6 Home-Decor Items an Interior Decorator Buys at T.J. Maxx

“I try to bring something with a wooden element into every single space that I design, just to add that warmth,” Maldonado told Business Insider, “and T.J. Maxx is great for that.”

“Whether it’s a beautiful tone of wood in a cutting board or a nice vessel or a pot, or it’s even just a little wooden ball,” there are usually a variety of pieces that will add texture and coziness to any space, she said.

“You can find pieces made of wood or iron or metal or things that are imported from India,” Maldonado said. “And those are the ideal things that I’m always looking for specifically at T.J. Maxx.”

She said T.J. Maxx does “a great job of importing global design,” which creates a modern organic look that appears to be collected and curated from around the world.

“I think they do a really good job with their selection of baskets and the little containers that organize your drawers and your kitchen cabinets,” she said.

Maldonado said that whether you’re shopping for a full-length mirror or a large canvas print, T.J. Maxx is one place where you might score a better deal than other retailers.

“You can usually get something that’s much larger than you’re going to find for the same price at Target or Walmart,” she said.

Maldonado dispelled the idea that many of the furniture items you see at T.J. Maxx are “dupes” of more expensive brands. Instead, she said she’s seen pieces from high-end furniture brands like Four Hands at the retailer.

“I think, more recently, people started understanding they’re not dupes, they’re the original product just at a much greater price,” she said.

“A few years ago, I bought some outdoor chairs from Marshalls [which shares a parent company with T.J. Maxx] that would’ve been $1,000 at any other retail site, and they were $299,” Maldonado continued.

“A 50-inch by 60-inch blanket at Target’s going to be around $39.99, and it’s just going to be a Target blanket,” Maldonado said.

“But T.J. Maxx will have Tahari or Tommy Hilfiger, something that’s a higher caliber of materials and pattern, and it’s probably going to be like $19.99 or $29.99,” she continued.

“If you’re going to spend money on a plaid blanket that you’re only going to have out for a few months in the winter, I love T.J. Maxx and Marshalls because you’re going to save at least 30%, and it’s a higher brand quality.”