Shopping for living room decor: Walmart vs Target, which is better?
Thanks for signing up!
Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go.
By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email.
Walmart and Target are two of the first places I think of when I'm considering redecorating — especially after a move.
Both big-box stores are readily available across the country (Walmart has over 4,500 stores, and Target has nearly 2,000), and they have pretty much everything I'd need to spruce up a room.
I recently shopped for updated living-room decor at both Walmart and Target. Here's how their products and prices stacked up.
Walmart still had plenty of autumn items.
Some stores have been selling autumn decor since June and July, so I wasn't sure what would be left in October.
Luckily, my Walmart had a variety of artful glass pumpkins in stock for $15.
I think I was too late for Target's seasonal products.
Target's fall supply, on the other hand, was a little low.
My location was pretty cleaned out, but I know the store was selling glass pumpkins in a similar price range as Walmart earlier this year.
Next, I looked for a simple black lamp at Walmart.
Smaller lamp bases seem to be in style right now — shades took up most of the real estate in Walmart's lighting aisle.
I found a simple, small table lamp with a curved matte-black base for $11. The neutral, off-white lampshade boosted the contrast of the affordable lamp.
Target's lighting aisle had many of the same styles.
There were more simple, clean lamp designs at Target. In line with the trends, the bases here were also on the shorter side.
The stock was very similar, and I found another matte-black lamp with a white shade for $10.
The pillow section at Walmart looked very autumnal.
As I perused the throw-pillow section at Walmart, autumnal colorways — like mustard yellow and rust orange — were prominent.
Basic designs in rich hues seem to be transitioning us from fall to winter.
I found a dual-toned khaki and orange pillow for $12 and a two-pack set of soft chenille throws for $15.
Target had similar options at a higher price.
Most of the pillow colors and designs at Target were similar to Walmart's stock, but the prices were higher.
I found a similar khaki and orange pillow for $20 and a set of two chenille throws for $30.
Frames were the next thing on my list.
I always seem to be looking for basic frames. Unfortunately, Walmart's selection looked a little picked over.
I found a few more interesting beveled metal frames, but most offerings were simple designs in black, gold, and white.
White seemed to be the most popular, so I narrowed in on an 11-by-14 frame for $10.
Target had comparable white frames.
The options at Target were, once again, very similar.
I noticed the same frame trends and found a nearly identical white 11-by-14 option for $15.
I had no trouble finding candlesticks at Walmart.
Walmart sold a simple three-pack of gold candleholders that I think would work well for a number of design styles.
The $20 set had round bases and shiny gold rods at varying heights.
At Target, I found a slightly thicker candlestick option in a champagne color.
Target had a similar three-piece candlestick set, but it was a little more textured and heavy-duty than Walmart's.
It was listed for $25, and I think it would make a really nice accent piece.
Walmart's selection of fake plants was sufficient.
Faux plants can be a great addition to spaces without a lot of natural light — or if you just don't have a green thumb. I like to supplement them with real ones throughout my home.
Walmart sold a variety of fake greenery, such as aloe and monstera, in small, off-white pots for $17.
Target, surprisingly, had slightly better prices.
Target had a fake vining pothos and a small, faux fiddle-leaf fig for $15 each. Although the price difference wasn't much, I was surprised Target had the cheaper plants.
Figs naturally have waxier leaves, so I think it's a little less obvious when it's fake.
I was happy with Walmart's candle aisle.
Walmart's candle aisle was full of autumnal fragrances like cider, spruce, mulberry, and mulling spices.
I found a collection of nice-looking 19.25-ounce jars that were going for $10 each.
Target's candles were a little cuter but also more expensive.
Target's candles were in beautiful glass jars with holiday-themed labels. Like Walmart, the store seemed to be strongly leaning into fall scents.
The cutest (and most similar to Walmart's) candles I found were $15 for 21.5 ounces.
Freshening up my space would be a little cheaper at Walmart — but I still think I'd go with Target.
Updating a living room can make a space feel so much fresher, and I think I could do it affordably at both stores.
Target and Walmart's products and displays were surprisingly similar, but Walmart had slightly better prices.
Based on my style preferences and budget, I'd probably go to Target for lamps, fake plants, and candles and get the rest at Walmart.
More...
