Designer Reviews: Ranking The Most Popular Retail Home Goods Stores - Spaces by Dee

As a designer, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to shop on my clients’ dime, which has given me firsthand experience with some of the most popular retail home goods stores. This includes assessing everything from product quality and pricing to ease of returns and handling deficiencies. Over time, I’ve compiled a list of my go-to stores, as well as those I prefer to avoid.

Now, it’s time for me to share my insights: the stores I’m most impressed with and those that don’t quite meet the mark. Keep in mind, that I’m focusing on retail stores accessible to the general public. While I often shop at designer-exclusive stores as part of my work, this list is for everyone looking to find the best retail options.

So, let’s dive in and explore my reviews of these retail home goods stores!

Reviews: Most Popular Retail Home Goods Stores

1. Crate&Barrel and CB2

I’m grouping Crate&Barrel and CB2 together because they’re sister companies, with CB2 being the cooler, trendier sibling. My feelings about these two brands are pretty much the same. Crate & Barrel and CB2 have gorgeous items. Want trends? They’ve got them. Classics? They’ve got those too. Of course, it all comes at a pretty penny—but they’ve got it.

Personally, I primarily shop at these stores for their drapery. They carry stunning, high-quality fabrics at a reasonable cost. I’m also a big fan of their bar cabinets, dining selections, and accents. Their customer service representatives are generally helpful and knowledgeable, which is always a plus. As for quality, I haven’t encountered many issues, which speaks to their reliability.

Overall, I’d give Crate & Barrel and CB2 a solid 4 stars!

2. HomeSense/HomeGoods

HomeSense (known as HomeGoods in the U.S.) is a staple here in Canada, and while I can only speak confidently about HomeSense, my overall thoughts are pretty clear. HomeSense is my go-to for accessories. Home decor elsewhere can be ridiculously expensive—no one wants to spend $89 on a small table accent—and HomeSense has consistently delivered for both me and my clients throughout my career.

That said, I tend to steer clear of most of their furniture. While you can occasionally find a hidden gem, the selection is usually hit or miss, and the quality can be inconsistent. Accessories, however, are a different story—affordable, stylish, and reliable.

So, for accessories, I’d rate HomeSense a solid 5/5. For furniture and everything else, I’d give it a 3/5. Keep in mind, though, that your experience can vary a lot depending on the location!

3. Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn undeniably carries some stunning farmhouse-inspired pieces. However, it’s not the first place I gravitate toward. The reason? Their offerings tend to lean heavily into a single style, which is great if that’s your vibe, but I often find their selection doesn’t align with my clients’ typical preferences.

That said, there are areas where Pottery Barn shines. I love their draperies and wall accessories, as they’re versatile and neutral enough to complement a variety of styles. On the downside, I find their pricing a bit steep, and the additional shipping costs on many items can be a deterrent.

Overall, while Pottery Barn has its moments, I’d rate it a 3.5/5.

4. Bouclair

Bouclair is a store comparable to HomeSense but with a slightly more elevated feel. I often shop there for accessories and the occasional piece of furniture. While the quality can be hit or miss, I’ve had good luck with their table accessories and smaller furniture items. However, I tend to steer clear of their wall art and similar decor.

Bouclair isn’t the place to go if you’re looking for a lot of variety, but it’s great for finding those cute home accents you didn’t even know you needed. Overall, I’d rate it a 3/5.

5. Structube

Structube is a store I’ve shopped at many times, primarily because of its price point—it’s definitely budget-friendly, which is a big draw. As for quality, it’s not bad. I think they excel in bedroom furniture and smaller pieces that you wouldn’t want to spend a lot on.

That said, I’m not a huge fan of their decor or sofas. The sofas are fine if you’re on a budget, but I firmly believe that items like sofas (and mattresses) are worth investing in for long-term comfort and style. I usually shop here for pieces that won’t be the main focal point of a space. I also don’t like their strict return policy.

Overall, I’d give Structube a 3/5.

6. Urban Barn

Urban Barn is like the more accessible, less bougie version of Pottery Barn. I tend to shop here more often and really love their bedding, draperies, and home accents. While their soft furnishings aren’t necessarily mind-blowing, they do offer some nice styles.

Their wall art, however, is a bit of a challenge for me—way too much of the “Live, Laugh, Love” vibe for my taste. But I digress. On the positive side, I find the quality of their products to be great, and their customer service is top-notch.

Overall, I’d give Urban Barn a solid 4/5.

7. Ikea

Do I really need to add Ikea to this list? I think we all know what to expect here. But anyway, Ikea is… well, Ikea. I head there for affordable furniture sets, but I’m not expecting to be wowed or to find the exact piece I had in mind. Ikea does great basics, but I tend to avoid their accessories since the quality just isn’t there—though we all know that already.

As for the cafeteria food, it’s not my favourite. But I do enjoy the Swedish cookies they sell—though I can’t afford to treat myself to those all the time!

Ikea isn’t somewhere I frequent for shopping, but I will admit, every now and then, I’m surprised by a cool find. Overall, I’d give Ikea a 2.5/5.

8. EQ3

I recently bought a sofa for my client at EQ3, and I was honestly really impressed with the entire process. They offer a great selection, excellent customer service, and reasonable pricing. I think they’re fantastic for custom soft furnishings—you can really achieve a high-end look here.

As for everything else, I’m not as blown away, but for sofas, EQ3 is definitely one of my go-to spots. Overall, I’d give them a 4.5/5.

My Favourite Popular Retail Home Goods Stores

Alright, I’ve run through some of the most popular retail home goods stores, at least here in Toronto, Canada. So, what’s my favourite retail home store? I’d say CB2. They have the style and funk I’m always looking for.

As for a store I try to avoid at all costs? Honestly, it’s Ikea. More often than not, it ends up being a bigger headache for both me and my clients. For Ikea’s price point, I tend to gravitate toward Structube instead. Read The Dirty Truth about High-End Furniture Stores.