Home Basics That Everybody Needs to Own

Every home is unique and your personal preferences will have a strong influence on your home’s interior design.

Some people prefer a more neutral color palette with a minimalistic finish. Others prefer a bright palette with lots of nick-nacks on display. 

Despite there being a huge variation in the different things that you can find in people’s homes, there are many essentials that complete a household. From cleaning equipment to dinnerware, there are items that you just can’t live without.

The household staples might not be the most exciting thing to think about but they are necessary to make your life easier.

Cleaning Equipment

There are lots of different bits and bobs that you can use to keep your home clean and germ-free.

Firstly, you’ve got the anti-bacterial sprays and bathroom cleaners to get rid of potentially harmful bacteria from your surfaces. You’ll also need cloths and microfiber towels to wipe the surfaces down. 

For the kitchen, a dish cloth, scrubbing sponge, and bottle of washing up liquid are necessities to keep your pots, pans, and cutlery clean.

Don’t forget a pair of strong rubber gloves to protect your hands from harsh cleaning chemicals and liquids. This is essential when you're using things like bleach or other strong disinfectants.

Vacuum

To go alongside your cleaning equipment, you’ll need a powerful vacuum. Floorboards and carpets can get dirty very quickly, especially in areas where there are high levels of foot traffic or if you have a pet that sheds fur everywhere they go.

Your vacuum can help to keep your floors and furniture clean and tidy at all times. You can get an inexpensive vacuum that does the job perfectly and will last you for years to come. 

If you live in an apartment that has limited space, buy a hand vacuum or a cord-free, lightweight model that won’t take up too much room in your home. You might also want to get a sweeping brush for the areas that have hardwood floors or tiles.

Kitchen Utensils

Whether you enjoy cooking or not, there are some kitchen utensils that you can’t live without. Of course, you’ll need some dinnerware and cutlery to eat your meals alongside glasses and mugs to drink from.

You’ll also need at least one of the following:

• Baking tray

• Frying pan and saucepan

• Mixing bowl

• Colander

• Large wooden spoon, ladle, spatula, and whisk

• Measuring cup

• Chopping board

• Oven mitts

• Tin opener

There are also the basic kitchen appliances that are essential for every household, including a toaster, kettle, and microwave.

Consider what is an essential for your kitchen based on your needs and preferences. Make sure to gather everything that you need to make your day-to-day life easier and more enjoyable. 

For example, if you’re an avid coffee drinker, a coffee machine might also be on your list of essentials! If you’re an amateur chef, you’ll want a great set of sharp kitchen knives.

Storage Equipment

Some of us have more belongings than others. Regardless of how much ‘stuff’ you have in your home, you’ll need somewhere to store your things.

Storage equipment includes the larger pieces of furniture, such as a wardrobe, chest of drawers, and bedside cabinet. You've also got the portable pieces of storage equipment, such as plastic boxes, wicker baskets, and desk drawers.

Stackable storage equipment is perfect when you live in a smaller space, such as vertical racks and organizers for your wardrobe or free-standing drawers for the corners of your rooms. They’re also great to keep your belongings organized so you know exactly where everything is at all times. 

Emergency Supplies

When we say emergency supplies, we don’t just mean a fully stocked first aid kit (although this is very important to have in your home). We mean all of the smaller things that might not come into mind straight away when you’re thinking about home basics. 

Here are some great emergency supplies to keep in your home at all times: 

• Matches

• Torch

• Fire extinguisher

• Non-prescription medications, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and antacids

• Umbrella

• Smoke alarm

• Batteries

• Duct tape

• Latex-free gloves

Toiletries

Toiletries are also essential to every home. They are needed to make your body clean, keep your hair shiny, and make the ‘time of the month’ much easier for women. 

Here is a quick list of toiletry basics to keep in your bathroom:

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Body wash

• Hair oils and heat protectant sprays

• Sanitary towels, tampons, or moon cups

• Hand soap

• Face wipes