HomeGoods Vs Homesense: Which Store Is Best For Kitchen Finds?

Shoppers looking to score deals on kitchenware often head to HomeGoods for excellent discounts. From heavily marked-down Breville coffee makers to cheap baking essentials, there's always a hidden gem to discover on this store's shelves. But what about Homesense, HomeGoods' sister store? With most of its shops concentrated around the Midwest and East Coast, this retail chain operates much like HomeGoods. From furniture to lighting, home decor, and various other accessories, Homesense is very much similar to its predecessor. But in terms of finding a comprehensive selection of kitchen items to shop, one of these TJX subsidiaries stands out as a better option than the other. For the best shot at uncovering some major steals on kitchen and pantry staples, we suggest HomeGoods as the number one place to shop.

HomeGoods carries a wide assortment of kitchenware. While Homesense focuses more on big-ticket items like couches, dining room tables, sectionals, and daybeds, HomeGoods specializes in smaller, decor-adjacent pieces and a large selection of kitchen essentials. Shoppers here can score a number of deals, including trendy, vintage-inspired dishware pieces that are making a comeback across kitchens nationwide, and even gourmet food staples like dried pasta from Italy and flavored olive oils.  Below, we've compared these two sister stores, noting their differences — especially when it comes to the kitchen selection found at each store.

Homesense came into view back in 2001 when its first stores opened across Canada and Europe. A brand under the TJX Company, it came to the United States in 2017. Homesense carries a number of household items — from a selection of carpets at its Rug Emporium to doorknobs and hardware items in its General Store (you won't be able to find the paints, hammers, and fabrics that Homesense carries at your local HomeGoods). But a big distinction between the two comes from the variety of kitchen items these stores have on hand on a day-to-day basis. 

Shoppers note that this store focuses on the larger home furnishing items, rather than smaller decor pieces and kitchen essentials. "HomeSense (in the [U.S.]) has larger items like full furniture sets, couches, chandeliers etc. They have some smaller items, but the main focus [is] on larger items," one shopper posted on Reddit. While the store does have a kitchen section, clearly it is not its main focus. Another distinction to note here: Homesense does not carry packaged food items, so if you are on the hunt for some pantry goods for your kitchen, this store is not the right place to look.

HomeGoods, on the other hand, is the perfect place to find dishware, pots and pans for your stovetop, and even larger countertop appliances like toaster ovens, blenders, and electric water kettles. Beloved by a substantial following of die-hard fans, this store's kitchenware section is truly unrivaled. Customers are known to have found prominent brands like Staub, Sur La Table, All-Clad, and Le Creuset all at heavily discounted prices at this store, which, thanks to its unique stocking policy, rotates what products are on its shelves routinely. Organizational kitchen storage bins are another popular buy at HomeGoods, as the store routinely carries stackable bins for your fridge, dispensers for your cooking oils, and a large selection of glass preservation jars to choose from. Coffee grounds are also another kitchen pantry staple shoppers can find here, along with coffee syrups, spices, and jams.

Clearly, both of these two stores serve distinct purposes. While one is primarily a place to buy large home furnishings, the other specializes in smaller decor items and kitchen essentials. The bottom line — if you are looking for large statement pieces or furniture, Homesense is the place to score some great deals; but HomeGoods is the clear winner when it comes to kitchen purchases, from frying pans to food storage containers and everything in between.