Good style doesn’t have to break the bank.
Interior designers have many tricks up their sleeves when it comes to sourcing items for their clients’ homes. They’re adept at procuring one-of-a-kind pieces from vintage marketplaces, building something totally from scratch, or, when you least expect it, finding a piece that feels a little more accessible. We already know designers love shopping at IKEA for its modular furniture, but they also favor another affordable hotspot you're likely familiar with: HomeGoods.
“I always end up incorporating HomeGoods vases, bowls, objects, and books into my client’s projects,” says Sarah Bowman, an Atlanta-based interior designer. “When you get to that last 10 percent of the project, and we’ve invested in original art, custom pillows, and one-of-a-kind pieces, sometimes you just need a $50 tray that looks like $500.”
Bowman is not the only one who loves going to the store to pick up decorative accents. We spoke with a dozen designers, and they all noted that HomeGoods is great for finding the pieces that add a finishing touch to a space. “We’ve sourced everything from decorative trays and table lamps to ceramics, planters, and barware for styling our projects,” says The Brownstone Boys.
Of course, if you’ve been to HomeGoods, you know it has a massive inventory, spanning thousands of products. It can feel overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for, and it can still be overwhelming if you do—it’s easy to get sidetracked once you’re inside.
To make your next shopping experience easier—and to pick up pieces designers themselves consider hidden gems—we asked the experts what they always look for at HomeGoods. Now, you can approach the daunting aisles with the same level of discernment as the pros.
It’s no secret that HomeGoods has a great selection of sheets, towels, blankets, and more, which designers love for their quality and value. “I recommend this category as they have great options and are typically less expensive than you would find elsewhere,” says interior designer Jennifer Pacca.
Don’t sleep on the books at HomeGoods. “I love picking up coffee table books; they always have a great assortment of designer titles, both current and classic. It’s also a great way to build a collection and style different areas of the home, not just the coffee table,” says Jessica Dorling, owner and principal designer of Seattle-based Dorling Design Studio.
Jody Jones, a Chicago-based interior designer and the founder of Blue Indigo Designs, loves sourcing “finishing pieces” at HomeGoods. “When we’re preparing for our final installation, we love to pop into HomeGoods for baskets, picture frames, and blankets. While we always make a beeline for the larger baskets, we cannot resist taking a walk around the store for any hidden gems.”
Scottsdale-based designer Jennifer Beget loves sourcing stone items from HomeGoods. “[Think] marble bowls, travertine trays, catch-alls, soap dispensers, or serving trays—real stone items that have a purpose and job (not random kitchy decor). They are a great investment because they will last, and they never go out of style,” she says.
While designer Jane Morgan says she’s found many items, from Chinoiserie blue ginger jars to brass bowls to wooden objects, at HomeGoods, she always recommends keeping an eye out for lamps.
“The sleeper items you don't usually associate with finding [at HomeGoods] lighting,” adds Beget. “I have been lucky to score some high-end table lamps that I recognize are from well-known brands,” she says. “Not all lamps are created equal, but you can find Ralph Lauren and Visual Comfort lighting [at HomeGoods]. You may still pay hundreds of dollars, but trust me, they are significantly less expensive than if you were to pay retail.”
Throw pillows act as the finishing touch on a couch and accent chair, whether it’s in the bedroom, living room, or den area. “I generally find great accent pillows without spending more than $30 (per pillow) to complete the room,” says Kira Young, founder and principal designer of San Diego-based High Tide Design.
You may not always find the right art at HomeGoods, but many designers still recommend browsing the selections to make sure you’re not missing anything. Plus, this is a good spot for art if you’re furnishing a rental property and don’t want to invest in an original that strangers might damage.
“They have an expansive photo frame selection that complements almost any style decor—framed photos are one of the final touches that make a house feel like home,” says Sarah Crawford, associate designer at Courtney B. Smith Design. “There are often limited-edition pieces, including giclée prints, screen prints, and woodcuts [too],” says Dorling. “It’s a great place to source artwork to help fill in your walls, complementing your higher-end, one-of-a-kind custom pieces.”
If you don’t have a green thumb, but your space could use some leafy green varieties, pick up some artificial plants at HomeGoods. “Ceramics and planters are an underrated category,” says designer and HomeGoods interior expert Jenny Reimold. “Adding greenery is one of the easiest ways to make a space feel finished, and having a variety of interesting planters makes that process even more fun.”
For your last-minute dinner party or al fresco lunch needs, pop into HomeGoods to grab tabletop essentials, like extra wine goblets, silverware, and seasonal plates. “Look for the ‘Made in Portugal’ stamp on the back when it comes to ceramics,” says Crawford, who loves picking up dinnerware and crockery items from the retailer.
One of the items almost all of our designers mentioned buying at HomeGoods is vases. “Things that are not so precious, like vases, are great. Having a variety of vessels for florals is so important,” says Young.
“These items add personality and warmth to a space without requiring a full renovation,” adds The Brownstone Boys. “Because the selection [at HomeGoods] is always changing, it’s a great place to discover pieces that feel unique and globally inspired.”
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