HomeGoods is my hands-down favorite place to shop. I never know what I’m going to find when I walk through the door but often enough it’s something amazing that keeps me coming back for more. And while I’m sure that many of you share my HomeGoods love, I’m also sure that some of you feel like you never find anything good at HomeGoods. While bad shopping mojo may be partly to blame, it might also be that you’re just not shopping HomeGoods “right”. What’s the right way to shop HomeGoods? I’ve put together some tips that will turn you into a HomeGoods power shopper in no time:
Take Your Blinders Off
Being focused is usually a good thing but not when shopping HomeGoods. If you go on a mission to find one very specific thing, be prepared to leave disappointed. While walking to the back of the store to look for the 30″ round distressed white mirror you want for over your fireplace, you might have just walked by the perfect lamp for your empty entry table but unfortunately you had blinders on and didn’t see it. Most of my favorite HomeGoods buys were unplanned ones. Like the beautiful wood bowl I’ve been using as a dining room centerpiece – I went to HomeGoods looking for spring pillows but shopped the whole store and came across this gorgeous wood bowl in the kitchen section. I brought it home not knowing exactly how I’d use but when I started decorating my dining room for summer, it fit right in:
Update! I’ve had so many people ask about this bowl after seeing it in my house and I finally tracked it down!! I’ve linked my sources and inspiration images for using it in your home {here}.
Shop on the Best Days
While you may luck into an awesome HomeGoods find any day of the week, I’ve found that the best days to shop HomeGoods are definitely weekdays. On the weekends, stores are often packed and can get a bit picked-over with no new shipments coming in. From what I’ve seen, the bulk of the restocking takes place during the quietest store times which tend to be weekday evenings so it makes sense that I’ve had my best success shopping HomeGoods on Tuesday through Friday mornings.
Shop the “Good” HomeGoods Stores
It’s true that not all HomeGoods are created equal. Some just consistently have better stuff than others. So if you have several HomeGoods stores within easy driving distance, don’t always just go to the one closest to you. Visit them all a few times and it will soon become clear which ones are better than the others. Can you believe that I have 19 HomeGoods stores within a 30 mile radius of where I live? I rarely go to the two closest to me because I almost always strike out at them – a few more minutes of driving is worth it to get to one of the “good” ones.
Look Outside of the Art Section for the Best Art
In the years I’ve shopped HomeGoods, I can only think of two pieces of art I’ve bought in the art section. I simply don’t have much luck there. But I’ve found several great pieces in other parts of the store. For example, our gallery wall has a lion head door knocker that I found in the accessories aisle and a tree slice that I found in the breadboard aisle:
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Buy Now, Decide Later
If you find something at HomeGoods that might work in your home but you’re not 100% sure about it, don’t even think about leaving it on the shelf! Merchandise moves fast and your it-might-work find that you see on Monday probably won’t be there when you go back for it on Tuesday. HomeGoods has a good return policy so it’s always safest to buy it, try it out in your home, and return it if it doesn’t work.
Get a Little Creative
Can’t find a tablecloth in the colors you’re looking for? Check out the drapery aisle for washable cotton drapery panels that can work just as well. No luck finding a pillow that matches the colors in your room? See if you can find some pretty fabric napkins that can be sewn into your pillow or even a flat rug or table runner, which is what I used to make the large end pillows on the couch in the family room in our old house:
I hope my tips help you guys score some great finds on your next HomeGoods trip! And for those of you who were already HomeGoods power shoppers, do you any other tips to add to the list?
Be sure and visit Driven by Decor’s “Shop” page {here} to check out my favorite stylish home and fashion finds!
Donna says
I love Home Goods! I always find lots of great things and I’m never disappointed.
Thank you for the great tips! The only thing I’d add is make sure you have plenty of time so you can cover every inch of the store!
Frances says
Have an open mind. I found a great pink and white throw, not looking for one but fell in love at 1st sight . Found curtains for the extra bedroom and 2 great melamine salad plates. I keep looking for more like them but no luck yet.
S.Lynn says
They put in a Home Goods section in an existing TJ Maxx store. It is not the same as a full-on Home Goods. Then in the next town over they put in a new TJ with a vacant lot next to it. We asked management why didn’t they put in a Home Goods? Management said they won’t build a HG within 50 miles of another. Boise sucks for shopping.
Debra Swiggum says
I’m off to HG. Thanks for the tips. Especially on using a drape as tablecloth.
Christin says
I’m pretty sure I’ve read and re-read this post a gajillion times over the last year or so. Such great tips! And you are definitely right about not leaving anything in hopes to come back. I’ve learned my lesson the hard way!
Kris Jarrett says
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! I’ve learned the hard way too more times than I should have!
Paul says
So accurate, I work at a HomeGoods, and these are things I tell customers ALL THE TIME!
Kris Jarrett says
That’s great to know Paul!
Kimberley says
I am researching areas to move to and pursue a graduate degree since I want to get the HELL out of my boring area of the country. Other than a good college/university – one of my absolute must-haves is to be in an area loaded with TJ’s and Homegoods!!!!! ????It is my obsession AND my therapy. It’s an addiction AND a cure :-))
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Kimberley you are HYSTERICAL! When we found out we were moving a few years back, one of the first things I did is see how many HomeGoods were near our new home. The sign of an addict – ha!
Diane Vega says
You’re absolutely correct with all your tips! I recently purchased a new home after my divorce and started new! I go to Home Goods every Sunday with my sister for just a sister day. But I love going on Wednesday evenings. I’ve found so many beautiful items to decorate my home. And regret the times I ponder n left something I liked.
Kris Jarrett says
You’re my kind of girl – love that tradition with your sister!!
Maggie Cartwright says
Hello,
I recently discovered HomeGoods store. Do they ever have sales? Or coupons? When is the best time of year to shop. I saw a ton of items that I wanted to buy for Christmas ahead of time. But waited in hopes that there may be a sale? Does this store have sales?
Thanks,
Maggie
Kris Jarrett says
Unfortunately they don’t! So if you see something you love there’s definitely no advantage to waiting!
LFritz says
19 Homegoods within a 30 mile radius? I live near The Woodlands in Texas and we have one scrawny 1/2 of a store and by the time Tuesday morning (delivery day) is over, the designers have left it bare. Frustrating!
Kris Jarrett says
Oh no! I used to live by a store that was pretty similar and would get picked over by designers by 10am!