10 Secrets to Steal from HomeGoods Super-Shoppers

Shopping at HomeGoods can feel like delving into a treasure trove all your own — many diehard fans feel like they’ve become full-time decor scavengers. But just as real adventurers discover, sometimes the thrill of the hunt doesn’t always equate to a find; after all, the constantly rotating inventory means timing is everything. 

Beyond timing, there are endless lessons (both good and bad!) that HomeGoods aficionados have learned over years of navigating furniture, wall decor, lighting, cookware, and storage solutions that are being snapped up at steep discounts. The average shopper doesn’t realize that store associates usually do have a restocking window weekly — or that there is a monthly markdown schedule that all HomeGoods locations observe.

Your local HomeGoods can easily feel like a maze. If you want to find the best deals without spending hours sorting through chaos (we’ve all been there!), then you’ll need to turn to the pros. Tips and tricks for scoring deep discounts and the rarest finds at HomeGoods are out there, with influencers spilling their top shopping secrets — such as Christine Lee, the mastermind behind Instagram account @HomeGoodsObsessed.

Read on for shopper-approved insider tips and tricks for scoring deals, as well as rare finds at the internet’s favorite bargain home decor store. Below, 10 secrets only the savviest HomeGoods fans know.

Before diving into in-store shopping tips, it’s important to know that HomeGoods no longer operates an online storefront for decor, furniture, or other merchandise, so you can’t shop online at HomeGoods anymore. The retailer shuttered that aspect of its business in late 2023 to focus on its brick-and-mortar locations; nearly 1,000 stores are spread across the United States, and new stores continue open each year.

You can find the closest one to you using the store locator on the HomeGoods website. HomeGoods gift cards are the only remaining thing that can be purchased online, and they can be sent digitally via email or shipped as physical cards.

Now, let’s move on to the expert HomeGoods shopping advice!

When are you most likely to hit up HomeGoods? On the weekend? If you can swing it, Lee recommends visiting at a different time for ease of shopping and a robust selection. “If your schedule allows it, Tuesday through Friday midday [is] the best time to shop at HomeGoods,” she says. “Everyone is at work, and the store is quiet and well-organized. The staff also puts out new inventory these days, and the aisles and floors will be filled up. Monday is recovery day (from the weekend), so I don’t even bother.”

While Lee notes her favorite weekdays to hit up the ‘Goods, she’s quick to mention that fresh picks hit shelves daily. “Most stores receive shipments four times a week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, but do not expect items to hit the floor right away. They trickle out, so new items appear daily.” That said, if you went yesterday and didn’t find just the right platter or duvet cover, you might have better luck today.

“Markdowns occur every three months on a product,” Lee says. And unless you’ve had your eye on something specific for a while and can recount how long it’s already been in store, there’s an easier way to tell a product’s lifespan. “Read the label!” Lee says. “It will show you the month and year (i.e., 1117 = November 2017).”

Read more: The “J” Rule Is How I’m Scoring the Best Deals at Marshalls and T.J. Maxx

“You can expect to receive a 10% discount on pieces that are slightly damaged — a scratch here, a ding there,” Lee advises. “For more heavily damaged items, you could get up to 20% to 28% off, but that is at a manager’s discretion.”

Oh, and those clearance items that may also be showing a little wear and tear? It’s OK to also ask about a further reduction on those, even though their prices have already been reduced. “If you see a clearance item that’s slightly damaged, it doesn’t hurt to ask the manager for an additional discount — they want to get rid of inventory to free up floor space for new items!” she adds.

“HomeGoods is my absolute go-to place for lamps,” shares Tennessee-based interior designer Annie Tipton. In an Instagram callout, she says that you can usually find a matching set, as each HomeGoods tends to receive multiples of the same item: “You can almost always find a pair if you come at the right time.”

This is true for many of the aisles at your local HomeGoods — including for smaller accents, tabletop decor, throws and pillows, and even some of the faux greenery in store. Even if you don’t see two items placed together, take a scanning loop around the entire adjacent aisle; you may find a matching pair separated by just a few feet.

Whether it’s mixed-media lighting or a piece of furniture that uses more than one material in its construction, these accented pieces are some of the best values at HomeGoods. Jacqueline Gage, a Sacramento, California-based real estate agent and staging stylist, highlighted that luxe looks often follow when using furniture and decor that features pronounced stone and marble accents. “The key is being selective,” Gage shared with her Instagram followers. “The right pieces will elevate your home.”

Of course, some trips to HomeGoods are purely for leisure — walking around just to see what they have, and what might strike your fancy on a Tuesday afternoon during your lunch break. But according to Lee (and many other power shoppers out there), you should always be equipped with pertinent information for your home needs.

“Go prepared,” she states. “Take photos of your space, and save it on your phone. Pre-measure walls you want to fill, empty spaces, the floor. You never think to do this ahead of time until you find that gem and then start to ponder if it’ll work. Oh, and bring a tape measure with you so you don’t have to bother hunting down an associate for one and risking someone else scooping up your dream piece.”

Read more: The $10 HomeGoods Kitchen Organizer I’m Buying for Every Room (Even the Fridge!)

See something you like, but can’t decide right away? “Just place it in your cart anyway, as it’ll likely be gone by the time you decide to go back and get it,” Lee says. For larger items and furniture pieces, ask a sales associate if they can place a “hold” on the item so that other shoppers don’t scoop up your pick while you browse.

Think on it — if it’s a “no” by checkout, just put it back.

If you see something you like at your local HomeGoods but it’s damaged, or you need multiples, another nearby HomeGoods location could likely have what you’re looking for. While the selection can be vastly different store to store, they also share some items, especially as the current season begins.

The same goes for sister stores, Marshalls and T.J. Maxx. “They typically have a small home furniture section as well as home decor items such as art, frames, art, vases, etc.,” Lee notes.

Secondly, as mentioned above, HomeGoods doesn’t have an online retail component, but Lee has another suggestion for those who prefer shopping from their WiFi network: “Check out TJMaxx.com; their ‘Home’ section has a ton of additional items; bedding, accessories, decor, small furnishings.”

This last point is from us (although we’re sure super-shopper Lee is also privy). If you’re a regular HomeGoods treasure hunter, you’ll want to download their app. Once you pick your local store, you can see sneak peeks of new arrivals to know whether you need to run immediately to grab something that catches your eye or hang back. You can also load in any gift cards or TJX Rewards Certificates you might have straight into the app so you never forget them by accident at home again.