The most important factor for anyone settling into a new house is to customise it, and feel like they own the place. Personalising their living space is essential, which is why most people redecorate immediately after moving in.
The first step in this process is finding a property that suits your needs. You can call in a real estate agent to facilitate your search, but living in the age of technology, it seems like a redundant measure. With websites like Prop now providing us with easy access to the real estate market, you can find your dream property all on your own without any trouble.
The next step is gathering the essentials for your house. This is also a very personal process since these essentials may change for each home, depending on your family dynamics. Whether you’re just moving into a new place, or revamping your old one, this list is every homemakers’ best bet.
Furniture
Although everyone has a generic list of essential furniture items in their mind, the ideas given below will help you add extra flair to your place.
Round tables
Round tables tend to take much less space than their larger rectangular counterparts. Since they are more compact, they can fit into more or less any room, and can be used as stylish centre tables, or be put in a corner as a side table when more space is required. An added benefit is that the rounded edges make your home a kid-friendly, injury-free zone. Opting for a pedestal table can allow you to save even more space.
Smaller sitting
Choosing to use smaller pieces for sitting can allow you to save a lot of floor space. You can utilise the same amount of space to accommodate more furniture, such as settees and multiple smaller sofas or chairs, instead of bulky armchairs and full-sized sofas which will not leave room for anything else. Bulkier furniture limits your options for décor as well as the amount of people you can host at one time. Smaller pieces are more convenient, and look cuter as well.
Large mirrors
Adding a large mirror to any room instantly makes the space look brighter and more spacious. Placing it across from a window helps illuminate your space with natural light.
Appliances
Appliances include a wide variety of equipment that are necessary for comfortable living. In this day and age, a life without machines seems impossible to imagine. So, we narrowed down the list to include only the absolute essentials.
A vacuum
Floors need to be cleaned more often than you realise. If you have pets or children, then you’re in for a cleaning spree almost daily, and a vacuum cleaner makes life so much easier. As a homemaker, you probably won’t have the time to scrub or mop after every little slipup, so a vacuum will make for a good investment.
Laundry essentials
With commercial laundry shops popping up on every corner now, buying a washing machine is not an important investment anymore. But keeping your clothes, and the clothes of your family members, in top shape requires an iron. A traditional iron will suffice, but investing in a steam iron will save your time and energy in the long run.
Dishwasher
Treat yourself by getting a dishwasher for your house. Not only can you avoid getting your hands dirty, you can also save an hour or two at the end of each day to relax and not worry about cleaning the dishes. It sounds like a hefty investment, but it more than makes up for it in time.
Home security
Household accidents are common, especially with a growing family. The more activity in the house, the more prepared you have to be for anything to go wrong. The safety of your household will always be your top priority, and this list will aid in the process.
Smoke detectors
These are the most important things you need to spend your money on. You can also go the extra mile and get dual-use carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, to ensure you don’t have any more sleepless nights worrying about undue accidents.
Extra keys
Every home should have a set of duplicate keys available at all times in case of emergencies. Each adult family member needs to have an extra pair of keys in case somebody loses their own, or gets locked out by accident. Additionally, if you have smaller children, you may also consider giving a pair of keys to a trustworthy relative or friend that may come in handy when the time comes.
Fire extinguisher
When buying a fire extinguisher, be sure to get the type which sprays dry chemicals, as they are the best for home use. Dry chemicals are the most effective against fires caused by short-circuiting and grease, which are the most common causes for fires in most households.
As your home grows, and the dynamics within change, so will the list of your essentials. But this list will help you get started, and help you settle into a new place in no time.