Household Items You want for your First Home
I'm proud to share!
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.
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...