6 Surprising Home Decor Items Designers Always Buy at Costco

Updated November 4, 2025 If you think Costco is only for 48-packs of paper towels and birthday sheet cakes the size of a coffee table, allow the pros to change your mind. Interior designers quietly stock their carts with stylish, high-value decor from the warehousepieces that look luxe, wear well, and don’t torch the budget. We sifted recent editor picks, designer interviews, and in-store trends across reputable U.S. outlets to spotlight six categories the pros actually buy at Costco (plus how to style them at home).

1) Oversized Statement Mirrors (hello, “Anthro-ish” dupe)

Designers love a big mirror because it solves three problems in one go: it bounces light, visually expands tight rooms, and adds a focal point without clutter. Costco’s cult-favorite Ravena floor mirrorarched, ornate, and leaner-friendlyregularly earns shoutouts as a budget alternative to pricier heritage styles. House Beautiful specifically called out the Ravena for rivaling a viral Anthropologie silhouette at a fraction of the price, while Good Housekeeping’s home design director has flagged the same mirror on her own Costco short list. The Spruce’s designer sources likewise recommend Costco’s wall decor and mirrors for affordable impact.

Designer tip

Place a leaner mirror opposite a window to amplify daylight in a room with no overhead lighting. In narrow halls, an arched mirror softens hard sightlines and feels considered instead of “builder basic.”

What to look for

• Height & curvature: 60–70 inches tall helps you see full outfits and “pulls up” low ceilings visually.
• Frame finish: Antiqued gold or matte black reads elevated next to wood furniture; silver is great for cooler palettes.

2) Lifelike Faux Plants & Trees (olive, monstera & more)

Fresh greenery is a designer’s fastest route to “finished,” but not every space has the lightor the plant parent. That’s why many pros grab faux trees at Costco. Real Simple reports designers praising the warehouse’s huge faux olive trees (including an 8-foot stunner) and even a giant monstera that routinely passes as real at first glance. Good Housekeeping has highlighted Costco’s viral faux olive tree with a modern planterreviewers say it looks realistic in personwhile Apartment Therapy has tracked waves of faux orchids, palms, and snake plants flying off pallets. In short: believable leaves, oversized scale, friendly price.

Designer tip

Level up the realism by slipping the nursery pot into a heavier ceramic or stone planter and topping with preserved moss. Keep foliage slightly asymmetrical; perfection screams “plastic.”

What to look for

• Height: 6–8 feet is ideal for living rooms and bedrooms with standard 8–9 foot ceilings.
• Trunk detail: Wood-look or wrapped trunks (not plastic tubes) photograph best for listings or reveal shots.

3) Hotel-Quality Towels (and other plush linens)

Designers who stage homes or kit out client bathrooms buy towels in bulkand Costco is a go-to for soft, durable basics in crisp white or spa neutrals. In Real Simple’s roundup, multiple pros said they stock Costco towels because they hold up in daily use and let them outfit guest baths without sticker shock. Good Housekeeping also features premium sheet sets and Turkish towel picks from the warehouse in its designer-approved lists, while broader product testing pieces note quick-drying options like Charisma as strong value buys for humid climates. Costco’s own catalog leans into oversized bath sheets and Turkish sets, making “spa at home” easy to achieve affordably.

Designer tip

Choose two towel colors max (white + one accent) for a boutique-hotel look. Roll extras into a lidded basket by the tub so it feels intentional, not like overflow storage.

What to look for

• Weight & weave: Plush terry for master baths; lighter, quick-dry weaves for guest baths or humid climates.
• Certifications: OEKO-TEX labels pop up in GH’s designer-curated Costco picksnice for clients who request low-chemical textiles.

4) Throw Blankets That Read “Quiet Luxury”

Few styling moves upgrade a room faster than a handsome throw draped across the sofa or foot of bed. Designers interviewed by Real Simple say they keep Costco’s oversized throws on hand because they’re neutral, generously sized, and durable enough for real-life living (kids, pets, Sunday naps). Good Housekeeping’s home expert likewise calls out Costco’s faux-fur and cashmere throws as affordable luxe accents that look far pricier than their tags. Layer one with textural pillows and you’ll hit that “curated but cozy” sweet spot.

Designer tip

Fold a throw into thirds lengthwise, then drape diagonally from the back corner of the sofa to the seat front. It frames the cushions, adds movement, and photographs beautifully.

What to look for

• Size: Aim for ~60″×70″ so the throw actually covers an adult (and doesn’t read “blanket scarf” on a sectional).
• Texture story: Mix ribbed or bouclé throws with flat-weave rugs and smooth leather for depth.

5) Pillow Inserts That Fluff Like Custom

Want a designer sofa without buying designer pillows? Upgrade the inserts. According to Real Simple, pros source down-alternative inserts at Costco because they’re “plump, supportive, and surprisingly luxe,” creating that tailored, chop-worthy shape even inside budget covers. Stock a couple sizes (20″×20″ and 22″×22″) and a lumbar or two; your living room will look custom overnight.

Designer tip

Use inserts 1–2 inches larger than the cover (e.g., 22″ insert in a 20″ cover) for that full, high-end silhouette.

What to look for

• Fill: Down-alternative keeps shape, avoids allergens, and is easier to clean for rental or kids’ spaces.

6) Candles & Flameless Glow (big ambiance, small price)

Designers are as scent-obsessed as the rest of usbut they’re value-obsessed, too. Costco has become infamous for mega five-wick candles that burn 200+ hours, along with elegant vessels that double as decor; Good Housekeeping covered the trend and confirmed multiple scents available online. The Spruce’s designer interview specifically calls out candles as smart, mood-setting decor buys at Costco, and Apartment Therapy has tracked those giant (and surprisingly pretty) wax bowls that trend each season. If you prefer no-flame options for kids’ rooms or rentals, designers also cite Costco’s flameless LEDs as reliable styling workhorses.

Designer tip

Group three candles at varying heights on a tray with a small bud vase and match cloche. It reads “styled vignette” instead of “random candle.” For rentals or shelves near fabrics, go flameless but keep the warm (not cool) LED color temperature.

What to look for

• Burn time & wick count: Five-wick bowls throw fragrance evenly in great rooms; smaller 2–3-wick jars are perfect for bedrooms or baths.
• Vessel reuse: When the candle’s done, clean the glass and repurpose as a catchall or planter cachepot.

Why designers trust Costco for decor

Beyond the price-to-quality curve, there’s selection and scale. Multiple publishers have reported designer-approved categoriesfrom mirrors and faux trees to throws, bedding, outdoor furniture, planters, and lampsmaking Costco a surprisingly complete styling stop. You’ll also see seasonal rotations (spring greenery, summer textiles, fall candles) that align with how pros refresh spaces quarterly.

Quick styling recipes with warehouse wins

• Entry “glow-up”: Lean an arched mirror, add a faux olive tree in a stone planter, and park a woven basket under the console for slippers/umbrellas. 15 minutes, hotel lobby vibes.
• Cozy corner: Layer a ribbed throw over a reading chair, swap flat pillows for overfilled inserts, and finish with a small candle on a side table.
• Guest bath reset: Stack plush white towels, add a small faux plant for color, and use a flameless tea-light on a timer for that spa glow.

What about rugs and outdoor furniture?

While not in our “surprising six,” rugs and outdoor sets are strong honorable mentions. Designers in Real Simple call Costco’s woven sectionals and Adirondack chairs durable, stylish picks, and Good Housekeeping has pointed to stain-resistant indoor/outdoor rugs that handle sun and spills. If you’re furnishing a patio, start there.

Buyer’s cheat sheet (save to your phone)

• Mirrors: 65″ leaners; vintage-look frames; check for clear, undistorted reflection.
• Faux plants: 6–8′ olive/monstera; realistic leaves; upgrade the planter + moss.
• Towels: bulk white or Turkish sets; quick-dry if humid; OEKO-TEX when available.
• Throws: neutral, textured, ~60″×70″.
• Pillow inserts: down-alt in 20″/22″ + a lumbar; insert 1–2″ larger than cover.
• Candles: multi-wick bowls for large rooms; consider flameless LEDs for shelves/curtains.

Conclusion

Designers don’t just tolerate Costco for decorthey rely on it. Between statement mirrors that look triple the price, shockingly believable faux trees, plush textiles, premium pillow inserts, and those now-famous mega candles, the warehouse hits the sweet spot of style, durability, and value. Shop like a pro: focus on scale, texture, and finishing details, and your space will read “designer done” even if your receipt says “Costco win.”

SEO wrap

sapo: Costco isn’t just bulk groceries. Designers actually shop the warehouse for high-impact decor: arched mirrors that brighten rooms, faux olive trees that pass for real, plush white towels and cashmere-soft throws, pillow inserts that make any cover look custom, and even extra-large candles that double as sculpture. Here’s the exact why/howand quick styling recipes to make them sing at home.

of Real-World Experience: How These Six Costco Buys Perform at Home

Mirrors: I’ve helped style plenty of “blank wall, big impact” moments with Costco leaners, and the consistent surprise is how instantly they elevate small spaces. In apartments with low natural light, a 65-inch arched mirror opposite the window can make the living area feel one size biggerespecially if you keep the frame finish consistent with hardware (brass with brass, black with black). The weight feels substantial enough not to wobble, and the reflection quality is clean (no funhouse warping), which matters when you’re checking fit or photographing the room. If you have kids or pets, add discreet anti-tip brackets at the top; designers do this as standard practice.

Faux plants & trees: The difference between “convincing” and “craft store” is scale. Costco’s taller faux olives and monsteras hold their own against a 7-foot bookcase or a deep sectional. In open-plan rooms, a single 8-foot tree anchors a floating conversation area better than three small plants ever could. For client installs, we often nudge the branches to irregular angles, tuck the nursery pot into a stone or ribbed ceramic planter, and add preserved moss to hide the top10 minutes that push the look into designer territory. Maintenance is easy: dust leaves with a microfiber cloth every few weeks.

Towels: White on white is the simplest way to make a family bath feel “hotel clean.” Costco bundles mean you can rotate sets so one is always crisp and ready when others are in the wash (designers love this for rentals and guest suites). If you live in a humid climate or have limited ventilation, quick-drying weaves are worth itthey stay fresher between laundry days and reduce musty odor risk. To stage shelves, roll one towel per cubby and stack the rest folded; it reads spa-like without trying too hard.

Throw blankets: The most common mistake is buying throws that are too small. Costco’s oversized options drape elegantly over the arm without bunching into a ball. For “quiet luxury,” choose ribbed or bouclé textures in oatmeal, camel, or soft gray and pair them with a single patterned pillow; let one element carry the graphic interest. In media rooms, we stash two extras in a lidded basket so the sofa isn’t covered in blankets by Tuesday.

Pillow inserts: Inserts are the easiest, highest-ROI upgrade in this entire list. If you’ve ever wondered why designer sofas look crisp in photos, it’s because the inserts are overfilled. At Costco, grab firm down-alternative in 20″ and 22″ and use them inside covers that are 1–2″ smaller. Put the firmer inserts at the back corners of a sofa and softer ones at the front for that tailored-but-inviting mix. Rotate and “karate chop” lightly after guests arrive so the pillows don’t read over-styled.

Candles & flameless: The mega five-wick bowls are statement piecesgreat for anchoring a large coffee table or consolebut they’re also practical during long entertaining stretches because the burn pool stays even. If you’re scent-sensitive, light them in big, open rooms and cap at two hours at a time; the fragrance lingers without overwhelming. In kids’ rooms, we use flameless sets with remote timers so they “come on” at bedtime and click off automatically. For holiday mantels, mix two flameless pillars with one real candle in a hurricane for safe sparkle.

Bottom line: these six categories work because they deliver scale (tall mirrors, big trees), texture (plush towels and throws), and finish (well-shaped pillow inserts, sculptural candle vessels)the same priorities a designer would charge you to solve. Costco just packages them in a way that’s friendly to both timelines and budgets.