If you live in Atlanta, you’ve probably been to the Ballard’s Outlet in Roswell or on DeFoors Ferry Rd. I’ve been to both of them plenty of times, but since I now live in Birmingham, it’s not often that I get to browse this fun store. So, I made time while I was over visiting family at Thanksgiving to hop over to the Roswell store and take a look around. You just never know what you will find in here! I’ve scored some pretty good bargains over the years, some really cheap and some just OK deals. And it’s always fun. 
I couldn’t talk any of my friends into going, so I went by myself. They always have a pretty large selection of furniture pieces in here and they are usually good prices. This is a desk almost just like my Target black desk that I have, but the Target version is a lot cheaper, I can tell you that. 
And one thing you should know is this, I don’t think any of their furniture is real wood. If you check it out in here with the dings and dents that are very visible, it’s pretty obvious that it’s made out of some sort of man-made material, some even looks like heavy duty cardboard to me. Now, I’m not dissing Ballards, I like Ballards, but this is just what I’ve noticed about the furniture. Buyer be warned. 
They have some good-looking pieces, but I don’t believe you’ll find any real wood in here.
Plenty of rugs on clearance, so those are a good deal.
More console tables or islands. 
Round tables and chairs.
Plenty of artwork too, although it’s pretty expensive for what it is.
They have loads of mirrors and the prices aren’t really cheap, but better than the catalog. Love this sunburst.
This is where I bought those neat shelves in my office nook, right here at this store. I’d say the outlet prices are about 30% off the catalog prices on these. I love, love my shelves and didn’t mind paying for them, they have served me well.
Lots of clocks.
Plenty of lighting too, along with chandeliers.
Wall art
More mirrors, I love these. Can’t remember how much they were, but they sure would be pretty grouped together in 3’s.
More hung up on display.
Plenty more art on the walls.
Barstools galore.
And some office furniture and accessories displayed. 
Tables and chairs.
Oh, and this is really funny! I saw someone in there who I knew from an online decorating board for many years (hi, Susan!) and she lives in Mississippi and was up in Atlanta visiting HER relatives and decided to go to Ballards. She recognized me and said hello and that was really fun. It’s a small world, you never know who you’ll see. 🙂
So, what did I buy?
Just one thing…this pretty tall tabletop tree in a white urn. They had a pretty good sale that day and Christmas stuff was 20% off, plus another 20% off that Friday, so I got it for a total of $50 (including tax), which I didn’t think was too bad. It’s nicely made and looks real. And it’s going on my foyer table, which I’ll show you soon!
If you get a chance to go to a Ballard’s Outlet, check it out! Always fun!
And the winner of the Southern Beauty giveaway is Donna! Congrats, Donna, you are going to have some fun with that prize.
GREAT Movie Alert! We just saw the BEST movie last night, Blindside. Oh my gosh, it’s one of the most fantastic movies I’ve ever seen and me and my hubby as well as the couple we went with loved every minute of it (I think my hubby went mainly to see Nick Saban, but the rest of the movie was A+++) :). I had no idea what it was about, but it was truly wonderful. Go and see this movie!!
I stop in the Roswell store once every 6 weeks or so, usually when they have their extra 20 off everything. I feel the same way as you about their quality and prices. Late summer I did get a tall 5 shelf bookcase for right around $100 and it’s in hub’s office and I love it. I have yet to see Blind Side but they shot two days in an empty space in the large warehouse where I have my gallery/shop and I think it was staged as a rug store? Wonder if it made the cut?
Hope you have a fabulous birthday Rhoda! Yes, the Blindside is an awesome movie and can’t wait to take my husband to see it! I live in the Memphis area and the church and school that the family attend are just a few miles from where I live. You know that it was all shot around Atlanta though, right? Thanks so much for your blog, it is always inspiring!
Hi Rhoda!! Thanks for the shout out..it was soooo nice to finally meet the lady with so much talent! Y’all she is really just as nice in person as she comes across in her posts..she is really tall too. : )
I noticed the same thing about Ballards furniture as you did and those mirrors you posted that you liked..well I bought two of them.Loved them.I ended up paying about 70 bucks ea for them..with the 20% discount that day.Not cheap but not too bad either.
Ohhh..btw..tell that hub of yours…from one HUGE Bama fan to another…ROLL TIDE ROLLLLLLLL! Awesome game they played!!! Well deserved win!
Hey Rhoda,
Good post on Ballards,,,,I’ve been to both stores too and am always disappointed at the price of poor quality in their furniture. Definitely made from particle board and melamine. It’s too bad, because their catalog always looks great.
Hope your Thanksgiving was great!
I love that catalog. I really want to be able to afford somthing from there, now that I see that is isn’t that good it makes me feel better. Thanks Rhoda.
Hi Rhoda! Thank you for leaving such a sweet comment on my blog about my bow making. My mother in law and I learned how to make bows together years ago!
Omgosh, I thank you! Your blog was the first blog I found and was immediately addicted to it! lol It was because of your blog that I decided to start a blog too. 🙂 I can’t wait to read your bow making post! Have a great day!
Sandra
Thank you so much for posting this. I am in the Atlanta area and definitely had never ever heard of this place. I am going to check this out ASAP.
Aw, I would have went with you. I love Ballard Designs. Looks like lots of goodies. That’s a shame that they don’t offer real wood furniture, considering their prices. Sheesh. We saw Blind Side over Thanksgiving and loved it. Very heartwarming story.
As a furniture lover and lover of Ballard Designs, I need to move east and take advantage of all of your wonderful outlets. Why can’t we have one here in Texas? I guess we do have Wisteria and some others I can’t seem to think of right now for wishing I lived close to the Ballard Design outlet.
Rhoda, can we pay you to shop there for us???? Pretty please??? Guess my husband will say I need to get another job first.
For those of you yankees, there is a Ballard Design outlet in the Cincinnati area, right close to the Ikea. So make it a day long trip and get to both places. Attached to Ballard Designs are a couple other stores that must be owned by the same parent company; however, I can’t think of the name off the top of my head.
Ballard’s Backroom is one of my favorite places and I’ve found some good buys there.
Friends of ours grandson was #69 in the movie and their granddaughter was in some scenes.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas season as we celebrate our Savior’s birth….
Please check your outlet stores to see if anyone has the black and white Harlequin bath accessories. Thanks.
I just bought the Rudolph Dining Table from the Ballard Designs store here in Jacksonville and it is hardwood. I love it!
I hope you still look at your website. Looks like a long time since anyone commented. I have never been to a Ballard’s outlet but would absolultely love it. Do they ever have the checked drapes? Also, you mentioned the rugs were pretty good sales. I’m looking for about a 12 x 24 in lighter earth colors. If you’ve been anytime recently, have you seen anything like this. Just might have to take a trip. I’m in Tennessee. Thanks so much and would love to hear from you.
It looked like a bunch of junk that was damaged and over priced
OMG I’d love to go to a Ballard’s outlet! I didn’t know there was such a thing..Thanks for sharing 🙂
I have been an enthusiastic customer of Ballard Designs for years and I can tell you first hand, their desks (I bought two!) looked beautiful when first set up, but quickly got marred and cheap looking shortly after. It IS made of particle board and a cheaply made finish that doesn’t stand up to ANY wear and tear. It is only for show purposes. And now they have sunk to a new low – showing one price in the catalog, giving an online discount with free shipping, then when the bill comes, it shows an increase in price (for online shoppers) and in fact, NO free shipping (not on THAT order was their explanation!) Buyer beware! They have indeed lost me as a customer.
I am in desperate search for Ballard Designs rug. It is Brookstone in iron and yellow. Do you have one?8×10 or close.
HI, Debbie, that’s a blog post I wrote about Ballard. You’ll need to search the Ballard website for their products.