Nothing says “there’s no place like home” like sprucing up your space with things that reflect your personality.
Whether you’re looking for seasonal pieces that spark joy, cozy cushions for kicking back with a coffee, or art that brings your walls to life, there are so many local shops and businesses in Durham’s downtowns to explore.
And everyone knows that shopping pairs best with food, so while you’re out exploring Durham’s downtowns, don’t forget to fuel up with this list of 9 Places for Healthy Eats in Durham’s Downtowns.
Downtown Beaverton
Source: Durham Tourism
Enjoy a quaint, small-town shopping experience while strolling along Simcoe Street in Beaverton, where you’ll find historical buildings and storefronts with home décor, fashion and gifting items. After you’ve shopped the downtown, head over to the Underground Bake Shop for a fresh baked good and see why they were featured on our list of Durham’s most Instagrammable restaurants.
Beaverton’s home décor shops:
- Whimsy – 357 Simcoe Street, Beaverton
- Shirley’s Country Clutter – 330 Simcoe Street, Beaverton
- Simcoe Street Market – 359 Simcoe Street, Beaverton
Downtown Bowmanville
Photo courtesy of Morgan Chin-Yee.
Downtown Bowmanville has always been the perfect downtown shopping destination. Home to many clothing stores as featured on 33 Beautiful Downtown Boutiques for Local Fashion Finds, it also has a great selection of home décor shops. If you’re looking for more in-depth design inspiration, check out Christine Elliot Designs.
Bowmanville’s home décor shops:
- Christine Elliot Designs – 30 King Street East, Bowmanville
- Mission Thrift Store – 160 Church Street, Bowmanville
- Poppies Cove – 15 King Street West, Bowmanville
- Markets – 62 King Street West, Bowmanville
Downtown Brooklin
A walk around historic Downtown Brooklin is a great way to spend an afternoon. Whether you’re walking off a delicious meal from one of their pubs or eateries, or strolling through Grass Park with an ice cream from Tip Top Creamery, there is so much to explore. And if you need some home design inspiration, book a consultation with Endless Ideas Interiors to get started on your next project.
Downtown Cannington
Cannington is a wonderful place to explore on your next weekend adventure. And for those who call Cannington home, it’s no surprise that this tiny town was the top city in Canada that Canadians searched for a house in 2021. Whether you‘re looking for a patio pillow from Cannington Home Hardware, a wrought iron wall hanging from Mike Gibbs Floral Design or a vintage water jug from The Thrift Hub, this quaint, rural downtown is brimming with unique décor finds.
Downtown Newcastle
Source: We Made It
Downtown Newcastle is the perfect destination to pair shopping with a trip to a local pub. First, stroll along the downtown visiting shops and bakeries, making sure to peruse all the local artisan finds—from kitchen items, woodworking, visual art, sculpture or home accessories. Then, cap off your afternoon with a delicious meal at Walsh’s Snug or the Old Newcastle House Taps & Grill.
Newcastle’s home décor shops:
- A Gift of Art – 187 King Avenue East, Newcastle
- We Made It – 101 King Street West, Newcastle
Downtown Oshawa
Source: Roberts & Inkster Trading Company
From handmade artisanal products to homewares, furniture, gifts and locally-made original artwork, there are lots of shops to explore in downtown Oshawa. While downtown, don’t forget to check out the vibes and great finds in Oshawa’s SoJo neighbourhood and indulge in some great eats.
Oshawa’s home décor shops:
- The RMG Shop – 72 Queens Street, Oshawa
- Roberts & Inkster Trading Company – 12 King Street East, Oshawa
- Tim Packer Gallery – 9 Williams Street West, Oshawa
- Wilson Furniture – 20 Centre Street North, Oshawa
Pickering Nautical Village
Browsing the shops in Pickering Nautical Village then grabbing lunch is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. After you’ve enjoyed the sights and sounds of this cute beach front village, cap off your trip with a visit to the OpenStudio Art Café—a café featuring local art and merchandise for sale, including pottery, and live music events on their patio.
Pickering Village
Source: Bean and Basket
Pickering Village is home to a great mix of vendors—from Active Marketplace, a flea market with 150 vendors under one roof, to Bean and Basket, your neighbourhood go-to for locally–made goods. And if you’re looking for more than home décor items, check out Square Footage who specialize in custom kitchen and bath renovations.
Downtown Port Perry
Source: Durham Tourism
If you want to make a day of strolling the shops, beautiful downtown Port Perry should be on your adventure list. Boost your energy with a coffee and an apple fritter from Hanks Pastries, then go store-to-store discovering beautiful finds for your home. Afterwards, have lunch at one of their many beautiful cafés and restaurants or take a walk on the lakefront. You can finish your adventure by visiting the many downtown Port Perry spots featured on this list of perfect selfie spots for film and TV lovers.
Port Perry’s home décor shops:
- Adorn Fine Furnishings – 197 Queen Street, Port Perry
- Brock’s Department Store – 168 Queen Street, Port Perry
- Homestead Furniture & Appliances – 1918 Scugog St., Port Perry
- Lime Canary – 160 Queen Street, B, Port Perry
- Luke’s For Home – 207 Queen Street, Port Perry
- Meta4 Gallery – 200 Queen Street, Port Perry
- P.O.E Design – 146 Queen Street, Port Perry
- That Place on Queen – 180 Queen Street, Port Perry
- Tribal Voices – 158 Queen Street, Port Perry
- The Cove – 241 Queen Street, Port Perry
- Village Décor – 154 Queen Street, Port Perry
- Low’s Furniture – 199 Queen Street, Port Perry
- Port Perry’s Vintage Market – 1894 Scugog Street, Port Perry
- Scugog Council for the Arts – 175B Queen Street, Port Perry
Downtown Orono
Are you looking for the perfect antique find to complete your space? Browse the Orono Antique Market, or pick up a one-of-a-kind dish towel from Soper Creek Yarn nearby. We recommend starting or ending your adventure at the Orono Country Café –their pie is kind of a big deal.
Orono’s home décor shops:
- Orono Antique Market – 6 Park Street, Orono
- Soper Creek Yarn – 5301 Main Street, Orono
Downtown Uxbridge
Source: Durham Tourism
If you’re looking for home décor inspiration, downtown Uxbridge is a wonderful place to pop into the shops to find that perfect something. Whether you’re looking for art to bring life to a room, a garden accessory, or an accent for your bookshelf, there’s lots to see and do in Uxbridge.
Uxbridge’s home décor shops:
- Keith’s Flower Shop – 14 Brock Street East, Uxbridge
- Presents Presents Presents – 60 Brock Street West., Uxbridge
- Preston Gallery – 77 Brock Street West, Uxbridge
- Roane’s Paint and Wallpaper – 4 Banff Road, #7, Uxbridge
- The Bridge Social – 64 Brock Street West, Uxbridge
- The Lemonade Stand – 26 Brock Street West, Uxbridge
- Sunflower Cottage – 175 Brock Street West, Uxbridge
- Low’s Furniture – 76 Brock Street West, Uxbridge
Downtown Whitby
Whether you’re looking for the perfect piece of vintage furniture at B/A Vintage, a rustic sign from Words on Wood,or are in need of some interior design inspiration from Rousseau’s, there’s lots to see and do in downtown Whitby. While there, stop by the Food and Art Café for their delicious all-day breakfast.