Household Items to Set Up First Home

Household Items You want for your First Home

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My son recently graduated from college with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He's lived in houses with roommates during college so the pots, pans, dishes he had are long gone, broken, and wrecked. Son is moving into a tiny house on his own. I'm making lists. If you know me, I love planning and writing lists.

I am thinking, what does he need to start. How to make his place feel comfy and self sufficient. Please add in the comments what I missed. Remember this is on a tight budget.

List of household items you may want to set up your first home or apartment

Bedroom:

He already has a mattress and frame

Need a dresser?  This is a garage sale or freecycle thing I'm hunting for

Nightstand? Same as the dresser. New furniture is pricey and we're budgeting.

I will buy an extra ­sheet set so you will have two. ­I'm a fan of Tuesday Mornings because I can find 700 thread count for cheap prices there. 

New comforter or quilt?­

Mattress pad­ ~ maybe it helps keep the mattress clean longer and makes it feel comfortable

Window treatments I think we wait to measure and see if the blinds operate. 

Clothes hangers/coat hangers - son has 100 matching sturdy ones and he donated a pile of clothing in his last move. Don't think we need these.

 Kitchen:

­Table and chairs  Wonder if my dining table from Pottery Barn is too large for your small kitchen. I have six rush seats that match the table. All these are in new condition.

Kitchen trash can ­- I will buy one with a lid

Sandwich bags or food containers - will ask family if they have extra plastic tupperware with lids. I will give him 4 Kerr canning style jars with lids. They are great for storing food.

6 Plates ­ I have this set of Poppytrail dishes with plates, butter dish, decorative items with roosters. Not certain he will like them as they are 1950's but however they are free

 

Cereal bowls ­maybe need some in cream or green to match?

4 Water glasses ­Got those

5 Mugs ­I have 20 mis matched ones and will box up a few to break

Set of 4 Fork, knife, spoon ­ got it boxed up

5 Dish towels got those in solid cream color to not be too busy

Coff­ee pot and/or kettle ­?? I only use a tea kettle and make single cup of coffee with filter need to check if his coffee press made it through college

Toaster or toaster oven ­- need to buy this. New house does not have an oven.

Microwave ­- wish I had not given my microwave to nephew last year, may need to purchase this as well

Hand mixer ­- since he doesn't have an oven, I think this is a no.

Blender ­

Crockpot or instant pot ­

Good Cutting knives and hand sharpener need to purchase

Cutting board ­I have an extra one to give

Measuring cups and spoons ­ I have many 1950's glass ones I collected and no longer need four large glass ones.

Mixing bowl ­-

Glass salad bowl/ also for fruit

Colander ­

Can opener - need to buy

Corkscrew and beer bottle opener :) 

­ Aluminum foil and cling wrap ­

Wood spoons, slotted spoon

Large stock pot ­ 2-quart saucepan ­

10-inch frying pan ­

Rimmed baking sheet that fits into toaster oven

­these are later when you have an oven: Cookie sheet ­ Large baking/casserole dish

­Salt ­ Pepper ­

Spices you cook with often ­ thyme is my favorite

Oil (vegetable, olive, etc.) ­

Granulated sugar ­

Brown sugar ­

When he later has an oven: Flour ­ Baking powder ­

Baking soda ­

Vanilla extract ­

Vinegar (white wine, balsamic, etc.) ­

Soy sauce ­ Teriyaki sauce ­ Ketchup ­ Mustard

­Dustpan and broom He has a vacuum ­

­ Multi-purpose liquid cleaner like Mr. Clean­

Micro clean rags and Paper towels ­

Trash bags ­

Toilet scrubber ­ 

Toilet bowl cleaning solution (can use baking soda and white vinegar) ­

Dish Soap ­

Sponges ­

Water filter ­ ­Does he still have that Britta pitcher?

Silverware organizer tray ­

Dish drying rack ­

Dish soap

Paper towel holder ­

Oven mitts

Laundry basket ­ Laundry detergent ­ Stain remover ­

­Comfy couch ­

Co­ffee table ­ also will search for used fun one

Television he has a small one

Bathroom Shower curtain ­

Bath towels ­

Toilet paper need I say as some new wave of the pandemic might end up with empty shelves where the toilet paper once sat. What did people do with all the tee pee rolls?

Soap ­

Screwdrivers (Phillips and flat head) ­ Hammer ­ Nails and wall hooks ­ Power strips and extension cords ­ Batteries ­ Light bulbs ­ Measuring tape ­ 

Duct tape, yes always need a roll

­

First-Aid Kit

­Extra lighting such as floor and table lamps, maybe wall sconce or wall light as floor space is tight­

2 Storage bins

Window treatments ­this is going to wait

Decorative pillows ­- leave it to him to choose

Throw blanket ­ - extra fold futon for a guest- got these

Decor items such as wall art I will leave to him

Houseplants – two or three potted flowers for patio. I have many. I know he likes something that blooms.

candles- check check with holders that don't spill

vase - have many extra to give

­Plunger ­- well yes the necessary not glamorous reality of home

Storage solutions for your toiletries ­(I have little boxes)

­Reusable water bottle ­- he should still have a couple or some swag ones

Sewing kit ­

Iron and ironing board ­

­Space heater ­?

Window AC ­?

Umbrella ­

Scissors ­

Okay now what did I forget? Help me here. You notice I didn't use the word trousseau in the whole post, he would frown on the word...