One of my best tricks for bargain hunting is to shop kids’ stores (it all started in high school, when I could still fit into some kids’ clothes). The prices are typically lower but the quality is often exactly the same as similar items in the regular section. And when the economy is down, I have to imagine that going all out on a five-year-old’s bedroom might be one of the first things a family cuts.

If you are in the market for some whimsical bedding to brighten your mornings, try Pottery Barn Kids, which has items on sale for 30 to 75 percent off. You can get a queen-sized, perfectly understated quilt for $149.99 and queen- sized gingham sheets for $84.99.

Restoration Hardware Baby & Child's lovely Becket side table is on sale for $99, down from $139. No one would ever guess that it was designed for a kid’s room.

In the adult section, Anthropologie has a few of its signature items on deep discount now, including the Cleo Chair, down from $1,298 to $699, and the Ardenne Headboard, down from $1,298 to $524.95.