The “Concept Board” Tip Is a Designer’s Trick for Finding Great T.J. Maxx Decor

As someone who has been shopping at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls for years, I’m always looking for the best tips to make the most of a trip. Last week, I got the chance to see the latest fall finds from each store and connect with design expert Taniya Nayak to learn how she finds the very best decor.

After just a few minutes of chatting, she shared a gem of a tip that’s going to change the way I curate my shopping cart: I’m calling it the “Concept Board” method. 

“Look at everything together as a whole,” says Nayak. “Your cart is a living concept board. It’s like a tray, where you put all your finishes as a designer, but you can use it in the store itself. You can say, ‘Okay, I’ve got too much green in here; I need to try a few other pieces.’” She then described comparing different textures, colors, and palettes all within your own cart and making tweaks from there. The key is not being afraid to bring products around the store to collect elements that work for you; if you like something, pick it up. You can always decide whether you really need it later.

Nayak uses this method all the time and finds that it’s very intuitive. “You’ve probably done it and didn’t realize you were doing it: As you’re walking through and pulling things, you may say ‘this bedding looks great with this sheet set,’” she says. “To be able to do it in real time is a luxury. It’s hard to do that online or with different stores.”

When you’re able to compare products in person, you’re more likely to experiment with motifs you might otherwise have been hesitant to add to your home. That means your home can be all the more layered and unique.

Because T.J. Maxx and Marshalls have so many different sections in-store and a great return policy, it’s easy to try the season’s latest trends with no risk. Whether it’s rich and moody color palettes that instantly elevate a room, the return of dark woods for an espresso finish, or vintage-inspired accents that make a home feel truly lived-in, you can find the very best of fall — without the hefty price tag — here.

Need some fall inspiration? Here are some of our favorite cozy finds to give your home an autumnal vibe.