NEW YORK (MONEY Magazine) - Why pay more? It's not that we aren't willing to splurge on certain things for our homes. We just want to get our money's worth. In other words, we don't just want stuff -- we want the right stuff.

To uncover the not so obvious trade-offs between products, we challenged a team of reporters to find high-quality products ranging from stoves to sofas, ceiling fans to countertops -- and then to find look-alike products with the same general quality and functionality at a lower price. (We used the manufacturer's suggested retail price; you may find items for less.)

Our team hit the pavement hard, scouring home stores, grilling manufacturers, and consulting scores of architects, interior designers, contractors, plumbers and other experts.

As you'll see, sometimes you're paying more for style, sometimes for durability, ease of use or unique features.

Whether that trade-off makes sense depends on your needs and budget. When you know what you're getting, you can make the best possible choice. That's smart shopping.

Click here to see the Right Stuff.