We all want a house that looks worthy of a feature in House Beautiful. But it takes more than décor and aesthetics to turn a house into a home that’s pleasing and comfortable for those who live in it. What every house needs are home essentials that serve both form and function. Whether you're a first-time homeowner or have resided in your current house for years, explore these tips and special deals on household must-haves.
Before moving into a new house, many get excited about planning the home décor, furnishing, fixtures, and first home essentials. But over the years, clutter tends to build up and the house starts feeling less like a home and more like a hodgepodge of things.
In an online home improvement and organizing survey, nearly 95% of respondents claimed that a clutter-free home is important to them. Yet, about 70% of the respondents confessed that they had clutter issues at home.
Come to think of it, just how many table lamps should you have in each room? Does it make sense to have extra cabinets for more storage? What are the must-have kitchen appliances? To answer these questions and more, we need to understand what exactly home essentials are.
Home essentials are basic items that make a home functional and comfortable. They include furniture, appliances, and personal care items (among other things) that can be found in different areas of the house. They are important in everyday living as they significantly improve the quality of life and overall home experience of those who live in the house.
Here’s a quick guide to some of the new home essentials that every modern home should have, along with some of the best online deals available right now.
Home Essentials for the Living Room
This is often one of the busiest spaces in the house. It is where the family gathers to enjoy common activities like hanging out with each other or playing family games. This is also where guests are usually received and entertained. Keep these activities in mind when choosing the kind of furniture, entertainment system, lighting, and décor for this room.
Sofa Set
In a lot of homes, the sofa is the largest furniture piece in the living room. It should ideally occupy about two-thirds of the wall against which it is placed.
Most homes can accommodate a three-seater sofa and a couple of matching one-seaters. If your room is larger and used frequently for entertaining, consider sectionals or modular sets for extra seating. For smaller rooms, a settee or a love seat would be ideal. A day bed is a practical option for a studio apartment or a small living room that could double as a guest room.
Center and Side Tables
These should be proportional to the size and height of the sofa. It should not be awkward to set drinks or other items on the table while seated on the sofa. If you love playing board games, a larger table would be the best choice to accommodate big groups and all the game pieces.
Lighting
Though living rooms are brightly lit, some might benefit from lighting fixtures with dimmers for mood and ambiance. Placing lamps on side tables at each end of the sofa can offer gentle lighting. Or you could strategically place standing lamps in two corners of the room if you are not keen on having side tables.
Entertainment
A television set is often considered the centerpiece for living rooms. Some may also consider matching sound systems as must-haves in their home essentials list too.
If you have gamers in the family, your living room would not be complete without their consoles and accessories. But keep in mind that it's crucial to maintain an organized space by properly storing items when not in use. This will help prevent clutter and maintain a clean and welcoming living room environment.
Decorative items
Home décor essentials depend on your personal style. A good-sized rug to “section” the area would be a nice touch. You can also leverage the power of small items such as throw pillows and blankets. They're not just decorative accents, they also enhance the comfort of your seating. A plush functional throw blanket, for example, is perfect for snuggling on the couch during TV time.
A hooded Sherpa blanket from Safdie & Co. is a smart choice. It's breathable, skin friendly, and fade and stain resistant.
Essentials for the Bedroom
The bedroom should be the most relaxing place in the entire house, with an ambiance that’s conducive to restful sleep. Your bedding, furniture, and lighting should transform the bedroom into a welcoming sanctuary where you can retreat at the end of the day.
Bedding
Choose a good mattress and pillows that provide the right support. Remember that you spend a third of your time sleeping, so it’s wise to invest in good bedding. While some people may choose higher-end bedsheets and pillowcases, there are also many quality and affordable options available if you're on a tight budget.
Storage solutions
Essential bedroom storage solutions include a closet, bureau, dresser, and a couple of nightstands or bedside tables. For those fortunate enough to have larger spaces, walk-in closets or dressing rooms can provide additional storage. However, it's important to regularly declutter and organize these storage areas to prevent them from becoming overloaded.
Lighting
Unlike the bright lights in the living room, bedroom lighting tends to be more subdued and cooler. Dimmers are good options, along with lamps on the nightstands. A small lamp on top of the bureau can also provide mood lighting or a soft glow if you prefer not to sleep in complete darkness.
Relaxation items
To create a more relaxed atmosphere in the room, you can also consider adding items like scented candles and aromatherapy accessories. Alongside these calming additions, an air purifier is a great new home essential that ensures that your room is free of dust, allergens, and pollutants. Breathe cleaner air as you sleep with a nice and quiet high-filtration device like MORENTO’s Smart Air Purifier.
Home massagers are great to have in the bedroom to knead out the knots in your body right before you turn in for the night. A quick session on the Zyllion Shiatsu Foot Massager, before you sleep, will relieve you of the aches from being on your feet all day.
Another massager that you can have in the bedroom is the Zyllion Peanut Massage Ball Roller. This is best for those who want to relax after a workout as well as those who struggle with chronic pain from conditions like fibromyalgia and sciatica. This deep-tissue massager helps reduce stress and relieve muscle pain, allowing you to slip into a relaxed slumber.
Essentials for the Kitchen
The kitchen is another room where people store the most clutter. All too often, homeowners complain about not having enough counter space because small appliances and cookware occupy their countertops. A OnePoll survey found that over half of the respondents expressed their need for more surface space on their countertops, refrigerators, pantries, and shelves. Try sticking to just a handful of kitchen essentials to make more room for your essential kitchen supplies.
Appliances
Every home should have a refrigerator and a stove. Modern homes would also most likely have a toaster, a coffee maker, a microwave oven, and maybe an air fryer. The average family would not need more than one unit of these appliances. There is no need to “stock up” on these appliances as they are readily available and can be easily replaced when they break down.
Utensils
You can't achieve much in the kitchen without proper cooking utensils. No matter what kind of cooking you do, you'll need basics like knives, cutting boards, measuring cups and spoons, and at least one wooden spoon. Other tools like whisks, rubber scrapers and spaghetti spoons can be just as important, but be careful to only get things you'll actually use.
Cookware and food storage containers
Pots, pans, lids, and other kitchen knick-knacks can easily multiply. Food storage containers can end up as a stack of mismatched tubs and lids. It’s best to stick to the essentials that are actually used to prepare food for the family. A simple set of cookware that includes a sauté pan, a frying pan, a saucepan, a stock pot, and a grill pan should cover all stovetop cooking needs.
Kitchen gadgets and tools
Focus on the basics and select appliances and housewares that you regularly use, with a few extras for special occasions. Multi-cookers and food processors are excellent for consolidating common kitchen tasks.
Quick-fix tools also make great kitchen essentials that save time and effort. One such easy-to-store and convenient tool is Safdie & Co.’s rapid defrosting tray. It allows for fast defrosting right on your countertop, eliminating the need to transfer meat to another container for overnight refrigerator defrosting or microwave thawing.
Essentials for the Bathroom
It’s always nice to have a bathroom that’s not only hygienic but also comfortable and relaxing. While luxury features, like a heated toilet seat or a jacuzzi tub, may be ideal for some, even standard fixtures and accessories can create a sense of luxury and relaxation.
Bath linens
Soft and absorbent towels and bathmats are definitely must-haves. Have enough towels for everyone using the bathroom. Make sure there's enough in the linen closet to regularly replace these essentials on rotation.
Personal care items
Toiletries and skincare products are essential, but they can easily pile up. It’s always best to buy and stock up on items that are actually used. Make sure to use up each item before opening a new one. Utilize countertop organizers and bins to keep everything orderly.
Storage solutions
Do not leave toiletries and bathroom accessories lying around. Install a linen cabinet, a towel rack, an under-the-sink organizer, and a bathroom console to keep everything in place.
Bathroom accessories
Shower curtains, soap and shampoo dispensers, and a shower head caddy are some accessories that keep the bathroom organized. Also, consider having a cleaning caddy that can be stashed in a closet or under the sink for easy access.
Essentials for the Home Office
Many homes typically include a designated home office or study area. In others, a portion of the bedroom might be set aside for this purpose. Regardless of the setup, your home office must be aptly furnished as well.
Desk and chair
Your office and study furniture should be just the right size if you want to be more productive at work. The small computer space-saver table from Safdie & Co. is a compact option for your home office.
In choosing the right desk, find one that’s sturdy enough to withstand years of use and ergonomically designed for comfort. There should be enough surface area to do paperwork and to accommodate a computer or laptop. If there's no space for a separate printer table, you might consider placing a rack on the desk to store the printer and other office supplies.
Computer or laptop
Like everyone else, you and every family member will each need a computer for work or school.
Laptops are both convenient and portable, ideal for those who work on the go. They also save space due to their compact design.
If there’s a gamer or graphic designer in the family, a robust desktop setup would be more suitable as it would provide the massive computing power they need. However, keep in mind that this will require additional desk space.
Office supplies
It’s important to allot space for all necessary office supplies so that they are easily accessible. Desks with drawers are perfect for organizing small items, keeping them out of sight but within reach. Pen holders and paper trays also serve as excellent tabletop organizers.
For those who work at their desks for extended hours, it would be good to have a portable heat therapy massager on your home office essentials list. You can soothe your tired hands and fingers with the Zyllion Cordless Rechargeable Hand Massager. It’s great for quick ten-minute breaks from tapping and typing away on your computer.
Organization tools
Those with more space to work with can consider file cabinets and shelving units for the home office or study. These are essential for those working with printed documents, books, reference materials, and bulky supplies.
Essentials for the Dining Room
Furnish your dining room with pieces that not only serve a purpose but also bring joy to family meals or make entertaining guests a breeze. Remember, what goes into this space really boils down to your family's eating habits and how often you love playing host at mealtimes.
Dining table and chairs
Like all other furniture in the house, dining room furniture has to be comfortable. Apart from matching the interior décor, the furniture needs to be functional, easy to maintain, and durable. The dining set should, of course, provide ample seating for all family members. If you frequently have mealtime guests, choose a larger table that can accommodate everyone comfortably.
Dinnerware and serveware
A good set of plates, bowls, glasses, and cutlery should be enough for everyday use. Having a couple of sets stashed away in a china cabinet is essential for those who have parties and entertain guests from time to time. Choose matched sets in classic designs that can be used on various occasions. Also, keep a full set of disposable paper plates and cutlery on hand for casual gatherings where quick clean-up is preferred.
Decorative elements
It’s great to have something “extra” to enhance everyday dining experiences. A centerpiece, a tablecloth with matching placemats and coasters, and candlesticks can add a nice touch. However, make sure that the decorative items you include in your dining room essentials checklist enhance rather than clutter the table spread.
Essentials for the Laundry Room
Furnishing the laundry room is easier for bigger homes. It could be a challenge to pull off in homes with limited space. But with a bit of planning and some tools for organization, it’s doable.
Washer and dryer
The classic side-by-side washer and dryer setup is the most common choice. Those who have a little more budget to spare can go for an automatic washer and dryer machine that does all the work. While a single machine is ideal for small spaces, it also tends to be more expensive. An alternative option is a stacked setup of front-loading washer and dryer machines.
Laundry detergent, fabric softener, and other cleaning supplies
Whether you buy cleaning supplies in bulk or small volumes, it's best to have appropriate storage for these items. Make sure they're easy to reach to make your laundry chores less of a hassle. Having extra storage is also a good idea to keep other cleaning supplies tidy and out of sight.
Ironing board and iron
Modern homes typically have ironing boards in either a traditional standalone style or as a wall pull-out. Although the pull-out option saves more space, it isn't always the preferred choice. Regardless of your preference, these items should be stored where they can be kept clean and ready for use at all times.
Essentials for Outdoor Spaces
Most homes have outdoor spaces, such as spacious patios or simple balconies, where people can enjoy fresh air or cool off. Similar to all indoor areas, these parts of the house should be furnished to meet the family’s needs.
Outdoor lighting
Floodlights and stringed lights are common lighting options for these outdoor spaces. Spotlights are needed for gardens with focal features like fountains, landscape sculptures, and pergolas. Just make sure that these fixtures are correctly wired and pose no hazards. Remember to buy electrical supplies only from trusted household names and brands.
Grill or outdoor cooking equipment
These are must-have essentials for families who enjoy having backyard barbeques and outdoor dining experiences. Dedicate a space for grilling and outdoor cooking away from doors and windows to keep the smoke out of the house. Don’t forget to provide storage for grilling supplies and accessories as well. If backyard entertaining is your thing, you would also need to put together a home bar essentials checklist that includes items like a cooler and an ice maker for your drinks.
Gardening tools and supplies
Homes with gardens require regular maintenance. Make sure that all tools and supplies are stashed safely and conveniently. Consumables should also be checked and re-stocked as necessary.
Home Sweet Home
Transforming a house into a home takes effort. Choosing the right home essentials can help ensure the comfort and safety of all residents, eliminating clutter and reducing the risk of accidents from poorly chosen furniture, fixtures, and appliances.
You don’t need to turn to expensive designer name brands or follow trends to equip your house with essential home goods. Just understand the needs of all members of your household. Take these into consideration and make thoughtful choices to create a comfortable and enjoyable space that’s both visually appealing and practical for you, your family, and the people you welcome into your home.
By Geri Mileva.
