HomeGoods vs. T.J. Maxx: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

While often seen as interchangeable, HomeGoods is a specialized retailer focused exclusively on offering a curated selection of home decor and furnishings, whereas T.J. Maxx is a broader off-price department store that sells brand-name apparel and accessories alongside a substantial home section. The key difference is specialization versus variety, visit HomeGoods when your sole mission is home decor, but head to T.J. Maxx when you want to shop for an outfit and perhaps find a new lamp in the same trip.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right discount haven for your shopping needs.

HomeGoods: The Decor Lover's Treasure Hunt

HomeGoods is a one-stop shop dedicated entirely to home furnishings, beloved for its "treasure hunt" atmosphere where every aisle can reveal unique, stylish pieces at a deep discount. As a part of the TJX Companies family, it leverages massive buying power to stock brand-name and designer items, making it a go-to for those looking to refresh their space with on-trend decor without paying retail prices.

• Product mix: Entirely focused on items for the home. This includes everything from small furniture (accent chairs, side tables) and rugs to kitchenware, bedding, lighting, and an extensive array of decorative accents like vases, art, and pillows.
• Price point: Prices are typically 20-60% below what you'd find at traditional department or specialty stores. You can find quality decorative pillows for $20-$30, designer-inspired lamps for $40-$80, and accent furniture for under $200.
• Quality: The focus on home items means buyers often source more substantial, higher-quality decor. While it's still an off-price model, the quality feels more consistent and curated compared to a generalist retailer's home section.
• Style/Aesthetic: Heavily leans toward modern, contemporary, and transitional styles. Because the selection is curated, it's easier to find cohesive pieces that fit a specific on-trend look, from minimalist to eclectic.
• Shopping Experience: The store is organized by category (kitchen, bedding, bath, etc.), making it a focused and immersive browsing experience specifically for home shoppers. Online shopping is very limited, the brand's strength is its physical store discovery process.

HomeGoods is the ideal destination for shoppers devoted to finding unique and stylish home furnishings at excellent value in a curated, specialized environment.

Shop HomeGoods: homegoods.com

T.J. Maxx: The One-Stop Discount Destination

Also a member of the TJX Companies, T.J. Maxx provides a much broader shopping experience, famous for offering brand-name apparel, footwear, handbags, beauty, and more at steep discounts. While not a home specialist, its "Home" section has grown into a formidable department carrying a diverse assortment of decor, kitchenware, and small furniture, making it a powerful player for multi-purpose shopping trips.

• Product mix: A true department store experience. You can find designer jeans, a new handbag, skincare, and then wander over to the home aisles for bedding, kitchen gadgets, seasonal decor, and bath accessories. The variety is immense.
• Price point: Extremely competitive, with prices consistently 20-60% below retail across all categories. Its quick inventory turnover often leads to aggressive clearance markdowns, particularly on seasonal home items.
• Quality: Quality can be more varied. You might find a high-end designer cookware set next to a more basic, budget-friendly decorative object. Careful inspection is key, but the value is often exceptional.
• Style/Aesthetic: The style is highly varied and less cohesive than HomeGoods. You can find everything from traditional and rustic to modern and bohemian pieces, reflecting its constantly changing, trend-driven inventory.
• Shopping Experience: Offers the convenience of one-stop shopping. It can feel a bit more chaotic due to the sheer volume and variety of merchandise. Their online store offers a much wider selection of goods compared to HomeGoods' site, though in-store is still where most "treasures" are found.

T.J. Maxx is built for the versatile bargain hunter who loves spontaneity and the convenience of shopping for everything from fashion to housewares under one roof.

Shop T.J. Maxx: tjmaxx.com

HomeGoods vs. T.J. Maxx Comparison

Price Comparison

Both HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx operate on the same off-price business model, offering products for 20-60% less than full-price retailers. For similar home products – like a set of coffee mugs or a throw blanket – prices are often neck-and-neck. You might find a Threshold-branded candle at one and a Sand + Fog candle at the other for nearly the same price.

However, T.J. Maxx's broader inventory and faster turnover in multiple categories can lead to more frequent and aggressive clearance sales, especially after holidays. If you're hunting for the absolute rock-bottom price on a seasonal item, the T.J. Maxx red tag section might give you a slight edge. HomeGoods' pricing is consistently good but may feel less driven by urgent clearance markdowns.

Quality & Materials

HomeGoods generally has the upper hand when it comes to the perceived quality and consistency of its home goods. Because their buyers are solely focused on this category, they tend to source a more curated assortment of products that feel substantial and well-made. You are more likely to find larger, more solid pieces of accent furniture and higher-quality textiles at HomeGoods.

T.J. Maxx offers great value, but the quality can be more hit-or-miss. Alongside brand-name gems, you may find items that are clearly designed for a lower price point. This isn't a drawback if you're looking for simple, trendy items for a season, but shoppers looking for more durable investment pieces might have better luck at HomeGoods.

Product Selection & Style

This is the most significant point of difference. HomeGoods offers depth, while T.J. Maxx offers breadth. At HomeGoods, you will find a much larger selection of rugs, lamps, wall art, and accent chairs. Their inventory is deep within the home vertical, and the store's aesthetic feels more cohesive and decorator-driven, often reflecting current design trends.

T.J. Maxx provides an eclectic mix of home goods as one of its many departments. The selection is smaller and rotates faster, offering a taste of various styles, from modern farmhouse to boho chic. It's fantastic for finding a few accent pieces but is less reliable if you're trying to furnish a room with a specific, consistent style. If you don't find the decor you want, you can always browse the shoe section instead.

Shopping Experience

Your preference will depend on your shopping mission. A trip to HomeGoods feels like a deliberate design outing. The layout is designed to inspire, with aisles dedicated to specific rooms and functions, encouraging you to browse and imagine pieces in your own space. It’s a focused, inspiring, and sometimes overwhelming hunt for home treasures.

Shopping at T.J. Maxx is a more utilitarian, multi-category experience. The home section is typically located in a corner of the store, requiring you to navigate through clothing and accessory racks to get there. It’s the definition of a one-stop-shop, which is incredibly convenient for busy shoppers who need to check multiple items off their list at once.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx are part of The TJX Companies, which outlines corporate responsibility goals related to sustainability and ethical sourcing. These initiatives include efforts to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency in stores, and ensure responsible practices in their global supply chain.

However, the nature of the off-price model - which involves buying excess inventory from a wide array of other brands - can make full supply chain transparency a challenge. While TJX is making strides, shoppers primarily focused on transparent, sustainable brands may need to do additional research on the specific items they find in-store.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice really depends on your primary shopping goal for the day. Both retailers are fantastic sources of value, but they serve different needs.

Choose HomeGoods if:

• Your mission is solely in search of home decor, furniture, or kitchenware.
• You want a larger and deeper selection of items like rugs, lamps, art, and accent chairs.
• You enjoy an immersive shopping experience focused on creating a cohesive aesthetic for your home.
• You prioritize finding more consistent quality and unique, designer-inspired statement pieces.

Choose T.J. Maxx if:

• You want to shop for clothing, shoes, beauty, and home accessories all in one trip.
• You love the thrill of an unpredictable hunt across multiple product categories.
• You are looking for clearance deals on seasonal items and want the best possible price.
• Convenience is your top priority, and you need a true one-stop discount shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HomeGoods or T.J. Maxx cheaper?

Their pricing on comparable home items is very similar, typically 20-60% below retail. However, T.J. Maxx often has more aggressive clearance markdowns due to its faster turnover of a wider range of products, so you may find slightly deeper discounts there on end-of-season items.

Which has better quality home decor?

HomeGoods generally offers a more consistent and curated level of quality. Because its buyers focus exclusively on home goods, the selection often feels more substantial and durable compared to the more varied range found at T.J. Maxx.

Are HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx owned by the same company?

Yes, both HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx are owned by The TJX Companies, which also owns other off-price retailers like Marshalls and Homesense.

Can I shop at HomeGoods online?

While HomeGoods does have an online store, its selection is much more limited than what you will find in physical stores. The brand's business model is heavily focused on the in-person "treasure hunt" shopping experience.

Which store has a better selection of furniture?

HomeGoods has a significantly larger and more diverse selection of small-scale furniture, including accent chairs, side tables, small cabinets, and benches. T.J. Maxx carries some furniture, but the selection is much smaller and less consistent.

Do HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx carry the same things?

Not always. While there is overlap in the brands they carry since they share the same parent company, each store has its own buying team and inventory strategy. You will often find different items at each, with HomeGoods focusing on having greater depth in every home category.

Which is better for finding unique gifts?

Both are excellent for gifts. Choose HomeGoods for hostess gifts or anything home-related, such as unique kitchen gadgets, gourmet food items, candles, and decorative objects. Choose T.J. Maxx if you're looking for a wider variety that includes fashion, beauty sets, accessories, and toys in addition to home items.

What is the return policy for HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx?

Both stores generally offer a 30-day return window for a full refund with a receipt. Items returned without a receipt are typically eligible for store credit at the current selling price. Policies can vary, so it's always best to check their website or your receipt for the most accurate information.