I shopped at TJ Maxx's sister furniture store, and it convinced me never to buy home goods full-price again

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This HomeGoods store was part of a larger TJ Maxx store on the outskirts of Philadelphia. The store was almost brand-new — it opened in November.

This HomeGoods store was part of a larger TJ Maxx store on the outskirts of Philadelphia. The store was almost brand-new — it opened in November.
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The biggest confusion here is knowing where to shop for what. While management claims that the overlap between these stores is minimal, the line between them seems to be blurred.

The biggest confusion here is knowing where to shop for what. While management claims that the overlap between these stores is minimal, the line between them seems to be blurred.

"Just as our customers enjoy shopping both TJ Maxx and Marshalls, we are confident that loyal customers and new shoppers alike will be excited about shopping both Homesense and HomeGoods," HomeGoods President John Ricciuti said in a statement to the press at a Homesense store opening in 2017.

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As I crossed the threshold from TJ Maxx to HomeGoods, I was instantly impressed.

As I crossed the threshold from TJ Maxx to HomeGoods, I was instantly impressed.

This store had a wide selection of large pieces of furniture, which were not only cheap, but seemed to be good quality.

This store had a wide selection of large pieces of furniture, which were not only cheap, but seemed to be good quality.
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The shopping experience is similar to TJ Maxx, but while it is technically a bargain hunt, it didn't feel like one.

The shopping experience is similar to TJ Maxx, but while it is technically a bargain hunt, it didn't feel like one.

Each section was curated and neatly put together, which made it very easy to shop.

Each section was curated and neatly put together, which made it very easy to shop.
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Increasingly, more retailers are doubling down on stylish and affordable homeware in an effort to appeal to millennials. Target, for example, has collaborated with celebrities like Chip and Joanna Gaines of "Fixer Upper" to design new homeware collections. However, the difference at HomeGoods is that you are getting good deals on well-known brands.

Increasingly, more retailers are doubling down on stylish and affordable homeware in an effort to appeal to millennials. Target, for example, has collaborated with celebrities like Chip and Joanna Gaines of "Fixer Upper" to design new homeware collections.  However, the difference at HomeGoods is that you are getting good deals on well-known brands.

I could see how it would be less appealing to shop at places like Ikea when you can potentially get better-quality products at the same price here ...

I could see how it would be less appealing to shop at places like Ikea when you can potentially get better-quality products at the same price here ...
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... and you may feel like you're getting something a little more unique, like these dishes made in Portugal.

... and you may feel like you're getting something a little more unique, like these dishes made in Portugal.

The limited amount of inventory spurs you to buy then and there, and given HomeGoods has no online platform, everything has to be done in store.

The limited amount of inventory spurs you to buy then and there, and given HomeGoods has no online platform, everything has to be done in store.
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The rest of the store was made up with kitchen utensils, glasses, and dining equipment.

The rest of the store was made up with kitchen utensils, glasses, and dining equipment.

Our verdict: The store was easy to shop and stocked with a mix of stylish and affordable items. It still had the thrill of the bargain hunt without being chaotic like other off-price stores.

Overall, the experience was great, and I will definitely be coming back for more.