Walmart Has Affordable Checkered Alternatives To Overpriced Mackenzie-Childs

If you're drawn to checkered home decor, you likely recognize — and even adore — Mackenzie-Childs' theatrical patterns. From the "Alice in Wonderland" vibe of its hand-painted vases, tea kettles, toasters, and everything in between, a single Mackenzie-Childs piece can hold its own on a shelf or cabinet without relying on much else nearby. As much as you love the brand, the prices can almost take your breath away. These aren't casual, spur-of-the-moment purchases. Pretty much every Mackenzie-Childs piece is like an investment. If that isn't what you're really looking for, there are plenty of affordable lookalikes available at Walmart that fit the bill — and your wallet.

Checkerboard patterns are having a moment. As one of the top design trends, when you want to incorporate it into your home decor, no one wants to overspend. Maybe it's easy for you to turn a plain Dollar Tree butter dish into a Mackenzie-Childs-inspired piece, but other types of decor aren't quite as simple. The whimsical Mackenzie-Childs aesthetic isn't exclusive to the brand. Rather than paying a premium, Walmart has a wide range of budget-friendly options, making it much less worrisome to put them into your daily rotation. 

A bowl can actually be used at the dinner table, a planter can sit outside without much concern about rain, and nothing is too fragile to touch. That alone can make an important difference in how your space feels. 

You don't have to look very hard to find checkered decor. Whether it's the lingering checkerboard rug trend or the Dollar Tree checkerboard kitchen decor, what once seemed exclusive to Mackenzie-Childs has spread to more everyday retailers, including Walmart. While the budget option might not have the same hand-painted details, the overall effect is close enough that most people wouldn't notice a difference. 

For example, you can get two dessert plates for $29 at Walmart, compared to one Mackenzie-Childs dessert plate for $70. Or, a checkered planter from Walmart for $33, compared to an $80 Mackenzie-Childs planter. Even Walmart's pineapple statue is almost identical to the Mackenzie-Childs Marquee Pineapple, with the only difference being about $70. The reason these pieces are such great dupes is because they don't rely solely on the checkered pattern, but on their glossy ceramic finishes.

Not every Mackenzie-Childs piece has a cheaper alternative. Some designs and styles are just exclusive to the brand. And that's okay. You should invest in Mackenzie-Childs pieces that speak to you most, like that checkered kettle you've been eyeballing for years. But for other home decor pieces, perhaps you can forego the pricier options and opt for something that's more budget-friendly. When you sprinkle in a little authenticity with lookalikes, it becomes harder to tell the difference. It can make changing up your home interior style sometime down the road feel much more doable, rather than like it's the end of the world.