Everyone has a store they can get lost in for hours on end. For me, it’s HomeGoods, the home decor chain that’s known for amazing deals.
If I happen to have a day off, chances are you’ll find me happily pushing my cart through aisles upon aisles of cozy bedding, kitchen essentials, abstract wall art, table lamps, you name it. I might be on a mission to find something specific (a new wooden cutting board, perhaps?), or on days when I’m feeling adventurous, I’m open to discovering quirkier gems (like the hand-carved wooden jewelry box I’ve owned for years). For me, it never gets old, and I love that I never know what I’m going to find.
Since I’ve been shopping at HomeGoods for ages now — and I have years as a home design editor under my belt — I figured it was finally time to reveal my best shopping tricks. Here’s how to get the most of your next HomeGoods run.
Go early.
I can’t stress this enough: Shopping at your local HomeGoods right when it opens is the best strategy. Early in the day, the store is well-stocked and as organized as it can be. Later on, you risk battling through crowded aisles (with carts in tow) and missing out on a well-rounded selection of the best products.
Visit on a weekday.
In my experience, shelves are more likely to be fully stocked during the week. That said, I’ve found that Mondays can be hit or miss, as staff may still be replenishing stock from the weekend rush. I personally prefer visiting my local store on Thursdays because, by then, I know they’ll have a good assortment of products across a range of categories, ready for weekend shoppers.
That said, during a recent visit to a New Jersey location on a Monday afternoon, I saw several staffers busy restocking the shelves. One of them mentioned that shipments usually arrive on Mondays, and I still had a pleasant shopping experience, despite the flurry of activity around me.
Befriend a salesperson.
If you’re serious about finding a specific product — say, bedding from a particular brand — it helps to build a rapport with one or two staff members at your local store. Once you’re on friendly terms, they might give you a heads-up when that elusive item finally arrives in store. Think of it as networking for your shopping needs: Just being nice and having a photo on hand to show exactly what you’re after can really pay off.
Look out for red price tags.
Search every nook and cranny.
Most shelves are packed with layers of products, particularly pillows and artwork, so you’ll need to get into the trenches and shift things around to find all the hidden gems. I’ve often discovered amazing products buried at the back of shelves, wedged between stacks or even misplaced in the wrong section of the store. These hidden gems are golden opportunities — take your time exploring the store, and you might just strike gold.
I remember once purchasing a woven storage bin for my bathroom toiletries. A few days later, while reorganizing my bathroom shelf, I realized I needed a matching bin. Initially, I panicked, but then I headed back to that same HomeGoods. To my delight, I found the exact same bin tucked away at the very bottom of a stack, behind a bunch of other bins. I couldn’t have been more thrilled!
Don’t skip the bedding and towels.
Stearns & Foster pillows. Vera Wang comforters. Lauren by Ralph Lauren sheets. Calvin Klein towels. If you’re serious about finding high-quality bedding and towels at low prices, make it a habit to check the bedding and towel section of any HomeGoods store. The best part? The towels are often organized by color — an absolute dream for anyone decorating a room with a specific color palette.
A treasure trove of towels and bath linens, spotted on a recent shop.
Always check the kitchen section.
I usually find the best deals in this section of the store. Whether I’m hunting for a pack of new dish towels for a holiday like Easter or Christmas, or need a new baking pan to perfect my banana bread recipe, HomeGoods has me covered. On a recent visit, I spotted elegant white dishes from Mikasa, and in the past, I’ve found small Le Creuset baking dishes in white and cerise (the brand’s popular bright red shade).
I also never buy wooden cutting boards anywhere else — whether for everyday meal prep or to complete my charcuterie board presentations, HomeGoods is my go-to.
The cutting board offerings at my local HomeGoods.
Be open to discovering new brands.
In my experience, brand names don’t always guarantee quality. Often, I’ve discovered that high-quality products can come from lesser-known companies. This is especially true when I’m exploring new home decor trends or need multiples of an item for a special occasion — like cloth napkins or colored glassware.
Don’t pay full price for defective items.
Like any store, you might occasionally fall in love with an item that’s not in perfect condition — perhaps a small chip on a platter or a tablecloth with a few snags that can easily be hidden with a great centerpiece. In these situations, don’t hesitate to speak up and ask the cashier if they can offer a discount. They may be able to accommodate you after checking with the store manager.
Feel free to put items on hold.
How many times have you spotted the perfect piece of furniture or striking wall art at HomeGoods, only to pass on it because you weren’t sure how to get it home? Don’t let that happen again. Just ask any cashier to place the item on hold at the register. I once used this service for an entryway bench — I paid for it and returned later that day with a larger vehicle to bring it home. Score!
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.”