7 Essential Appliances Every Condo Must Have

Living on your own for the first time is an important decision. It will usher you to a new phase of your life: adulthood. Make sure you do a lot of planning before packing your stuff. Are you financially capable of handling the amortization or rents, and bills? Have you decided on the furniture and appliances that you will need? More importantly, are you mentally and emotionally prepared to be on your own?

Condo living is immensely popular in global cities from New York to Manila. Why? Condos provide conveniences that traditional housing don’t have such as 24/7 security, passive architecture, and lifestyle amenities. Some condo developments have a grocery, medical clinic, and preschool. It’s basically a "one-stop-shop" residential complex.

Condos have more limited square footage compared to apartments and houses. Thus, you need to carefully choose your furniture, appliances, and other home items. Here are 7 mini appliances that suit condo living.

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The Essential Induction Cooker  

Although your condo may be surrounded with fastfood and restaurants, you can’t keep on eating out. Prepare your food as often as you can. It’s the only way to ensure that you eat fresh meals and sanitation is observed in preparing your food. An induction cooker is one of the essential condo appliances that should be in your list. Unlike a big stove or oven, an induction cooker doesn’t take up too much space. You can simply place it on your kitchen countertop.

A Compact Refrigerator 

Living in a tight space can help you downsize on your expenses. You are obliged to keep only the things you need. This simpler lifestyle is a break from society’s consumerism. A compact refrigerator will suit your condo home. It’s space saving and energy efficient, plus it prevents you from hoarding food that may just end up in the trash.

The US Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency have launched the Energy Star, which identifies top-performing and cost-effective energy efficient products and practices. When buying an appliance, check whether it complies with Energy Star standards.

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The All-Around Microwave Oven 

Don’t have time to cook on workdays? Here’s a tip: cook your meals on weekends, keep them in the fridge and heat every meal. This will save you time, effort, and electricity. A microwave oven is a must-have for your condo kitchen. A microwave is not only for heating. It can also cook meals and bake simple pastries.

Space-Saving Laundry Set 

Appliance size can influence your small condo design. Interior designers recommend using large design elements such as big floor tiles and floor-to-ceiling mirrors to create an illusion of space. However, this design hack doesn’t extend to an enormous washing machine that will eat up space. You can opt for a combo washer and dryer that can be tucked in a kitchen cabinet or under your countertop. Maximizing your space must be always on your mind when choosing a home item.

Blender: Your Healthy Food Companion 

Living alone, with all its blissful silence and freedom, has its own hazards. There’s no one to nag you to clean up, turn off your computer or take it easy on junk food. If you don’t take it easy, your reckless lifestyle can be your doom. Ditch your stock of sodas and prepare healthy vegetable and fruit juices. A blender will only take up little space on your countertop, yet it can help you prepare refreshing breakfast drinks. Have a carrot juice with apples or prepare lemon juice before heading to your office or a banana-celery shake for lunch.

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A Slow Cooker

Social media seems to be obsessed with the slow cooker lately. Cooking videos using the slow cooker are being shared on Facebook. This countertop electronic appliance is typically used to simmer meat at a low temperature. With a slow cooker, you just need to throw in all ingredients in the pot and let it cook soups and stews. Let it do the complex cooking for you while you busy yourself with other activities.

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Essential Coffee Maker

Start your day with a cup of brewed coffee. Instant coffee can give you a boost in the morning, but it’s not as healthy as organic coffee beans. Do you know that coffee can cut your risk of developing heart diseases and liver problems? It’s also proven to reduce depression. Just remember to moderate your consumption. Too much of anything is harmful. Your countertop will not be complete without the essential coffee maker.

Shopping for appliances require more time and planning than buying clothes. These are big purchases that must serve your purpose for a long time. Consider the size of your space, your condo design, and your lifestyle when choosing an item. Does it eat up much needed space? Does it suit your modern industrial design theme? Does it improve your lifestyle? Moreover, buy eco-efficient appliances that will not only help you save on utility bills but also reduce carbon emission.

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