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What to Buy For a New House: Nice to Have

September 15, 2022
Published by Garrette Custom Homes

Last month we talked about the essentials you need when moving into a new home. From ladders to fire extinguishers, these aren’t always the most exciting items, but they are necessities. Fortunately, when moving into one of the new homes in Puget Sound there’s also the opportunity to update some of your existing items or purchase new items you’ve never had the opportunity to have in the past. There are a variety of items for the home that are nice to have, to make life a little easier. These are a few that can make a difference.

Starting with the kitchen, you’ll find some items that people do find essential, like water filters and spice racks. Anyone who enjoys cooking and likes to season their food with an array of herbs and spices will know how important it is to have a spice rack that puts everything within easy reach. You probably have a pantry in your new home, which means you’re going to need storage shelves, bins, baskets and containers that allow you to stock up while keeping food fresh, but also easy to see at a glance when making up a grocery list. A pantry is also a convenient place to keep some special appliances like air fryers, waffle makers, rice cookers and other appliances that make life a little easier, that you may not use every day.

Our homes often feature covered patios and the trend of making patios an extension of your living space means doing more than buying some basic chairs and maybe a table. Treat your patio like another family room where you’re happy to also entertain guests. Add in some mood lighting, even if it’s a string of lantern lights or maybe even a ceiling fan with a light fixture. Look for patio furniture that is more comfortable and stylish than your average plastic or metal set and choose cushions for the seat and back that add style and comfort. Go with a theme or color scheme, just as you would indoors. Planter pots in beautiful colors and glazes add a nice touch, as do the plants that go in them.

A grill is a must if you plan on entertaining and it can be a fun way to cook many of your meals throughout the summer. Consider a hammock if you have space, a patio umbrella if you don’t have a covered patio, and maybe even a fire pit that can be used especially as evenings get cooler, extending the use of your outdoor space. You may even want to hang up some artwork, such as vintage tin advertisements or artistic metal wall hangings.

Of course, if you’re going to be spending more time outdoors, you’ll want your yard to look its best. You’ll also want it to be safe when winter arrives. There are some items that may not be as fun as a grill or a hammock, but they speed up yard work and make things look nicer with less effort. Consider a weed trimmer/edger to keep walkways and driveways looking crisp. Other handy yard tools include a wheelbarrow, leaf blower, pruners, push broom, and a trowel for planting some smaller, pretty flowers. For winter weather, make sure you have a snow shovel and ice melt to keep things safe for the whole family and visitors, as well.

Sure, some of the nice-to-have items could be considered essentials, especially the winter care items, but they do make life a little easier and keep your new homes in Vancouver WA looking their best. Contact us today to learn more about our variety of home designs and you’ll see how these items can come in handy!

Categorized in: Build on Your Land, Community Info, Fall Tips, Finance Tips, Floorplan Tips, Holiday Tips, Home Decor Tips, Things To Do, Vancouver WA Tips

This post was written by Garrette Custom Homes