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01.09.2024 - 11:59 / thespruce.com / Sheila Kim
As a first-time homeowner, you might be excitedly making plans for major renovations, minor cosmetic alterations, or just decorating with new furniture and home accessories. But before embarking on any such plans or shopping sprees, you should consider prioritizing certain items—both basic and big-ticket—that every home needs at one point or another.
We asked pros to share the best home essentials everyone needs for their first home.
House Plan Zone
Wendy Glaister, principal of Wendy Glaister Interiors, suggests that new homeowners first invest in a great mattress, emphasizing the importance of sleep.
Many new homeowners often don’t prioritize this at the start, opting to shop for a better mattress after having settled in for some time. They tend to forget about the waste of mattress shopping twice: it’s not only a waste of money, but it's another big and bulky deposit to your local landfill.
Along the same lines, Laurel Vernazza, chief marketing officer and director of content for The Plan Collection, recommends proper window treatments to aid with sleep, such as blackout shades, in addition to providing privacy.
A third essential for this space is bedside end tables or nightstands, according to Vernazza. People underestimate how much they tend to rest all manner of things besides the bed—from phone chargers to an alarm clock—and a furniture top is more suitable and practical than the floor or a moving box.
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House Plan Zone
A basic set of cookware—such as a pot, pan, cooking utensils, a knife set, and cutting board—is always a necessity in a home. Even if you tend to rely on takeout and
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