ABC Carpet and Home, South Hackensack
The New Jersey outpost of the popular Manhattan store is a design-lovers heaven. The warehouse-like building is packed floor-to-ceiling with rugs, furniture, antiques, textiles and accessories. You can get lost for hours. Good design trumps deep discounts here, but a diligient shopper can find a deal. Brands include Ralph Lauren Home, Tom Dixon lighting and Kevin O’Brien Studio pillows. Plan to spend the day. 400 Huyler Street; 201-641-3400
Crate and Barrel Outlet, Cranbury
New Jersey is one of only six states with an outlet location for this national chain, known for its affordable, contemporary housewares and furnishings. In the warehouse setting, shoppers can browse closeouts of cutlery, coffee mugs, salad bowls, area rugs, duvet covers, desk lamps, garment racks and more. Jute placemats, for instance, are $2.50 instead of $9.99. An adjacent warehouse is filled with bigger items like sofas, dressers and dining tables. A $1,000 sofa could easily be marked down to $300. Be prepared to haul your savings home. 315 Cranbury Half Acre Road; 609-819-0200
Design Spree, Lawrenceville and Maywood
Billed as New Jersey’s premium furniture outlet, each of Design Spree’s locations features more than 60,000 square feet of high-end furnishings at 40 to 60 percent off retail. Everything on the floor is for sale, not special order, which means you can take it home the same day. Brands include Henredon, Bernhardt and Century. Merchandise is displayed beautifully in a showroom—rather than warehouse—setting. Design services and delivery are available. Periodic flash sales are announced via Facebook. 4 Litho Road, Lawrenceville, 609-406-9100. 29 Essex Street, Maywood; 201-368-0999
Home Goods, Multiple locations
A sister shop to TJ Maxx and Marshalls, Home Goods offers designer labels on furniture, lighting, bedding, rugs, linens and accessories. You’ll find lots of kitchen essentials, from pots and pans to specialty packaged foods like jams, syrups, candies and more. Often, you can find the same merchandise at multiple locations. So if you find one Jonathan Adler Happy Chic pillow and you need three, hit the Home Goods store one town over—you might get lucky.
Flemington Department Store, Flemington
The odd array of discounted merchandise—Patagonia jackets next to Sealy mattresses next to Carhartt work pants—keeps customers coming in for the hunt. The giant showroom features trusted brands such as Shaw rugs and Flexsteel sofas, along with apparel like pants and socks and virtually everything in between, including uniforms and work wear. We found Levis for $37.99 and a Lane recliner for $533 rather than $1,065. There are ample salespeople to assist in making the right choice. Grab a John Deere trucker hat on your way out the door. 141 Route 31; 888-877-2192
Lloyd’s Outlet, Somerville
Name-brand furniture at 40 to 75 percent off regular retail price is Lloyd’s Outlet’s claim to fame. Brands such as Drexel Heritage, Sherrill, Century and Highland House are prominently featured. The 14,000-square-foot showroom is easy to navigate. Unlike many outlets packed helter-skelter, Lloyd’s furnishings are set in stylized vignettes, making it easier to visualize the pieces in your own home. New merchandise arrives weekly; check the website for current finds. Interior design services are available. 130 W. Main Street; 908-526-4344
Tuesday Morning, Multiple locations
This no-frills chain is packed with name-brand merchandise offered at deep discounts. You’ll find bed and bath, furniture, crafts supplies and fashion accessories. Merchandise changes weekly. Look for Cuisinart cutlery, Viking cookware, KitchenAid food processsors and Cross pens alongside American Tourister luggage and Croscill bath towels. Items are medium- to high-end closeouts. If you like the hunt, this is your place.