Mistakes Everyone Makes When Shopping At West Elm

As a homeowner, walking into a home decor store like West Elm makes you feel like a kid in a candy store. There's so much to see, and you're probably itching to buy it all. However, if you're on a budget, it can be difficult seeing a piece you love and having to walk away because of its price tag. On the other hand, you might throw your budget out the window and fill up your cart with everything you see. In either scenario, you're making a huge mistake, and it's not saving you money.

There are several ways to save money when you shop at West Elm that you're probably missing out on, such as signing up for their email list, where you'll receive notifications every time there's a sale, according to Offers.com. By ignoring these money-saving tips, you're making a huge mistake. Despite what you may think, that expensive wool rug could be yours. All you have to do is avoid making these mistakes when shopping at West Elm.

Missing out on free shipping

If you're paying for shipping on your West Elm purchase, you're making a huge mistake. With costly shipping prices, sometimes it feels like you're paying for another item. According to Offers.com, there are steps you can take to avoid shipping costs (Note: some items are exempt from free shipping, so be sure to read the fine print). One of the first things you can do to avoid this mistake is by checking out West Elm's free-shipping section, which carries everything from bedding to kitchen storage containers. You might be surprised to find exactly what you're looking for.

Another way to save money on shipping is using West Elm's online-to-store pickup service, which delivers your item to the West Elm address of your choosing. This is a great option if you're purchasing items only available online but don't want to pay for the shipping. As a bonus, by having your items delivered to your local store, you don't need to worry about anyone stealing your packages from your front door. It's a win-win.

Ignoring West Elm's free design service

If you're renovating your home and stuck on coming up with a theme or design, West Elm has a free service that offers professional assistance, including styling your space, mapping out a floor plan, choosing paints and fabrics, and arranging delivery and assembly, according to their website. This is a great deal you shouldn't be missing out on. Hiring an interior designer can cost anywhere from $50 to $500 an hour, depending on the designer's skill set and expertise, Forbes explains.

On top of the initial flat rate, you're paying per room by its dimensions, and if you decide to add furniture, the whole process will cost you between $2,000 and $12,000. All this being said, you're really making a mistake by not taking advantage of this service, especially if you're working on a tight budget. Not many homeowners can say they had a professional interior designer makeover their home for free, but by using West Elm's free design service, you can.

Not visiting a West Elm outlet store

Outlet stores provide shoppers with a variety of West Elm items for a discounted price, and if you're not checking them out, that's a mistake you ought to fix. To find an outlet near you, check out the store locator provided by West Elm. Fill out your information, and let the locator do the work for you. According to Travels With Elle, there are West Elm outlets in states like New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and more. However, outlet stores are typically located near larger cities, so you may have to travel if you're in a rural area.

Even though you might have to do some driving to take advantage of those awesome outlet store deals, it's definitely worth the trip. If you can't find a West Elm outlet anywhere near you, you can see if you live near any Williams-Sonoma or Pottery Barn outlets instead. The three stores are connected to one another, so they have similar decor items you may be interested in. Remember, when it comes to discounts at West Elm, where there's a will, there's a way.