For many of us, online shopping is the automatic option. While we won’t deny being guilty of TikTok persuasion and endless retail therapy, there’s nothing like that rush of excitement in anticipation of walking into a store to physically browse and experience that next great find. While there are an abundance of stores to choose from, Black-owned businesses prove time and time again to reinvent the interior landscape.
Many of the industry’s Black-operated shops are underrated, but they could hold the key to upgrading your sanctuary, and they span from coast to coast. You can use your spending power to fuel today’s small, local vintage dealers and up-and-coming designers across all aesthetics—from pottery to statement couches and so much more. Perhaps there’s even a store not too far from your door that awaits you.
Ahead, allow us to reintroduce these 21 Black-owned stores spanning the home decor and interior design landscape that you should be supporting all year round. So the next time you plan a trip, be sure to add these spots to your list of places to go–we guarantee you won’t leave empty-handed.
Souk Bō’hēmian is a minimalist oasis done well—and trust, its pieces are ones you’ll want to add to the mood board. The Altanta-based store is a triple threat: it’s Black-owned, woman-owned, and queer-owned. Founded by besties and business partners Morgan Ashley Bryant and Vanessa Coore Vernon, the retail destination houses everything from home goods and apparel to accessories and more, all supporting local or global artisans. Next time you’re in the big A-town, take a detour to Ponce City Market to immerse yourself in all things serene and boho from the brand.
Bayaal, inspired by a Wolof term, which means space for community and connection, is a Brooklyn-based home and retail shop located in Brooklyn’s South Slope neighborhood. The space centers its selection of jewelry and decor on tradition, creativity, and community, pulling its work from artists and artisans worldwide. You can expect to find bold decor and thoughtfully curated wall art, and many of its pieces will transform your home to make you feel as if you’re walking through a museum.
Cofounded by Kenya Knight and Taib Lotfi, Soukie Modern has somehow seamlessly merged two very different worlds—Palm Springs and Marrakech—into one. The North African influences can be found in their selection of vintage Moroccan rugs, wall art, and contemporary home accessories. Whether you make an IRL appointment at its California-based shops in Palm Springs and Pioneer Town or take a browse online, you’ll certainly leave with quality, one-of-a-kind pieces that will be in your home for years to come.
Tariq Dixon found his passion for interior design after moving to Bed-Stuy, which eventually led to the creation of TRNK in 2013. The Tribeca shop offers a multitude of experiences, acting as a design studio, curatorial platform and retailer with a myriad of contemporary selects. Whether it’s made in-house on Jay Street or sourced by talented global designers, you can grab a pair of ‘60s-inspired puffer chairs, rounded sculptural lamps, and so much more. Tariq also showcases a series of exhibitions that “interrogate questions of race, identity, and cultural bias in design,” with proceeds supporting organizations like the Ali Forney Center and The Black Youth Project 100.
Celebrity-owned beauty brands aren’t the only things emerging in the A-list sphere—we’re finally starting to see more of our favorite stars enter the home space, and we’re not complaining. In 2021, Ayesha Curry launched Sweet July to brighten spaces with a curated selection of everything from ceramics and candles to cozy loungewear and cushy rugs, all from Black-owned, Bay Area–based brands. Fans can pop by the brick-and-mortar store in Oakland which also has a cafe for those seeking a sweet treat.
