a deep seat pocket and waterfall seat edge to reduce pressure on the backs of thighs. The Molded Shell Chair is a celebration of the Eameses’ fascination with emerging materials. “The chair that Charles and Ray were designing,” says grandson Eames Demetrios, “is the chair that’s made tomorrow.” This is an authentic Eames Chair by Herman Miller. Made in U.S.A.
ShopHome Union
Daniel King and Meghan Lavery launched Home Union in 2016 as a way to share their treasured vintage collection. The specialty vintage store focuses on 20th-century design and one-of-a-kind pieces.
Home Union is located at 369 Hooper Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Beam
Beam
Beam is a place to go if you are looking for "Southern California meets Brooklyn." Founded in 2013, the store specializes in the best of furniture, lighting, art, home goods, and gifts.
Beam is located at 240 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Adaptations
Adaptation
Adaptations, a vintage furniture store in Greenpoint, sells a mix of industrial and midcentury design pieces for the home. The store also sells "At Home" by Adaptations, a custom line of pillows, sofas, ottomans, benches, headboards, and more.
Adaptations is located at 109 Franklin Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Herman Miller
Herman Miller
The Herman Miller Flagship, the company’s first North American retail store, opened in Gramercy Park in 2016. The store carries a mix of vintage Herman Miller furniture, like the iconic Eames, lighting, and accessories—as well as multiple Herman Miller brands like Design Within Reach, Geiger, and Maharam.
Herman Miller New York Flagship is located at 251 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
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Herman Miller Landmark Chair
Ward Bennett based the design of his Landmark Chair on the shape of a classic English chair. He then pared away what he deemed to be nonessential elements of the design to reveal the beauty inherent to the chair’s function: in a word, comfort.
ShopHerman Miller Nelson Fireplace Caddy
Possessing one of the most inventive minds of the 20th century, George Nelson described his creative abilities as a series of “zaps” – quick flashes of inspiration he turned into innovative design ideas. In 1945, Nelson became director of design at Herman Miller, a position he held until 1972. While there, he recruited other seminal modern designers, including Charles Eames and Isamu Noguchi. Nelson also developed his own works, like this Fireplace Caddy (1950s), which consists of a removable canvas sling with carrying handles resting on a steel base fashioned to endure years of use. Made in Taiwan.
ShopHerman Miller Nelson Fireplace Tool Set
Possessing one of the most inventive minds of the 20th century, George Nelson described his creative abilities as a series of “zaps” – quick flashes of inspiration he turned into innovative design ideas. In 1945, Nelson became director of design at Herman Miller, a position he held until 1972. While there, he recruited other seminal modern designers, including Charles Eames and Isamu Noguchi. Nelson also developed his own works, like this Fireplace Tool Set (1951), which includes minimal yet durable pieces that will stand up to years of use. Set comprises a poker, shovel, brush and tripod stand. Made in Taiwan.
ShopJung Lee
Founded by the event planner Jung Lee, this store is a great spot to shop a selection of items for decorating and entertaining. Located in the NoMad neighborhood, the loft-style store is arranged into a series of rooms: "a foyer, formal and informal dining areas, a breakfast nook, a bar, a library, and a greenhouse."
Jung Lee is located at 25 West 29th Street, New York, NY 10001
ABC Carpet & Home
ABC Carpet & Home
The Manhattan flagship location in Gramercy offers plenty of offerings for anyone on your list with thousands of items spread over six floors. The store offers a variety of styles with a focus on goods created with sustainability and fair labor standards in mind.
ABC Carpet & Home’s Manhattan Flagship is located at 888 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
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The ABC's of Triangle, Square, Circle: The Bauhaus and Design Theory
First published in 1991, this book collects a series of essays about the legendary Bauhaus school founded in Dessau, Germany. The compiled texts discuss topics ranging from psychoanalysis to geometry, early childhood education, and popular culture. Republished this spring with a new preface by the original authors, it’s a must-read for any design aficionado, student, teacher, or professional. Photo Courtesy of Amazon
ShopMatter
Matter opened its doors in 2003 and has since become a key name in contemporary furniture, housewares, and jewelry. Founded by furniture designer Jamie Gray, the store now carries an in-house brand, Matter Made, which is focused on contemporary American design.
Matter is located at 405 Broome Street, New York, NY 10013
The Future Perfect
Founded in 2003 by David Alhadeff, The Future Perfect is a gallery and shop with locations in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. When Alhadeff opened The Future Perfect he set out to showcase new and fresh design—and loves "avant-garde work presented in a casual, cozy way."
The Future Perfect’s Manhattan address is located at 55 Great Jones Street, New York, NY 10012
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