Making sure you’re covered by having essential appliances keeps you comfortable in your home. Even if you don’t have all the gadgets, knowing where you need to start will help. Here are some options for the most-needed appliances for your home.
Essential Major Appliances
Major appliances include refrigerators, ovens, washers, and dryers. If you have nothing else, you need at least these appliances to function in your house.
1. Refrigerators
When you choose your fridge, you’ll need to think about the space you have to work with because they come in different sizes. Measure the height, width, and depth so you can get a sense of the area a fridge can occupy first. After measuring, search for refrigerators that will fit. From there, narrow down the features you want. Some people may want a smart refrigerator, and others may prefer a simple side-by-side. Weigh your options and think about what you plan on putting in the fridge before you make your purchase.
2. Ovens
Ovens can be the heart of the home, depending on your lifestyle. Getting the right one can make or break your cooking experience, so you need to give serious thought. You have options of cooktop/oven combinations, double ovens, or single ovens. Just like with the fridge space, measure the room you have to work with. Be honest with yourself, too. Just because the double oven looks nice, if you won’t really use it, maybe you should go with something less expensive if it’s pushing your budgetary limits.
3. Washers and Dryers
If you plan to wash clothes at home, you need to consider purchasing a washer and dryer set. Just like the other major appliances, measure the space you have available for them, so you get something that fits properly. You have lots of options to choose from here, too. Top loaders, front loaders, and stackable sets all have their place, and some may be better than others for the space you have.
Essential Small Appliances
Small appliances can take up lots of counter or cabinet space, so you want to be intentional with your purchases. That espresso machine looks mighty tempting, but is it something you would genuinely use? What about that slow cooker?
4. Coffee Maker or Electric Kettle
You’d be amazed at the uses of a single-serve coffee maker or an electric kettle. An electric kettle can be used to make coffee or tea. You can also use them to boil water quickly if you need it for a recipe. With a French press and an electric kettle, you can enjoy a gourmet cup of coffee every morning. With a single-serve coffee maker, you can do similar things, including brewing a cup of coffee on a whim.
5. Slow Cooker Vs. Pressure Cooker
If you’ve never heard of an Instant Pot, you’d be in the minority. It’s a pressure cooker that claims it can double as a slow cooker, an egg boiler, a cheesecake or cake baker, a stew maker, and all sorts of other things. Some people will argue about the viability of using it as a slow cooker because of the difference in cooking methods. The bottom line is if you’re concerned about space, do some research to decide if either one would work for you by thinking about what you would cook.
6. Vacuum Cleaner
To keep things neat and tidy, you need a vacuum cleaner with all of the necessary attachments. If you have one that can function as a duster, upholstery cleaner, and vacuum, it will be easy to clean. Consider your budget and your needs. If you have a pet, purchase one that can handle pet hair because pets will shed everywhere. Tall ceilings and ceiling fans require extension wands, while blinds need dusters. Look at your home with a critical eye and think about the surfaces you’ll clean, so you buy a vacuum according to what you need.
Making Decisions on Essential Appliances
As you make decisions, choose your essential appliances based on your space, not necessarily what the trendy option might be. You need a fridge to store your food safely, a stove or oven to cook your food, and a washer and dryer to wash your clothes. Always measure the available space first, so you don’t accidentally buy something that won’t fit because that creates unnecessary headaches. Depending on your space, you also need to think about the small appliances you need in your home. For some, coffee is critical to daily function, so a coffee maker may be better for you. If you need quick cooking, then an electric pressure cooker may be the choice to make. Whatever you choose, always look at your environment and think about what you’ll need, even when it comes to a vacuum cleaner, to make the best decisions.
