Turning Your House Into A Home

So, your agent found you the perfect house. Furnish your new space in style without breaking the bank by shopping the region’s outlets, discount stores and warehouse sales. Whether you’re a traditionalist or lean toward mid-century modern, it’s easy to fill your home with things you love if you’re willing to venture out to these Bay Area bargain meccas.  ​

Finding Your Outlet

Formerly located on 4th Street in Berkeley, the outlet for Chicago based chain Crate and Barrel now has a location in Livermore. Shop for furniture, rugs and bedding, kitchenware and seasonal goods at low prices. Some items are lightly damaged, while others are simply overstock and in perfect condition. The company also has a Furniture Clearance Center in Tracy, open five days a week, where you can choose from discounted indoor and outdoor furnishings from both their Crate and Barrel and CB2 brands.  
 
Pop through the tunnel to Berkeley’s Serena Lily Outlet. With new stock arriving every day, freshly minted bargains abound on items like rugs, mirrors and both indoor and outdoor furniture from the Marin-based home retailer. Head to the back of the store for bins full of sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases and score bedding to please even the pickiest princess. Hours are limited, so check their website before you go.  
 
Searching for a sofa? Make a day of it and head to the Restoration Hardware Outlet in Vacaville. Discounts on high quality upholstered items as well as headboards, coffee, side and dining tables and outdoor furnishings will make the trip worth your while. Serena and Lily also has an outlet here. As with their Berkeley location, the store is only open 5 days a week, so be sure to confirm their hours.  
 
Hidden away in a warehouse in Union City, The Macy’s Furniture Gallery offers a large assortment of options that won’t put your budget in the red. Need a couch for your study? This is the place for you. Looking for a mattress for the guest room? You can find it here. With mark downs as much as 75-85%, this place can save you some serious cash. But buyer beware: many goods are damaged and are not returnable, so examine your potential purchases thoroughly before committing. If you know you’re ready to buy, bring a truck or van to haul the loot home, or be prepared to pay the full department store fee for delivery. The warehouse is closed Monday and Tuesday, with hours from 11:00-6:00 the rest of the week.  
 
Hayward’s Bay Area Patio and Mattress has a limited assortment of quality furniture including outdoor, dining and living room sets as well as mattresses, headboards and bed frames. With excellent prices, low cost delivery and great customer service, Bay Area Patio can be a good option if you’re in search of decent home furnishings at a discount.  
 
Don’t be deterred by the outside; it’s what’s on the inside that counts at the Dimensional Furniture Outlet. Whether you need a full entertainment center, a desk for your home office or a bunk bed for the kids, this Oakland outlet has what you need at reasonable prices backed by a helpful sales staff. The store will also deliver for a nominal fee.  
 
Though the selection is not huge, there still are bargains to be had at the Terra Outdoor Outlet. Located next to Annie’s Annuals in North Richmond, this outdoor outpost has a small assortment of fire pits, chaise lounges, dining tables and pillows. If you’re looking for a particular item from one of their stores, it might be worth a call to see if they’ve got what you want before making the drive. After you shop the outlet, take a few minutes to browse the huge assortment of plants next door at Annie’s. Despite the name, the nursery also carries a wide variety of well-priced perennials, shrubs, roses, trees and heirlooms. ​

Accessorize It

In search of crocks for the kitchen, bathroom accessories, inexpensive art or colorful pillows? Head to Homegoods in Moraga’s Rheem shopping center. This fully stocked location of the national chain also has fantastic prices on a wide range of goods including lamps, furniture, mirrors and rugs.  ​

Hunting For Treasure

Held the first Saturday of each month, the Alameda Antiques Faire is ideal for scoring vintage home furnishings. Get there early in the morning to make sure you have your pick of the 800 vendors’ one-of-a-kind wares. As you wander the aisles with friends, keep your eyes peeled for that special something that will help your home stand out from the crowd. Don’t miss the indoor warehouses where you can bid on hard-to-find mid-century furniture and other unique pieces you’ll see nowhere else.  ​

Get On The List

Sign up for notifications from Pottery Barn and stay in the know about their warehouse sales, where already discounted furnishings from their catalogs and website are marked down even further. These events are a great for scooping up larger upholstered pieces at a steep discount, though many products are stained and/or otherwise damaged, so be sure to inspect each item carefully. Located in Alameda, the outlet store is open daily. Find sofas, chairs, rugs, mirrors and more from Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn Teen and Kids as well as the parent company’s modern spinoff, West Elm.  
 
SDH Linens, available at upscale boutiques like Misto Lino, can be had at up to 80% off retail during one of the semi-annual sales held at the company’s warehouse in Fairfield. Stock up on fine European linens, furniture, decorative pillows, gifts, and accessories for yourself or your guests. Sales are usually held weekends in the spring and fall, so keep checking the SDH website for dates or put your name on their mailing list to get a heads up.

The High End Of It

HD Buttercup can be overwhelming when you’re not sure what you’re looking for, so it’s best to go with particular pieces in mind. The company’s large space south of Market is crammed with coffee tables, sectionals, sideboards and much more. Though not an outlet, HD is an excellent place to find high end and special-order goods without the designer mark-up.  ​