January 09, 2022

Household Essentials to Elevate Your Home

There are some home items that everybody needs. Household essentials that turn your space from good to great. From simply meeting your basic needs, to so much more. People often think that it costs an arm and a leg to transform their homes into highly functional spaces, but they'd be surprised. There's actually a multitude of affordable products that solve basic problems like storage, clutter, and convenience.

Whether it's a sea of wires on the floor, sponges that get mildew buildup way too quickly, or any other number of small inconveniences, there's usually a simple and cost-effective solution. For as hard as we all work for a set of walls to live within, we deserve for our home to reflect that. A few key items can help you feel a sense of ease and accomplishment in every room, because you're truly making the most of it all. This article will focus on those small items, the ones that people often overlook when furnishing their new home. These products, when used, are highly effective in alleviating problems you didn't even know you had.

A tidy kitchen is a home essential

What better place to start decorating for optimal functionality than your kitchen? After all, a well-stocked kitchen is truly a superpower and a necessity for every human. This is where you go to make your sustenance. From the breakfast and caffeine that gives you the energy to start your day to the comfort foods you turn to, you'll be using your kitchen pretty consistently. That's why it's important that you have every possible tool for an efficient food prep station. Whether you're preparing extravagant meals for guests, prep cooking for your workweek, or just making a quick bowl of popcorn for a movie, you don't want to cook in a cluttered mess.

If you're going to start with one kitchen accessory, it should be a stick-in stainless steel sponge holder. These don't require screws or drills to install. Just peel it, and stick it wherever you need it! Not only are they easy to apply, but they'll protect your sponge from getting wet and accumulating mildew too quickly. After use, just squeeze the water from your sponge and place it in its rightful place to dry. This is the most hygienic way to make sure you're not washing your dishes with a hidden treasure chest of mildew.

The next thing you should think about when enhancing your kitchen performance is getting cup and utensil holders. Of the many different designs, the most convenient are the ones that slip seamlessly onto the bottom part of your cabinet. You should look for one made of stainless steel, for long-lasting quality. Not only does it provide maximum storage space, it allows you to display some of your favorite mugs and utensils!

More kitchen necessities

You may still have more things to hang up in your kitchen. That's not a problem, you'll just need self-adhesive metal hooks. It's always best to look for a sturdy self-adhesive that won't fall or leave holes in the walls/cupboards. Use these to keep your favorite pots and pans within reach and dust-free. When applying this type of hook, it's best to let the adhesive dry for 24 hours before you start using it.

A self-adhesive broom or mop holder can be of great use both in the kitchen and backyard or patio. It can be used to hold your brooms, mops, rakes, shovels and so much more. Keep one in the corner of your kitchen to keep your broom and mop within reach. We could all use a little bit of encouragement to keep our space clean, so why not make it a little easier on yourself?

If you hang your kitchen towels on the cabinets, drawers, or even on the sink, it's well past time for you to invest in a push-in towel holder. They're small, subtle, and easy to install. Once on your wall, it's as easy as it sounds. You push your towel into the little opening, and there it stays until you need it again! You can even install more than one of these towel holders if you need to.

An office should be functional and focused

In today's world, more and more people are finding themselves working from home. If you've got pets, they're probably a lot more thrilled about that than you are -- and if you've got kids, well...may the force be with you. Luckily, there are some easy steps you could take to making your home office a little more inviting. Your work space should be clean, simple and charming. More than anything, it should be a place where you can sit comfortably and get excited about the future. After all, that's what we work for. A better future.

It only makes sense, then, that you have futuristic gadgets to help you maximize productivity when you're at your desk. The good news is, it won't break the bank. There are just a few affordable accessories that everyone needs in their office.

Laptop enhancements

The first highly recommended office gadget is the laptop arm. This is a small, magnetic "arm" that goes on the back of your laptop, and extends outward to hold your phone up right next to the screen. In a time where we're getting busier and are expected to process more and more data in a short time, a dual-screen set-up can really help you up your game.

Have you ever found yourself instinctively hunched over at your desk, squinting, lost in your work? If so, the muscles in your back (and eyes) will thank you for investing in a foldable laptop stand. A foldable laptop stand is just what it sounds like -- it goes underneath your laptop and elevates it while you're using it. Not only does this give you more options for positioning to prevent straining your back, neck and eyes. It can also slow the process of overheating, as is known to happen when a laptop is being used on a flat surface for a long period of time.

Wires and cables are household essentials -- not clutter

Every office needs a charger, and none is better than the three-in-one charging cable. With this modern twist on the standard charging cable, you can charge iPhones, Android, and Type C ports all at once. It minimizes the mess of multiple wires and saves you time by allowing you to multitask on your charging needs.

Since not every type of cable in the world can come in one handy 75-in-1 master charger, you'll probably want to get a cable organizing box. This is the most logical way for you to keep your wires from getting tangled, and keep them out of your line of sight. Get all of the benefits of your electronics, with none of the headache. That's a thing of the past.

Household essentials for the living room

There's nothing better than sitting down on your comfy couch, throwing a blanket over you and putting on your favorite show or movie. You're in your coziest PJ's, snuggled up with your pets and enjoying your weekend. There really is nothing like some leisurely time off.

But wait. You catch something out of the corner of your eye -- a bunch of little somethings, actually. A stack of paperwork, too many candles, a pack of incense, a few dog toys, your car keys, a picture of your grandparents at their wedding. You name it. You've cleaned your house top to bottom, but you can't find a more reasonable place for all of your stuff.

You could just throw it all out and become a bare minimalist. Own three shirts, two pairs of pants and toss your dog's favorite toys. Donate the photo of your grandparents to the thrift store and let a someone buy it as ironic home décor; but you like your stuff. You use your stuff. So why get rid of it?

Keep your clutter out of sight by creating more storage space

The average home is filled with open space that goes un-used. Usually, this is because of a lack of the right tools. Every objective is achievable with the right materials, and a few basic items can go a long way.

Self-adhesive drawers are a fantastic way to hold onto items that you love, but don't necessarily need to look at all the time. You may want to keep one or two of your pet's favorite toys out, but having the whole collection on display can be a little much. You can even apply multiple of these easy-to-install drawers, and use them to organize your clutter. One can be for bills/paperwork, and another for miscellaneous knick-knacks. These are just examples -- only you can decide exactly how to use them. One thing that's for sure, though, is they'll make your life easier.

Another useful home item is the mountable top shelf. Just one of these shelves adds a whole new dimension to your living room. Now you've got a place for the candles and the photo of grammy and gramps! You can even use two or three shelves to create an interior design element that not only adds tons of storage space, but looks modern and inventive as well.

It really doesn't take much to properly store the things you love. Just think strategically and remember that there is always an answer and a product to help make your life easier. With the right household essentials, you can achieve a clutter-free space without sacrificing any of your beloved personal items.

Your bathroom is your sanctuary

We've all had the unpleasant experience of going to the bathroom at a friend's house and feeling...less than sanitary. Everyone has their weaknesses, but you don't want a gross bathroom to be one of yours. That's why you need the right tools to clean and organize your restroom. This is the space where you start your day, where you look in the mirror as you wash your face and tell yourself, "I'm going to get that much closer to my goals today". You're definitely going to want to put some thought into what tools you use to enhance your bathroom routine.

Household essentials for the modern restroom

Perhaps the classiest bathroom gadget on the market today (besides the bidet) is the faucet aerator. This innovative device swivels 720 degrees, giving you easy access to each part of your sink. You can point the water up to rinse your face, or adjust the water pressure to give the sink itself a deep clean. The more often you do this, the less often you have to scrub gunk off of it. Getting one of these bad boys is a no-brainer.

The next solution to your easily avoidable problems is a hanging foldable laundry basket. Ideally, you should get more than one basket so that you can separate your laundry loads. These keep your floors from flooding with discarded garments, and help you keep track of your laundry before it gets out of hand. They're a great asset for the grown individual trying to live a more organized life.

You know the cup by your bathroom sink? The one you use to rinse when you're brushing your teeth? Sometimes that cup fills up with moisture, allowing bacteria to form without you even realizing it. This can be a huge health hazard, and is just plain gross. It's 2022, and we can do better. There's a magnetic bathroom cup that you can hang upside down from the mirror, to make sure it dries completely in between uses. This is the only hygienic way to rinse your mouth -- and why would you want to rinse it any other way?

Previous mentions:

There are two items that were previously mentioned, but a bathroom isn't really complete without them. The first of these items is the stick-in stainless steel soap holder. In your kitchen, it was a sponge holder; but it's a multi-purpose item that can also keep your soap from slipping and sliding while giving you an aesthetic, hygienic place to put it.

The second one is the push-in towel holder. Of course, every bathroom needs one of these next to the sink. Maybe even two -- one for you and one for guests. This way, your hand towels can fully dry without getting in the way. You can even put another one next to your shower and keep your towel within reach after a rinse.

Household essentials for every room

LED push lights are an affordable way to up the class of your home décor. Whether you need more lights under the cabinets in your bathroom or kitchen, a convenient night light (or "reading light", if you don't want to admit you're still a little scared of the dark), more lights in your closet, or another option for patio lighting, they're a wonderful addition to your home. Just stick the adhesive side to whatever clean, dry surface you want to and it's ready for use. Push once to turn the light on, and again to turn it off. It doesn't get much simpler than that.

There is simply too much to say about the magnetic door stopper. Its function and utility in your home is unrivaled. Never has a tiny metal scrap with magnets on it proven so effective. To learn more about the endless uses of this modern feat of home functionality, click here.

More household essentials

You might have a need to hang miscellaneous items that you don't have room for. From clothing in a closet to various kitchen items, and even small house plants. Having a wall hook to easily display the things you need and keep them handy is a must. For this task, you'll need some heavy-duty wall hooks. You should look for ones that swivel 360 degrees and can hold at least six pounds. You're looking for something durable and long-lasting, after all. You'll want to give the hooks a day to settle in before you start using them. This is truly a must-have among household essentials.

There may be a little bit of a theme to this article; we really like self-adhesive home décor. Especially in a world where so many of us are renting, it just makes sense. That's why the next recommendation is the stick-on handles. They are a true game-changer. You can put them on your cabinets, drawers, and windows. If you're a germaphobe, you can even put it on your toilet seat to avoid having to actually touch it when you're going to the bathroom.

There are endless uses for double-sided tape. It's a great way to hang things up on the wall, but when kept around the house you will find that it is useful for many more reasons. You'll be impressed by the many small, yet necessary ways that it can be applied for simple home repairs (home appliances as well as personal items).

A home you can relax in

Whether you live in a five-bedroom home or a studio apartment, you deserve luxury. If you've made it this far in the article, it's because you know that your home is whatever you make it. You've made it this far because you want to make the most out of it, and you know it doesn't have to be complicated. Plus, it can be cost-effective. It doesn't take more than a few basic household essentials and some outside-the-box thinking to transform your home into your own personal, functional paradise.