Who better than someone who does it professionally to help you buy home appliances? Enter DC interior designer Annie Elliott, whose TikTok videos exploring department store aisles and offering design advice have made her a Gen Z sensation, with her first HomeGoods video garnering 4 million views. (She also took her followers to Ikea, Target and HomeSense.)
Elliott and I recently went to Maryland HomeGoods to find out what designers look for in discount store decor for quality. "That's the problem with HomeGoods. You really have to check things out because they jump around a lot," he says. "Just because something's cheap doesn't mean it's cheap."
So which items are worth putting in your home and which should be kept on the shelves? Here, Elliott shares her tips for smart shopping at home decor stores.
Show Post. What is the biggest fight you have with your romantic partner about the house you share?Try the furniture
Elliott generally advises against going to heavily discounted retailers. If you see something you like, she suggests inspecting the fabric closely. "Heavier textured fabrics are fine, but if the pattern is printed, it can look cheap and maybe not as wearable," she says.
He also recommends trying on parts. sit down to make sure they are really comfortable, then look at the frame. No one wants a rocking chair, so Elliott suggests giving it a good shake to make sure it's stable and sturdy. "When you hold the chairs, you shouldn't be able to feel the pieces of wood that make up the arms," he says.
Finally, consider the cost. Most of the beach chairs on our shopping trip cost around $500, which isn't bad, but as Elliott points out, “When you get to that price point, you have to ask yourself, 'Is this better than the Crate & Barrel", which is really... "Really good quality?" Verdict: Only go if the price is right and it looks well made, otherwise you could invest somewhere better.
Review your sources carefully
Make sure cabinet and closet doors line up and all drawers open and close smoothly. While shopping, Elliott stops to look at two of the latest wardrobes, only to discover that the front has visible paint spots and the doors are crooked. "If you're handy, I think you can deal with hinges and flat doors, but if you have to take them home and repair them, it's probably not worth it," he says.
© Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post For Elliott , carved into this $100 coffee table. "You can't fake an outright advantage, so something like that goes well," he explains.When asked if trendier furniture is a good investment for HomeGoods, he suggests, "If the price is really low and you know it won't last forever, then go for it." However, she suggests a more sustainable alternative: vintage. "You can paint a piece of wood you get at an antique store and it's 9 times out of 10 better quality," he says.
7 Rules for Buying Antique Furniture OnlineBuy an accent table
Elliott says the retailer is a source of affordable and stylish side tables. A $130 mid-century wooden coffee table caught her eye, along with a $60 rattan side table that doubles as a plant stand. He also likes the small $100 live event tables. "You can't fake a straight edge, so something like this is a great buy," he says, surveying the wood. "It's a little broken, but because the cut is the way it is, it looks intentional and it works."
However, not all tables are winners. He pointed to thin or loose metal legs and joints that looked poorly welded. "The thing I most advise people to avoid is anything that feels loose or tacky," she says.
© Marvin Joseph/For The Washington Post Elliott says ceramic lamps often sell well at HomeGoods; it's $50.Fill it with light
HomeGoods is good for designer-looking lamps at affordable prices, and you can often find matching pairs. Elliott says to always look for ceramic styles and look for some designs that are a steal, with prices ranging from $35 to $50. What's to lose? A lamp with an all-metal base, 'why doesn't it feel good to have so much metal in one place?', is expensive and the finish may not last long either, he said.
Consider the mirrors, but write the art
Elliott recommends checking mirror sections, as you can often find smaller sizes that are 24 inches or less, perfect for small powder rooms. However, when it comes to the curtains on the wall, the designer has been careful. "Art is very subjective. I'd rather people buy art from a local art school or a vintage store, or get prints from Etsy, than buy something really generic," she says.
© Marvin Joseph/For The Washington Post Elliott marked down this large cleaning basket for $19, which is what you'd pay for a similar item at a high-end retailer like Serena & Lily.Go to the trash
Elliott is a big fan of HomeGoods' many organizational solutions, with wicker and straw baskets topping the list. Many styles rival Moroccan-inspired options like Serena & Lily's high-end retail options, but at a fraction of the cost. "The big ones are great for storing firewood or blankets in the living room," he says.
Check out the accessories
The store's decorative items section, from hourglasses to obelisks, is truly a treasure hunt. What made Eliot withdraw? "Animal sculptures, because they have interesting shapes and are a non-controversial way to fill a hole in the shelf," he says. Another confirmation. decorative tray. "If you try to pick up the trash, you put it in the tray and suddenly it looks intentional," he says.
© Marvin Joseph/For The Washington Post "Most of the glassware says it's made in Spain and is good quality for the price," Elliott says of the substantial selection at HomeGoods. (These pots are $10 and $8.)Get cheap glasses
Many designers and stylists, not just Elliott, will tell you that HomeGoods is their go-to source for large glass containers to display beautifully styled branches. "Most of the glassware says it's made in Spain and is very good quality for the price," says Elliott, who used a lot of glass bottles to light his dead fireplace.
Save with newspapers
Elliott says thrift stores can be a reliable place to buy extra sets of sheets; just read the label to make sure it's 100 percent cotton, linen, or bamboo, and stay away from man-made materials like polyester or microfiber. "I'm not too concerned about thread count, but look for 'gingham' if you want a crisp, chunky texture in your sheets, or 'Egyptian' if you want a softer, softer feel, both made from cotton. he said.
© Marvin Joseph/For The Washington Post When shopping for a throw, Elliott recommends choosing realistic faux fur, which holds up better than flimsier materials. (This costs $50.)Collect and throw pillows
According to Elliott, no trip to HomeGoods is complete without a stroll down the pillow aisle; a designer who is used to creating bespoke creations with luxurious materials is highly regarded. She suggests looking for pillows with zippers, covers that can be removed (because they're easy to clean), and avoiding seams. Single cushion - firm, cushion, no damage. "I'm really against polyphonic films when the pillows go back to their shape," she says. Preference: a mix of polyfilms and stems.
When shopping for a throw, Elliott says to look for natural fibers. And he believes the more realistic-looking faux fur coats will have a longer life than the flimsier versions that look like they've been tumbled and torn apart on the shelves. "You have to think that if it doesn't look good now, when you get it home and use it for a while, it really won't look good," he says.
Michelle Brunner is a Washington, DC-based writer covering interior design and culture.
