Ballard Designs Reviews 2024: Unveiling Timeless Elegance and Quality

    
    
    
    

When it was time to furnish my first apartment in Chicago over a decade ago, I turned to Ballard Designs for a few pieces for my home. Ballard Designs has been around since the 80s and is a great source for custom upholstery, furniture, and decor. I found myself shopping the sale for ourdining chairs for our new home, and found some great pieces. Since there’s a site-wide sale, I thought I’d share my favorites with you. If you’re looking for outdoor furniture, I can’t recommend the Giardino collection enough.

Ballard Designs is part of Cornerstone brands – Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, Grandin Road, and RyllaceTM.

What to Buy at Ballard Designs

If you’re not working with an interior designer but want to order custom accent chairs and beautiful home furnishings in custom fabrics, Ballard Designs is a great resource. Supply your own fabric and get exactly what you want. Visit their brick and mortar stores or shop online – I love the traditional design and the fact that I can get exactly what I want (in my favorite fabrics). The customization options are pretty endless and the design studio team will help you with decorating ideas. The customer service is fantastic, too. Ballard Designs stores are designed as a studio concept location to provide customers with eclectic furniture & decor and a streamlined process to decorate and furnish their homes. 

Ballard Designs Furniture

Parsons Dining Room Chair

We purchased these chairs for our new dining room (on sale). Not only are they affordable, but they shipped very quickly which isn’t common these days. 

Outdoor Furniture and Decor

We have this outdoor patio set on our front patio and it’s so beautiful. It reminds me of a European garden. The Giardino collection is beautiful and sold out early last year. I love Ballard’s planters, too, and may need to order a few for our new patio and garden.

Decor

Lighting

The lighting is so good, and pretty affordable. The Frida chandelier is a solid dupe for one I featured in this post.

Tote Bag Organization for Moms

Every so often, I  get asked for a diaper bag recommendations. I had a good one, but ultimately, it ended up being more of a pain than anything. Everything was layered or in a tiny, impossible-to-find compartment. So here’s my recommendation. There wasn’t really easy access to anything I needed, so I’m going to share one of my best tips today. Get a tote and a bag organizer insert system, because you do not need a diaper bag. The thought of a tote probably seems a little disorganized, but I’m telling you – it’s so much easier. You could buy a large tote, backpack, or purse with compartments. Any large bag will do. I use a large tote with pouches in large sizes to keep things organized. This gives you easy access to diapers, outfits, sunscreen, and snacks. Consider this the ultimate guide to tote bag organization.

Tote Bag Organization for Moms

After almost 4 years of motherhood, I’ve learned that diaper bags are unnecessary, and a large tote is the best possible “mom bag.” My girls are 2 and 4, and it took years to get to this stage. And sure, things are different now. There are no longer bottles, a changing mat, and other 1st year essentials in my bag. But if I did need them, I’d just throw them in my tote bag and stick with this system. Totes are just so easy – they’re big, roomy, and when organized, hold a lot more than a diaper bag, and it’s significantly easier to find everything when you use my organizational system. And they leave you feeling a bit more like you since you can choose one that’s your style. 

Tote Bag Organization for Moms

There was a short period where I used some really cute seersucker organizational pouches to organize the girls’ things. These “purse pouches” were the start of my system. A few weeks ago, I found myself at the Container store and came across these life-changing, transparent pouches. I wasn’t entirely sure how I’d use them, but something told me I needed them, so I got two sets. They’re easy to wipe clean and come in different colors and different sizes, too. 

ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS: PURSE INSERTS

I tried one of those purse organizer insert things but didn’t love it – it was too annoying to look through. Purse inserts keep things organized, but it’s impossible to find anything. So I bought these clear pouches in the letter and legal sizes and use them for diapers, toys, sunscreen, and other essentials. Clear pouches save a lot of time – there’s no looking through multiple pockets to find small items. They also keep small items from falling to the bottom of your bag – it is the best organization system. They’d be great for a beach bag, travel, or even car organization, too. I filled one with small toys that I keep in this car organizer in the backseat. It’s the best insert for a bag that I’ve found to date. 

COLLAPSIBLE SNACK CUPS

These are the best way to carry snacks for babies and toddlers. They have a handle and prevent snacks from spilling all over the car or stroller. And the best part: they’re collapsible, so they’re easy to store when not in use and take up a lot less space. I like these because they have a handle and if dropped, snacks won’t spill all over your car or floor. We’re big fans of stasher bags, but when it comes to small, bite-size toddler snacks, these are the best.