Mistakes Everyone Makes When Shopping At HomeGoods

Shopping successfully at a HomeGoods store is truly an art. Because each and every store boasts a vast array of home decor, furniture, household essentials, and gourmet goodies, it can be overwhelming to know where to even begin. In fact, you're probably making a few mistakes with your shopping adventure that can keep you from having the best HomeGoods experience possible. Don't fret, though, because there are so many tips and tricks that you can learn that will make spending a few hours at HomeGoods an absolute joy.

If you have never shopped at HomeGoods before, you should really check out the list below to make certain you're prepared when you go. Each store has an endless number of pieces worth shopping — at incredible discounts, too. Because that's the whole point of HomeGoods. Per the HomeGoods website, they offer between 20% and 60% off full-price merchandise every day of the week. So no matter what you're looking for, you'll always score an amazing deal.

From ways to ensure you're getting the best price possible to advice on when, exactly, you should shop at the store, consider this your go-to list of HomeGoods shopping tips and pointers. Thankfully, HomeGoods shoppers are loyal and have the best advice for the best shopping experience. Not only will you learn the do's and don't before you shop, but you will also get the best finds ever. And before you know it, you'll be shopping like a pro.

It's always easy to find a home decor piece, article of clothing, or household gadget that strikes our fancy. But we don't always immediately buy it. Instead, we give ourselves some time to think it over before purchasing. When shopping at HomeGoods, though, this isn't the best strategy. HomeGoods doesn't have an online catalogue, so it's not always easy to find your favorite products after leaving the store empty-handed. It's best to go ahead and buy anything that catches your eye before someone else does.

Not only can the products you love get snatched up by another eager HomeGoods customer, but you can also miss out on a one-of-a-kind piece. According to the HomeGoods website, a store might only get a few of a particular item. So if you pass it up in hopes it will be there the next day, you could be totally out of luck. There's always a chance another store might carry the product you wanted, of course — but typically, it's not worth the risk.

Thankfully, per the HomeGoods website, the store has a 30-day return policy. Because of this, it's safe to go ahead and purchase whatever pieces you think you might want. See how it looks in your home, then decide whether or not you want to keep it. And, if the item is too large to fit in your car, you can always ask a store associate to hold it for you.

Although the products you'll find in HomeGoods are available in-store only (and not online), there are ways to browse what your local store is carrying before you go. According to Good Housekeeping, the HomeGoods app will give you a preview of products available to shop in your area. Rather than going into the store without a clue as to what you'll find — which can be fun, but not always productive if you're in a rush — you can assess what's worth shopping and if you might find exactly what you were hoping to find while browsing.

Yes, HomeGoods stores rotate products in and out at record speed, and the offerings vary from store to store — but have no fear. Simply download "The Goods" app, and you'll be welcomed into what feels like a secret world. It's available on both the App Store and Google Play, so no matter your device, you'll be able to get the inside scoop. The app allows you to browse each HomeGoods store to see what new products they're adding to the shelves every day.

HomeGoods isn't known for having store-wide sales (other than their clearance section), due to the fact that their items are already discounted from original retail prices. But don't let this stop you from finding an exclusive deal. According to Apartment Therapy, you can potentially score a discount of around 10% if an item is a little bit scuffed, marked, or damaged. The best part? This could include products that are already on clearance, too. There's nothing quite as satisfying as getting an extra percentage off of an already-marked-down item, and there's no harm in asking.

For items that are more damaged than, say, a scratch or a scuff, you might even get a deeper discount. According to the same Apartment Therapy article, products that have even more damage could score you between 20 and 28% off. This is great news for those who love a good DIY project or self-proclaimed fixer uppers. Simply roll up your sleeves, and you could turn a discounted HomeGoods piece into something truly incredible. Of course, if you'd rather just live with the damage (or cover it up with a cloth or a little paint), that works as well. Whatever makes life easier, right?

Learning the restock schedule for your favorite HomeGoods store is key to gaining access to the newest products. There are a few different ways to do this, too, so you can always stay in the loop no matter what. Because each HomeGoods store is different, you'll want to make sure you know the exact days and times your favorite store location restocks product. Jenny Reimold, a HomeGoods style expert, chatted with Real Simple and suggested, "Be sure to make friends with your store manager for the scoop on delivery days and times." That way, you have someone on the inside to keep you updated. 

With this information on your side, you'll have the best chance of securing the latest and greatest HomeGoods picks. The key is to shop the day after the store restocks — first thing in the morning, if you can. This gives the store's staff a chance to actually unpack everything and load it onto the shelves. When you arrive the next morning, all the new products should be ready to shop.

If you'd rather not wait, though, Christine Lee (@HomeGoodsObsessed on Instagram) told People she prefers browsing HomeGoods early afternoon during the week. By then, the employees should have had time to unbox most of the products from a morning shipment. Of course, this varies between stores, so your best plan of action is to check with the manager or other employees and ensure you know when they receive shipments.

If a weekend afternoon is the only time you shop at HomeGoods, you likely aren't having the most ideal experience. With bumper-to-bumper carts and an excessive number of customers, Saturday and Sunday are the worst days to browse the store. Instead, try shopping during the week. According to The Kitchn, your best bet is to skip the weekend crowds and opt for calmer weekdays to ensure the best (and least stressful) shopping day.

To get even more specific, that same The Kitchn article suggested getting your shopping done between Tuesday and Friday, later on in the morning — if you're able, of course. Many folks are at work during these hours, which leaves HomeGoods stores a bit quieter and much more organized. An entire store where everything hasn't been picked up and thrown back by dozens of customers? Sounds like a dream come true to us!

It's recommended that you skip Monday, too. Mondays can be considered a recovery day for most stores and a time when the employees are re-organizing products to make the store a bit less chaotic after the weekend.

Because of the sheer amount of product that HomeGoods stores carry, the shelves are typically packed to the brim. When shopping, do yourself a favor, and pay attention to the back of shelves along with the front. It helps to treat shopping at HomeGoods like a fun little treasure hunt. Look everywhere — especially deep to the back of shelves. While products might be well-organized by category, there could be amazing pieces hidden behind items you don't really love. The extra time is worth it. And hey — the search is sometimes half the fun.

House Beautiful also noted that when items go onto shelves, they aren't necessarily put in order of biggest to tiniest. Whatever is at the very front might be hiding smaller pieces that are worth purchasing. The best places to keep your eyes peeled for hidden gems are the kitchenware, bath, and art sections. You never know what you might find if you put in a little extra effort into sorting through the shelves.

If you give it a chance, some really great deals and unique knick-knacks can be found in the HomeGoods checkout line. As you wait to purchase your finds, don't forget to look around at the products on the checkout line shelves. From chic accessories that could potentially check a box on your shopping list to unexpected, exciting finds, consider the checkout line at HomeGoods full of treasure ready to be discovered. This is the area where you can find certain seasonal pieces at lower prices or everyday kitchen items you hadn't even thought to consider shopping for at HomeGoods (like reusable straws).

The best part of all? If you snag these items at the beginning of your trip, then discover other items you'd prefer to purchase over what you picked out, you can just pop them back on the checkout line shelves as you go to pay. It's a win-win situation that can end up helping you uncover hidden gems in the HomeGoods store.

While it's perfectly fine to spend an afternoon browsing at your local HomeGoods, going in with a plan is typically a smart choice. This could mean anything from having a general idea of a product you're hoping to find to writing out a list of some exact pieces you want. And if you haven't already downloaded the HomeGoods app (The Goods), this is a great place to start. While the app won't tell you everything you might discover on your shopping journey through HomeGoods, you can still get a few hints as to what you can expect.

From there, you can either make a shopping list or simply feel a bit more prepared to browse. (Knowledge is power!) Whether you're planning to redecorate your home or just need to pick up a few gifts, having an idea of what, exactly, you're looking for can keep you from getting too distracted while shopping. Stick to your mission — unless you have a few hours to spare looking through everything.

Even before you start, though, HomeGoods style expert Marcy Blum told Domino that it's best to do a little walk around the entire store. "I usually do an overview tour of the entire store before I get down to specifics of what I am looking for," she noted.

It's easy to go overboard when purchasing seasonal decor for your home — but with HomeGoods, you can deck out your space without spending too much. The seasonal section often has incredible deals for both pieces you'll keep forever and trendier items you might donate next year. According to the HomeGoods website, the store's seasonal decor can be helpful in a myriad of ways.

Refresh your bedroom each season without having to spend hundreds of dollars. Keep things neutral as a base, then add HomeGoods seasonal products where they fit in. Or, peruse the HomeGoods seasonal section to make incredible tablescapes and find gorgeous decor for holidays, stepping up your hosting skills in any season. And if you're hoping for seasonal decor that you can make work year-round, try the outdoor dining and furniture pieces HomeGoods often has available. These pieces work anytime it's comfortable to sit outdoors. Not to mention, you'll definitely impress your guests.

Just about everything at HomeGoods is a great deal — but that doesn't mean you should rush to purchase the entire store. According to Reviewed, you should be wary of buying the cheapest kitchen items (from unknown brands, especially). Though HomeGoods does carry multiple name brands, they also have their own line of products — along with other lesser-known brands — that are often cheaper than other pieces. In these cases, it's best to consult reviews of any especially inexpensive kitchen supplies you might be eyeing.

These cheaper kitchen items might be less expensive because the quality isn't quite as good as other brands. If you're in a pinch and really need an item quickly, then go for it. But if you have the time and funds to invest in a product that will likely last longer, you're better off skipping the cheapest kitchen items. As always, looking for brands you already trust is your best bet.

Sometimes, shopping at HomeGoods can feel like a treasure hunt. This goes for everything — but we often forget all the fun food items the store has to offer. Unlike your regular grocery store, though, HomeGoods isn't the place you'll be able to stock up on everyday items you use during the week. Per The Kitchn, you're more likely to find gourmet and specialty items lining the shelves rather than cans of soup and loaves of bread. Of course, this doesn't mean you shouldn't peruse what your local store has in stock. You never know what gems you might find.

When it comes to every item at HomeGoods, stock doesn't last long. And according to the HomeGoods website, there isn't necessarily any extra stock to be found in the back of the stores. What you see is what you get. Thankfully, deliveries happen all the time, so if you miss the opportunity to snag a food item you wanted, you'll likely find something new and exciting on your next trip to the store.

After you've successfully shopped the store for yourself, don't pass up on the opportunities to gift some HomeGoods products to someone else in your life. There's such a vast array of products in these stores that it's likely you can find something for everyone.

Have a foodie you want to treat? Try shopping in the food section of the store. You can even create a unique gift that features both something edible and a few items from the kitchen section, like a whisk or utensil holder. Or, if someone you love is getting married, you can find plenty of stunning wedding gift options at HomeGoods. Put together a set of champagne glasses for a wedding toast or a luxe laundry basket for the couple's home. The possibilities are truly endless.

Of course, there are always plenty of holiday gift options as well, so don't forget to look through the seasonal section of the HomeGoods store for other gift options. From Mother's Day to Valentine's day, HomeGoods has a vast array of items to choose from.