Silly home "decor" question...

[hurleysweety]

This seems like a really silly question, but I feel like there is somewhere so obvious I should be buying this stuff. So where do you all buy your home "decor" ? I seem to search for it everywhere, but never find anything I like in my budget. And if it is in my budget, there is a good reason (the ugly color, chipped, falling apart, cheap...halloween clearance in December...lol).

I just have a feeling someone on here can point me to a website (or maybe even a store) that sells pretty reasonably priced decor. I could use some vases, fake flowers, candle holders/centerpieces. Not really needing any art or wall decor, except for those pretty quote appliques. So how to you "decorate" on your budget.

(Yes...I do watch too much HGTV; thanks for asking. )

 

[IUTBAM]

Okay, don't laugh, but I have found a lot of beautiful things at thrift stores...knick-knacks, pictures (including a signed/numbered print that I later found online selling for over $300, and I paid $8 at Goodwill), decorative items, etc.

But, when I am looking for specific themed items (such as when I recently re-did my bedroom with african themed decor), I headed straight to Hobby Lobby. But never pay full price there...wait for the 50% off sales. Ditto for Kohl's.

 

[buzz5985]

Home Goods a division of TJ Maxx (Marshall's)

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

I shopped at Hobby Lobby or Kirklands and they always have sales.

Home Goods a division of TJ Maxx (Marshall's)

 

[bas71873]

I second Home Goods, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning, Target, Kohl's (when they have sales and I have coupons). I've also had good luck at Bed Bath & Beyond (with coupon), World Market and Pier 1.

I have recently discovered Overstock.com. Not often completely budget friendly, but I've found some things that I've sprung for!

 

[bicker]

touchofclass.com and domestications.com

 

[antmaril]

Home Goods, Hobby Lobby, Target, Kohl's, JC Penney and Bed, Bath & Beyond are all good options for home decor.

 

[beansmom]

oh, darlin...take my hand and let me take you to the wonderland called 'Home Goods'.

It is amazing! Cute stuff...not junk...pretty darn cheap. I went to get pillows at Pier1 yesterday (i was looking for something very specific)...and HG is sooo much cheaper and has stylish stuff. Everyone who comes ot our house asks where I got XX or XXX...and the answer is always Home Goods.

I just looked at touchofclass and it's tres expensive, IMO.
You might also try Kirkland's if you have one in your area.

Get thee to Home Goods!

 

[scrapquitler]

I've gotten a lot of good inexpensive things at Ikea.

 

[kkwis2]

I don't have any stores to add as I look at TJMaxx, Kohl's, Pier 1 (look but never buy!), but I just wanted you to know that I am in the exact same boat. It seems home decor stuff is SOOOO expensive! I totally agree with you that if it's affordable it's junky, if it looks nice, it's overpriced. And at my house, home decor is a want, not a need, so, with as expensive as it is, it pretty much is never in the budget.

I love HGTV, but I hate how they make it seem like it should just be so easy and cheap! But it really isn't!

 

[CBoysMomLovesDisney]

I used to work for a home builder. When the decorators decorated the model homes many of the items would come from Kirklands and Home Goods. I find Kirklands to be the best and most afordable. Also if you sign up on their website, you'll receive coupons (ex. save $10 on $50 purchase).

Good Luck

 

[DawnM]

A woman who was really into decorating had to short sale her house about 2 years ago because her DH lost his job. Their family room was so nice and she spent a lot of time decorating it.

She had to sell stuff and I bought pretty much her entire family room, including the pictures off the wall!

I added in a few items from our Outlet furniture store and now I have a living room that people often compliment me on!

DH loves a nicely decorated house (not all of ours is, but the visible areas are now!) and often comments that he wishes we had nicer decor, but what he doesn't seem to understand is that it costs MAJOR MONEY to just go out and do it all brand new!~ He does NOT want to spend that kind of money!

Dawn

 

[Shelby5514]

Gordmans also has a lot of nice things and cheapie cheap too!

 

[beansmom]

it is surprising to me, however, how much difference just a few accessories make. I 'inherited' a very sterile WHITE house--white walls, white leather furniture, NO curtains anywhere--and had to make it come alive. Since my DH likes the very OPEN feel, i use sheers in spring and summer that I buyfor $5 each at the Christmas Tree Shop...spring/summer color throw pillows from Home goods and I use silk flowers/arrangements that I buy from Michael's when they mark them 75-90% off after the holiday/season.

HObby Lobby is great, too...we don't have them in New England. ( If I'm REAL desperate, tho, I will do a 3 hr road trip to Poughkeepsie NY to get my HL fix.

 

[blanq]

I like HomeGoods and TJ Maxx. Etsy is great for some items too. Finally, I do like vintage and I live in a town with tons of antique shops where I find things like metal egg baskets, linens, wood boxes, tin signs, kitchen items, etc.

 

[SnowWhite2]

We just had a Hobby Lobby open near us and I thought it was just a craft store. I guess I'll have to check it out.

 

[Brancaneve]

Home Goods gets another vote, but I also love Pottery Barn. However, I have not been able to crack that code. Does anyone know how to get items at a reduced cost?

 

[dd50]

If you need really cheap things try freecycle and craigslist. They have free things and sometimes you can find nice things as I give away stuff when no longer needed.

I have had good luck in TJMaxx, Home Goods, Target, Kohl's, JCPenney's and once in a while Kirklands.

If you have a Old Time Pottery they have some nice cheap stuff and even Big Lots at times.

Sometimes you can get some good deals at Joann's and Michael's also.

Many people I know find some nice stuff at thrift stores and even garage sales.

 

[hurleysweety]

Oh how I love all of you! These are such great ideas!

Some of them seem so obvious, but I guess I've forgotten how many of those stores like Tj Maxx and Marshalls have home sections. I always see the seasonal stuff there, which is so tempting, but I've never really looked at things like candles and such. Thank you so much for your advice. I always love knowing I'm not the only one in this, "I love decor, but no way am I spending that much on it!" boat! Sail away!

Side note, completely random. I did get myself to a Micheals today after running some errands and found they had some "harvest/thanksgiving" decor for 80% off and got a lovely cornucopia along with all the usual trimmings for about $5! It is out of the way, but I will definitley be back in a month to get some Christmas things (the one decor item I never seem to have trouble finding...or buying )

 

[csharpwv]

The most important thing it to develop a theme or color palette and theme for for all the rooms in your house - and THEN......

BE PATIENT!

We have lived in our home for over 4 years now and are just starting to make things look a little polished - and pleasing to the eye.

One of the most affordable things to do first is paint - and add trim. Even the poly crown molding (which is pretty cheap!) can make a huge difference in a room - so too can chair rail - or wainscoting!

Here is a hint that nobody has really hit on yet -

Most people who want their homes to look like they come out of a magazine ALSO deck the halls quite a bit during the holidays.....

So when all of that holiday decor comes down - and it's dark and dreary in most parts of the country - you really start to feel that your house is a little empty - or visually cold. SO - in response to that uptick in home decor items - retailers push consumers in TWO different directions.

Direction 1 - HOME ORGANIZATION! Almost everyone at some time or another has made a new year's resolution to be more organized - or even just to organize a specific aspect of their life. So you will see rubbermaid, closet organization system, and other items to help you get your house organized on sale - and at promotional pricing.

Direction 2 - HOME DECOR! Target among most other retailers - will have a huge 'bazaar' type of seasonal shop in their store for that lull time between the new year - when all Holiday decor is cleared out and Easter/Spring 'stuff' can start hitting the shelves. SO I know that Target has a huge "Global Bazaar" with world decor items from around the world.

Here is the most important part!!!!! DON'T JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON!

Wait for all of that STUFF to go on clearance - and THEN buy stuff to spruce up your home! We did that the first year we lived in our new house and all the BIG framed art that we love was on clearance for 75% or more off.

We got a GREAT really tall piece for our dining room for less than $25.00 and it was a piece that was marked at $250 (full price) --- another note is that Target only has their stuff in the seasonal home decor display area at full price until they are confident that the full merch. lineup has hit all the stores - and THEN they start promo pricing.

BUT I also concur with other that Home Good has really great stuff!

There are two mid-atlantic area stores that we also have and those are Ollie's Bargain Outlet and Gabriel Brothers. They have great stuff as well - but it's more in 'waves' as they do buyouts, over runs, and closeouts.

But as I said - the most important thing is to BE PATIENT and wait for the perfect item that is in your budget! It WILL happen - as long as you are reasonable!