Quitting Target (And Other Big Box Stores)

I fell in love with—and had to have—these unique utensil holders from Home Goods. Nearly three years later, I still love them every time I see them.

Last week I was out and about searching for the perfect touches to style a few recently completed client spaces for photo shoots, and I wanted to share how for the last several years, since quitting Target. (To be the first to start seeing photos from the new shoots as they roll in, be sure you are following DBK on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.)

With my shopping comes a confession: I’ve—almost entirely—quit Target and other big box stores (think Home Goods and Marshall’s level) because they don’t fit with two of our core values at DBK: sustainability and community. When purchasing new items for clients, we are committed to only using high quality, made to last, pieces from manufacturers we trust—seeking out timeless pieces our clients can love for years to come. My commitment to community also means I shop locally—purchasing from Jersey City and neighboring retailers—and also retaining as many Jersey City-area suppliers and vendors as I can for every project.

Sure, the big boxes can be great for filling occasional needs and purchasing surprising deals. You can often find high quality items—think Le Creuset cookware—at great prices, but what really happens when you go into a big box store like Target? If you are anything like most shoppers, you go in looking for one thing and come out with 20. Things that, while appealing in the moment, aren’t objects you will love forever or that you need. Most of these “bargain” items will have a short shelf life in your home and inevitably end up in the trash contributing to an overflowing landfill and slowly draining your wallet as well.

Long term, a few small items from big box stores can be great. Like the adorable witch Halloween decoration a friend of mine picked up at Home Goods this weekend, those pillows you spot while rummaging the aisles aimlessly that you just can’t leave without, or the perfect picture frame. However, for larger pieces (and even most of the smaller items) in your home, you want to choose something you truly love, feel a connection to, and is of enduring quality. Sure, it may cost a little more initially, but it will last longer on your shelf, bring you endless moments of joy, and help you create that special feeling of home.

If big boxes are what’s in your budget, here are a few tips to help you stay on track and pick up items that will serve you in your space for years to come. Always keep in mind the overall plan and aesthetic of your home and consider objects that will add value to your life. 

All of the accessories on the back table are a mix of pieces the client already had repositioned in the space with a few new pieces of pottery added from higher end big box stores and some local stores. The pillows on the sofa are a high/low mix that will work for years to come in this space and also work in the master bedroom, the guest room, the formal living room, and the teenage daughter’s room so they can be mixed and matched if they grow tired of seeing them here.

When you find something you like, after picking it up and examining the details, put it down; if you are still interested in it after making a loop around the store, and you know the exact place you would use it, feel free to pick it up and bring it home.

Look for pillows that are made from high quality, natural materials, and have a zip-off cover. One of my favorite things to do, is find beautiful pillow covers at the more expensive shops and then find a holiday/seasonal pillow with an insert from a place like Home Goods that I will use in the season, but can remove the cover and use the insert with another pillow cover the rest of the year.

You can also choose an item that will work in several rooms. Maybe you buy a throw blanket for your favorite reading chair, but then after awhile you want to change things up, you will be able to swap it out for the blanket on the sofa or on your bed down the road.

Pick up smaller, decorative items and tchotchkes in your travels and at smaller local stores while you are out and about. Did you drive to the mountains to see the foliage this season? Stop in at the local village for coffee to warm up and shop their local boutiques—if you see something there that feels special and could work in your home, pick it up—then every time you see it on the mantle you’ll be reminded of the trip.

Finally, if you have the itch to shop, stop by local shops and antique stores first. You might be pleasantly surprised by the offerings.

The small jars on the shelf in this bathroom are from Target. They were the only little holders I could find that matched the space and fit the client’s need for cotton ball and q-tip storage.

In the coming weeks, I will also share a recap of my trip to High Point and how much of this philosophy not only pushed me to go, but guided me as I was walking through the thousands of showroom spaces. Check back soon to read more, or sign up for our email list to get the occasional update on what we’re writing about on the blog along with other exciting DBK updates!