Your First Home: Beautiful Basics and Multitaskers for Every Room

Whether you are getting married, buying your first home or simply moving into your first real place of your own, you will likely find yourself with some shopping to do. A plan can help you stay focused and avoid unnecessary purchases, saving money and time (not to mention clutter) in the long run.

Bedroom

What to choose: Neutral sheets and bedding. Two sets of sheets made from pure, long-staple cotton in neutral hues can be mixed and matched with ease. Linen sheets are pricey, but can last forever and just get better with age. A soft white or cream-colored throw made of wool or cashmere always looks luxurious at the foot of the bed, and can also be used in the living room.

When it comes to bedding basics like pillows, a mattress and a mattress cover, you generally do get what you pay for (though it also pays to hunt for sales), so choose the best quality you can afford, and these items will repay you with a sound night’s sleep.

What to avoid: Loads of throw pillows. Those colorful pillows won’t seem so fun when you find yourself shoveling them on and off the bed each day. And trendy accent pillows tend to come and go, so what looks appealing to you today may lose its luster over the next year. Better to put that money toward a nicer set of sheets.

Bath

What to choose: Two sets plus a spare. Having too many sets of towels just means extra laundry — two sets per person (bath towel, hand towel, washcloth), plus a spare set for guests, are all you really need.

What to avoid: White towels. Sure, they look fresh, fluffy and inviting … when they’re new. But those same fluffy towels are (sadly) destined to become decidedly less so — the problem is, unless you bleach them, they will get dingy; but if you do bleach them, they’ll lose their fluff, fast. It’s probably better to start out with a set of towels in a more forgiving color (gray is always chic).

Kitchen

What to choose: Hardworking multitaskers. High-quality stainless steel saucepans and sauté pans, cast iron skillets, a great set of knives, a wooden cutting board and a Dutch oven that can go from stovetop to oven — these are the workhorses of the kitchen and are worth the investment. When it comes to cooking utensils, you can accomplish most cooking tasks with a pair of tongs, a few wooden spoons, a spatula and a ladle.

Small appliances can be quite useful, but think honestly about which you will use frequently and which you could do without. For some, a food processor is essential, while for others it would just sit in the back of a cupboard gathering dust.

What to avoid: Single-purpose tools and gadgets. Picking up specialty kitchen tools may seem harmless at first — but it’s a slippery slope, and before you know it you’ll have accumulated a drawer overstuffed with strange unitaskers you hardly ever use. If a tool you already own can get the job done, consider sticking with it rather than buying the “special” tool.

Dining

What to choose: Beautiful basics. You really can’t go wrong with classic stainless steel cutlery, white dishes and clear glassware — it’s worth shopping around to find sets you really love, because you will likely keep them for a long time. A good set of white dishes and clear glassware can be dressed up or down, and can elevate the everyday. A set of cloth napkins (cotton or linen) can be used every day or for dinner parties, and a tablecloth in a natural color can dress things up further.

What to avoid: China so fancy you’re afraid to use it. Beautiful china can be a lovely way to make a special occasion even more elegant — but be honest with yourself about how often you are likely to actually pull it out. Would you use it for a casual gathering with friends, for instance? Or would you “save” it for a once-a-year major holiday … if you host it, which you might not? Spending more on a really gorgeous set of everyday dishes is probably a better investment — and if you really want to add something extra special to your dinner table, consider a set of fancy dessert plates or a beautiful vase.

Organizing

What to choose: Hooks, baskets and matching sets. Good, sturdy hooks and woven baskets can tackle all sorts of items, from coats in the entryway to aprons and cleaning tools in the kitchen. If you do find you need other organizing containers, like jars for pantry items or photo boxes, invest in a matching set rather than picking up a piece here and there at random. They will look better on your shelves, and when it comes to boxes, they will stack more easily as well.

What to avoid: Loading up on organizers before clearing clutter. If you’re facing a messy area, try clearing out the clutter before purchasing any new containers to sort it — once you’ve pared back, you may find you don’t need the extra containers after all.

Article retrieved from Houzz.com