14 things you should always buy at Home Depot — and 14 things to avoid at all costs (HD)

• Home Depot is the largest home-improvement retailer in the United States.
• But that doesn't mean you should shop there for all of your home needs. 
• What's worth buying from Home Depot and what should you absolutely skip? We asked experts with firsthand experience to share their picks.

Home Depot is a big-box home supply and goods store and the largest home-improvement retailer in the United States.

But that doesn't mean you should hit up the superstore for all of your home needs. While Home Depot stores often offer very competitive prices, it doesn't always, nor do its products always have the best quality or aesthetic appeal.

It's worth bearing in mind, however, that the mega-chain offers a 110% price match guarantee.

"If you find an item for less elsewhere, they will not only match the price but will take an extra 10% off," Sara Skirboll, shopping and trends expert at RetailMeNot, told Business Insider. "Just make sure to provide proof of the other retailer's price."

Home Depot also offers financing on big-ticket items such as large appliances and power tools.

"These features make it attractive to our design clients in the midst of a renovation and home redesign, where budget is such a big factor," Brian Garcia, co-owner of Hoboken-based design firm D & G Interiors + Design, told Business Insider. "On the other hand, there are some cons like poor customer support; employees often lack the knowledge and training to answer straightforward questions, explain installation, or even make simple suggestions."

Garcia also said that unlike most local appliance centers and hardware stores that are usually able to help customers directly, at Home Depot, once you purchase your goods, you're left to deal with the manufacturers and third-party service centers when problems arise in the future.

So what's worth buying from Home Depot and what should you absolutely skip? We asked experts with firsthand experience to share their picks:

Buy: Light bulbs

"There is no beating the selection of light bulbs Home Depot offers and keeps on hand," Garcia said. "Not only are you bound to find the type of bulb you're looking for, but their pricing is always sharp and lower than the hardware store."

Diana Weinstein, the founder of Diana Weinstein Design, told Business Insider that she suggests customers buy multi-packs — LED bulbs, in particular.   

"I always make sure I have a variety of kelvins, but between 2700-3000 kelvins, which is the color of the light. Anything under 3000 is warmer," she said. "It drives me nuts when clients buy the wrong LEDS and the light is so blue it feels like a hospital or school."

Skip: Countertops

"In general, Home Depot's pricing structure isn't as competitive as local stone yards and/or fabricators," Garcia said.

"Also, by shopping at a stone yard or fabricator, you can sometimes find unbeatable remnants deals," he said.

"We had a client who insisted on pricing out a quartz countertop at Home Depot for a 72" vanity we had designed, and they were quoted $1,100. After visiting one of our recommended fabricators for a second bid, we found a piece of quartz that worked perfectly in size and color for $750."

Buy: Lismore Gray Glazed Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile

Thinking about remodeling your kitchen or bathroom?

"Lismore Ceramic Floor & Wall Tile is affordable and high-quality," Nicole Pomije, who spearheads the development of new locations for the fast-growing bakery The Cookie Cups, where she is also an owner, told Business Insider.

"It works for commercial or residential projects and will last for years. They even have an install team that will do the whole project for you."