You know that feeling when you walk into a store and realize you've made a terrible mistake because you only brought a sedan? That’s the vibe at At Home Burnsville MN. It’s massive. Seriously, if you haven’t been to the location off County Road 42, just imagine a warehouse the size of a small airport hangar, but instead of planes, it’s filled with every conceivable shade of throw pillow known to man.
I went in last Tuesday. It was quiet, which is how I like it.
Most people hit up Target or IKEA when they need a lamp, but the Burnsville At Home is a different beast entirely. It’s located in that sprawling retail hub near the Burnsville Center, taking over what used to be an old Kmart. Honestly, seeing these giant big-box spaces get repurposed into "home decor superstores" is kind of a trip. It's roughly 100,000 square feet of "I didn't know I needed a three-foot-tall ceramic giraffe, but here we are."
What’s Actually Inside At Home Burnsville MN?
Walking through those automatic doors is a sensory overload. You’re immediately hit with the seasonal displays. Since it’s Burnsville, and we actually experience four distinct (and sometimes brutal) seasons, the inventory shifts fast. If it’s October, you’re drowning in pumpkins. If it’s May, the outdoor patio section is so large you could practically host a wedding in it.
The layout is a grid, which sounds organized, but you will get lost. It’s unavoidable.
They’ve got rows—and I mean long, soul-searching rows—of mirrors, rugs, and wall art. One thing people get wrong about At Home Burnsville MN is thinking it’s just a "cheap" store. It’s actually a mix. You’ll find a $5 plastic planter sitting next to a $400 solid wood accent chest. It’s a treasure hunt. You have to be willing to touch the fabric and check the joints on the furniture.
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- The Rug Graveyard: This is in the back. Hundreds of rugs are rolled up or hanging. It’s overwhelming. Pro tip: wear comfortable shoes because you’re going to be doing laps.
- The Pillow Wall: It’s exactly what it sounds like. A literal wall of cushions categorized by color. It’s satisfyingly organized until a toddler gets loose in there.
- Kitchen & Dining: More gadgets than you’ll ever use, but the glassware is surprisingly decent for the price.
The Logistics of the Burnsville Location
Parking is rarely an issue because the lot is huge. However, if you're buying a sofa or a massive dining table, don't expect a white-glove delivery service to just appear. This is a self-service model. You find it, you put it on a flatbed cart, you haul it to the register.
I’ve seen people struggling to shove a patio set into the back of a Honda Civic in that parking lot. Don't be that person. Measure your car. Better yet, bring a truck or a friend with a minivan. The store staff is generally helpful with loading the heavy stuff into your vehicle, but their liability ends at your bumper.
Why Burnsville Locals Choose This Over the Competition
We have options in the South Metro. You could go to the West Elm outlet or hit up the various furniture stores in Apple Valley. But At Home Burnsville MN wins on sheer volume. It’s for the person who wants to see twenty different versions of a navy blue ottoman before making a decision.
There’s a weirdly specific joy in finding a "clearance" sticker in the back corner of this store. Because the inventory is so vast, things get lost. I once found a high-end looking hammered metal floor lamp marked down to thirty bucks just because the box was slightly crushed.
It’s not all sunshine and cheap chic, though.
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Some of the furniture is clearly "fast furniture." It’s MDF and veneer. It looks great in a photo, but it might not survive three house moves or a particularly rowdy Labrador. You have to be discerning. If you’re looking for "forever furniture," this might not be the primary spot, but for decor, lighting, and "refreshing" a room? It’s hard to beat.
The "At Home" Insider Secrets
If you’re a regular, you probably already know about the Insider Perks program. It’s one of those "give us your email and we’ll send you coupons" things. Usually, it's 10% or 15% off. In a store where you're likely spending $200 minimum just on "accidental" finds, that discount actually matters.
Also, the Burnsville store tends to get its new shipments on specific days. Usually, mid-week is the best time to go if you want the first pick of the new seasonal drops. Saturdays are a nightmare. It's crowded, the aisles feel narrower, and the checkout line can wrap around the corner. Go on a Tuesday night at 7:00 PM. It’s peaceful. You can actually think.
Addressing the "Big Box" Skepticism
A lot of people think these giant stores lack soul. And yeah, it’s a corporate chain. But the At Home Burnsville MN location has a weirdly local feel because the people working there are your neighbors. You see the same staff members year after year.
There’s a common misconception that everything is "cheaply made." While they do have budget-friendly items, their "found" collection—which features more unique, one-off style pieces—is actually pretty impressive. I’ve seen hand-woven baskets and solid acacia wood bowls that look like they came from a high-end boutique in North Loop, but for a third of the price.
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- Check the weight. If a piece of furniture feels like it’s made of air, it’s probably not going to last.
- Look at the hardware. Swapping out cheap plastic knobs on an At Home dresser for brass ones from a hardware store is the ultimate "pro" move.
- The "Lush" factor. Their faux greenery is some of the best in the price range. If you can’t keep a fiddle leaf fig alive (join the club), their silk versions are actually convincing from three feet away.
Navigating the Seasonal Cycle
In Minnesota, we live for the summer months. The Burnsville At Home knows this. Their outdoor section usually starts peaking in late March—even when there’s still snow on the ground. By July, it’s picked over. If you wait until the weather is actually nice to buy your patio chairs, you’re too late.
The reverse is true for Christmas. The "Holiday Headquarters" section is a labyrinth of trees. They usually have about 100 different artificial trees set up so you can actually touch the needles. It’s a bit much, honestly, but if you’re picky about the difference between "Douglas Fir" and "Nordmann Fir" artificial styles, it’s the only place to go.
Final Verdict on the Burnsville Experience
Is it worth the trip? If you’re doing a full room makeover or just moved into a new place in Savage or Lakeville, yes. It’s a one-stop shop. You can get the rug, the lamp, the wall art, and the decorative bowl for the coffee table in one go.
Just remember that it’s an endurance sport. Don't go when you’re hungry. There isn't a cafeteria inside like IKEA, so you're at the mercy of the nearby fast food spots on 42.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit:
- Measure twice: Before you leave the house, measure your wall space, your floor space, and your trunk. The store is so big that everything looks smaller inside than it actually is. That "small" mirror will look like a billboard once you get it home.
- Join the Perks: Sign up for the loyalty program before you get to the register to avoid the awkward "let me type my email while five people glare at me" moment.
- Start from the back: The best clearance deals are almost always tucked away in the back right corners of the store.
- Inspect the goods: Since it’s a high-volume warehouse, items can get dinged. Check the back of frames and the legs of chairs for scratches before you buy.