125 Essential Household Items You Should Have at Home Somewhere
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Credit: Heather Keeling
Home may be where the heart is — but it should also be where you keep a lot of other important stuff, too. Even if preparedness isn’t your strong suit, there are certain household items that any home should have. From essential cleaning supplies to must-have kitchen equipment to things that create a happier home, here are 110 items everyone should have at home — or at least plan on having sometime in the near future.
Credit: Joe Lingeman/Apartment Therapy
Tools & Supplies
- A flathead screwdriver
- A Phillips head screwdriver
- Pliers
- An electric screwdriver or power drill
- A hammer
- A tape measure
- Level
- An assortment of nails (for different sized jobs)
- Extra screws, nuts, and bolts (in case you need to quickly replace any furniture hardware that goes missing)
- A toolbox
- A step ladder
- A box cutter
- Duct tape
- Transparent tape
- Electrical tape
- Oil and water-displacing spray (such as WD-40)
- Extension cords
Credit: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn; Food Stylist: CC Buckley/Kitchn
Kitchen Equipment
- Dish cloths
- A dish scrub brush or sponge
- A drying rack (even if you have a dishwashing machine, it’s good to have a place to dry hand-washable items)
- Pot holders or oven mitts
- A skillet
- A measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Cutlery
- Paring knife
- Cutting board
- A baking pan (aluminum or glass)
- A nonstick saucepan and lid
- A pot (big enough to boil a pound of pasta)
- Drinking glasses
- Dinner plates
- Dinner bowls
- A mixing bowl
- A colander
- A can opener
- A bottle opener/corkscrew
- A whisk
- A cooking spoon
- Food storage containers, like Tupperware
- Ice cube trays
- A toaster
- A coffee maker (even if you don’t use it, you’ll be prepared for guests)
- Coffee mugs
- An electric kettle
- Hand mixer
- Baking sheet
- Meat thermometer
Credit: Sarah Crowley/Apartment Therapy
Cleaning Supplies
- All-purpose cleaner
- Disinfecting wipes
- Window cleaner
- A hand duster
- A detail brush
- A scrub brush
- A good cleaning cloth (microfiber or blue huck surgical towels)
- A utility belt or storage caddy (to carry your cleaning supplies around from room to room)
- A vacuum (handheld or larger variety)
- A broom and dustpan
- A mop
- Rubber gloves
- A plunger
- A toilet brush
- A bucket
Credit: Sylvie Li
Furniture
- A pouf
- A comfortable place to sit
- A coffee/side table (to set stuff on)
- A bed frame
- A mattress
- A good pillow
- A place to hang your clothes (if you don’t have a closet, consider a garment rack)
Credit: Amelia Lawrence/Apartment Therapy
Decor
- Bath towels
- Hand towels
- Soft bed sheets
- A blanket or comforter
- A bath mat
- A flower vase (you never know when you’ll need it)
- Coasters
- Window treatments
- A clock
- A full-length mirror
- A lamp
- Area rug
- Wall art
Credit: Emma Fiala
Storage and Organizational Items
- A place to hang your heavy coats (like a wall-mounted coat rack or wall hooks)
- A filing system (for important paperwork)
- Something to write on (pad of paper, notebook, etc.)
- A place to write on (desk, drop-leaf table, or lap desk)
- Bedside storage (even if it’s technically not a nightstand)
- A trash can (for every room)
- A laundry hamper
- Key hooks
- Desk organizer
- Storage cart
Credit: Minette Hand
For Emergencies
- Smoke alarm
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Emergency candles (for power outages)
- Matches
- First-aid kit
- A finger splint
- Band-Aids
- Gauze and cloth tape (for deep cuts)
- A flashlight
- Ibuprofen/Aspirin (for unexpected headaches)
- A hand-crank or solar-powered phone charger
- A fire extinguisher
- An umbrella
- Bottled water (or a LifeStraw)
- Canned food
- Batteries
- Whistle
Credit: Marisa Vitale