The Secret To Shopping Your House
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(Updated September 3, 2025)
Do you know the secret to shopping your house? I’ll share some of my secrets with you when I’m not in the mood to buy anything new or can’t afford it.
Let’s say you want new furniture. But maybe you already have what you need. Perhaps it’s in another room, and you just haven’t given it any thought yet. It’s time to do that.
Wander through your home and look at all the possibilities. But first, maybe you should jot down some notes. Make notes about your anchor furniture when shopping your house.
Stand back and look at the largest piece of furniture in the room. That would be your anchor furniture, such as the couch and rug, for instance.
After that, take a look at your smaller pieces and wall art. I love to switch up my wall art and move it from room to room. It lends a whole new look to a different room!
I’ve begun leaning paintings instead of putting holes in the wall. Sometimes I like the look of paintings overlapping when leaning against the wall.
Breaking down all the sections of a problem makes it much easier to solve, especially when shopping your house for what you already own instead of buying new.
Walk around your home and look at what you have. Look at it in a whole new way. Could that work in another room? Get your measuring tape out. Looking in every nook and cranny is one of the secrets of shopping your house!
Do You Already Have What You Need?
Once you’ve measured the furniture, move on to the next problem. This is how you figure out if you already have what you need.
Shopping your home will save you lots of money. Shop your home before you get in your car and drive to a store. Alternatively, you can search suitable online shopping sites.
I think we often rush to buy things before considering what we already have. I’ve done it. The excitement and rush of changing things take over.
People often fail to take the time to think outside the box. That’s what you have to do when you repurpose something. And it’s one of the secrets of shopping your house for what you need.
You can switch up whole rooms. Maybe your living room would work better as a dining room, and vice versa. Just because a room is designated as a dining room doesn’t mean it has to be used solely for dining.
Turn A Dresser Into A Coffee Bar:
Got a dresser that you don’t want hidden in the bedroom, and prefer that it be out on display? Turn it into a coffee bar. If it isn’t the color that you want, then paint it. Paint is cheap, so use what you already have and give it an update.
I’ve purchased indoor/outdoor chairs at Pier 1. (Oh, how I hate that Pier 1 is no more!) Whenever you buy something that is considered indoor/outdoor, it always seems to be cheaper. Which is funny when you think about it, since that means it has more than one purpose. I also often buy outdoor rugs for indoors.
If you’re designing a home office and don’t have a desk, consider repurposing a table as a desk. Everything does not have to match. In fact, that’s boring. It looks more interesting if it doesn’t match.
When I look at things in a store, I stand and look at them for a few minutes, thinking about my space. Then I go home and shop my house to see if I have something similar I could use.
How Many Ways Can You Utilize One Piece Of Furniture?
I think of how many ways I could utilize it in various rooms. If I’m going to buy it, I want it to be multipurpose, so I’m getting more bang for my buck.
Do you need some shelf space up high, but only have a shorter shelf? Put the shorter shelf up on a table and see how it looks. You never know, you might like it there.
And better yet, you didn’t have to spend a dime because you shopped your house instead of purchasing something new.
Do the unexpected. You don’t have to limit your mantel decor to just one type.
Get out a group of pitchers or jars and line them up on the mantel. They don’t have to stay in the kitchen behind closed doors. You can gaze at your collection while also having something different for the mantel.
That’s what I mean about secrets to shopping your house! Anything is possible.
Change The Appearance, Not The Furniture:
Have a couch or a chair you’ve grown tired of? Before you buy a new one, consider layering quilts over it to change the look entirely.
Buy pillow inserts and change out the pillow covers. The covers are cheaper, and you can swap out the look from time to time without spending any money.
Pillow covers can be folded up and stored away more easily than actual pillows, so they also take up less storage space.
The secret, really, is to make things look like you want them together. To make it look like you meant for it to be that way all along.
At first glance, you might think it doesn’t meet your needs. But don’t decide so quickly. Could you give it some thought? Ponder the idea overnight.
By adding, trying, editing, and refining, it often begins to look right.
Look at your artwork and consider using paintings in a different room. It might just be what another wall needs, and you just shopped your house to find it. Lean it against the wall and leave it there for a day or two, and think about it.
A Dining Table Will Also Work In A Craft Room:
Do you have a dining table that you never use? Use it in a craft room.
If you have a set of furniture, consider breaking it up and using some of the pieces in different rooms.
Just because we have a dining room doesn’t mean we have to use that space as a dining room. We can make that room an office, studio, den, book nook, playroom, whatever we need most in our homes.
Before heading out to the stores, check your house to see if you already have that special something.
You will save money. And you will save time and effort by not having to go from store to store looking for that special piece. It may be right under your nose, and you just haven’t given it any thought before.
So take your time. Look at things differently. Tilt your head to the side and stare at it from every conceivable angle. Perception is everything.
If you need a workspace and have a desk or table to use as a surface, consider using a dining room chair instead of buying a dedicated desk chair. They’ll both work.
Maybe you already have a dining chair in the attic or basement. It could have belonged to another table, and for some reason, you didn’t get rid of it. When shopping your house, you will come across things you forgot you had!
If you have a piece of furniture with good bones and a real possibility, consider giving it new life. Paint it, stencil it, add wood appliqués to it, and change the knobs on it.
That piece might have many possibilities that you just haven’t discovered yet.
As Confucius said: “He who will not economize will have to agonize.”
Love your style and your ideas! thanks Brenda
Such good advice, Brenda. I need to shop my garage just as soon as I can see what I have out there.
I try to shop my house/basement…but sometimes I break over and pick up a bargain. ha! Sheila
Hi Brenda, I just wanted to let you know you are one of my favorite blogs to read each day. You are so real. None of this fluffy, pretend stuff. I enjoy the posts you do about small gardening. The post this week on bring in house plants was very interesting. I have never re-potted my plants, I just bring them in. Now I know better. You decorating ideas are so wonderful. Full of ideas for those of us living simply, in small houses. I enjoy reading about your struggles in life. We all have them, and you are so real and talk about them. I like that. I know that most blogs are showcases, but yours is real, it is true life. I like that very much. And one last thing, your little dogs, Charlie and Abbi, are adorable. I have two little Yorkie's, Teddy and Cash, and I love them so much. It is always good to know others that feel the same way about their pets. I don't comment all the time, but I want you to know, I enjoy your blog so much. Keep going. I know it helps others just as it helps me. Thanks so much, Karie
Thanks for linking up Brenda, this is the perfect way to have a No Spend October.
And ALWAYS keep a measuring tape in your purse. I never go anywhere without mine, especially when I know I will be perusing second hand furniture stores.
Brenda, this is a fabulous post!! And I seriously adore your home – you have such a terrific way of putting things together. Love, love, love your style!!!
Brenda, I love to shop my home first and you have inspired me for years to look at things with an eye for repurpose. I want a gallery wall and will keep finding treasures until I have enough to try it.
Linda
This is so perfect. I hope you will link up to my No Spend, Clean, Purge October Linky party that is live this morning.
Your place is always lovely 🙂 My dining room has an office corner and sewing is done there as well. It all works when it has to 🙂
Brenda, you have moved most of the furniture in your home to different areas/spaces. It always looks great and like it is supposed to be that way. The variety of colors that you use work in every area.
I'm looking forward to seeing your new office area.
I would like to move a few things around in my home but the pieces are so big and heavy………..can't do it.
Charlotte
Yours is the first blog I read everyday. I find you inspirational, informative, funny. I have enjoyed the blogs you have shared! Thanks for what you do.
You are so uniquely talented when it comes to making an ordinary place become a warm and cozy home. Thank you for teaching me so much about the art of repurposing. You are indeed the master of that! I truly love each and every change you make to your already very charming home…
I learned this much to my surprise when I remodeled some rooms a while back. made me appreciate some items I had. I love those buffalo check red curtains. I'm hoping to move next yr and downsize and I will be checking her web site out. Your place just radiates happiness!
The other place I like to shop, other than my home is what I jokingly call "The Free Store", aka my Mom's house. We have swapped stuff back and forth for years! Now that my daughter is married, she has joined in the swapping! Love to get a new look for 0$! Yours is one of the first blogs I ever read, as well. Your lovely quilts and creativity attracted me. Did you ever try turning that little orange bookcase upside down, so that the pretty curved part was on the top? Then the part on top of the table wold be flat with no gap. Just wondering. Love your reds as I decorate with a lot of red as well.
So clever, Brenda. Not only do I love your use of red, I applaud your repurposing idea. Everything is gorgeous!
I've been trying to do just that, Brenda! I used to buy a few new items every holiday season, but now that my husband's retired and I hope to someday, too, I've found that I've got more than enough and there's no need to spend on this year's trendy decor. In fact, I sold a garage full of vintage things and now it's so much easier to find what I'm looking for. I love all your red & white pillows and quilts!
Your home is so cozy and charming, Brenda…I'm a big fan of shopping my own house!
….AND….I finally broke down and created a Pinterest Board entitled 'BREND'S IDEAS'….now i'll go back to your arcives and pin all those that I want to COPY!!!!!
Another home run!!!! I love 'shopping' YOUR HOME!!!! Where did you get the plates that are on your dining table? Walmart? Pier 1? online? I LOVE THEM!!!!! Thanks again for ALL the good info you send our way!
Hi Brenda! I love this post! Great tips but not all of us have your unique way of making things look so cute as you do! Love your place and the reds just smile!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Brenda, I just emailed you to ask your opinion about something and I received an email that your domain doesn't accept emails from AOL because of the DMARC policy. I'm going to look up what that is now. t I think it is because I use AOL.
Ginene
I, too, always loved your red and white colors. That was how I found you two years ago…I think you were the first blog I ever followed. Everyone of these rooms, I love, love, love. And, that little yellow egg cooker…perfect. You are the queen of red and white and cozy.
Ginene
Great ideas and I agree! I love seeing all your red in your space and especially this time of year.
I love this Brenda.
I took my old kitchen island, which I could not bear to part with, and made it into a coffee and drink bar in our family room. A bit odd….maybe, but I love it!
Barb
You have such a talent Brenda! Your home is lovely. Your decorating reminds me of another blog called Daisy Cottage. Similiar styles, colors, she even has two little doggies. I really liked this post!
Making things look like they go together is a real art. Don't sell yourself short. It seems easy for you because you have a decorator 's eye. For many of us, putting things together like you do is an impossibility. Not to say our rooms aren't nice but they'll never have the pulled together look like yours does. You have a real talent! I can buy items designed to go together and when I get them home they just look like a hodge podge of stuff.
Brenda, I just love your home and you have so many wonderful ideas! We have been shopping our house and the storage unit to pull things to use before popping out and making a purchase. Just moving a few things around always gives our homes a different look! So looking forward to your new office space!! Hugs!!
Brenda,
You have the BEST ideas! I really appreciate "use what you have" decorating and you excel at it. I've had to make do all my life and now that I'm older I appreciate the skills that I've acquired. It is harder to make something beautiful when you don't have $$$ to throw away. It takes no talent to pay someone to decorate your space. Thank you for all the wonderful ideas you share with us daily!
Clara
I too like your red an whites.. I think shopping your own home is a great idea.
I just bought 9 yards of red n white buffalo check fabric this morning. I could'nt believe real buffalo check fabric for 5.00 per yard.
I love your red accents…Perfect place for you and your pups.
Joyously,
Betty
Shopping your house is a great way to change things up. Love the reds.
I love that your reds are coming back.<3
You're so smart and I just love your place!! Pinning. 🙂