4 Michaels Decor Finds I Swear By for an Instant Room Refresh

I don't have a crafty bone in my body and need help threading a needle, yet I'm a regular at my local Michaels. Why? It's because the arts and crafts superstore consistently stocks some really good decorating and organizing basics at prices that are always affordable and frequently discounted. Here are four categories of home items I always shop for at Michaels (and you should, too).

1. Woven Baskets

I probably own 50 woven baskets (no exaggeration), and I’ll bet 45 of them are from Michaels. I like rectangular or square ones with straight sides because they nest together nicely, look orderly in multiples, and store a ton of stuff. And I opt for natural materials like water hyacinth, seagrass, and willow because they never fail to relax and warm up a room.

Michaels always has baskets that meet my requirements. I've found so many convincing dupes for more expensive baskets sold at places like Crate & Barrel or Pottery Barn. Plus, I like knowing that Michaels regularly stocks the same styles, so I can get more of the exact one I want on my next trip. Whereas if you buy a random, one-off basket at a discount retailer like HomeGoods or TJ Maxx, you might never find the same style again.

2. Clear Glass Canisters, Jars & Vases

I use clear glass jars, canisters, and vases for display and organization all around my house, and Michaels has a huge variety to choose from. Whatever your need, chances are good that a glass jar will take care of it. (I have matching jars of sand from every beach I've ever visited displayed on a shelf; I use a trio of clear glass cylinders as hurricanes for candles; and I keep leftover ribbons in a big glass jar in my gift-wrapping area.) Plus, simple matching glass vessels always look orderly, especially when lined up in multiples.

Here are a few of my favorite types of glass containers that you can find at Michaels, and how I use them:

• Cylinder vases. I buy these in a variety of sizes to use them as candle holders, flower vases, pen and pencil holders at my desk, and a straw holder on my bar cart.
• Wide-mouth jars with screw-on lids. Perfect for decanting pantry goods and for storing leftovers in the fridge. The wide-mouth style is a must.
• Tiny jars with airtight lids. These are great for storing spices or transporting dressing or toppings for a to-go lunch.
• Large, lidded canisters. Display-worthy storage of flour and sugar on the kitchen countertop. I store the paper towel roll in a glass canister, too.

3. Picture Frames

Since IKEA is a road trip away for me, Michaels has become my go-to for basic, clean-lined picture frames in white or black. They always have a good selection of standard sizes in stock, including 16x20 and 18x24. The smaller frames usually include a white mat, as well. Or you can visit the framing desk to have a mat in any color of the rainbow cut to fit your frame. My only caveat is that their selection of wood-finish frames is a bit lacking (I'd love to see a nice light wood option). Regardless, you can’t beat the prices and easy availability. One visit to Michaels and you can get that gallery wall hung today.

4. Candles

I like to chill with a lot of candlelight in the evening, but I don’t want multiple scented candles competing for attention. So I’ve taken to supplementing one scented jar candle with a bunch of basic, unscented pillar candles in white or cream, which you can source at Michaels at reasonable prices. (They also have battery-operated LED candles, but for indoor use, I will always prefer the real thing.)

While you’re at it, visit the aforementioned clear glass section if you need some cylinders to act as hurricanes for your candles. They also have affordable taper candles for your dining table or mantel.

Know that you’re probably going to find only white or cream in Michaels stores, so if you like your unscented candle colorful, you’ll have to look elsewhere. But I prefer the simplicity and the overall glow of a cream or white candle, so that limitation is not a problem.