110 Things Everyone Should Have At Home Somewhere
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Home may be where the heart is—but it should also be where you keep a lot of other important stuff, too.
Even if preparedness isn’t your strong suit, there are certain home staples that any successful household should possess. From essential cleaning supplies to must-have kitchen equipment and beyond, here are 104 items everyone should have at home—or at least plan on having sometime in the near future.
Follow Topics for more like this
Follow for more stories like this
Credit: Joe Lingeman/Apartment Therapy
Tools & Supplies
- A flathead screwdriver
- A Phillips head screwdriver
- Pliers
- An electric screwdriver or power drill
- A hammer
- Measuring tape
- Level
- An assortment of nails (for different sized jobs)
- Extra screws, nuts, and bolts (in case you need to quickly replace any furniture hardware that goes missing)
- A tool box
- A step ladder
- A boxcutter
- Duct tape
- Transparent tape
- Electrical tape
- Oil and water-displacing spray (such as WD-40)
- Extension cords
Credit: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn; Food Stylist: CC Buckley/Kitchn
Kitchen Equipment
- Dish cloths
- A dish scrub brush or sponge
- A drying rack (even if you have a dishwashing machine good to have a place to dry hand washable items, etc.)
- Pot holders or oven mitts
- A skillet
- A measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Cutlery
- Paring knife
- Cutting board
- A baking pan (aluminum or glass)
- A nonstick saucepan and lid
- A pot (big enough to boil a pound of pasta)
- Drinking glasses
- Dinner plates
- Dinner bowls
- A mixing bowl
- A colander
- A can opener
- A bottle opener/corkscrew
- A whisk
- A cooking spoon
- Food storage containers, like Tupperware
- Ice cube trays
- A toaster
- A coffee maker (even if you don’t use it, you’ll be prepared for guests)
- Coffee mugs
- A kettle
- Hand mixer
- Baking sheet
- Meat thermometer
Credit: Sarah Crowley/Apartment Therapy
Cleaning Supplies
- All-purpose cleaner
- Disinfecting wipes
- Window cleaner
- A hand duster
- A detail brush
- A scrub brush
- A good cleaning cloth (microfiber or blue huck surgical towels)
- A utility belt or storage caddy (to carry your cleaning supplies around from room to room)
- A vacuum (handheld or larger variety)
- A broom and dustpan
- A mop
- Rubber gloves
- A plunger
- A toilet brush
- A bucket
Credit: Sylvie Li
Furniture
- A comfortable place to sit
- A coffee/side table (to set stuff on)
- A bed frame
- A good pillow
- A place to hang your clothes (if you don’t have a closet, consider a garment rack)
Credit: Amelia Lawrence/Apartment Therapy
Decor
- Bath towels
- Hand towels
- Soft bed sheets
- A blanket or comforter
- A bathmat
- A flower vase (you never know when you’ll need it)
- Coasters
- Window treatments
- A clock
- A full-length mirror
- A lamp
- Area rug
- Wall art
Credit: Emma Fiala
Storage and Organizational Items
- A place to hang your heavy coats (like a wall-mounted coat rack or wall hooks)
- A filing system (for important paperwork)
- Something to write on (pad of paper, notebook, etc.)
- A place to write on (desk, drop-leaf table, or lap desk)
- Bedside storage (even if it’s technically not a nightstand)
- A trash can (for every room)
- A laundry hamper
- Key hooks
- Desk organizer
- Storage cart
For Emergencies
- Smoke alarm
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Emergency candles (for power outages)
- Matches
- First-aid kit
- A finger splint
- Band-aids
- Gauze and cloth tape (for deep cuts)
- A flashlight
- Ibuprofen/Aspirin (for unexpected headaches)
- A hand-crank or solar-powered phone charger
- A fire extinguisher
- An umbrella
- Bottled water (or a LifeStraw)
- Canned food
- Batteries
- Whistle