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Original poster

What item in your house just makes sense?

116 replies

justanothermanicmonday1 · 07/08/2023 23:57

Me again.

I had another thread running looking for a sofa for our new place (new build flat that's currently under construction, 2 double bedrooms + 1 bathroom and plenty of built in storage).

We are moving within the next 6-8 weeks and have a 16mo and a 10 day old.

What item/gadget/thing do you have in your house/flat that just makes sense and you absolutely swear by that I must have.

This could be anything from storage, gadgets, towels, certain brands, pans, anything really.

I have major baby brain/fog and I'm not organised at all.

Suggestions below!

Thanks x

Thank you!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Cloudflare · 09/08/2023 04:44

husband I are just built a small 2 bedroom house for retirement. Space (or lack of it) was a big factor. We’ve moved in, and things I love the most:

Walk in shower with a built in tiled bench seat. so you can sit under the shower.

Over head rain- fall style showerhead, as well as hand held one.

Heating under the other bathroom floor tiles. (Husband insisted, I’m glad he did)

and a toilet that washes and dries your bum - I’m never going back.

tvs on the wall that pivot.

when putting in power points put the ones in that have the connection to charge your iphone etc..

Lights under bathroom cabinet (cabinets are wall hung so easier cleaning) - you don’t have to turn on the overhead in the middle of the night when using the loo so much gentler on the eyes.

wall lights over kitchen bench(under overhead camera or shelving) easier to see what I’m preparing etc..

I live in a hot country so fly/mosquito screens on all windows and exterior doors.

Lots and lots of insulation , in walls (Exterior and interior), in roof space. It’s the thing building companies will often skimp on as you can’t see it - but it keeps you warmer in winter and cooler in summer. And reduces noise from outside and internally. It’s not expensive, especially when compared to heating/cooling costs.

ceiling fans - v cheap to run.

An air purifier thingy - with flus, colds covid it just makes sense.

IME, it’s bullshit that light dimmers work better now. I had better ones in the 1990s - and they were shite.

Lots of great suggestions in previous posts!

Groutyonehereagain · 09/08/2023 04:47

A big comfy sofa.

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 09/08/2023 05:57

An ottoman bed where the entire top lifts up, as opposed to one with drawers underneath.

Peanutbutter11 · 09/08/2023 05:59

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns, so we've agreed to take this down now.

Caspianberg · 09/08/2023 06:37

Storage everywhere. If you haven’t bought sofa or chairs yet, make sure to look at ones with legs and space underneath. It’s so much extra storage in small space.

Our arm chair’s currently have low wicker basket under each, one fits all brio train track, one duplo. The robo vacuum charger dock and vacuum live under the sofa. I could easily fit another 4 large wicker baskets under the sofa if we needed.

Small Storage ottoman in hall area. Use to storage hats/ gloves/ nursery bags etc. and then can be sat on to put shoes on.

kids cot or bed get with drawers under. Even ikea sells.

Brabantia cloth laundry basket with the wood handles.

a lidded small laundry basket near washing machine for dirty things to be dumped in, like face cloths, kids bibs, tea towels.

ramensoup · 09/08/2023 06:50

We have the tefal ingenio pans - they are perfect for our tiny kitchen because we just stack them on the hob in a neat little pile and save on needing a dedicated pan cupboard

mrsalfstewart · 09/08/2023 06:55

We've also got a waste disposal - best thing ever! Also for those who have a robot hoover and mop, what make is it please?

cuckyplunt · 09/08/2023 06:57

Cable ties, use them for so many things.

DaisyWaldron · 09/08/2023 06:58

WicketWoo · 08/08/2023 21:53

No it so good for the OP in a flat but for anyone with a house - moving the washer and drier upstairs. So much less hassle than carrying everything downstairs and then carrying it all back up again

How does that work? Do you end up always using the tumble dryer because you have to carry a load of wet laundry downstairs to get to the washing line? Or do you have a space for indoor airers upstairs? Where do you dry the stuff that can't be tumble dried? Do you use the bathroom or a landing,, or did you turn an unused bedroom into a utility room.

It wouldn't work at all with the layout of my house, but I can see it might work in one of those Victorian houses with a lot of space used for stairs and landings where you could put up ceiling airers.

Mumdiva99 · 09/08/2023 07:06

My new 'amazing thing' is very cheap and I can't believe I haven't done it before.
My son plays football and I like walking. We often get soaked outside and have dripping coats when we come in. I finally stuck a hook above the bath to hang the wet coat on. So simple but I never thought of it before......now it can drip into the bath without making the floor wet....

WicketWoo · 09/08/2023 07:10

@DaisyWaldron

I tend to tumble lots of stuff but we have one of those massive ladder radiators for stuff that can't tumble and an airer if needed.

I don't have an outside washing line at all. Not the most eco maybe but with a full time, full on job and 3 kids this is a massive time saver for me. (I also hate washing hanging around downstairs).

Cyclistmumgrandma · 09/08/2023 07:12

Basic electric fan and a dehumidifier in the utility. Makes drying laundry inside so much easier.

PuttingDownRoots · 09/08/2023 07:19

Full length mirror by the front door, with a shelf (actually a spice rack!) Next to it for hairbrush, bobbles etc. We did this when DDs were 9&10 and it make getting them ou to school so much easier and we foresee it will be very useful in their teens! We just need a plug socket by it now for straighteners etc

PuttingDownRoots · 09/08/2023 07:20

Theres also a chalk board week planner listing what extras they need that day like musical instruments and sports kit.

RoyKentFanclub · 09/08/2023 07:30

If you will be two adults and two children in a small two bedroom house, do yourself a favour from the outset and give them the bigger room. You are two people in one bed. They will need two and kids have so much stuff in the early years.

RoadSignFool · 09/08/2023 07:33

I second the water softener if you live in a hard water area. They are expensive but they last a very long time and it’s amazing not having to clean limescale off everything. I think you might be in Scotland though, so perhaps not relevant.

We have a coffee table in the living room with a top that lifts up so you can eat your food off it at dining table height- much better than a tray on your lap. (We do have a proper dining table but just prefer a TV dinner now and again).

Eufy robot hoover. Cheaper than I expected.

I have a kitchen cupboard with vertical dividers for storing baking trays and chopping boards. Game changer.

RoadSignFool · 09/08/2023 07:34

RoyKentFanclub · 09/08/2023 07:30

If you will be two adults and two children in a small two bedroom house, do yourself a favour from the outset and give them the bigger room. You are two people in one bed. They will need two and kids have so much stuff in the early years.

I imagine it will be 2 adults plus baby in one room for quite a while to begin with.

CurlewKate · 09/08/2023 07:36

One of my cats makes perfect sense. She is the epitome of cat-dom in the way she moves round and interacts with the world. The other one is an idiot that falls out of trees.

RoadSignFool · 09/08/2023 07:36

This sort of thing

Ohyoudodoyou · 09/08/2023 07:36

Gtech MK2 Multi Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, kept in a shelf in my wardrobe. So useful to quickly pick up bits off floor, mattress, headboard, sofa, car. Just so useful. Take to to holiday homes too!

VinEtFromage · 09/08/2023 07:37

WashableVelvet · 08/08/2023 20:45

Black out blinds/curtains and built in storage. Tado thermostats on every radiator, so we can zone the heating much more effectively - it’s made the house a lot more comfortable than previously having a central thermostat plus manual TRV valves on each radiator.

@WashableVelvet Did you install the TADO system yourself or did you need someone to do it for you?

RoyKentFanclub · 09/08/2023 07:37

RoadSignFool · 09/08/2023 07:34

I imagine it will be 2 adults plus baby in one room for quite a while to begin with.

Show quote history

Maybe for the first six months to a year but then the “stuff” explodes

RoyKentFanclub · 09/08/2023 07:37

Although this thread seems like it’s going to cause an explosion of “stuff” in itself!

RoadSignFool · 09/08/2023 07:38

RoyKentFanclub · 09/08/2023 07:37

Maybe for the first six months to a year but then the “stuff” explodes

Show quote history

Yes, but they’d be mad to move straight into the smaller room “from the outset” while baby is still with them.

RoadSignFool · 09/08/2023 07:39

Sorry, pic failed to upload:

What item in your house just makes sense?