Marshalls vs. HomeGoods: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

While both stores are owned by the same parent company and offer a thrilling "treasure hunt" shopping experience, Marshalls provides a wider variety of products, including brand-name apparel and footwear alongside home goods. In contrast, HomeGoods focuses exclusively on a deeper, more curated selection of furniture, décor, and items for every room in your house.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right off-price retailer for your needs.

Marshalls: The One-Stop Off-Price Shop

Marshalls is an off-price giant that caters to budget-conscious shoppers looking for brand-name goods without the full retail price tag. The core of its business is a vast and ever-changing assortment of clothing, shoes, and accessories for the entire family, supplemented by a respectable home goods department that offers décor, kitchenware, and small furniture items.

• Product mix: A broad collection of women's, men's, and children's apparel, shoes, and accessories from thousands of brands. Its home section includes bedding, bath items, kitchen gadgets, seasonal décor, and some small furniture pieces.
• Price point: Known for deep discounts, with prices often 20-60% below department store prices. You can find t-shirts starting around $10 and designer handbags at a fraction of their original cost.
• Quality: The quality matches the respective brands it carries, ranging from everyday casual wear to high-end designer labels. While the products are often past season, the quality is authentic to the brand.
• Sizing/Fit: Carries a wide selection of sizes from petite to plus. However, since the inventory is inconsistent, you may need to try on items, as one brand's medium may differ from another's.
• Return policy: Typically offers a 30-day return window for new, unused merchandise with a receipt for a full refund.

Marshalls is the ideal destination if you need to build a wardrobe, find shoes for the family, and pick up a few home essentials all in one trip.

Shop Marshalls: marshalls.com

HomeGoods: The Curated Home Décor Hunt

HomeGoods is a specialized off-price retailer focused solely on transforming houses into homes. It attracts homeowners, renters, and décor enthusiasts who want unique and stylish furniture, accents, and kitchenware without boutique prices. Its large, store-format inspires exploration, with departments organized by room or category, like gourmet kitchen, lighting, or bedding.

• Product mix: Exclusively home items. This includes accent furniture, rugs, lighting, mirrors, artwork, wall décor, bedding, bath essentials, kitchenware, and a huge variety of decorative accessories.
• Price point: Offers amazing value on home furnishings. Small decorative items start around $10-$15, while larger furniture pieces like accent chairs or tables can range from $100 to $400+.
• Quality: Places a strong emphasis on stylish and durable home products. You can find items made from solid wood, high-grade textiles, and real ceramic, often sourced from the same manufacturers that supply higher-end furniture stores.
• Style & Aesthetic: HomeGoods is known for its design-forward selection, featuring modern, transitional, farmhouse, and bohemian styles that reflect current interior design trends.
• Return policy: Similar to Marshalls, HomeGoods offers a 30-day return policy for unused items accompanied by a receipt.

HomeGoods provides a more focused and abundant shopping experience for anyone whose primary goal is to find distinctive, quality pieces for their home.

Shop HomeGoods: homegoods.com

Marshalls vs. HomeGoods Comparison

Product Selection & Brands

The most significant difference between the two stores is their product focus. Marshalls is a generalist, devoting a large portion of its floor space to fashion. You'll find aisles of clothing, an extensive shoe department, and a "Cube" section for juniors, in addition to handbags and beauty. Its home section is solid but smaller and more focused on basics like towels, sheets, cookware, and smaller decorative accents.

HomeGoods is a deep specialist. Its entire inventory is dedicated to the home, offering a much larger and more diverse selection of furniture, rugs, lamps, art, and décor. If you're looking for a specific item like an accent chair, a large area rug, or unique wall art, HomeGoods will provide far more options than Marshalls.

Price & Value

Both retailers are part of the TJX Companies family and use a similar off-price model, delivering excellent value. Pricing is competitive between the two on overlapping items like picture frames or throw pillows. However, the overall perceived value can shift based on your needs.

At Marshalls, the value comes from finding a designer coat for 60% off or brand-name sneakers at a great price. At HomeGoods, the value is in finding a high-quality, solid wood end table for $120 when a similar piece would cost over $400 at a traditional furniture store.

Quality & Materials

At Marshalls, the quality is determined by the specific brands you find. A sweater from a well-known designer will generally have higher quality materials than one from a fast-fashion brand also sold in the store. You're buying into established brand quality at a lower price.

HomeGoods curates its selection based on materials and style. They are known for having sturdy furniture, well-made décor, and upscale kitchen brands. Because their buyers focus solely on this vertical, they often source high-quality, unbranded items directly from manufacturers, offering great construction for the price.

Shopping Experience

Both stores are legendary for their "treasure hunt" atmosphere where you never know what you'll find. Marshalls stores are organized but can feel more chaotic due to the sheer variety of categories. The checkout lines can be long, but the experience is geared toward efficient, multi-category shopping.

HomeGoods is built for browsing and inspiration. Aisles are wider, and items are often displayed in vignettes to help shoppers visualize them in their own homes. It feels less like a department store and more like a collection of home-focused boutiques under one roof.

Return Policies

Because they are sister stores under the TJX umbrella, their return policies are nearly identical. Both require items to be in new, unused condition with tags attached and a receipt for a full refund within 30 days. One important note: you cannot return an item purchased at HomeGoods to a Marshalls, or vice-versa. You must return items to the specific store brand where they were purchased.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice really depends on what's on your shopping list. Both offer fantastic finds, but they serve different primary missions.

Choose Marshalls if:

• You are primarily shopping for clothing, shoes, or accessories for your family.
• You need a one-stop shop to grab a new outfit and a few home basics at the same time.
• You're looking for deals on popular beauty and fragrance brands.
• Your home needs are for smaller essentials like bath towels, kitchen utensils, or seasonal décor.

Choose HomeGoods if:

• Your main mission is decorating, re-decorating, or furnishing a room.
• You're looking for larger items like furniture, area rugs, or statement lighting.
• You want more choices and unique, high-quality decorative pieces.
• You love staying up-to-date with interior design trends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Marshalls and HomeGoods the same company?

Yes, both Marshalls and HomeGoods are owned by TJX Companies, which also owns T.J. Maxx, Sierra, and Homesense. This is why you'll often see them located in the same shopping centers and occasionally combined in a single-store format.

Which store is cheaper?

Neither is definitively cheaper, as they share the same off-price business model. For comparable home décor items like a candle or picture frame, prices are very similar. The better value depends on what you are buying - Marshalls excels in fashion deals, while HomeGoods offers exceptional value on larger home items.

Which store is better for furniture?

HomeGoods is far better for furniture. It has a significantly larger and more diverse selection, including accent chairs, tables, storage units, headboards, and benches. Marshalls typically only carries smaller items like ottomans or end tables.

Can I return a HomeGoods item to a Marshalls store?

No. Despite being part of the same company, each chain operates its own inventory and return system. You must return merchandise to the store brand where it was purchased.

Do both stores have the same home décor items?

While there can be some overlap in items supplied by the same vendors, HomeGoods typically has a much wider and more curated assortment of home products. You are more likely to find unique statement pieces at HomeGoods.

What is the TJX Rewards program?

The primary loyalty program for all TJX stores is the TJX Rewards Credit Card. Cardholders earn 5% back in rewards on purchases at Marshalls, HomeGoods, T.J. Maxx, Sierra, and Homesense. Rewards are issued as certificates that can be redeemed at checkout.

What is the best day to shop?

Many shoppers claim that weekdays, particularly Tuesday through Friday, are the best days to shop, as stores often receive and stock new shipments during this time. To avoid the biggest crowds, try to shop on a weekday morning or early afternoon.

Which store has a better kitchen section?

Both have excellent kitchen sections, but HomeGoods generally has a larger and more specialized selection. It often features high-end cookware brands, a huge variety of gadgets, and a "gourmet food" aisle that Marshalls typically lacks.