How To Set Up Your First Home
Posted by ama | Filed under Tools & Equipment
You’re finally done with college, and you have accepted your first job, most likely you are also going to be setting up your very first home that is all your own. That is a lot of new responsibility that you are taking on, and being somewhat prepared for the transition is going to make is so much easier. Here are a few ideas that will make your new apartment or house a little easier to get along with.
Make a list, mental or otherwise, of the items you already own. On top of that, your parents are probably prepared to give you a few pieces of furniture to help you out. Accept it graciously as it’s going to save you a lot of money at first. Ask if you can keep your bedroom furniture until you can afford to buy a new set. You will be able to get a good night’s sleep at the very least.
Some of the more important things to worry about is making sure that you have cleaning products to wash windows, drawers, floors, bathroom fixtures, and a vacuum for carpeted areas. Since you are going to want to move into a clean home, have these on hand and do all the cleaning first. Don’t rely on someone else to do a thorough job, go back over everything to make sure it’s done right.
The first room to really concentrate on is the kitchen. This is one room that all your friends are going to see, and surely you are going to do some light entertaining. Forgo the purchase of a fancy area rug or end tables in the living room and instead purchase a good solid table and chairs set. Most likely they are going to get the most use since everyone tends to gravitate to the kitchen eventually.
One thing you have to have is a decent kitchen knife set. While you may be thinking about purchasing the less expensive set, bear in mind that a few extra dollars spent here will actually save you money in the long run. Quality kitchen knives can last you the rest of your life with minimal maintenance. Choosing cheap here will cost you more since you will be replacing them several times, and they are just simply more flimsy which can be bad news if the blade should break and injure you.
You should consider buying a knife block set. They keep your new knives sharp and safe, and where you need them the most. You won’t have to dig through a drawer and possibly cut yourself if you can easily see the one you need.
When you purchase a small kitchen appliance, think about quality here, also. Granted, a toaster can be less expensive, after all you only need it to toast your bread, but when buying other appliances do a little recon and make sure you get the top of the line. One appliance that is really important is a Cuisinart hand mixer. These have one of the best warranties on the market and are known to be both tough and handsome.
The last room to consider when setting up housekeeping for the first time is the bathroom. Buy a good bathmat with a no-slip backing and make sure you have plenty of bath linens such as towels and washcloths. When purchasing a shower curtain, choosing fabric over vinyl will save you from replacing it ever few months. Just toss it in the wash and rehang. It won’t tear like plastic and you will save money in the long run.
