Walmart

I love Walmart for anything where you only need the basics, large and small.

1. Ceramic every day dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, serving platters
2. Glassware such as short and tall drinking glasses, juice glasses, wine glasses
3. Casserole dishes in various sizes
4. Flatware and serving spoons
5. Utensils such as wooden spoons, whisks, spatulas
6. Stainless steel utensil caddy
7. Chip-resistant Corelle bowls, dinner and salad plates (kid friendly)
8. Coffee cups
9. Coffee filters
10. Dish racks and storage solutions
11. Dish clothes
12. Dish towels
13. Drawer organizers
14. Plastic wrap, aluminum foil
15. Measuring cups and measuring spoons
16. Plastic nesting mixing bowls
17. Glass pitcher
18. Plastic pitcher
19. Nesting skillets
20. Pots and pans in various sizes
21. Disposable salt and pepper shakers
22. Cleansers: toilet bowl, glass and multi-purpose
23. Liquid hand soap
24. Laundry soap
25. Laundry hamper
26. Collapsible drying rack
27. Coffee maker
28. Blender
29. Toaster
30. Iron
31. Alarm clock with charging portals
32. Mattress pads
33. Mattress topper
34. Pillows
35. Pillow cases
36. Batteries
37. Light bulbs
38. Paint brushes, drop cloth and supplies
39. Spray paint
40. Glass display jar for sea shells
41. Outdoor cushions
42. Markers, coloring books and sketch pads
43. Games, puzzles
44. Bar stools (I had to return them due to odd counter height)

Home Goods

Home Goods is great for discounted prices on better quality close-out items

1. Knick knack decor items that add charm to every room
2. Wall art
3. Beach towels
4. Ice bucket
5. Wooden charcuterie board
6. Cutting boards in various sizes
7. Household items such as coffee mugs, measuring utensils, serving spoons
8. Paper towel holder
9. Decorative liquid soap dispensers for kitchen and bath
10. Area rugs
11. Place mats
12. Pillows for both bed and outdoor use
13. Vanity seat
14. Foot stool
15. Games, puzzles

I also shopped regularly at Tuesday Morning for these same items, but unfortunately the retailer closed it's stores in 2023

Big Box Stores: Lowes and Home Depot

Big box stores fill in a lot of gaps for practical household items

1. Outdoor cushions
2. Outdoor rugs
3. Welcome mat
4. Wire closet shelves
5. Rubber wire coated dish shelves and racks
6. Hardware such as hammer, screwdriver and miscellaneous hardware
7. Paint brushes and spray paint
8. Room darkening curtains
9. Blinds
10. Light bulbs
11. Cleansers: for toilet bowl, glass, shower and multi-purpose
12. Gallon-sized liquid soap refill
13. Laundry soap

Thrift Shops

Thrift shops are ideal for pre-owned household items at a greatly reduced price. Typically, I drop off donations and then visit the shop to see if there's anything of interest. Thrift shop furniture is typically very well built if it's more than 20 years old and often will look fresh again with a new coat of paint.

1. Barware such as gently used glass beer mugs, wine glasses, pilsner glasses and rocks glasses
2. Games, puzzles, books
3. Kitchenware, pots, pans, casserole dishes
4. Furniture, mirrors, artwork, housewares

Restaurant Suppliers: Gordons Food Service

Restaurant suppliers such as Gordons Food Service are great for commercial grade products that need to wear well for many seasons.

1. 1. Baking sheets in multiple sizes
   2. Muffin tins
   3. Glass pitchers
   4. Serving utensils

Online

Amazon, Etsy and other online retailers such as Overstock and Wayfair offer practical specialty and unique items.

1. Driftwood decorative bowl
2. Knife set with butcher block holder
3. Hand towels, wash cloths, bath towels, bath mats
4. Hair dryer and cloth storage bag
5. Plastic storage bags with zippers
6. Bedspreads
7. Custom signage
8. Oversized plastic serving bowl
9. Specialized Christmas/holiday decor

Surf Shops

Surf shops are great for finding local items that add that extra special touch.

1. Starfish, specialty shells and sand dollars
2. Beachy front door decor and signage
3. Coastal accessories

Let's be real, there's no need to pay for free driftwood and shells from your local beach. Buy the items that you can't find at the shore.

Local Retail Shops

Local mom and pop retail or consignment shops, such as Retail Therapy in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida typically offer local products for a one-of-a-kind purchase.

1. Original art and ready-to-frame prints by local and regional artists
2. Handcrafted local items
3. Books by local and regional authors
4. One of a kind decor and items unique to the area

Local and Regional Furniture Stores

Mattress Firm, Rooms to Go and local furniture stores have practical options at various price points for big ticket items.

1. Lamps
2. Dressers
3. Bedroom set
4. Coffee tables, end tables
5. Buffet servers
6. Dining room set
7. Sofas
8. Easy chairs
9. Mattress with adjustable tilt bed frame
10. Mirrors
11. Lighting
12. Area rugs
13. Wall art

National Retail Stores

National retailers such as Marshalls/TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, At Home, Kirklands, Five Below and other medium to large home stores offer items you might not find elsewhere.

1. Mirrors and wall art
2. Decor and accessories
3. Kitchenware and utensils
4. Bedding, pillows, towels, blankets, bedspreads
5. Most any type of housewares and goods related to the home and patio

Before Bed, Bath and Beyond closed stores in 2023, I shopped there as well.

Parting Thoughts

You have to know when to edit yourself and stop shopping. If you can't do this on your own, ask a trusted friend or family member for honest feedback. No one wants to stay in a place that has too much of a good thing. If necessary, rotate your regular and seasonal accessories so returning guests feel there's something new to enjoy for their stay. Retire items that start to show a little wear, not after they are worn out or too dirty to clean. Never keep broken items, not only is it a safety hazard, it's unbecoming.

As a professional shopper, it can be fun, but it is a LOT of work. Pace yourself so you can think about each item and how it relates to what you already have. If necessary, return it or donate it to a local charity. I bought a charming $35 lamp with a sea-grass shade at Home Goods. Upon installing it in the rental unit's bedroom, it didn't quite look right. So I decided to paint it a coastal blue hue to blend in better with the decor. It still didn't look right and now it had an imperfect paint job. I felt it was time to retire the lamp. Letting go of the items that are not working for one reason or another is better than making a bad impression.

One more thing: don't forget to keep an eye on the trends. After a few years, it's important to replace dated items with fresher things, not because they actually are bad, just to keep ahead of or equal to your competition. Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy the large and small items that provide the extra special charm.