Table of Contents
First Aid Kit for Safety
“You should have a fully filled first aid kit in the kitchen,” says Lisa P. Turner, a home inspector, engineer, and builder. “Have one for emergencies and one for everyday use.” That way, you’ll always have one that isn’t missing anything.
Essentials for Power Outage Safety
“Having properly functioning flashlights could play a significant and vital role in the event of a short-term or long-term power loss — make sure you have many on available,” advises interior designer Cathy Hobbs. Bottled water, candles, batteries, and canned food are also necessities.
Extinguisher for fires
“Keep a fire extinguisher on available in the kitchen, garage or carport, and second-floor area, if your home has more than one level,” Turner advises. That way, you’ll be ready no matter where the situation occurs.
Carbon Monoxide Detector for Safety
“Carbon monoxide is described as an ‘invisible killer because it is a poisonous gas that cannot be seen or smelled,” explains Emily Long, a SafeWise home safety specialist. “A detector can detect the presence of the gas and assist you to go to safety as soon as possible. Install one on each floor of your house.”
Tarps for protection
“Tarps come in a variety of strengths and sizes and can be utilized for a variety of applications,” Hobbs explains. “In the event of an impending or ongoing storm, they can be utilized to secure goods that may become airborne.”
Whistles for safety
“Keep some whistles on each floor and instruct family members to blast them if they see things going wrong quickly, such as a fire breaking out or a bear breaking in,” Turner advises. “Determine the triggers so that everyone is aware. They are useful for attracting the attention of emergency personnel if you are alone.”
For a Quick Clean
If you have these items in your closet, you can clean up before a last-minute party or deal with spills as they arise.
Cleaning Supplies: Broom and Dustpan
“I like an angled-bristle broom (one longer end makes cleaning corners simpler) and a dustpan that clips to the broom so they’re always together when you need them,” says Donna Smallin, author of Cleaning Plain and Simple and The One-Minute Cleaner.
Microfiber Cloths for Household Use
“Nonabrasive synthetics are frequently marketed by the bag. They’re fantastic dirt and grease magnets. Use them wet (squeeze them firmly to get the most of the water out) or dry “Smallin claims
Rubber Gloves for Home Care
“Whether you’re cleaning your oven or doing ‘dirty labor,’ gloves are your protection,” explains Cyrus Bedwyr, a professional cleaner from Fantastic Services. They’ll also make cleaning easier because you won’t feel like you’re wearing your house’s grime for hours afterward.
Cleaning Wipes for the Home
“This is useful if you need to clean your bathroom before guests arrive,” Powers explains. After all, these wet wipes make cleaning sinks, counters and toilets a breeze.
Squeegee for Home Care
“A squeegee is essential if you want completely clean windows and mirrors. The expenditure is well worth it, especially if you have high and difficult-to-reach glass panes “Lauren Haynes, a cleaning and home organization specialist at Star.
Baskets for Home Care
“Baskets help with transporting and storing various items, as well as decluttering,” explains Bedwyr. Plus, if unexpected guests arrive, you can load a basket with items you don’t want them to see and hide it.
Rags for Home Care
“You may use everything from old garments to towels for the truly nasty task. “After you’re done, just throw them in the washing machine and they’ll be ready for the next cleaning.”
Vacuuming at home
Before you buy, consider your demands. “If you have a lot of pet hair, you want to search for one that is well-rated for that.” If you suffer from allergies, get one with a HEPA filter. If you have to carry it up and down the stairs.
Scrub Brush for Household Use
“There are some stubborn stains that can only be removed with an old-fashioned scrub brush,” adds Bedwyr. Because nothing ruins a presentation like a soiled plate that can’t be entirely cleaned.
Sharp Knives for Cooking
There are very few recipes that do not call for the use of a single knife, which is why chef and cookbook author Ina Garten recommends investing in a sharp set. “A set of Wüsthof knives, including a chef’s knife, a paring knife, a slicing knife, and a bread knife,” she says.
Pots and Pans for Cooking
Garten loves All-Clad cookware and adds that while not every size is necessary, the following are: “small and large sauté pans, small and large lidded pots, and a huge stockpot.”
Stainless-Steel Mixing Bowls for Cooking
“Try looking for them at a restaurant supply store.” “I also have a set of ten clear glass bowls available at Williams-Sonoma,” Garten says. Both are simple to clean because they are one color, making it easier to see spots.
Utensils for cooking
These essential pieces of equipment should be kept on your counter, but the good news is that they don’t have to be pricey. “I have whisks and measuring spoons from a restaurant supply store – they shouldn’t be expensive.”
Half Sheet Pans for Cooking
Garten considers these to be some of her most useful culinary equipment. “They measure around 13 by 18 inches and have a one-inch rim. I use them to roast veggies, bake cookies and brownies, and a variety of other chores “Garten claims
Using a Roasting Pan
Go big in this case: “You can make something small in a big one, but not something big in a small one,” Garten explains. That makes sense!
Blender for cooking
“Kitchen blenders are no longer simply for preparing milkshakes; they are now multi-functional and can be used to make everything from soup to ground nuts and more,” explains Dawn D. Totty of Dawn D. Totty Designs.
Stocked Bar for Entertaining
“My old-school list will allow you to make any drink worth sipping,” says Miles Redd, an interior designer. Vodka, gin, bourbon, rum, scotch, rye, sweet and dry vermouth, tequila, triple sec, cognac, Cointreau, Campari, red wine, white wine, and champagne are all on his list.
Frozen Cheese for Entertaining
“Get some cheese to put in your freezer, then you can draw it out whenever you have company,” says Lulu Powers, entertaining designer and author of Lulu Powers Food to Flowers. “Just cut it up and thaw it quickly.” Brie, blue cheese, and hard cheeses should be frozen, according to her.
Glasses for Entertaining: A Variety
“A good drink requires a good glass,” explains Redd. “When it comes to martinis, nothing beats a frosty martini glass.” Lowball and highball glasses, martini glasses, wine glasses, and champagne flutes are required.”
Ice to entertain
“If you don’t have an ice machine, keep ice cubes in your fridge at all times.” “I create mine with flowers and herbs,” Powers explains. “If it’s good ice, everyone recognizes it.” She also suggests preparing large cubes in case someone requests vodka or scotch on the rocks.
Chocolate Bars for Entertaining
When Powers invites friends over for dessert after dinner, she uses this method. “You may split them up and then put ice cream or sorbet in the fridge to round it out,” she suggests.
Scented Candles for Entertaining
Or anything else that may assist mask odors or staleness in your home if you don’t have time to clean up before guests arrive.”
Cleaner or air freshener spray.
Lemon Slices for Entertaining
It’s the simple things that make guests feel most welcome, which is why Powers has a secret for always having lemons on hand: “I cut them up and freeze them.” For drinks, she performs the same thing with lime and orange slices.
Guest Basket for Entertaining
This may be toothpaste, a washcloth, or even slippers. “It’s always great to know that the homeowner has considered your comfort and necessities even before you arrive.
Generator for the house
This is a bit of a splurge, especially if your bank account is feeling a little shaky following the downpayment. However, if your new town is prone to severe weather events such as ice storms, you’ll be glad you planned and purchased a home generator. Powering a space heater and the refrigerator may be sufficient to keep you and your family comfortable while the electrical personnel works.
Safe or lockbox
It’s a good idea to get a home safe or lockbox to keep critical documents and valuables safe, such as the title of your new house. Make certain that it is both waterproof and fireproof. You can find a box or safe starting at depending on what you need to keep safe.
The video doorbell
You may benefit from knowing who’s at the door now that you’re in charge of your castle—even when you’re not at home. A Wi-Fi-enabled smart doorbell allows you to watch when an important shipment is delivered when your children arrive home from school, and who dares to knock during the dinner hour.
Door lock replacement
You’re probably not the first person to live in your house. The most secure technique to ensure that random keys to your front door aren’t traveling around the world is to replace your existing door lock with a new one. You can exchange a standard lock for a new deadbolt or upgrade to an electronic keyless lock. Smart locks eliminate the need for lost keys.
Water leak detector
Let me just advise, from one new homeowner to another, don’t skip this one.
I had no idea water was such a pain until I became responsible for my very own house. Water leaks are difficult to spot until they are right in front of your face, at which point you may be dealing with rot, mould, and general unpleasantness. When my sewer line backed up, for example, there was a waterfall in my crawlspace. I didn’t realize it straight away because I don’t usually go beneath there. It was also a very quiet waterfall.
Baby gates and additional cabinet locks
If you have a toddler, look through your babyproofing supplies and acquire extras if needed. For example, you may require a baby gate for the top of your new home’s stairs or an extra set of cabinet locks to secure all of the doors in your new kitchen.
Surveillance cams
When you become a homeowner, keeping a watch on your home—and your loved ones or pets—becomes much more crucial. Security cameras can provide added peace of mind, especially when settling into a new neighborhood and routine.
Blinds or drapes
Invest in window coverings for your new house to ensure that your first impression of the neighbors isn’t an unpleasant view of you in your skivvies. Plus, curtains are an easy method to add coziness, reduce draughts, and keep possible robbers out of your home.
Set of tools
To fix items around the house, you must have the right equipment on hand. It’s simply not feasible to borrow a tool from a neighbor every time something has to be fixed. (Plus, you don’t want to become the neighborhood, Homer Simpson.)
Work lights and flashlights
You’re now a handyman, plumber, and the person who has to examine strange noises in the attic or crawl space, such as when a cat becomes trapped in your crawl space and inexplicable meows follow you all day and night.
Mower for the lawn
If you let the grass grow wild because you failed to budget for a lawn mower, your new neighbors (and possibly your new Home Owner’s Association) may be unhappy.
While it may seem strange to buy something online, you can surely have one shipped to your house. Riding lawnmowers can also be delivered.
Alternatively, hire a lawn mowing service while you settle in. It will relieve some of your stress.
The shower curtain
We’re back to being caught in our underwear—don’t do it. To take a shower in private and without flooding the bathroom, remember to get a shower curtain, liner, and hooks. And there are so many stylish shower curtains to pick from that this may be a fun buy.
Plunger
While you’re thinking about the bathroom, you might as well buy a toilet plunger. You don’t want to find out you’re missing one when you need it. Save yourself future anguish by keeping one on hand in case of a toilet emergency.
Batteries
It may seem simple, but batteries are essential in every home. Get the large ones for your flashlights, and stock up on AA and AAA batteries for all of the remote controls and other gadgets that make a contemporary living so simple. Everything from remote controls to LED lights is powered by new batteries, and no one likes to be caught off guard when the batteries die.
Bulb lights
Even if you already have bulbs in your home’s fixtures, you’ll need backups for when those lights go out—which always seems to happen at the same time. Stock up on energy-saving light bulbs. Take it a step further with smart lightbulbs, which you can program to turn on and off at specific times and manage remotely.
A Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
This was something that took me far too long to grasp. You won’t realize how many applications you have for a lightweight cordless vacuum until you get one. They’re ideal for spills and getting into nooks and crevices.
Dimmers
According to the same Apartment Therapy article, “Dimmers allow you to change the brightness of your existing light fixtures and significantly affect your room. Light management is essential for creating a lovely space.” And the good news is that you can get lamps with built-in dimmer functions for very low rates.
Using a Steam Cleaner
I can’t tell you how many times my portable steam cleaner has come to my rescue. It removes wrinkles from delicate clothing that cannot be ironed and works nicely in place of iron when traveling or on the go. Another one where you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it.
Lint Rollers
Simply said, lint rollers are essential. End of story. You never want to be caught without one when you need one. They’re especially important if you have pets.
