As a prominent economic hotbed and the most ethnically-diverse city in not just Texas but all of the United States, Houston is no stranger to cutting-edge design trends inspired from far and wide. One of the problems with interior design though, especially during the pandemic, is that interior design showrooms have largely been reserved for professionals, including contractors, decorators and architects.
However, we’re here to be the bearer of good news: there are ways to gain access to the best interior design showrooms around, even if you’re just an enthusiast shopping for yourself. Here’s everything you need to know about how to get some design inspiration in Houston by visiting a few of the best interior design showrooms near you.
Decorative Center Houston campus
Decorative Center Houston
Basically a shopping mall for the interior design enthusiast, this Uptown spot on Woodway Drive between Post Oak and Sage offers suite after suite of vendors providing everything from Oriental rugs and Euro collections to classic cabinetry and elite furniture. Known by its acronym of DCH—Decorative Center Houston—the space has recently celebrated 30 years of catering to the Houston market.
If you’re in need of a little design inspiration or just want to capitalize on an all-encompassing experience for remodeling, you would be wise to visit the whopping 37 showrooms at DCH spanning over half a million square feet!
Highlights to Visit at DCH
For Luxury Shoppers
For shoppers not intimidated by price who aim for premier decadence, look no further than Aria Stone Gallery in suite 1016. Have you seen Drake’s all marble bathroom in his Toronto mansion? For a price, Aria Stone can make this dream-like look come true. Besides, even if you’re on a budget, you can make note of the styles Aria offers and use them as leverage to explore more cost-effective options.
For Fine Linens and Affordable Textiles
Want to spice up your home’s interior decor without breaking the bank? Don’t overlook the power of textiles. Globaltex Fine Linens (suite 1014) offers every linen imaginable using 100% Turkish cotton. With their original location in Miami, this second spot for the popular fabric manufacturer will show you how to integrate luxurious pops of color in the form of bedding, towels, throws and more.
For Custom Window Treatments
We all love natural light, but privacy has its place on our wish list too. Featuring a huge selection of product lines, The Shade Store (suite 1070) will give you a thorough customer experience that proves you can cover up beautiful open windows without sacrificing the stun factor.
Pro Tip: How to Get In
Admittance to the individual showrooms depends on the exact policies of each vendor. We recommend deciding in advance which design collections you want to see and calling each business ahead of time with an approximate ETA. Even the showrooms that are typically closed for public access will let you book an appointment time. Doing this will ensure you are allowed inside.
Houston Design Center campus
Houston Design CenterEveryone is a true populist at heart—or at least all the cool people are! That’s why the Houston Design Center (HDC) brings together many of the city’s leading professional interior designers, builders and more under one roof without locking their doors to non-professionals during business hours. Houstonians from anywhere in the city or the rest of Texas and beyond can stop by to knock out all of their design needs. With a beautiful lakefront spot on Old Katy Rd just north of I-10 and Memorial Park, the parking is even free!
Visitors can browse to their heart’s content seeing showroom after showroom while gathering home furnishing inspiration that covers all aspects of décor, from art, wall coverings and accessories to fabrics, chairs, couches, surfacing, and even lighting. You won’t feel pressured to make a purchase either—their prime Houston location near so many different neighborhoods within the city makes them no stranger to browsers who are only perusing for ideas. They encourage walk-ins just like you!
A One-of-a-Kind Experience at HDC
Window Shopping at Memorial Antiques & Interiors
Window shopping at MAI
Memorial Antiques and InteriorsBy window shopping, Memorial Antiques & Interiors (MAI) means it—literally. With the rise of e-commerce so readily available on all of our mobile devices, window shopping seems to have become somewhat of a memory as of late. Lucky for us, MAI never seems to have gotten that memo!
This location inside the Houston Design Center has 5 large window displays for the general public who might like to drive by and get inspired. With such a conceptual and timely drive-thru feature, MAI is a truly unique alternative to the other walk-in interior design showrooms. Most importantly, MAI is meant to be informative and help fellow enthusiasts who are still learning how to design.
Pro Tip: Is Your Style Past, Present, or Both?
MAI isn’t too interested in the debate over whether or not the good old days or modern styles are superior. They offer both! Despite offering a unique blend of contemporary home furnishings, abstract art, and modern decor, MAI also has one-of-a-kind antiques and old-world beauty you won’t find anywhere else. In fact, if you have antique furnishings to sell, this Houston store even offers select consignment options.
Other Must-Sees at HDC
For a Personalized Flooring Experience
Let’s be honest about flooring: attending the big box stores can be overwhelming. Couple the enormous offerings with trying to determine things like price per square foot, cost to remove and replace existing flooring, whether laminate is as good as wood, and…(well, you get the point). Fortunately Manchester Carpet in suite 100 just hit the 40-year mark serving Houston with personalized service. With a showroom featuring samples of grade-A carpet, wood, tile, custom rugs, and virtually every surfacing material imaginable, an exciting floor can once again be the center of your home.
For Plentiful Lighting Options
The right lighting can make or break an entire room. Lighting Treasures (suite 151) offers design consulting to make sure your home dazzles with the perfect chandeliers, wall sconces, and lamps, including a selection of over 2,500 shades to browse.
For Home Office Updates & Design Ideas
A ton of us work from home these days, but that shouldn’t pigeonhole you to hunching over a laptop at your kitchen table. Vanguard Environments (suite 103) is an absolute pro in space-planning, providing top-notch ergonomic seating options, practical desk layouts, and coordinated aesthetics. We recommend stopping in to stockpile some ideas for a potential home office renovation.
Pro Tip: Map Out Your Visit
It never makes sense to zigzag through a store by jumping from aisles 1 to 10, back to 2 then 9 and so forth. Use that same logic when visiting the Houston Design Center. There are over 40 stores altogether, so we recommend planning your visit by observing their helpful layouts before you go. This will ensure you can stop into every showroom on your list in one smooth walk-through.
No Excuses: Go Get Inspired
Actually, there is an excuse or two. If you’re quarantining or uncomfortable going out, then that’s a pretty legit excuse. But if you’re adhering to best safety practices like these favorite showrooms and are ready to scratch your interior design itch, our list of shopping locales has you covered.
There’s just something undeniably special about brick and mortar stores, experiencing the magic of seeing the latest trends right before your eyes, directly in your home city of Houston, without feeling Pinterest fatigue.
Hearst Newspapers participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
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