Lowe’s vs Home Depot: Where Should You Really Be Shopping?
We have all been there on a Saturday morning with a broken faucet or a painting project in mind, trying to decide where to buy supplies. On one corner sits the massive orange sign of Home Depot and on the other is the bright blue of Lowe's. It often feels like they are exactly the same store with different colored aprons. But if you look a little closer you will see they actually have unique differences that can make your weekend projects a lot easier or harder depending on what you need.
The Battle Of The Power Tools
This is usually the deciding factor for many people on if they are loyal to Home Depot or Lowe’s. Home Depot is the exclusive home of Ryobi and Milwaukee, which covers everything from budget DIY friendly gadgets to heavy duty contractor gear. And if you are already invested in those battery platforms, your choice is pretty much already made for you.
Lowe's counters this with Craftsman and Kobalt. Craftsman has that nostalgic reliable feel that many homeowners love while Kobalt offers great value. It really comes down to which color tool you want sitting on your workbench, and if you’ve already invested in one tool system over another.
Painting The Walls
Paint is one of the most personal choices we make for our homes and the brands are strictly divided between these two stores. Home Depot carries Behr, which is incredibly popular for its one coat coverage and affordability. It is a solid reliable workhorse paint.
Lowe's partners with Sherwin-Williams and Valspar. If you are looking for those specific designer colors or slightly higher end finishes that professional painters often swear by, you might find the Lowe's paint desk gives you a slightly more refined selection.
Plants Versus Pavers
When spring rolls around, the garden centers become the main attraction of both home improvement stores. Generally speaking, Lowe's often has a slight edge when it comes to the variety and health of their live plants. They tend to stock more decorative flowers and house plants.
However, Home Depot is often the king of hardscaping. If you need pallets of retaining wall blocks or bulk bags of mulch, their outdoor section is built to get you everything that you need and as much of it as you need. Think, are you trying to "decorate" your yard, or "build" it.
Showroom Versus Warehouse Lighting
If you are looking to replace a vanity light or install a new ceiling fan, the shopping experience differs quite a bit between these two stores. Lowe's usually has a better selection of "on trend" decor items in stock. Their lighting and fixture aisles often feel a bit more curated with styles you might see on HGTV that are a bit more decorative, but also of the time.
Home Depot has plenty of options too but they often lean more towards standard builder grade fixtures or functional utility lighting, which is a bit more plain, but also timeless. For a quick rental fix go Orange, but for a style upgrade, try Blue.
Appliances And The Kitchen Sink
When shopping for a big appliance that you’re going to be spending a good amount of money on, you want to see exactly what you are buying. Lowe's historically dedicates more floor space to appliance showrooms making it easier to visualize that new French door fridge in your kitchen. And they often have a wider range of brands on display.
Home Depot is catching up, but their appliance section can sometimes feel tucked away amidst the cabinets and building supplies. If you want to open every drawer and inspect the ice maker, Lowe's usually gives you a bit more room to explore.
Lumber And Building Materials
For the raw stuff that holds your house together, Home Depot is often the contractor's choice for a reason. They typically stock a wider inventory of dimensional lumber and structural materials. You are less likely to find the bin of 2x4s empty on a busy weekend.
Lowe's has plenty of wood too, but they sometimes focus more on finish lumber like trim and molding. If you are framing a deck, you should go to Home Depot. But if you are putting up crown molding, Lowe's might have cleaner stock.
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At the end of the day both stores are going to have the nuts and bolts you need to fix your house. The "better" store is usually just the one that is closer to your driveway or the one that stocks the specific brand of drill you already own. There is no shame in visiting Home Depot for your lumber and then driving across the street to Lowe's for your patio furniture. They both have a place in the world of home ownership and maintenance. Shop where you feel most comfortable and get that project done.
Bliss Donahue-Power
