New Orleans isn't exactly a "big box" kind of city. We like our chipped-paint shutters, our leaning Creole cottages, and our locally-owned hardware stores where the floorboards creak. But honestly? Sometimes you just need a twelve-pack of affordable pillows and a massive rug that won't cost you a month’s rent. That’s where the at home store New Orleans shoppers actually frequent—the massive location over in Harahan—comes into play. It is a warehouse. It is huge. It is occasionally overwhelming. But if you're trying to furnish a shotgun house without losing your mind, it’s basically a rite of passage.
Walking into that place feels like entering a different dimension. You leave the humid, narrow streets of the city and suddenly you're in a 100,000-square-foot grid of everything from patio furniture to tiny ceramic owls. It’s located in the Elmwood Shopping Center area, which, for anyone living in Mid-City or the Quarter, feels like a bit of a trek. Is it worth it? Usually. Especially since the inventory rotates so fast you’ll see something on Tuesday and it’ll be gone by Friday.
The Reality of Shopping at the New Orleans (Elmwood) Location
Let’s be real for a second. The "New Orleans" store is technically at 1000 S Clearview Pkwy. Most locals just call it the Elmwood At Home. If you’re looking for high-end, heirloom-quality mahogany furniture, go somewhere else. Seriously. This is the place for high-style, low-cost "right now" furniture. You go here because you want your living room to look like a magazine spread but your budget says "grad student."
The layout is a beast. They call it a "home decor superstore" for a reason. Unlike Target or IKEA, there’s no set path. You just sort of wander. One minute you're looking at Christmas ornaments in July (they really do start that early), and the next you're lost in a sea of barstools. It's a warehouse vibe. Concrete floors. High ceilings. It’s not fancy, but the sheer volume of stuff is what keeps people coming back.
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Why the Inventory is Different Down Here
Retailers like At Home have to adapt to local tastes, and you can see it in the New Orleans inventory. You'll find way more outdoor entertaining gear here than you might in a store in, say, Minnesota. We live outside. Even when it’s 95 degrees with 90% humidity, we’re on the porch. The store leans heavily into patio sets, weather-resistant rugs, and those massive outdoor umbrellas that you inevitably have to replace after a hurricane breeze catches them.
I've noticed they also stock a surprising amount of "fleur de lis" themed decor. Some of it is a bit much, honestly. A bit "tourist shop on Decatur." But mixed in there are some genuinely cool pieces that fit the New Orleans aesthetic—distressed metals, oversized mirrors that make small shotgun rooms look huge, and plenty of greenery (mostly faux, which is great because keeping real plants alive in New Orleans indoor light is a struggle).
Navigating the Seasons
The seasonal turnover at the at home store New Orleans location is aggressive. If you want Mardi Gras decor, you have to be there the second the New Year’s Eve dust settles. If you wait until February, you’re looking at empty shelves and a few stray purple beads.
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- Spring: This is when the patio section peaks. It’s the busiest time for the Elmwood location.
- Summer: They lean into the "staycation" vibe. Think pool floats and breezy curtains.
- Fall: Halloween is a big deal here. They get those giant skeletons that everyone obsesses over.
- Winter: It’s a literal forest of artificial trees.
The Logistics of Getting Your Stuff Home
Here is where things get tricky for New Orleans residents. If you live in a third-floor walk-up in the Lower Garden District, buying a sectional sofa at At Home requires a plan. They don't really do the white-glove delivery service you'd get at a high-end boutique. You’re mostly on your own.
Most people I know rent a truck or bribe a friend with a pickup. The store has loading zones, but on a Saturday morning, it’s a madhouse. Pro tip: Go on a Tuesday night. It’s ghost-town quiet, and you won’t have to fight for a flatbed cart. Also, check the clearance section in the way-back. It’s disorganized and kinda dusty, but I’ve found $200 rugs for $40 just because the plastic wrap was torn.
What Most People Get Wrong About At Home
People think it’s just a bigger version of HomeGoods. It’s not. HomeGoods is a treasure hunt; you never know what brands you’ll find. At Home is more of a library. They have 50 versions of the same chair in 10 different colors. It’s for when you know exactly what you need—like "I need a navy blue velvet ottoman"—and you don't want to spend three weeks hunting for it.
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The quality is a sliding scale. You have to be discerning. Some of the furniture is solid wood and surprisingly sturdy. Some of it is particle board that will protest if you move it more than twice. Feel the weight of things. Check the joints on the chairs. Use your eyes.
Smart Strategies for New Orleans Homeowners
If you’re renovating a historic property, don't buy everything here. It'll look like a showroom, and not in a good way. The trick to using the at home store New Orleans effectively is the "High-Low" mix.
Pair a vintage, hand-carved table you found at a thrift store on Magazine Street with a set of modern, clean-lined chairs from At Home. Use their massive mirror collection to bounce light around those long, narrow hallway rooms. Their rug department is probably the best value in the metro area, especially for those 8x10 or 9x12 sizes that usually cost a fortune.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
Don't just drive out to Elmwood on a whim. You'll get overwhelmed and leave with a scented candle you didn't need and a headache.
- Measure your space twice. New Orleans houses have weird dimensions. That "standard" sofa might block your fireplace or your closet door.
- Check the website first. The At Home website is actually pretty good at telling you if the Elmwood store has an item in stock. It saves you a wasted trip.
- Bring your own bungee cords. If you’re hauling stuff in a truck, don't rely on the store to have twine. They usually do, but it’s thin.
- Inspect before you leave. Since it’s a warehouse environment, boxes get bumped. Open the box in the parking lot to make sure that glass coffee table isn't a bag of glitter.
- Join the Insider Perks. Honestly, the emails are annoying, but the 10% or 15% off coupons are legit and they send them often.
The Elmwood At Home isn't the most "New Orleans" experience you'll ever have. It’s not charming. There are no ghost stories attached to the aisles. But for the practical side of living in this city—making a home comfortable without spending a fortune—it’s an essential resource. Just make sure you have enough room in the car before you pull the trigger on that 7-foot faux fiddle-leaf fig tree.