FREE HOME PLANNER
SAMPLE!
You all know I love fluffing up our home (even though I'm far from a decorator!), but home decor gets pretty expensive way too fast! I've found several stores though that really help me to decorate our home on a budget, and they may be places you haven't considered yet. Check these out . . .
1. Goodwill or a local thrift store.
You will be amazed at the amount of money you can save if you're willing to slap a little paint on some thrift store finds. You won't necessarily find something every time you shop, but keep your eyes open for good lines and you never know what you may find! (See a few of my favorite thrifted finds HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.)
2. Your local craft stores.
Hobby Lobby offers 50% off sales on the entire store just about every other week, so if you see something you love that's not on sale, wait a week or two and odds are that price will be drastically reduced. Be sure to also take advantage of their weekly 40% off coupon if you need something in a pinch that's not on sale this week!
I love Michael's especially for their dollar bins but they also have great decor throughout their store! They almost always offer a coupon or two, so go HERE to see what they've added this week.
Also watch for coupons at Joann's and Hancock – some of these stores will accept competitor coupons as well, so it's worth taking a minute to ask to make sure you save every time you shop!
3. The Dollar Tree.
The Dollar Tree has so many items to decorate with, especially for seasonal decor! If you're looking to fluff up your home for birthday parties, baby showers, the 4th of July, Christmas or even Easter, the Dollar Tree should be your first place to shop. And they have great glassware, so if you want items to decorate a pretty table, you can easily find what you need for just a buck, no coupons required!
4. TJ Maxx, Marshall's or Home Goods (and Kohl's too!)
Folks, not much makes me happier than a walk through TJMaxx or Home Goods. While not everything there is a crazy good deal, if you keep your eyes open you might just find a steal, and they have so many unique items that can really make a statement!
Kohl's also has some fun deals on housewares (especially for outdoor decorating,) Be sure to keep up with current Kohl's coupons to get the best deals, and if you can shop off season (or at least late in the season), you'll save a bundle there.
5. Garage sales, Craigslist or local online yardsale groups.
One man's junk really is another man's treasure, and you never know what you can find at a yard sale that might be just perfect in your home with a little tlc! My neighbors sold two of the nightstands above at a garage sale years ago (they'd made them in high school shop class.) I bought them for a few dollars, and have painted them three times depending on the room they're in!
6. Your own closets.
Have you stored some decor in a closet because you're not sure if it still works or not? Walk through those storage spaces and see if you can re-use what you already have in a different spot. Also, really think about grabbing some spray paint, because you may be able to use what you already have at home in a new way if with after a quick spray in a new shade!
Last fall we re-did my in-law's hearth using mostly items they already had at home. My father-in-law had kept this old lantern in their barn since he was a kid, and it looked great on their mantle (and was completely free!)
7. Your backyard.
Think I'm crazy? Think again! If you have flowers in bloom in the summertime, bring a few buds in to brighten up your home. Even every day boxwood branches trimmed and added to mason jars add free greenery, and instantly brighten up your room!
In the winter, use fresh greenery to decorate for the Holidays.
So there you have it . . . my favorite stores to shop when I'm adding some decor on a budget. What other stores would you add to the list? Leave a comment to share!
Looking for penny pinched projects? Here are a few of my favorites . . .
- How to Make Homemade Chalk Paint
- Goodwill Chair Makeover
- Baby Shower on a Budget
- 4th of July Decor at the Dollar Tree
- Easter Decorating at the Dollar Tree
- Girls Tea Party on a Budget
- Penny Pinched Closet Makeover
- Our Breakfast Room
- Update for a Plain Alcove
- Kitchen: Metal Pendant Shade Update
- Powder Room Update: Wallpaper, Trim Work & Woodwork
- Free Command Center
- Dining Room: Goodwill Lamp Makeover
- Dining Room: Monogrammed Burlap Table Runner
- Dining Room: Painted Piano
- Master Bathroom: Goodwill Frame Upcycle
- Family Room: Goodwill Chair Makeover
- Basement: $70 Storage Bin Shelving
- Girls Bathroom Update: Mod Podge Monograms
- Tiny Christmas Home Tour
- Laundry Room Makeover (Alabama house)
- $150 Dining Room (Alabama house)
I love all of these ideas and definitely frequent majority of these places way too much! 🙂 I was wondering, do you have any recommendations for some places with rustic home decor? I’m trying to make my kitchen feel more farmhouse-sy and am having a really hard time finding some good pieces. Hobby Lobby has been a good place to find a couple of items, but there is only so much there that I feel will fit in with the idea I have in my head. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Alex, oh wow I love that look too! I actually don’t know of stores that carry that style as much. Hobby Lobby was my only thought but I’ve also had great luck on amazon and then Marshall’s and Ross and TJMaxx sometimes have different types of styles as well! I love your ideas though! Be sure to share with us what you find!!
How about checking some Antique Shops, now that would be “rustic.”
Thanks for the tip Lynda! 🙂
I have found a lot of ideas for several rooms in my home and also where to shop to get the best low prices. Some of the ideas I never thought of so all the info eill be so helpful and a lot of fun. I cant wait to get the items needed and start. Thank you so much.
I’m always decorating on a budget so these were great tips. Still relevant today!
Love that Kelly – thanks so much for sharing!
I have had very positive results with shopping my closets, garage and attic, especially regarding artwork.
My husband and I purchased a pair of black and white wildlife prints when we first got married in the 70s. They were matted in harvest gold with black plain frames, and we used them in our decor for years. Eventually, our taste changed and they were replaced with other artwork. A few years ago, we purchased our retirement home in the mountains. We changed the harvest gold matting to a taupe matting and added more rustic wood frames. They are perfect for this setting.
Therefore, I highly recommend that you look at what you have first and consider if it can be reconfigured to fit your needs.
Church rummage sales are also a great source. Auction houses too. lastly and desperate to not spend a dime…Dumpster dive !!
Burlington has clothing and various household items
Wal-Mart and Target have many options…. I bought discounted Gustav Klimt prints from Barnes & Noble and then went to Wal-Mart and bought $4 thin black plastic frames with glass. I flipped around the back so the background is black. They look classy and nobody notices the cheap frames because the art is so stimulating against my white apartment walls
Most Salvation Army stores have 50% off everything in the store, Friday and Saturday sales usually once a month. And always around the holidays. I bought my husband a desk with bookcase on top for 35.00 originally marked at 70.00 . That was 3 yrs. ago he still uses it everyday.
Did not see antique stores. The prices are rarely firm. See something you like, the folks at the checkout can call booth owner with your offer while you keep shopping. Great source for bedspreads and crates.
I love Tuesday Norning. It is a great discount store. I have gotten many wonderful things there. I never go in there without finding anything good.
I would like to add Big Lots to the list!! Awesome stuff at great prices.
That’s a great one Jenny – good reminder!
I love shopping at all of these places! Especially Home Goods and TJMaxx!! First stop is always the clearance section!
You pretty much covered all of my favorites, although I will add Big Lots, estate auctions, Dollar General, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond (with coupons). Also, can’t go too wrong with Wal-Mart and Target. I have also gotten great things from Amazon, Overstock, and QVC.com that were very reasonably priced.
How about reclaimed building materials places like the Habitat for Humanity restore stores? Or Hotel surplus outlet stores or model homes furniture stores if you live close to one