"Bargain or No Bargain" - Warehouse Shopping
Who does not love a great bargain? I sure do and the word "outlet" or "warehouse" springs discount and amazing prices in my brain. I am going to take you along with me to some of the outlets/warehouses in Virginia.
My first stop is Crate & Barrel in Alexandria. This outlet is tucked away in the downtown area. There were some furniture items there outside but were just a bunch of mix matched sectional pieces. Inside, it really was not much of an outlet. The prices were just as they are at the actual store for dishes, glasses and serve wear. The bedding was very minimal and rugs that were used displays were on clearance. Furniture pieces would be a hit or miss depending on what you are looking for. Most of these are floor models and returns due to imperfections.
It is not a very large store so inventory is very small. The kitchen section was just a bunch of unmatched items accept for the glassware.
This is not a store that I would visit often due to the drive and also the prices and amount of inventory they have.
It was fun to go and look. They had lot of Christmas items on clearance.
I would say Crate & Barrel in Alexandria is one your could definitely skip or visit periodically. Going there with a particular goal for your home design will be a hit or miss. Visit your local Crate & Barrel and keep your eye on their sales when you are looking for a particular decor item or a piece of furniture .
The next stop along the weekend tour was the Pottery Barn Warehouse Outlet in Fredericksburg, Virginia. This is a definitely warehouse size and they have a lot of inventory. The warehouse carries a lot of furniture for the whole home. Ranging from sofas, chairs, bedroom, children's furniture and kitchen tables and chairs. They also have a lighting section and a massive rug section. They also carry seasonal items during every holiday. During Christmas they had a lot of decorative items that you see in a regular Pottery Barn.
The discount is usually around 30-40% off the retail price listed on the item. Which is pretty great if they have specific items that you are looking for. The have a whole linen section with comforters, pillow covers, and beautiful linen curtains. Some of the comforter designs are ones that are discontinued but the curtains are exactly what they carry in store. Pillow cover are definitely a win. Instead of paying $80 per pillow cover - you can get one for around $40. Pottery barn has excellent pillow covers that take the every day wear and tear and last a long time.
They have higher weekly discounts on certain items. When I went they were having a bedroom sale and all furniture for the bedroom was 50% off retail. If you are looking for outfit a guest bedroom this would be a perfect place to visit. They carry headboards, dressers and nightstands. Your not guaranteed to get a matching set but I like different wood tones in a room anyhow.
This would be a discount store I would frequently if I lived closer (That could be a good or a bad thing) and highly recommend. Just like any discount store it is a hit or miss. I have picked up some decorative items, pillow covers and little things here and there but have not found any furniture that fits my needs. But you never know what you will find the next time you go. That is part of the fun.
My next stop is Arhaus Outlet in Fredericksburg, Virginia as well. You have to stop by after the Pottery Barn Warehouse Outlet because it is only about 5 minutes away and there is a Home Good right in between. Can I say any more. It is tucked away in the back of the mall area and if you did not know it was there you probably would never find it.
This store use to be a regular Arhaus Retail Store but has been turned into an outlet. It has the whole Arhaus feel without the price. Just like the Pottery Barn Warehouse Outlet they have specials every week with higher discounts on certain items. Finding the right piece on a sale week would be amazing.
They set up a lot of the furniture in the front of the store like room set ups so you can see the whole feel of the Arhaus look. This definitely makes the store look attractive from the moment you walk in. As you make your way through the store it is more of just pieces of furniture placed here and there. The pieces that they have there are store models that they have moved here for a fast sale, pieces that have some minor defects.
The staff is really nice and you can let them know if you are looking for a certain piece and they will give you a call if they get it in. They get new pieces weekly so you never know what they will receive. Arhaus has quality furniture that will last for years.
Outlet shopping is like a recon mission, check out the items you love and know will work in your home on-line so when you go you know exactly what you are looking for. You can definitely get off track if you don't. Make sure you have the measurements of your room and the size of furniture you need. When going to any furniture store the dimensions of pieces can be deceptive due the size of the showroom.
I hope you head out to the Outlets here in Virginia and take a friend. Even if you do not find the piece you are looking for that day, you will surely have fun and come up with ideas for your home.
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