MY SERENA & LILY FAVORITES: A Decorator’s Honest Review and Styling Tips
Serena & Lily has become one of the most sought-after furniture and home décor brands in the U.S. But I’m often asked the same two questions: Is Serena & Lily worth the investment? And if I don’t live on the coast (or want a coastal look), will my Serena & Lily pieces look out of place?
Today, I’m sharing my honest review as a decorator and homeowner to help you decide if Serena & Lily is right for you.
The Serena and Lily 9 Drawer Driftwood Dresser in Coastal Blue in my primary bedroom.
Is Serena & Lily Worth It?
The short answer is yes. Serena & Lily pieces are an investment, but they are absolutely worth it if you’re looking for long-lasting quality.
I can vouch for this for two reasons. First, I personally own several pieces and have had them for a few years—and let me tell you—they are built to last.
Serena & Lily Driftwood Dresser
I have the 9-drawer Driftwood Dresser in my primary bedroom, and it is an heirloom-quality piece. I can see it being passed on to my children. Not only is it solid wood construction, but the linen wrapping is sealed with a matte lacquer that prevents it from easily denting or staining.
In this setting, the Driftwood Dresser made complete sense for several reasons. I had a 10-foot-long wall to furnish, and I wanted a piece that would feel proportionate while also providing plenty of storage. The scale of this dresser solved both problems.
As you can see, I styled it with a contemporary painting above, but that’s just one option. Because of the dresser’s simple shape and clean detailing, it’s versatile enough to work with almost anything. If I decide in the future to hang an ornate mirror instead, it would pair just as seamlessly. That’s what I love about this piece—it has the flexibility to evolve with the room through many makeovers.
And here’s a tip: don’t feel confined to using this dresser only in a bedroom. If you need additional storage in a family room or living space, this piece can transition beautifully. Just because it’s sold as a dresser doesn’t mean it has to stay in one category of use.
The textured linen finish of the dresser adds further depth & dimension to the room.
The second reason I can endorse Serena & Lily’s quality is because it’s a retail brand I often recommend to my virtual design clients. When clients are looking for elevated pieces that are built to last—but don’t want to go the trade-only route—this is a brand I can confidently suggest. I would never recommend a brand or product I’ve had a bad experience with, or one with poor customer service, because that puts my reputation at stake.
We can safely say that Serena & Lily is a public brand that builds pieces comparable to trade-only offerings.
In fact, Serena & Lily wallpaper, furniture, fabrics, and lighting has been used by interior designers in several designer showhouses.
Does Serena & Lily Only Work for Coastal Style?
While Serena & Lily is known for its coastal-inspired designs, their pieces are actually very versatile.
As you can see, there’s nothing coastal about my primary bedroom, but the Driftwood Dresser blends seamlessly with the rest of the design. The casual vibe and natural texture of the dresser help soften the formality of the transitional style. Its simple shape and clean lines don’t compete with the detailing in the room.
The key is looking at each piece individually. While the brand’s vibe is coastal, depending on the piece, you can make it work in a coastal, traditional, transitional, or even modern settings.
Custom bed styled with Serena and Lily Wave Percale Sheet Set
Serena & Lily Bedding
Since we’re already in my primary bedroom, I should mention the Serena & Lily bedding you see here. The brand has become popular for creating layered, luxurious beds—and from personal experience, it does not disappoint.
The Wave Percale Sheet Set has a crisp hand, is lightweight, breathable, and cool. The sheets wash nicely too—no pilling or shrinking.
I also own the Serena & Lily European Down Duvet Insert. It’s cozy, fluffy, and warm enough for cooler months without ever feeling overheated. My favorite part is that even after several washes, the filling stays evenly distributed.
For my son, who has allergies, I have the hypoallergenic PrimaLoft Duvet Insert.
Serena and Lily Rattan Hanging Chair
The Hanging Rattan Chair seems to be an iconic offering from the brand—and yes, it’s worth the hype and investment.
Note that it’s a chair, not a swing. Instead of a traditional reading corner chair, I decided to do something unexpected and went with the hanging chair. But really, it’s not limited to children’s rooms—it functions beautifully and adds fun to a family room, loft, pool house, or even outdoors.
Yes, there’s an outdoor version too. And if you feel the rattan is too casual for your space, the chair also comes in white.
By the way, if I’m working on a project and neither the rattan nor the white finish works for a particular scheme, I wouldn’t hesitate to take a can of spray paint to the chair.
The custom pillows add comfort and elevate the casualness of the rattan.
If you feel the hanging chair is too casual or coastal, here’s what I did in my project: I styled it with custom pillows made from iconic Schumacher prints. The pillows add comfort, bring in color and personality, and tone down the casual vibe of the rattan, making it feel balanced in a transitional or even formal room.
Serena & Lily Fabrics
Did you know the brand has a fabric line too? They offer access to designer-level textiles—durable and high-quality—without requiring a trade account.
In this project, I used Serena & Lily Claremont linen to make custom lampshades. The casual feel and hand of the fabric tones down the formality of the brass sconces.
Again, it’s all a game of mixing and matching textures and finishes to achieve an interesting ambiance.
Custom lampshades made with Serena and Lily Claremont linen.
Two patterns beautifully complementing each other
If custom work isn’t in your plan, Serena & Lily also sells premade pillow covers in several fabric lines. Updating pillow covers is an easy way to add pattern and color to your space.
Serena and Lily Luca Pillow Cover
The ball fringe on the Luca pillow cover adds playfulness to a classic stripe.
The brand offers a wide selection of coastal and traditional-style rugs.
In this project, to counterbalance the formality of the damask curtains and the traditional sofa, I laid down the Serena & Lily Tulum Rug. The handmade nature and casual vibe of the rug makes the room more interesting—it adds a bit of tension, which keeps the space alive.
Serena and Lily Tulum cotton and jute rug.
The casual vibe of the rug contrasts the formality of the damask curtains.
Serena & Lily Outlet Finds
I recently made my first visit to the Serena & Lily outlet and scored their classic Capiz Chandelier. It’s another timeless piece that works beautifully in many styles of spaces.
Lighting is always 50% off at Serena and Lily outlets.
Serena and Lily classic rattan bar stools and chairs stocked at the Long Island, NY outlet
I also requested a call for when the outlet has the Riviera Bar Stools back in stock, as my kitchen stools have seen better days.
The combination of the modern waterfall island and the casual rattan creates instant contrast - and it’s that contrast that makes a room feel alive.
If you’ve been eyeing Serena & Lily furniture, lighting, or décor and were worried if it’s worth it, I say go for it. These are quality pieces built to last—and if something doesn’t work right for you, Serena & Lily has excellent customer service and will help make it right.
How to Style Serena & Lily Furniture Without the Coastal Look
The key to avoiding that “showroom” or overly coastal vibe is simple: don’t buy everything for a single room from one brand. That’s when homes start to look like stores. Instead, mix Serena & Lily pieces with other brands, styles, shapes, and materials. Layer in antiques, vintage finds, or family hand-me-downs to create a room that feels alive and personal.
As long as you’re not furnishing an entire room straight out of the catalog, you don’t have to worry about the coastal look taking over. Focus on each piece individually and consider how its details play into the bigger picture.
