House Digest Survey: Where Is Your Favorite Place To Buy Kitchenware?

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For a homeowner who loves to cook, good quality kitchenware is a necessity. When purchased from the wrong store, inexpensive chopping boards, knives, silverware, and more can quickly break or become tarnished. According to NBC News, the average lifespan of pots and pans is typically about five years and your spice rack should last between eight months and two years. So, if you've noticed your kitchenware hasn't been lasting nearly that long, then it may be time to start purchasing it from elsewhere.

In an exclusive House Digest survey, we' asked readers where is their favorite place to buy kitchenware. We gave survey participants six options: Ikea, Bed Bath and Beyond, Crate and Barrel, Department stores, Amazon, and Williams Sonoma. The answers reveal everything you need to know, including the types of kitchenware offered by the most popular choices, the affordability of the products, and the level of quality you should expect. Here's where our readers suggest shopping next in order to find products you'll love.

The top two choices

Out of 629 respondents, 27.50% (173 people) chose Amazon as their favorite place to purchase kitchenware, according to our survey. In an era where convenience triumphs over everything, it's no surprise that Amazon is the most popular option. Per Buzzfeed, the online retail giant is affectionately referred to as the Everything Store, where consumers can find all they need and get it in a fraction of the time compared to other stores.

Department stores come in second, with 24.64% of respondents (155 people) favoring this option. It may be because there are a variety of department stores to choose from, such as Kohls, Marshalls, Walmart, and T.J. Maxx — where products are typically found at discounted prices. But, according to international research group You Gov, the most popular choice among Americans is Target. On the store's website, you can find all different types of kitchenware, from storage containers to knives, pans, and spice racks, (via Target). And similar to Amazon, many of their products have received great reviews.

Cost and quality concerns

With 110 votes (17.49%), following right behind department stores is Bed Bath and Beyond where consumers can find good-quality kitchen items that are priced more affordably than most of this large retailer's competitors. However, Amazon still has it beat when it comes to budget-friendly prices. In fourth place is Ikea, with 74 votes (11.76%). One reason why so many shoppers flock to the Swedish furnishing store is because of the exceptionally low-valued products. My Budget Recipes notes that some of their affordable kitchen items are not dishwasher or oven safe and need more maintenance than higher quality brands.  

Second to last is Crate and Barrel, with 64 votes (10.17%). Although you're likely to find great quality kitchenware, for many, the extremely high prices are just not worth it. A set of cooking utensils alone can cost customers almost $90 (via Crate and Barrel). Coming in last in our survey is Williams Sonoma, with 53 votes (8.43%). Similar to Crate and Barrel, what may be pushing consumers away are the high price tags for items that can be found elsewhere for a much lower price.