Tour Wayfair’s Chicago Store (Decor Galore)

Last Updated on October 1, 2024

Did you know that Wayfair opened a store in Chicago a couple of months ago? It’s in Eden’s Plaza in Wilmette, IL, on the North Shore. I’ve popped in a few times, so today I’m sharing an up close and personal look inside because this home decor mecca does not disappoint! If you’re planning a trip to the Chicagoland area or you live here and haven’t visited yet, buckle up because I’m about to blow your mind with everything I found inside. Plus, I’m sharing a few affordable furniture and decor finds that have landed in my home since my last Wayfair sale alert. Let’s take a peek inside, shall we?

Easy Shopping From URL to IRL — Wayfair’s Store In Chicago

First things first, the Wayfair store in Wilmette, IL, is huge! We’re talking 150,000 square feet that includes the Dream Center (I tested out a few mattresses), Market Square (affordable decor, pillows, throws, art, and more greet you at the entrance), the Design Studio (free advice from Wayfair’s design experts), and The Porch (a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating).

RELATED: Check out my fall decor picks on sale now during Wayfair’s Way Day Sale!

Yes, you can do a quick pop-in, but if time allows, give yourself an extra hour because there is so much to discover! The first time I visited was May 23, the day of the grand opening, and even though it was extremely busy, the space didn’t feel crowded or overwhelming. Parking wasn’t an issue either.

The new Wayfair storefront makes furniture and decor shopping easier. As you know, the online shop has pretty much everything your little heart desires, and the IRL shop closely mirrors that experience, but with one major difference. You can touch the decor items, style them yourself, sit on the furniture, and get inspired by pre-styled vignettes filled with products you might not discover online. 

This affordable modern swivel chair immediately caught my eye. 

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Decor Pieces I was Drawn To In Market Square (Yes, They Came Home With Me)

On grand opening day, I took Zoe and my parents with me. Zoe found a ton of items for the dream bedroom she’s designing in her head, my mom was looking for pieces to decorate my parent’s new place in Florida, and my dad was there to keep us from buying the entire store.

I enter the doors with a small shopping list. The main decor item I needed was something to give the front room a much-needed pop of color. There was a huge selection of blankets neatly hung on a large display, and this mustard-colored throw caught my eye. It’s just the splash of color this space needed.

My mom pointed out this black and white striped pedestal bowl, and immediately I was like, “Get in my cart.” I clutched it in my hands the entire time we were there. I know I’m such a weirdo, but do you ever have those back-off my treasure vibes when you find something you love? I wasn’t going to leave without it. Needless to say, there were plenty in stock, but I wasn’t taking any chances. 

This black and white striped chair has been on my wishlist forever, so I finally said yes to the dress….errr chair. It needed to be shipped, so I braced myself for the delivery price—get this—THE SHIPPING WAS FREE, and it was “white glove,” meaning, 3 guys trucked it to my house, unboxed it outside, hauled the chair inside to the room, set it up, broke down the cardboard, and took all the packaging back with them. Did I mention they did this all for free? Wayfair estimated 2-3 weeks for white glove delivery, but because I live near one of their primary distribution centers, I got it in a week. That’s almost unheard of! 

Speaking of chairs, you’ve probably seen these gold velvet barrel chairs in my home office. It may not look like it, but they are incredibly comfortable, and after 4 years of usage, they still look new. If you’re looking for a unique piece with a post modern slash vintage vibe, this is your answer. Side note, it’s available in 4 different colors. 

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While walking through the outdoor section, I found this cutie faux plant. It’s the perfect size for a tabletop, and if you have a black thumb like me, it’s a great way to add low-maintenance greenery. 

RELATED: Get my secrets on how to decorate with artificial plants and make them look realistic.

Test Out The Mattresses in the Dream Center

This is the Stearns & Foster Lux Estate mattress I sleep on every night. Let me tell you, IT IS AWESOME! Wayfair’s Dream Center makes finding the perfect mattress easy for anyone—even Goldilocks. There must be around 40-50 different mattresses to tes in storet. They’re grouped by firmness; if you want an extra firm mattress, you’ll see signs overhead directing you to that section. 

Side note, it wasn’t until I was wandering around that I realized Wayfair has its own affordable mattress and bedding line called Sleep. To ensure you love it, they offer a 100-nights sleep for free trial run. 

Let There Be Light! 

The convenience of shopping online is a total timesaver, but when it comes to ceiling lights, sometimes it’s difficult to visualize how large they are. The Wayfair store in Chicago has an entire section dedicated to light fixtures, and everything is displayed. You can see the exact color of the metal. You can touch it. You can measure it. 

I fell in love with this rattan floor lamp and had to bring it home with me. It’s a vibe with the croissant couch, don’t ya think? The price was a steal of a deal!

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Things I Had No Idea Wayfair Carried

Okay, so let’s take the escalator up to the second floor and check out the Design Center. This is the area that really sets the Wayfair storefront apart from other home furnishing stores. It’s here that I discovered Wayfair carries custom kitchen cabinets in an assortment of styles and colors. Plus, they’ll come to your house and take all the measurements for you. I’m sorry, wut?

While I was scoping out the cabinets, I noticed they sell large appliances—from range hoods to cooktops to refrigerators to washers and dryers. They even have warming drawers! BTDubs, Wayfair also carries small appliances like air fryers, blenders, and vacuums. I had no idea. I guess, when I shop online, my brain rarely thinks to explore outside my direct need. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, definitely look at what Wayfair has to offer. 

Oh! There is also an entire department dedicated to bathroom faucets and shower fixtures (you can test them with water—entertainment for the kids while you shop), vanities, tile, hardware, and more. It’s pretty incredible. In addition to testing them out, you can grab the floor models that appeal to your style and walk them over to the bathroom vanity section. This will help you visualize if the faucet size fits the vanity.  

Not sure if you read the post where I might have mentioned a secret project—to be revealed soon—and I’m eyeballing this terrazzo-style porcelain tile. But then there is also the real-deal honed terrazzo flooring that I’m especially drooling over! Gotta figure out the renovation budget first. 

Don’t Miss The Outdoor Furniture Section

On the second floor, you’ll find affordable outdoor patio furniture and decor, but this section of the store is seasonal, so in a month or so, it’ll be filled with holiday decor and artificial trees. If you can, stop in before the swap-out happens because the outdoor kitchens and patio setups are impressive. 

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Easy Pick-Up and Returns At The Chicago Store

Okay, so you don’t have time to walk around the store and would prefer to shop online; however, you want immediate gratification. In the front of the store, on the left-hand side, is the pick-up counter. After you order online and it’s ready, your name will appear on this kiosk sign. Voila, you’re ready to take your new treasures home. Never again will you buy a ceiling light that is way too small or way too big.

Fast and Free Shipping On Almost Everything

Wayfair offers free shipping on almost everything you order online, and your items usually arrive in 2-3 days. But what happens when you buy an item at the Wayfair store in Chicago? Small items like vases, pillows, and throws can be taken home immediately, but larger items like chairs, sofas, and tables will be shipped to your home for free in a couple of days. 

Some items like grills can be taken home immediately, but they have this nifty service where you buy it at the store, the Wayfair folks will assemble it for you, and all you need to do is drive around back and pop it in your car. Badda bing badda boom. You’re ready for a backyard BBQ the same day. 

Meet You At The Wayfair Store In Chicago?

So, have I convinced you to head over to Wilmette? If you plan to go and see me wandering around, please stop me, say hi, and show me the goodies you found. I’d love to see your treasures. Until next time, happy shopping! 

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