Your First Home: Beautiful Basics and Multitaskers for Every Room
Here’s what to choose and what to avoid when outfitting a new house
Laura Gaskill
March 2, 2016
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
Whether you are getting married, buying your first home or simply moving into your first real place of your own, you will likely find yourself with some shopping to do. A plan can help you stay focused and avoid unnecessary purchases, saving money and time (not to mention clutter) in the long run.
Bedroom
What to choose: Neutral sheets and bedding. Two sets of sheets made from pure, long-staple cotton in neutral hues can be mixed and matched with ease. Linen sheets are pricey, but can last forever and just get better with age. A soft white or cream-colored throw made of wool or cashmere always looks luxurious at the foot of the bed, and can also be used in the living room.
When it comes to bedding basics like pillows, a mattress and a mattress cover, you generally do get what you pay for (though it also pays to hunt for sales), so choose the best quality you can afford, and these items will repay you with a sound night’s sleep.
What to avoid: Loads of throw pillows. Those colorful pillows won’t seem so fun when you find yourself shoveling them on and off the bed each day. And trendy accent pillows tend to come and go, so what looks appealing to you today may lose its luster over the next year. Better to put that money toward a nicer set of sheets.
What to choose: Neutral sheets and bedding. Two sets of sheets made from pure, long-staple cotton in neutral hues can be mixed and matched with ease. Linen sheets are pricey, but can last forever and just get better with age. A soft white or cream-colored throw made of wool or cashmere always looks luxurious at the foot of the bed, and can also be used in the living room.
When it comes to bedding basics like pillows, a mattress and a mattress cover, you generally do get what you pay for (though it also pays to hunt for sales), so choose the best quality you can afford, and these items will repay you with a sound night’s sleep.
What to avoid: Loads of throw pillows. Those colorful pillows won’t seem so fun when you find yourself shoveling them on and off the bed each day. And trendy accent pillows tend to come and go, so what looks appealing to you today may lose its luster over the next year. Better to put that money toward a nicer set of sheets.
Bath
What to choose: Two sets plus a spare. Having too many sets of towels just means extra laundry — two sets per person (bath towel, hand towel, washcloth), plus a spare set for guests, are all you really need.
What to avoid: White towels. Sure, they look fresh, fluffy and inviting … when they’re new. But those same fluffy towels are (sadly) destined to become decidedly less so — the problem is, unless you bleach them, they will get dingy; but if you do bleach them, they’ll lose their fluff, fast. It’s probably better to start out with a set of towels in a more forgiving color (gray is always chic).
What to choose: Two sets plus a spare. Having too many sets of towels just means extra laundry — two sets per person (bath towel, hand towel, washcloth), plus a spare set for guests, are all you really need.
What to avoid: White towels. Sure, they look fresh, fluffy and inviting … when they’re new. But those same fluffy towels are (sadly) destined to become decidedly less so — the problem is, unless you bleach them, they will get dingy; but if you do bleach them, they’ll lose their fluff, fast. It’s probably better to start out with a set of towels in a more forgiving color (gray is always chic).
Kitchen
What to choose: Hardworking multitaskers. High-quality stainless steel saucepans and sauté pans, cast iron skillets, a great set of knives, a wooden cutting board and a Dutch oven that can go from stovetop to oven — these are the workhorses of the kitchen and are worth the investment. When it comes to cooking utensils, you can accomplish most cooking tasks with a pair of tongs, a few wooden spoons, a spatula and a ladle.
Small appliances can be quite useful, but think honestly about which you will use frequently and which you could do without. For some, a food processor is essential, while for others it would just sit in the back of a cupboard gathering dust.
What to avoid: Single-purpose tools and gadgets. Picking up specialty kitchen tools may seem harmless at first — but it’s a slippery slope, and before you know it you’ll have accumulated a drawer overstuffed with strange unitaskers you hardly ever use. If a tool you already own can get the job done, consider sticking with it rather than buying the “special” tool.
Jump Start Your Kitchen With These Minimalist Essentials
What to choose: Hardworking multitaskers. High-quality stainless steel saucepans and sauté pans, cast iron skillets, a great set of knives, a wooden cutting board and a Dutch oven that can go from stovetop to oven — these are the workhorses of the kitchen and are worth the investment. When it comes to cooking utensils, you can accomplish most cooking tasks with a pair of tongs, a few wooden spoons, a spatula and a ladle.
Small appliances can be quite useful, but think honestly about which you will use frequently and which you could do without. For some, a food processor is essential, while for others it would just sit in the back of a cupboard gathering dust.
What to avoid: Single-purpose tools and gadgets. Picking up specialty kitchen tools may seem harmless at first — but it’s a slippery slope, and before you know it you’ll have accumulated a drawer overstuffed with strange unitaskers you hardly ever use. If a tool you already own can get the job done, consider sticking with it rather than buying the “special” tool.
Jump Start Your Kitchen With These Minimalist Essentials
Dining
What to choose: Beautiful basics. You really can’t go wrong with classic stainless steel cutlery, white dishes and clear glassware — it’s worth shopping around to find sets you really love, because you will likely keep them for a long time. A good set of white dishes and clear glassware can be dressed up or down, and can elevate the everyday. A set of cloth napkins (cotton or linen) can be used every day or for dinner parties, and a tablecloth in a natural color can dress things up further.
What to avoid: China so fancy you’re afraid to use it. Beautiful china can be a lovely way to make a special occasion even more elegant — but be honest with yourself about how often you are likely to actually pull it out. Would you use it for a casual gathering with friends, for instance? Or would you “save” it for a once-a-year major holiday … if you host it, which you might not? Spending more on a really gorgeous set of everyday dishes is probably a better investment — and if you really want to add something extra special to your dinner table, consider a set of fancy dessert plates or a beautiful vase.
What to choose: Beautiful basics. You really can’t go wrong with classic stainless steel cutlery, white dishes and clear glassware — it’s worth shopping around to find sets you really love, because you will likely keep them for a long time. A good set of white dishes and clear glassware can be dressed up or down, and can elevate the everyday. A set of cloth napkins (cotton or linen) can be used every day or for dinner parties, and a tablecloth in a natural color can dress things up further.
What to avoid: China so fancy you’re afraid to use it. Beautiful china can be a lovely way to make a special occasion even more elegant — but be honest with yourself about how often you are likely to actually pull it out. Would you use it for a casual gathering with friends, for instance? Or would you “save” it for a once-a-year major holiday … if you host it, which you might not? Spending more on a really gorgeous set of everyday dishes is probably a better investment — and if you really want to add something extra special to your dinner table, consider a set of fancy dessert plates or a beautiful vase.
Entertaining
What to choose: Versatile serving pieces. Chunky wooden serving boards can be used for bread, cheese or rustic desserts. Simple white serving platters and bowls are endlessly versatile, and a big handcrafted wood salad bowl will last a lifetime when properly cared for. Wire baskets are also quite handy, as these can be used for storage in the pantry or as bread baskets when lined with a linen tea towel, and you can never go wrong with classic candlesticks and unscented candles.
What to avoid: Holiday-specific items. Serving pieces and dinnerware that feature a holiday-specific motif (for example, turkeys for Thanksgiving) are so rarely used, they are likely to become more of a space-sucking burden than a true joy. Why not think of other, smaller ways of giving each holiday table its own personality? Much can be done with creative flowers, seasonal items from nature and candlelight.
What to choose: Versatile serving pieces. Chunky wooden serving boards can be used for bread, cheese or rustic desserts. Simple white serving platters and bowls are endlessly versatile, and a big handcrafted wood salad bowl will last a lifetime when properly cared for. Wire baskets are also quite handy, as these can be used for storage in the pantry or as bread baskets when lined with a linen tea towel, and you can never go wrong with classic candlesticks and unscented candles.
What to avoid: Holiday-specific items. Serving pieces and dinnerware that feature a holiday-specific motif (for example, turkeys for Thanksgiving) are so rarely used, they are likely to become more of a space-sucking burden than a true joy. Why not think of other, smaller ways of giving each holiday table its own personality? Much can be done with creative flowers, seasonal items from nature and candlelight.
Housekeeping
What to choose: Good-looking, hardworking tools. It may sound silly, but why not take the time to track down a broom and dustpan you like the looks of? Then, when you forget to put them away when company drops by, they won’t be such an eyesore — plus, they will make cleaning a bit more pleasurable, and that’s never a bad thing. If you like to use a brush to scrub your dishes, look for a pretty one with a wooden handle and natural-fiber bristles, and it will enhance rather than detract from your kitchen.
When it comes to big cleaning tools like the vacuum cleaner, get the best you can afford — a great vacuum should clean efficiently, sound relatively quiet and last (without problems) for many years. It’s worth spending a little more to get this choice right the first time.
What to avoid: Gimmicky cleaning tools and products. You really don’t need much in terms of tools and products to keep your home clean: a few scrub brushes, a stack of microfiber cloths, an all-purpose cleaner, a window cleaner and bathroom disinfectant should just about cover it. Filling your cabinet with specialized cleaning products and tools will just make the task more complicated than it needs to be.
What to choose: Good-looking, hardworking tools. It may sound silly, but why not take the time to track down a broom and dustpan you like the looks of? Then, when you forget to put them away when company drops by, they won’t be such an eyesore — plus, they will make cleaning a bit more pleasurable, and that’s never a bad thing. If you like to use a brush to scrub your dishes, look for a pretty one with a wooden handle and natural-fiber bristles, and it will enhance rather than detract from your kitchen.
When it comes to big cleaning tools like the vacuum cleaner, get the best you can afford — a great vacuum should clean efficiently, sound relatively quiet and last (without problems) for many years. It’s worth spending a little more to get this choice right the first time.
What to avoid: Gimmicky cleaning tools and products. You really don’t need much in terms of tools and products to keep your home clean: a few scrub brushes, a stack of microfiber cloths, an all-purpose cleaner, a window cleaner and bathroom disinfectant should just about cover it. Filling your cabinet with specialized cleaning products and tools will just make the task more complicated than it needs to be.
Organizing
What to choose: Hooks, baskets and matching sets. Good, sturdy hooks and woven baskets can tackle all sorts of items, from coats in the entryway to aprons and cleaning tools in the kitchen. If you do find you need other organizing containers, like jars for pantry items or photo boxes, invest in a matching set rather than picking up a piece here and there at random. They will look better on your shelves, and when it comes to boxes, they will stack more easily as well.
What to avoid: Loading up on organizers before clearing clutter. If you’re facing a messy area, try clearing out the clutter before purchasing any new containers to sort it — once you’ve pared back, you may find you don’t need the extra containers after all.
What to choose: Hooks, baskets and matching sets. Good, sturdy hooks and woven baskets can tackle all sorts of items, from coats in the entryway to aprons and cleaning tools in the kitchen. If you do find you need other organizing containers, like jars for pantry items or photo boxes, invest in a matching set rather than picking up a piece here and there at random. They will look better on your shelves, and when it comes to boxes, they will stack more easily as well.
What to avoid: Loading up on organizers before clearing clutter. If you’re facing a messy area, try clearing out the clutter before purchasing any new containers to sort it — once you’ve pared back, you may find you don’t need the extra containers after all.
Decor
What to choose: Plants, mirrors and art. When you are first starting out, you may need to make do with some hand-me-down or budget furniture pieces — but everything will look better when surrounded by lush green foliage, colorful artwork and bright, light-enhancing mirrors. Healthy houseplants make any room feel fresher and more inviting, and they clean the air to boot. If you are worried about keeping houseplants alive, get some plant recommendations and care advice from a local nursery, and use a phone reminder to alert you when it’s time to water them.
You can find beautiful, affordable artwork (both framed prints and originals) from local galleries that feature up-and-coming artists, at student art shows and online.
What to avoid: Too many purely decorative items. Focus on getting the basics in place (like a great sofa and proper lighting) before spending on accessories. Even then, consider accessories with a purpose — like a big art book or scented candle — before picking up that sculptural objet.
More
7 Things to Do Before You Move Into a New House
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What to choose: Plants, mirrors and art. When you are first starting out, you may need to make do with some hand-me-down or budget furniture pieces — but everything will look better when surrounded by lush green foliage, colorful artwork and bright, light-enhancing mirrors. Healthy houseplants make any room feel fresher and more inviting, and they clean the air to boot. If you are worried about keeping houseplants alive, get some plant recommendations and care advice from a local nursery, and use a phone reminder to alert you when it’s time to water them.
You can find beautiful, affordable artwork (both framed prints and originals) from local galleries that feature up-and-coming artists, at student art shows and online.
What to avoid: Too many purely decorative items. Focus on getting the basics in place (like a great sofa and proper lighting) before spending on accessories. Even then, consider accessories with a purpose — like a big art book or scented candle — before picking up that sculptural objet.
More
7 Things to Do Before You Move Into a New House
Browse necessities for every room in the Shop section
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Very valuable advice, my husband and I bought a new home. Now we are going to make repairs, your article helps us a lot in the interior.
I don't think it matters two hoots what colour your towels, tea towels etc., nor whether crockery matches, as as long as you stick with the same palette. Cast-iron casseroles and a pressure cooker, first bought 45 years ago and replaced only once since then, are kitchen essentials. Another vital item is a sewing machine - at least for repairs and alterations, if not making clothes, curtains/upholstery and bed linen.
If your ever buy a new/old house - Rule no 1 - Keep some money as aside to get your home snagged before you move in. 2 ) Invest a nice Fridge/Freezer ( do all your home work before you buy the one you think is appropriate for your home/budget) 3) Dish Washer 4) Kettle 5 ) Intenet ( Service provider , do your home work again) 6) Garden ( If it needs doing up, Get couple of quotes/check for their reputation )