Dollar Stores Versus Target: Decorating Your Home for Less Money
When you think of dollar stores, you may think of cheap products that aren’t very good quality. While not everything at dollar stores is top notch, you might be surprised at how good some of their products are. After finding a lot of cute home accessories at stores like Dollar General over the years, at some point, I started referring to the store as a “poor man’s Target.”
We all know how tempting the items on the shelves at Target can be. I’m not just talking about the cheap deals in the Target Dollar Spot (also sometimes called Bullseye’s Playground) area near the store entrance either. There’s also the home goods section filled with pretty decorations, trendy furniture, throw pillows and bedding, and the latest in kitchen gadgets and stylish serving dishes. I remember a friend joking that Target has a “your house looks terrible” section, where you feel like you need to buy everything to update your home, even if your home looks just fine.
Discovering the Joys of Dollar Store Shopping
When my husband and I were young new parents, I couldn’t afford to splurge on the pretty things in Target. Money was tight because I had quit working to be with our children, and we looked for every way we could find to save money. We dropped our satellite television subscription. We bought children’s clothing secondhand. We utilized free books, movies, and programs at the public library. We shopped at Aldi. We found simple ways to entertain ourselves.
We also shopped at dollar stores. For better or worse, these little stores have a reputation for popping up everywhere. With a couple of dollar stores located within walking distance of our house, it was fun to get out the stroller, get a little exercise and fresh air, and take the kids for an inexpensive shopping trip at Family Dollar or Dollar General. Besides being able to pick up staples and necessities such as laundry detergent or toiletries, I discovered that dollar stores sold some nice home goods as well.
They were a place where I could buy home items and holiday decorations without breaking our budget. Some dollar store items that have gotten or still get regular use in my house include tea mugs, seasonal placemats, garden decorations, potholders, lamps, clocks, and organizing bins.
What’s in the Local Dollar Store?
A recent walk through my local Dollar General revealed some treasures. Some of my favorite finds that look as nice as what you might buy at Target include:
- Seasonal decorations such as placemats, door hangers, or ceramic knick knacks
- Dishes, coffee/tea mugs, and serving platters
- Kitchen towels
- Potholders
- Coasters
- Rugs and doormats
- Garden decorations including fairy garden supplies
- Picture frames
- Wall art
- Throw blankets
- Lamps
- Clocks
- Storage bins and baskets
So, if you haven’t already, give your local dollar store a try. If you want to refresh your home’s look, or if you’re looking for some seasonal decorations, you can find deals on Target-look-alike products at dollar stores. If your friends and family offer compliments and ask where you got them, you can surprise them when you tell them it’s all from the dollar store.
What are your favorite home goods and decorations from the dollar store? Share in the comments below.
