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What was you BEST purchase for the house or otherwise

248 replies

NoBiscuitsLeftInMyTin · 07/06/2025 06:44

Light hearted to counter the worst stuff you've bought thread.

Me - two Kirby vacuums for under £200 delivered from eBay rather than £4k - one for each floor as they're bloody heavy. I may think of more as we go along

OP posts:
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FastMauveQuoter · 07/06/2025 22:59

We changed our conservatory roof to a solid tiled one about 11 years ago and turned it into a fabulous usable room. Before this it was too hot or cold to be of much benefit as it is south facing. This was way before the prices went stupid, we use it all the time now, it houses our washer and dryer too at one end. We love it.

ChaliceinWonderland · 07/06/2025 23:01

My airfryer
Sandwich toaster
Lakeland heated dryer- just the best!!!

Hot tub

Gymnopediegivesmethewillies · 07/06/2025 23:59

Air con in our south facing bedroom is a gift. That along with a superking bed and Vispring mattress have made such a difference.

oh and DH installing lamp sockets operated by the light switches. Never heard of them 20 years ago but so much nicer than having to switch individual lamps on or needing the big light!

k1233 · 08/06/2025 02:18

I've got a number of things over the years.

My little De'Longhi coffee machine is used daily. It's not a huge expensive one, barely cost much more than a pod machine. It does pods but I prefer ground coffee. Everyone loves the coffee it makes.

Ladder into my roof - tradesmen love it and roof cavity is large enough to stand upright and walk around, so I have things stored up there. Would really like to get flooring down up there but will need to wait a little bit for that.

My dad gave me a little electric screwdriver for my birthday years ago. I was appropriately grateful but thinking to myself I'd never use it. It is the best thing ever and now that he's passed away, quite treasured and I think of him every time I use it.

On a similar theme mum gave me an air fryer a few years ago. Thought I'd never use it, but it's great and was really handy when I hosted Christmas last year.

My robo vacs - loved my first one but it was low tech and used bumping to redirect. Got a newer version that uses sensors instead as didn't want new kitchen banged up.

I renovated my kitchen and bathroom/laundry last year they were around 30+ years old and I've lived here nearly half that time. Got a great single drawer Fisher and Paykel dishwasher (didn't have one previously) plus an induction cooktop. In the bathroom/laundry got a pull out pantry and it is way better than I imagined. Holds all bottles and so easy to access. The Fisher and Paykel 10 kg front loader seemed like overkill for one person but it's amazing. Washes clothes so much better than my prior top loader. Even though I've got a bigger hot water system, dishwasher, much bigger washing machine my power usage has dropped by a third. Can't quite figure out why but not complaining about that!

Picture of my bathroom pantry as it's just so amazing! I've got shower stuff on the far side and laundry stuff on the washing machine side.

What was you BEST purchase for the house or otherwise
Treesandsheepeverywhere · 08/06/2025 03:27

notafraidofthebigbadwolf · 07/06/2025 16:23

A little oil dispenser kept next to the hob. Starts every meal with a swoosh and a swirl in the pan and makes me feel like a pro. I love it!😂

Which one do you use please? I find most clunky.

Treesandsheepeverywhere · 08/06/2025 03:55

Which curtain rails please @wizzler , have a bay window that's awkward to dress.

@CoubousAndTourmalet , which ones are they please?

Sorry for the questions.

My top buy has been curtains instead of wardrobe doors.

A proper mattress.

Ikea perspex storage boxes that go under the bed. Can't see them and 4 big ones hold all my shoes.

Moulook31 · 08/06/2025 04:35

Love this thread. Some great ideas. Thank you everyone.

Passwordsaremynemesis · 08/06/2025 04:36

My thermomix, I love it like another child, and it has more than paid for itself.

Messycoo · 08/06/2025 04:40

Tooearlytothink · 07/06/2025 06:53

Superking bed. Don’t even know if DH is there half the time, ideal 🤣

That, me too and I love it !

Noshadelamp · 08/06/2025 04:47

SalmonWellington · 07/06/2025 09:49

Emperor duvet. Bigger than superking and ended duvet wars. Worth every goddamn penny.

We went the other way and have separate single duvets. I love it for so many reasons, especially since we both prefer different togs.

Moulook31 · 08/06/2025 05:06

Goingawayistricky · 07/06/2025 22:04

I have an ironing board with a plug attached. You plug the board in to a socket and the iron plugs into the top of the board. Means you don’t stretch the iron cable or worry about pulling it off. Apparently common in Germany. It’s a brilliant idea.

Never seen this. Brilliant idea. Will definitely be purchasing one when replacing mine.

Yazzi · 08/06/2025 05:11

Middleagedstriker · 07/06/2025 08:52

Our nutribullet, bought it thinking would use it twice but it is used most days. DS makes his breakfast of fruit, oats and yoghurt, ds2 makes smoothies, DD mkaes milkshakes, I use it in cooking to create spice pastes.

Also the air fryer is used most days multiple times. The kids often cook themselves snacks in it (finger sandwiches/jacket potatoes/sweet potato chips). we use if for baking. So much cheaper than the oven.

The smell form the spice paste never sticks around for the smoothies? Do you clean it a particular way? I have a little spice blender thing and there's definite residual smell, I quickly wash but just with tap-hot soapy water! But if there's a way to prevent it would much prefer to minimise 2 appliances into one!

user1497787065 · 08/06/2025 06:30

Fastpress ironing system

CoubousAndTourmalet · 08/06/2025 06:41

We've never had a dishwasher either. Well, not unless you count my husband wielding a sponge and a bottle of Ecover...

No microwave either. And no ninja/airfryer etc.

Not even a woodburner, just an open fireplace. We basically live like 18th century peasants I guess 😬

CoubousAndTourmalet · 08/06/2025 07:03

@Treesandsheepeverywhere

They're perfect fit metal blinds, that slot inside each separate frame. No drilling, they just clip in, but you do need to be pretty precise with your measurements when you order. We opted for the cream and they're nicely subtle.

www.blindsbypost.co.uk/

We did look at other blinds first, but we wanted to be able to open individual windows and one side of the French door. These enable us to do that without fiddling, the blind stays in place on the frame even when the windows are open.

suki1964 · 08/06/2025 07:04

Multifuel stove. Best thing we installed 18 years ago. We get a lot of power cuts so this heats us and water

Robót lawnmower We have loads of lawns and this takes care of them with no dump runs required

Ninja 15 in 1 - used daily

and finally, just for me as Im the only coffee drinker - Sage Barista Express. I finish work at 10am, walk the dog and sit down and enjoy a beautiful cup of coffee and take 30mins to myself

RenoSweeney · 08/06/2025 07:17

Lakeland Dry Soon heated airer with cover. It really is a marvel when you can’t dry clothes outside due to bad weather. So quick and effective.

Newbie1011 · 08/06/2025 07:23

NegroniMacaroni · 07/06/2025 08:38

Super quiet washing machine. It was expensive, but as it's in the kitchen which is open plan it makes a huge difference - so much more calm.

What’s the make and model of your super quiet washing machine please?!

VerbenaGirl · 08/06/2025 07:25

Boiling water tap.

lorn195 · 08/06/2025 07:47

Our IKEA shoe cupboard. It holds up to 12 pairs of shoes (mainly DS2’s trainers 🤣).

We love it as it’s practical and it keeps our hallway tidy and clean.

SanctusInDistress · 08/06/2025 08:04

Súper king mattress
straub pancake pan
large le creuset casserole dishes

FalseSpring · 08/06/2025 08:11

Quooker tap
Wool mattress
Linen sheets - so much better than cotton but I've had to accept the crumpled look!

I try to steer clear of kitchen gadgets that take up space in my small kitchen, but have just got an air fryer. Still experimenting so as yet undecided on its usefulness.

No dishwasher as I'm not good at bending down these days, but like the idea of drawers - that would be much easier to use.

Figcherry · 08/06/2025 08:17

Newbie1011 · 08/06/2025 07:23

What’s the make and model of your super quiet washing machine please?!

My dd has just bought a Neff washing machine. Very quiet and it has a light for loading and emptying.

Drew79 · 08/06/2025 08:27

A cheap £20-odd veggie/rice steamer with the three tier plastic steaming baskets - gently cooks perfect rice without all the usual steaming up of the kitchen and other issues boiling it in a pan on the hob - let's you get on with the fun bits of cooking!

Middleagedstriker · 08/06/2025 08:32

Yazzi · 08/06/2025 05:11

The smell form the spice paste never sticks around for the smoothies? Do you clean it a particular way? I have a little spice blender thing and there's definite residual smell, I quickly wash but just with tap-hot soapy water! But if there's a way to prevent it would much prefer to minimise 2 appliances into one!

After a good scrub I soak it in bicarb and vinegar. Then rinse. Works well!

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