I just got back from my last presentation for the Designer is In series at the HomeGoods Store in Glen Mills Pennsylvania. It is a new store and I was really excited to visit it for the first time. I had a blast talking to shoppers about the rooms they were creating and helping them to find just the right piece to complete their projects.
A lot of shoppers asked which one item I recommended they buy to transform a room on a budget. Since this is my last post for the Designer is In series, here is my must-have-list to redo your home for less:
• Lamps and Lamp Shades-Do you want to update your existing end table or night stand? Consider adding a new lamp or new lamp shades to give an older lamp a lift. If you want to give your traditional room a more modern look, opt for a contemporary lamp with a metallic finish. If you want to add color to the room consider a painted ceramic lamp or a fabric patterned lamp shade.
• Toss Pillows- Do not have the budget to reupholster your sofa or purchase new bedding? Adding pillows to your sofa, chair or bed will give it a colorful new look that you can change seasonally. Do not be afraid to mix patterns and textures; choose embroidered silks and damasks for a formal look and faux fur or linen for a more transitional look.
• Candle Sticks and Candle Holders- Do you want to add drama to a mantle or create a centerpiece for entertaining? Candle sticks and candle holders are an affordable solution. If you prefer a symmetrical look select a pair that matches and place them on either side of the mantle or dining room table. If you want a more eclectic look do not be afraid to mix styles and shapes. For example, pair large glass hurricanes with silver tone candle sticks to create a mantle that is multi-layered. For a more contemporary look, line up a row of votive candle holders down the center of your table or along the mantle.
I have really enjoyed visiting my area HomeGoods stores over the past month and sharing ideas of how to design your home on a budget. I hope my recommendations have been helpful.
Do you have a must-have-item that you want to add to the list? If so, please share.
1. I was wondering where is the website to actually shop on line?? All the sites I visited do not allow for shopping.
Thank you Marcyann
by Marcyann — 10/4/08 at 11:08 pm #
2. To add to your room’s must haves…a personal photo or a collection. It could be a home place, a family group, or a collage of frames with those cute faces in place. This really warms up a room.
by Paula — 10/5/08 at 2:32 pm #
3. Why don’t you show your furniture and all the other things ,put a price on them like everyone else does, lots of people don’t have time to drive to your store,and not even know wht ,things you sell especially ,people like me its almost 50 miles to your nearest store.
by Barbara — 10/5/08 at 11:30 pm #
4. Hi Kate,
I always believe each room should have something personal and unexpected. It doesn’t have to be a focal point (or even obvious), but something that YOU know makes the room uniquely your own. Perhaps a momento from a past vacation, or family heirloom. Anything goes!
Susan
by Susan — 10/6/08 at 1:29 pm #
5. Hi Paula
Thanks for sharing. I completely agree! Photos are such an affordable way to personalize any room. I love this idea. KH
by Kate Hart — 10/6/08 at 2:36 pm #
6. Hi Susan
Thanks for commenting- I agree, sometimes things from your travels or family treasures can really make a space your own. Often these are things you already have tucked away and can transform a space in an instant. One of my favorites are the old ledgers from my husband’s great grandfather’s business. They add interest to our bookcases and are one of a kind.
by Kate Hart — 10/6/08 at 6:45 pm #
7. Kate,
My name is LeAnn. I had the idea to create a Starbucks-themed office in our small upstairs room. It is a storage room currently because that is where we throw everything, but we were looking into changing that. I want the room to be a chic place for my daughter and son, 17 and 13, to do homework. Thank you very much!
by LeAnn — 10/6/08 at 9:30 pm #
8. Hi, Kate. I’m the woman who talked to you when you visited the St. Davids store. I told you I live near the airport and came to St. Davids to see your presentation. I followed your advice about adding 3 elements at 3 levels to make your room’s colors come together. If you’ll recall, I was trying to decide what color throw pillows to get for my wine-colored sofa because it was so dark. I did infuse aqua with the gold I already had. I found a vase with aqua, brown and gold and placed it on a wall shelf; I added pillows with aqua in them at the sofa level and a floor vase on the floor–3 levels. (I did not get the vase or ceramic garden stool you saw me with however). I thank you for the advice. I’m also applying to my dining area that I mentioned I’m doing with with black and white–I have black and white plates for the walls, black and white patterened lamp shade for the buffet and a floor runner with a black background. Again, I’m applying your rule of 3. I’ll submit photos soon.
by Velda — 10/7/08 at 12:40 am #
9. Hello Velda!
It is so great to hear from you! I certainly remember you and the wonderful items you were selecting. I bet the aqua looks great- I would love to see pictures when you can send them. The floor runner sounds perfect- I know you were looking for something for the floor. Thanks for updating me. KH
by Kate Hart — 10/7/08 at 4:18 pm #
10. Hi Marcyann,
At this time, HomeGoods does not offer a service of online shopping. We may in the future however, and suggest signing up for HomeGoods email to keep you up to date.
Thank you,
Jessica
HomeGoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 10/7/08 at 4:47 pm #
11. Hi Barbara,
At this time, HomeGoods does not offer a service of online shopping. We may in the future however, and suggest signing up for HomeGoods email to keep you up to date.
Thank you,
Jessica
HomeGoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 10/7/08 at 4:50 pm #
12. Hello LeAnn,
I love that idea! Coffee and decorating are two of my favorite things! Are you going to have a desk for each of them or one long table for them to share? Will you have an espresso machine for a home work break? Thanks for sharing kh
by Kate Hart — 10/7/08 at 6:12 pm #
13. We already have a long desk. I will not have an expresso machine.
by LeAnn — 10/7/08 at 9:39 pm #
14. Hi LeAnn,
Just kidding about the espresso! What other items are you thinking of adding? Maybe some bookcases or filing cabinets. kh
by Kate Hart — 10/8/08 at 1:34 pm #
15. I’ve been on yor email list for awhile now. I live over 110 miles away in a rural area with no large department stores within 70 miles. I love your
store and am hoping that you do offer online shopping soon.
My 3 daughters and I do alot of shopping online because of the distance from big city shopping. My one daughter is an interior designer and would love the online shopping to help with her clients.
Effingham Illinois
by amy — 10/24/08 at 8:57 am #
16. Hi Amy,
At this time HomeGoods does not offer a service of online shopping, but will keep you updated if we do in the future.
Thanks for your inquiry!
Jessica
HomeGoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 10/27/08 at 2:43 pm #
17. I love HomeGoods I think there is beautiful things. Every time that I have a chance I stop by. Since a while I am looking for a table no bigger than 22 inches wide x 36 high x 13D. that has at least 1 drawer with a lock for my kitchen. I know you have cute little tables but I really need the drawer with a lock if you have one soon please let me know I will be there to get it in no time. Can be any color. Thank you
by carmita — 11/9/08 at 4:00 pm #
18. Hi Carmita,
Thanks for submitting a comment to Openhouse, the new HomeGoods blog.
We understand that you have been trying to locate a table. As an off price retailer, we make every effort to keep our prices low, and our costs down, so that we can pass these savings on to our customers. For this reason, we do not provide a service of tracking merchandise, In addition, we do not have the privilege of ordering specific merchandise from our vendors. To locate the table, we suggest that you continue to check with the stores in your area directly. We would be happy to provide you with store locations in your area. If you would like a store list, please call our Customer Service Department directly at 1-800-888-0776.
Thank you,
Jessica
HomeGoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 11/10/08 at 12:06 pm #
19. Hi,
I live in the Penfields,N.Y. area and our Homegoods store is about 1hr. away.I was dissappointed with the store in the Canadaigua area: compare to what I have seen in the Carolina’s. What makes them be so different in the enviroment and the type of home goods that they carry??
Will there every be one in the near Rochester,N.Y. area?
Thanks
by Natasha — 11/16/08 at 10:35 pm #
20. Hi Natasha
Thank you for contacting Homegoods.
Homegoods purchases all of it’s merchandise “opportunistically”, meaning that we buy the best brand name and quality merchandise whenever available. Our buyers would rather go a little lighter in a particular department, rather than buying merchandise that does not meet our high standards for price, style and value.
Currently, if we do not have the selection of merchandise that you are seeking in our stores, please be assured that our buyers are always out there looking for more. Please continue to check with your local T.J. Maxx store as each store receives over 10,000 new items each week.
We appreciate your inquiry.
Sincerely,
JoAnn
Homegoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 11/17/08 at 1:44 pm #
21. I just got on this web site and I can’t find prices or items do you have to visit a store to what they have and what the prices are? I’m not sure what kind of store this is and if the prices would fix in my budget. Thanks any help on this store would be great.
by Linda — 12/6/08 at 9:22 pm #
22. Hi Linda,
Thanks for your inquiry.
HomeGoods is a store which has all the latest department store styles with prices up to 50% off department store prices.
If you would like to find a store in your area you can use the store locator link at the top of the page or you can call our Customer Service Department directly at 1-800- 888-0776.
Thank you,
Jessica
HomeGoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 12/9/08 at 4:13 pm #
23. I am looking for a garden stool in teal, or olive green and cannot locate one. Can you help?
by fran — 3/25/09 at 5:45 pm #
24. Hi Fran,
We understand that you have been trying to locate a garden stool. As an off-price retailer, we make every effort to keep our prices low, and our costs down, so that we can pass these savings on to our customers. For this reason, we do not provide a service of tracking merchandise. In addition, we do not have the privilege of ordering specific merchandise from our vendors. To locate the stool, we suggest that you continue to check with the stores in your area directly. To find a store near you, simply go to the “Find A HomeGoods” icon on the home page of our web site. Or, if you would like a store list, please e-mail us back, or call our Customer Service Department directly at 1-800-888-0776, and we’d be happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
Jessica
HomeGoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 3/27/09 at 10:39 am #
25. Homegoods & TJ Maxx have great prices on books. They are in two of my guest rooms, office and living room. For my animal print room a big book with a tiger face on front will sit on a stand (also very inexpensive from Homegoods) and occupy a shelf on my tv cabinet…what a bargain at $4.99. My his & hers office themed ‘It’s good to be king’ and ‘It’s good to be queen’ is the book The King and I and books on my favorite hobbies, along with some crown decorations I found at Homegoods. In my golf theme bedroom I used three golf books to lift the cutest golf lamp which was two small but looks great raised on the books. My sage and lilace bedroom has books with sage and lilac colored flowers on the night stands. Just a few great ways to use books for themed rooms on a budget available at great prices from Homegoods and TJ Maxx
by Sunny Regards — 6/4/09 at 5:22 pm #
26. I am in the Seattle area and have been seeing a lot of ads for your store recently on TV. Will one be coming to our area and when? I can’t wait to shop with you! Carol
by Carol — 10/2/09 at 6:01 pm #
27. Hi Carol,
Although we have no plans at this time for a new store in the Seattle area, we have forwarded your comments onto our Real Estate Department for their review.
Thanks,
Jessica
HomeGoods Customer Service
by HomeGoods Customer Service — 10/6/09 at 10:17 am #