A Feng Shui experts guide to shopping at Winners & Homesense: What to buy and what to avoid
My favorite weekend activity of all time is grabbing a coffee and taking a trip to Winners & Homesense!
Almost every weekend this is where you can find me and many other people. This led me to writing this article. I see people filling their carts with home decor and other things they need for their homes and think, i wonder where they will put it?
I also see women that hold items that they love but the look on their faces is telling me they are not sure on whether to buy. So here is a blog post for all of you that are not sure and can’t decide!
From my most recent winners trip!
Winners and Homesense (TJ maxx in the US and TK maxx in the UK) are treasure troves for home decor lovers (like me!) They offer beautiful finds, affordable prices, and items from all over the world. You may even find a great brand name. They are always changing inventory to keep things exciting but this can also be overwhelming.
From a Feng Shui perspective, these stores can either help you elevate your home’s energy or have them drowning in clutter, chaos, and stagnation. This is what can happen when you don’t shop with intention.
Although i love to browse each isle, as a Feng Shui consultant i don’t buy things randomly, i shop energetically.
This guide will show you exactly:
What i look for first
What i skip every time
How to choose pieces that support calm, abundance, and flow
How to leave with fewer items but better energy
You can also use this as a guide for any home decor store wherever you are in the world.
First rule of Feng Shui shopping: Never shop emotionally
Before i tell you what to buy, we need to talk about how to shop!
Never shop when you feel rushed to make a decision, when you feel emotionally dysregulated, or when you a just seeking a dopamine hit.
Why? Because this will almost always lead to too many random items, guilt after spending (not the vibe for abundance) and, instant clutter in your home (and mind!)
Feng Shui tip: Before you enter the store decide what energy you are trying to create in your home. What do you need more of? Let that answer guide your decision.
Let’s get into it!
Natural materials always come first
When i walk into Homesense, i immediately look for natural materials and textures.
These are grounding, calming, and timeless and they instantly improve Chi flow.
Look for:
Solid wood trays, stools, or bowls
Stone, marble, or travertine decor
Ceramic or porcelain vases
Linen, cotton, or wool textiles
Avoid:
Lightweight or plastic decor
Overly glossy synthetic finishes
Trend driven novelty items
Good quality holiday decor is fine as long as it will have a space in your home and you can use it for years to come.
Natural materials connect your home to Earth energy, which supports stability, nourishment, and abundance.
2. Soft, supportive color palettes over loud trends
Just because something is trending it doesn’t mean you need it (i promise, you will be fine!) This is so important especially for color. Colors have energy and if we are painting walls or putting decor in our homes that are colors that are trending and not supportive, it will not help us energetically.
A Feng Shui consultant chooses colors based on:
The feeling they evoke
Where the item will live
Whether it adds calm or chaos
How shopping in Winners makes us feel!
Feng Shui - friendly colors i gravitate towards:
Soft whites and calm creams
Blush, dusty rose, soft peach and terracotta
Taupe, beige, warm greige
Muted greens and light blues
Subtle gold, brass accents, and silver
Colors i am cautious with:
Bright reds (unless intentional)
Neon tones
Very dark or heavy palettes in small or dark rooms
If your nervous system relaxes when you look at it, your home will too.
3. Statement pieces over small decorative clutter
This is where most people go wrong at winners.
They buy too many candles, too many figurines, or small objects with no purpose (damn those great prices!)
A Feng Shui consultant looks for strong pieces that anchor energy.
Choose:
One sculptural vase
One large tray
An elevated lamp
Intentional art
Items to skip:
Tiny decor meant to fill a space
Items you can’t explain why you like
Anything you know will end up in a drawer later
Feng Shui tip: Clarity attracts clarity. Fewer, better pieces create a stronger energy than many small scattered distractions.
4. Art that feels calm, expansive and uplifting
Art carries powerful energy as the images we have around us is always sending messages to our subconscious mind.
When i look at the art at Homesense i see a lot of mass produced images often with negative tag lines and slogans. I avoid these. As with these i avoid:
Lonely figures
Stormy scenes
Aggressive animals
Chaotic abstracts
Artwork that feels sad or heavy
Feng Shui approved art:
Soft landscapes
Florals
Calm water scenes
Gentle feminine imagery
Art with happy couples
Images of places i would like to visit
Pic credit: Pinterest.com
5. Mirrors with intention
Mirrors are one of the most powerful Feng Shui tools and winners has lots of them!
Look for mirrors that feel elegant, solid, and well framed. Round mirrors are also a plus over sharp corners.
Avoid mirrors that are too narrow or small for the place you want to put it or mirrors that are strange shapes or has sections.
Remember: Mirrors double what they are facing, be intentional about where you put them.
6. Textiles that feel luxurious and supportive
Bedding, throw pillows, and rugs are some of the best Feng Shui buys at Homesense. Always make sure you are touching them before you buy them.
Look for items that will wash well and not pill or fall apart easily. Avoid scratchy materials even if you love the design and color and loud patterns.
7. Always do an ‘energy test’ before you buy
This is the final step but the most important one.
Before placing anything in my cart i have a system! I ask:
Do i really love this, or is it just a great price?
Can i picture where it will live in my home?
Does this item support me and the life i want to live?
If the answer isn’t a calm yes, I leave it.
