8 Game-Changing West Elm Shopping Secrets From an Insider

Shopping for  is not always easy. It can be incredibly expensive, and with so many options, it can be difficult to find pieces that work together and fit your personal style. However, with some insider  secrets, you can shop smarter to save money and take home the perfect items you've been searching for. All you have to do is know where to look, when to shop, and what questions to ask.

According to a  insider, there are quite a few ways to save money and take advantage of little-known consumer perks at its stores in-person and online. Ahead, our inside source reveals nine game-changing West Elm shopping secrets to take your home décor shopping skills to the next level. Here's what only dedicated West Elm aficionados know about snagging deals from the design brand.

If you shop West Elm, you've likely also spent some time shopping the store's sister brands like Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Rejuvenation, and Mark and Graham. But did you know that gift cards from these brands can be applied to a West Elm purchase? You can get rid of any old gift cards you may have to these stores at West Elm in-store or online to take a little extra off your grand total.

West Elm offers free Design Crew services at every storefront location. Design Crew is a design consultation program, our West Elm insider explains. It pairs you with an expert who can provide design, installation, and registry assistance. You can  in advance or simply ask for help while you're in the store.

Even after you've graduated, there's still one more discount you might be eligible for. If you're a design professional, you can apply for the , which offers approved members and its sister sites.

If you're a diehard West Elm shopper, you may consider signing up for the brand's own credit card. You'll earn rewards like . Plus, if you make a bulk purchase and spend more than $750, you can choose special financing or additional rewards. 

"Each store has a designated 'Furniture Flea' section," our West Elm insider explains. This is where they sell floor models in addition to other clearance items. It's also where you'll find the lowest prices on a variety of West Elm décor.

If you've ever wondered when new products are released at West Elm and when the best time to buy them is, you're in luck. "We design into all four seasons, and within each season we have three refreshes—so that's 12 reasons to keep coming back to West Elm's website or stop by your local West Elm store," according to our insider.

As for the best time to buy, each year the lowest prices can be found during the store's Buy More, Save More sale in May. You can save 15% off when you spend $100 or more and up to 30% when you spend more than $3000, along with free shipping for select items. So if you're planning on a major redecorating project, this is the time to buy in bulk.

In addition to the West Elm credit card, the brand and its sister sites offer another loyalty program called . Signing up is free and you'll receive 3% cash back in rewards every time you shop. All you have to do is say you're a Key Holder at checkout and provide the phone number you used to sign up.

While you probably don't need anything else flooding your inbox, signing up for West Elm's mailing list does boast some benefits for dedicated shoppers. Get early access to shopping events and new collaborations so you're never behind on the latest from the brand. Being a part of the mailing list is also the only way to learn about workshops, pop-ups, and other special events at your local West Elm store.

Use these insider West Elm shopping secrets to find the best deals and decorate your dream home with ease. With these tips, you don't have to be an insider to shop like one.