Living With Color Designs: Shopping At Home Goods: How To Get The Most Out Of It

I am excited, again! The new Home Goods store just opened on New Garden Rd. in Greensboro. I have been looking forward to it's opening ever since I found out my go to Home Goods store was closing. In celebration of this event I thought I would share a few of my shopping tips based on lessons I have learned as a loyal shopper/fan/groupie. (Confessions here.)

1. If something immediately speaks to you upon seeing it, go ahead and put it in your cart. You will have plenty of time to decide as you walk around if you really want it. If you later determine that you do not quiet have the passion for it that you thought you did then just put it back on the shelf. Things get snapped up and sometimes hesitating and then going back for it in a few minutes results in it being gone. A great example is this sea shell painting below. It wasn't something I was shopping for or specifically needed but it spoke to me. I realized that I should give it another look because, really, it was a find. But it was gone. I can now think of several people this would have made a great gift for.

2. If you see a large item you want to buy but did not come in the right vehicle to get it home then go ahead and pay for it, you can get your neighbors truck later. Home Goods will actually hold any of your purchases for 7 days. I don't think this tip is widely known. This means you go ahead and pay for it up front and they will store it for you while you make arrangements for pick up. One of the cashiers was telling me a story of a lady who had gone home to get a bigger vehicle and the item she wanted was gone when she returned. Obviously she was disappointed.

3. Keep On Going Back- They are always getting new and exciting things. You are never guaranteed that they will get any item that they have today in again at another time. But they will get in something new. I passed once on some pillows that would have been absolutely beautiful in my bedroom, trying to be frugal you know. I couldn't get them out of my head so I went back to try and get them. Gone. I actually stalked a few different Home Goods stores for a while hoping against hope that I would find them. I console myself with the idea that someone very deserving of beauty ended up with those pillows and they are with their rightful owner. Bottom line is that their whole business model is built around building urgency and the idea of the thrill of the hut for that thing that will be here today gone tomorrow. They want you to feel like you better snatch it up before it is gone. So much so, they encourage you to proudly upload pictures of your spoils at Home Goods finds with #HomeGoodsHappy.

5. You can count on finding name brand products at value prices. Home Goods makes good design available to all by providing quality products at an affordable price. Some of the things I know I can find on a consistent basis are decorative pillows (you know how I love them, past blog post here and here), stylish lamps, interesting mirrors, wall art and entertaining essentials. Good basics with style and flair.

silver studded yellow leather covered boxes

6. Always, always, always, buy at least one more of their beautiful .99 cent shopping bags. Oh my goodness. I did not take a picture. But these bags are wearable art. Just trust me. You'll see. I can not tell you all the countless times I have used their beautiful bags to transport things from here to there. And why not have something so utilitarian to be a thing of beauty? You can look chic and stylish when you are toting things. My bags have been filled with wedding decorations, tabletop event items, picnic extras, kids clothes, you name it. Really, I have bought coordinating bags to use for particular events and then tied tags to the handles to identify contents making set up quick and easy. (That was a bonus tip). Colorful design rich bags are just a little more tidy and visually appealing than using mis-matched boxes and bags for special occasions. Remember, just .99 cent.

7. Last but not least, get to know the people who work in your local store. Greensboro has some jewels in the two girls that checked me out yesterday. So friendly and engaging. They gave me the tip about the 7 day holding. When I mentioned that I was a designer and would be back soon, one of them said she would be sure to remember my face. What great salesmanship. I'll be looking for her too. Salespeople and managers are great resources for information about incoming shipments and other tidbits of information. Make friends.

So enough tips. I'll just end with some pictures. All pictures were of items in the store yesterday so you know what that means. They may or may not be there today.