Things you couldn't live without

[Werehalfwaythere]

what can't you live without in your home?

We're moving soon and have scope to make some improvements in our new home. I'm looking for inspiration on those things you use everyday that, now you have it, you couldn't live without it!

Thanks!

Cold water dispenser on fridge - we inherited a big fridge freezer with this house and I value the cold water/ice far more than I thought possible.

Another one who would never have laundry machines upstairs - we frequently put a wash on overnight to finish first thing - who wants a washing machine spinning away beside their bedroom?

I'm beginning to wish we had tiles throughout the ground floor instead of just the kitchen/diner. Got a puppy today!

Downstairs cloakroom, somewhere to park the car and a garden - doesn't need to be big. I am looking at downsizing and amazed at the number of houses that had all the fancy kitchens put in and only one bathroom in the house.

Good luck (and check out the washable rugs!)

I would miss the ensuite as it would mean a trip downstairs to the family bathroom (Aussie house) also the laundry.

This, I am up for. A built in draining rack, not so much.

re the laundry room upstairs, is this not an issue because of the weight of the washing machine on the floorboards? Otherwise sounds sensible.

Deep soaking bath tub. I had one that was pretty good and it leaked during Covid so repairs were super slow. My mental health suffered. Turns out it is my main source of self care. My new one is even better. I won’t even consider moving somewhere if we can’t factor in installing another immediately.

Water softener and boil tap.

🤣 yes, I did, and I’m terribly disappointed- I thought it would be something quite innovative

Me and I want one now.

Boot room with toilet and shower.
Walk in area for large kitchen equipment.
Gym.
Greenhouse.

Downstairs loo
Garden / outdoor space
Insulation to keep heating costs down and cool in summer

First thing I did when renovating my new place was replace the one big (over sized) bathroom with 2 bathrooms- one became an en-suite.
I also changed the patio doors to French doors with 2 little windows so the windows can be opened safely without cat escaping!

@Kittea because traditionally clothes were hung outside to dry & many of us still do that. It's much easier to take dry laundry downstairs to wash than wet washing. Putting everything in a tumble drier is a recent (and wasteful) thing.

@MrsStottlemeyer

how are they a fire hazard??

they're a bloody nightmare if you have children. It's easier just to take the clothing downstairs yourself than sort the toys/paper/brushes/random shite from the laundry, let alone the kids wanting to 'ride' down it.

Boiling and chilled water tap - our Qettle does both and I love it.

Toilets upstairs and downstairs and our own drive weren't negotiable for us.

Somewhere to put a dishwasher and a washer/dryer.

Enough storage.

indulge me Kittea please? What exactly is the scolapiatti? I googled it but it brought up a mixture of fancy draining racks but also flat mats and metal racks.

is it just a type of draining rack? What is special about it, not judging, just curious as I love a kitchen gadget!

Got to have more than one toilet/bathroom, upstairs and downstairs - completely non-negotiable that one! Decent outside space. Driveway.

A wall oven. Ours is so low that during my recent illness I couldn't bend down to access it.
Two dishwashers if you entertain a lot (I don't now but I did).
An airfyer. Absolutely fab for sausages. I was late to the party but so helpful and cheap to run. I don't have to bend down. Ditto a washing machine set higher up for loading.
Downstairs loo and an extra room that could be a ground floor bedroom if you are getting older or have health conditions.
Two sinks so one can be used for soaking.

Things I love/appreciate in my current house -

Large (internal) porch/entranceway with storage for all coats/shoes/gym kits/school bags.

Utility room (small) - space for all cleaning bits, washing machine and tumble dryer stack and just squeezed in an extra under counter fridge. Great for Christmas time etc..!

Downstairs loo - fab with 2 young kids, plus when guests come over.

Linen cupboard (small) - place to keep all sheets and towels

Office in garden - we both wfh a lot and having a different work space at home is wonderful and I'm very grateful for it.

Two rooms open out onto the garden - the kitchen and living room. Feels lovely in the summer.

Space for our two cars on drive plus two cars for guests - just makes things easy

Separate playroom - means I don't have to tidy up the toys all the time.

Do you have young children? I've been considering a boiling tap as we drink a lot of hot drinks but one thing I know is that my young kids won't touch the kettle. It's out of reach but also we've taught them never to touch it.

I'm concerned with a boiling water tap that they may get the stool to wash their hands and have a funny 5 minutes and use the boiling tap accidently. Is there risk of that?

Things we have I couldn’t live without:

At least 3 loos
Boiling water tap
American fridge freezer with ice dispenser
Dishwasher
Tumble dryer
Walk in wardrobe/dressing room
Large porch for coats and shoes
Hard floor downstairs
Pull out bins
Medium sized utility
Separate office space
Large and private driveway with gates

I could live without them but -

Window in the bathroom. I really missed it when we lived in a house without windows in bathroom/en suite.

South/west facing rear garden.

Dishwasher

Why oh why are washing machines downstairs when all of the clothes are upstairs?

Because the garden is downstairs. On dry days I line dry my washing. Why oh why do people use a tumble dryer if they have an outside space to dry washing?

Also the noise of the washing machine is not relaxing upstairs. I can put a wash in downstairs before people are up.