You know the feeling. You're scrolling through Instagram, and there it is—the perfect Sarah Sherman Samuel checkered rug or that arched cane cabinet that would basically complete your entire personality. Then you click the tag. $2,500. For a rug.
Look, Lulu and Georgia is the gold standard for that "cool California girl who definitely owns a $14 green juice" aesthetic. But let’s be real. Most of us aren't dropping three months of mortgage payments on a sideboard. That’s why the hunt for a lulu and georgia dupe has become a literal sport. Honestly, I’ve spent more time than I’d like to admit cross-referencing Wayfair and Amazon listings against the LG new arrivals page.
But here is the thing: most "dupe" lists are kinda trash. They link you to a plastic-y version that looks like it belongs in a dorm room. If you want the look without the "I just bought this at a gas station" quality, you have to know where to look.
The Rug Rabbit Hole: Finding the "Hannah" and "Senna" Vibe
Rugs are where Lulu and Georgia really shines, but they’re also where the markup is the wildest. Their hand-knotted wool rugs are gorgeous, don't get me wrong. But you can often find the exact same weave for half the price if you know the industry secrets.
Specifically, the lulu and georgia dupe for the Bungalow Rug by Jenni Kayne is a holy grail. The original will set you back about $1,000. You can actually find the Ludlow Stripe Flatweave at Wayfair or the Orwell Geometric at various retailers for under $400. It’s the same coastal, horizontal stripe vibe.
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Pro Tip: If you’re looking for those high-end Moroccan or Turkish-inspired patterns, head to Etsy. Search for "Hand Knotted Oushak Wool Rug." Many of the artisans there are making rugs that are structurally identical to the $4,000 versions you see on high-end sites. You’re cutting out the middleman and getting real wool, not that shiny polyester stuff that feels like a scratchy sweater.
Why Some Dupes Are Actually "White Labeled"
This is the part that usually blows people's minds. Sometimes, a lulu and georgia dupe isn't a dupe at all—it’s the exact same item.
Furniture brands often "white label." This basically means a manufacturer in North Carolina or India makes a thousand chairs and sells them to five different stores. Store A (Lulu and Georgia) marks it up for the brand name. Store B (an obscure warehouse site) sells it for $300 less.
I’ve seen this happen with their coffee tables. The Clouded Rectangle Coffee Table is a fan favorite, but if you run a reverse image search (I use Google Lens religiously for this), you’ll often find the same silhouette at places like West Elm or even HomeGoods under a different name.
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The Cane and Boucle Obsession
If you're after the Hannah Cane Platform Bed or the Tate Boucle Bench, you’re looking for texture.
- For Cane: Target’s Threshold line has gotten eerily good at mimicking the LG "natural wood and woven cane" look. Their Studio McGee collaborations are basically a love letter to the Lulu and Georgia aesthetic.
- For Boucle: Amazon is surprisingly the winner here. You can find "waterfall" style boucle benches that look identical to the Tate for about $180. The trick? Look for the weight of the item. If a bench weighs 10 pounds, it's hollow junk. If it's 30+ pounds, it has a solid frame that won't snap the first time someone actually sits on it.
Is the Splurge Ever Worth It?
Sometimes, yeah. It’s important to acknowledge the limitations of a budget find.
Lulu and Georgia works with specific designers like Heidi Caillier and Amber Lewis. Those collaborations are exclusive. You might find something similar in color, but the specific curves of an Amber Lewis x Loloi rug are hard to copy perfectly. If you’re a design purist, the dupe will probably annoy you every time you look at it.
Also, the "hand-knotted" vs. "hand-tufted" distinction matters. A tufted rug (common in cheaper alternatives) uses glue to hold the fibers to a backing. Eventually, that glue breaks down and smells like a wet dog. A hand-knotted rug is an heirloom. If you’re buying a "forever" piece, the lulu and georgia dupe might end up costing you more in the long run when you have to replace it in three years.
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How to Spot a High-Quality Alternative
Don’t just buy the first thing that looks right.
Check the "Materials" tab. If it says "MDF" or "Particle Board," keep moving. You want "Solid Mango Wood," "Oak," or at least "Kiln-Dried Hardwood." For rugs, look for "100% Wool" or "Jute/Sisal." Avoid "Polypropylene" if you want that organic, high-end look. Synthetic fibers have a sheen to them that screams "budget."
Actionable Steps for Your Next Room Refresh:
- Reverse Image Search Everything: Before you hit "buy" on a $1,500 item, take a screenshot and put it into Google Lens. You will almost certainly find the same style—or the exact item—at a different price point.
- Check the "Sales" Section First: LG often runs 20% to 70% off warehouse sales. Sometimes the real deal on sale is cheaper than a mediocre dupe.
- Filter by Material: On sites like Wayfair or Overstock, use the filters to select "Solid Wood." This automatically filters out the flimsy stuff and brings the "designer quality" pieces to the top.
- Read the Weight: Quality furniture is heavy. If a dining chair weighs 8 pounds, it’s going to wobble. Look for 15+ pounds for a solid feel.
The goal isn't just to find a cheap copy; it’s to find the same quality for a more honest price. Happy hunting.