Top 9 Household Items

When you think of your home, what comes to mind first? For many people, it could mean safety and security, comfort, and convenience. But what is it that actually makes your house more than just a building where you live?

Sure, any four walls and a roof can provide shelter and safety, but it’s the items that we fill our homes with that make them unique and give them that familiar feeling. Knowing where everything is and how to use it, acquiring things that you like and are comfortable with, plus the knowledge that you have what you need to deal with an emergency should something happen, all contribute to our peace of mind and a sense of ownership.

With that said, here are my top 10 picks for household items needed to truly make your house a home.

#9 - Laundry Items

The clothes that we wear and the sheets that we sleep on are things that we should take great care of, since we are always in physical contact with them day and night. If you let them become dirty or worn out then it will start to reflect on you as a person. For example, people may notice that you smell bad or see you as ‘scruffy’. It could also be bad for your health. Therefore, it’s important to properly take care of your laundry.

Invest in a durable laundry basket, preferably one with a lid or cover and use it to store your dirty clothes between washes, rather than leaving clothes on the floor to stink up a room! In addition, choosing a detergent and a fabric softener that appeals to you will leave you and your bedroom smelling fresh and feeling comfortable.

To keep your clothes in good condition, buy some appropriately-sized hangers and hang clothes in your wardrobe. An iron and ironing board are a good investment too, especially if you don’t have much closet space. Ironing your clothes regularly, rather than letting them become creased and wrinkled, will keep you looking sharp at home and more professional at work.

#8 - A Tool Kit

There will be times when something around the house needs to be repaired or installed and it’s not always practical to hire a handyman or to keep borrowing tools from the neighbors. “Do-it-yourself” is a great way to maintain and personalize your home but requires a tool kit.

There is a huge range of tool kits available, so depending on how much work you anticipate doing, you could opt for the basic tools or a more advanced set. It’s always better to have too many tools at your disposal than too few. A hammer, screwdriver and a pair of pliers will come in handy more times than you might expect. From building and repairing furniture, unscrewing light fixtures to even helping set up your kid’s new remote-control toy, you will be surprise at how handy they all can be.

On that note, a pro tip is to keep a constant supply of AA and AAA batteries, as well as a torch, alongside your tool kit. There’s nothing worse than getting a new gadget and not being able to use it because you don’t have the tools or batteries. You’ll need a torch for power outages and the stores (in some geographical areas) aren’t always open at night when you need to buy one.

#7 - Cleaning Supplies

Another key part of maintaining a welcoming home environment is cleanliness. Most homes have a storage closet or a cupboard under the sink in which you can keep cleaning products like rubber gloves, bleach, oven cleaner and all manner of items that help with household chores. Also remember the garbage bag.

Something else to consider is how to get rid of all the dust and debris that builds up in your home over time. Depending on what type of flooring you have, a vacuum cleaner, dustpan and brush or a mop is essential in keeping your living space clean and healthy.

#6 - Medical Supplies

Continuing on the theme of staying safe and healthy in your own home, you should always have basic medical supplies stored somewhere in the house. This could take the form of a first aid kit containing things like plasters, bandages and antiseptic cream. My advice is to keep one near the kitchen or bathroom, as that’s where most accidents occur.

Again, this is more of a precautionary measure in the hopes that you won’t need it. However, like we said before, accidents can happen and the last thing you want is to be searching around for makeshift supplies and not getting early treatment if you cut or burn yourself.

Also, a home is where you want to be at rest and recuperate if you’re feeling unwell, so stocking up on over-the-counter medication for minor illnesses is an excellent practice too. You can prevent unnecessary trips to the doctor where long waits and expensive bills await, simply by being that prepared.

#5 – Pots & Pans

There’s nothing quite like a delicious home-cooked meal. To make one though, you’re going to need some pots and pans. This isn’t as simple a task as it may seem. Nowadays, there are many factors to consider i.e. material, durability, cost and function.

You can often save money by purchasing a set of the essentials or you can spend a bit extra and go with exactly what you taste after. If you fancy yourself as a bit of a chef or a baker, and like to try out new recipes that involve fancy designs and cooking methods, you’ll know how essential the right piece of cooking equipment can be (and how expensive it can get).

However, as has already being suggested elsewhere, a kitchen should, at a bare minimum, have both a 12-inch and a 6-inch skillet as well as a 2-quart saucepan. Lids are always helpful, so look for pans that include those. A stockpot may also come in handy at times, but it is not necessary.

#4 - Kitchen Utensils

Now that you’ve got something to heat your food in, you’re going to need some utensils to help you cook and eat it. To start with, make sure you have a wooden spoon, a spatula, a couple of knives and some basic cutlery (spoons and forks). Of course, you’ll likely need to expand your collection as you go and become more adventurous with your cooking. To be honest, even if you’re not that adventurous you’ll probably need things like a can opener, a bottle opener and a corkscrew, especially if you plan on inviting guests for parties.

One of the quickest ways to spend money is by eating at restaurants all the time. If you have everything you need to prepare meals at home, you could save yourself a small fortune. Cooking can be a fun and engaging activity, particularly for families with young children. It’s a useful life skill to have but you can only really teach it with the right tools.

The types of utensils you’ll need vary on what kind of cuisine you like to cook. For example, Asian cultures who do a lot of frying will have more use for tongs and chopsticks in their kitchens compared to western ones.

A set of measuring spoons and cups often come in handy and no kitchen should be without a good pair of scissors.

#3 - A Sturdy Table or Desk

The importance of having a good-sized, sturdy table should not be underestimated. As well as providing a place to eat, to gather around on celebrations and enjoy a tasty meal, a table allows you to do work and other things you may enjoy, such as writing or drawing. It can also be used as additional storage space or a preparation area. A desk is a suitable, smaller alternative if there’s no dedicated dining room or enough space in your home (a problem which is more common these days due to a rising population and smaller real estate).

# 2 - A Decent Chair or Sofa

A comfortable place to sit, a chair or sofa, is one of the most basic and essential items needed for any homeowner. Coming back from a long day at work and being able to sit down in your own chair and ‘take the weight off’ is a therapeutic feeling and one that really lets you know you’re home. These days, people even have their favorite place to sit in their homes, with some family members getting their own chair that they use.

#1 - A Comfy Bed

And finally, the average person spends about one-third of their life resting. Thus, a comfy bed is a place where we recharge our brains, relax, and even spend time with our loved ones. As a parent, have you had the experience of your child waking you up while you are asleep to read a book he or she is holding? The bed can even instantly turn into a mini classroom for the kid.

It’s important to choose the correct frame and mattress. That you don’t buy a bed that is not your size (and that of your partner if you have one), be sure to check your measurements beforehand. Don't forget that you'll need space all sides of the bed to enable you walk around freely as well.

A house doesn’t really feel like home until you’ve spent the first night in your very own bed. For that reason, it’s my pick for the number 1 household item.

Which of the picks is the most important to you? Is there anything I missed that you feel makes a house a home? Please let me know.

Everyone needs an inviting space to relax in and we hope this list inspired you to think about what’s needed in your home.

Happy living!