Though it's still mid-summer, the end of the spring/summer season sales are fast approaching. Retailers are bumping summer displays to replace them with shelves of back to school supplies filled with paper, crayons, and lunch boxes. But don't miss the bargains geared towards home decor!
The time frame from the end of July through Labor Day will have the best end of season prices. This is prime time to snag reduced pricing on decorating items. Later, those shelves will showcase fall-themed products. Get ready for pumpkin everything!
Deals in Store and Online
Look carefully. Sale and clearance reductions are tucked in the back of the stores or at the end of aisles on end caps. For example, Bed Bath and Beyond online has an inconspicuous clearance tab that is located under the head title, "Shop Products." Retailers stuff their online clearance sections with much more than they can display on store floors. Halloween, Christmas, and other holiday decorating items are also stashed away here with heavy discounts.
Target has many devoted shoppers and some have made it their mission to shop there as inexpensively as possible. The well-known and well-loved blog, All Things Target gives shoppers an inside look at the schedule of markdowns per department and how to decode the price tags. As of this writing, Thursday is markdown day for Housewares, Lingerie, Shoes, Toys, Sporting Goods, Decor, and Luggage. The author cautions, however, this is a general rule and may vary slightly from store to store. This gives discount shoppers extra chances to walk Target on multiple occasions to make sure those days are correct!
While you are grabbing bargains for home decor, keep an eye out for the following items as they just might be at the right price for you to pick up for gift giving in the future.
- Christmas gifts- Candles of all brands and fragrances are generally welcomed.
- Birthday gifts- Those invites are coming as soon as school starts again!
- Teacher gifts- Reusable water bottles or pretty stationery and office supplies are coveted.
- Back to school supplies- Don’t forget to pick up extra to donate to the classroom or needy kids.
Toys, decorative items, and household goods will all be reduced. If you are already there shopping inexpensively, double dipping by saving on gas is an extra bonus.
Warm Season Items That Transfer
Linens of all types are especially marked down during these sales. Brightly colored and patterned towels will be reduced in price to make way for the warm and toasty tones of the fall and winter season ahead. Sheets and bedding, especially those bed-in-a-bag options, will be ready for a change out too, particularly because college dorm shopping will edge the summer basics out of their prominent displays.
If you happen to have a desire to update a room with a nautical or a colonial theme, this is the time to buy those pieces. Fourth of July inundates most decorative collections with red, white, and blue items. Patriotic tablecloths, barware, and bandana patterned fabrics will complement any rustic Americana look. If water is your preference, there will be an abundance of rope, boat, and beach/lake themed objects to choose from. Red and blue striped fabrics for curtains and bedding will also be marked down.
Remember: Spring and Summer Are the Same Year after Year
Pick up patio sets, dishware, and other obviously warm weather items inexpensively. You can probably get about 6 weeks' use out of them before the fall chill sets in. Or do what I like to do and hide them away until next March arrives and be thrilled with your new, still in the box, low-cost seasonal treasures!
Budget friendly decorating blogs and articles are just a couple of resources MilitaryByOwner offers its users. The new and updated website has information for buyers, sellers and renters alike.
photo credit: Plastic supermarket carts via photopin 
