Under the same management as the clothing shop across the street, Second Time Around Living holds its pieces to the highest standards: furniture must be in perfect condition and less than 5 years old. Tables go for $100-300, wardrobes $100+, and sofas $300+. Several racks of contemporary if conservative clothing sold at four price brackets ($5, $10, $20, $50). This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Template:Gift Store Women's crocheted sweaters, quilted handbags, hand-painted wooden chests, handcrafted quilts, and too-nice-to-dirty tablecloths and cloth napkins—all in soft blues and yellows and patchwork and gingham prints—bring to mind Old New England. Handmade furniture, curtains, bedsheets, and pillows abound ($65+ for handmade dresses, $40-80 for tablecloths). The heart-is-in-the-hearth feel extends to a modest collection of picture frames, stationary sets, aromatic candles, Victorian-inspired jewelry, and beaded hair accessories. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

With a smorgasbord of writing, fastening, stamping, and sticking tools, Staples has dominated the school supply scene since you had that sweet Trapper Keeper in third grade. Catering to your now more sophisticated needs, Staples also offers a diverse selection of professional office supplies and electronic devices. In the basement, the tech center sells phones, accessories, and plans from Cingular, AT&T, Sprint, and Nextel. Although the selection isn't too impressive, the staff is knowledgeable about the wireless world, and the many store rebates (some redeemable online) make prices considerably more attractive. Staples is the biggest, cheapest, and yes, most comprehensive office supply store in the Square. Staples has more than just staples—computer paper, ink cartridges, scotch tape, blank CDs, and paper shredders abound. They also have a full-service copy center that binds, laminates, faxes, copies, and even prints business cards (hey, it's never too soon). Copies start at 6¢, color copies $1.04. Faxing $1 per page. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Some crates, few barrels, but stack upon stack of neon-colored dish displays fill the 5 levels of this sparkling household goods store. Dozens of handy treasures lie in wait, from grapefruit knives ($6) to scone pans ($16) to a dozen varieties of coffee and espresso makers. Glasses start at $0.40 for juice and reach $12 for fancy Martini vessels, a must if you want the best-outfitted bar in your entryway (they also sell stirring kits and shakers). Vases, sake sets, and fancy rice bowls are equally gorgeous. Cheapest and most basic accoutrements found on bottom level. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

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The most historic of the many Brattle St. houses-turned-historic-sites, the Longfellow House is a beautiful architectural gem located in one of Cambridge's most pleasant areas. Here, George Washington established his headquarters during the siege of Boston and celebrated his 17th wedding anniversary with Martha in 1776. In the 19th century, it was the home of poet and Harvard professor Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. 18th- and 19th-century furniture, paintings, and china adorn the rooms. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. The Longfellow National Historic Site bookstore features works, books, and CDs by Henry W. Longfellow, as well as a variety of other books by 19th century poets. In addition, the bookstore has available gardening books related to Longfellow garden, poetry translations, Afro-American poetry, and 18th and 19th century games for children.

A mecca of domesticity in Harvard Square: honey-scented candles, stacks of stainless strainers, smooth-wooden bowls, and custom doorknobs will add to any cookie-cutting life-style. A smaller and more eclectic alternative to nearby Crate and Barrel, Bowl & Board offers a modest selection of classy furniture (tables $40-495, lamps $100-235), in addition to picture frames, floormats, and kitchen extras such as fine teas and egg timers. Look out for the somewhat imposing wall of clocks ($20-$242), with vintage as well as sleek metallic models all ticking and tocking in unison. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

An outlet store can be found in Somerville.

Check their catalogs online!