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DEAR RETRO HOUSEWIFE
Household
Make My House A Home, 2007-05-16
I am 24 years old, got married on the 5 May 2007. We just bought a two bedroom house with a lounge, kitchen and a toilet. I need advice on where to start putting to make my house a home........... What are the basic items (from containers to furniture and bed linen (all household items) that I need in a house? How do I begin to manage my household activities? Give me any advice on household management.
Delean
RE:Make My House A Home
- Dear Delean,
- Prioritize! What do you absolutely have to have to make the house livable. For us it was a bed, washer and dryer, refrigerator, basic cooking utensils, flatware, and china. You also need a set of towels and linens for your bed. Even if you are on a budget, I would spend my money buying a quality mattress set and some nice sheets and blankets. Everything else can live on the floor and in boxes, but a good night sleep is a must, and especially for newlyweds, it is really nice to crawl into a comfy bed at the end of the day. I would also buy quality appliances, as this will save you money in the long run.
- The next round of purchases depend on your lifestyle. Do you and your husband like to plunk down and watch TV at the end of the day? Do you prefer eating at a table or on the couch? If you are a TV watcher, then that will be your next big purchase. You can always improvise a sofa with large pillows, a futon etc. Also, consider purchasing used furniture from estate or moving sales. You can get some great stuff this way if you have the time to hunt. That's what I did! I read the classified ads every day, and If I found something I needed, I'd phone them up and get the details. With the internet it's 10 times easier. This way, you can get the basic furniture you need quickly and inexpensively, which will give you some time to think about what you want to do with your house decor-wise, and also give you time to look around to find the best styles and deals.
- Stock up on your cleaning supplies and appliances! Laundry: one or two laundry baskets, detergent, bleach, fabric softener if you like, Kitchen: Dust pan and whisk broom, large broom, mop or swiffer, sponges, steel wool, dish soap, kitchen towels, Bathrooms: Bathroom cleaner, 2 or 3 pair of rubber gloves, bowel cleaner, toilet brush, glass cleaner.
- Bed and Bath: 2 sets of sheets, some nice blankets, towels, bathroom rugs, trash cans, plenty of hangers, soap dish, iron and ironing board. Storage containers and organizers will make your life a lot easier. Follow the rule, "A place for everything and everything in its place!"
- More to come...
Congratulations on your marriage! It's an exciting time, starting out a new household. If you have plenty of money, it's easy, but if you are like most, especially after just buying a house, money can be a bit tight.
Here is what I did when our family moved to Germany for 2 years and I had to furnish a 2 bedroom apartment from scratch, on a tight budget, and knowing all the stuff would go after 2 years!
Where to Buy:
- Bed sheets: - sheets can become quite expensive and there are a few things to know about them before you buy. One measurement of quality for sheets is "thread count". Thread count means how many threads are used per square inch of fabric. In general, the higher the thread count, the better the sheet. Thread counts can range from 200 to 1000. High thread count sheets will be much denser and less see-through. They should also last longer. Consequently, the higher the thread count, the more expensive the sheets! I look for a minimum 400 thread count when I buy sheets, but I prefer 800! If you want to buy sheets online, or at least comparison shop, check out these sites: 400-Thread Count Sateen Sheets Extra Pillowcases at Domestications,
