The Beauty Battalion - Featuring Beauty In All Shapes & Sizes January 2018 | Page 10
A Guide to Outfit Your Home
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
W
FAMILY FEATURES
hether you’re just starting out and filling your first home or looking to round out the
missing pieces of a household you’ve lived in for years, this handy list can help give
you a rundown of some must-have items for every room.
Kitchen
High-quality knives and a sharpener for even, precise slicing and dicing
A collection (although not necessarily a matched set) of pots and pans in varying sizes with lids
Wooden spoons and plastic spatulas and scrapers that allow you to prep meals without
damaging pots and pans
n Sturdy mixing bowls that will stand up to heavy blending and beating
n A hand or stand mixer with variable speed settings
n Baking essentials, including heavy cookie sheets, cake pans and muffin tins
n Measuring cups and spoons (consider adding an extra set if you cook often so there’s always
some clean and ready)
n At least a couple of cutting boards so you can prepare potential contaminants, like raw chicken,
separate from other ingredients
n Thick mitts for handling dishes fresh out of the oven and trivets to prevent hot items from
damaging counters and other surfaces
n Complete place settings (plates, glasses and silverware) for as many as 12 guests
n
n
n
Living Area
Comfortable seating for every member of the household
Occasional seating such as benches or ottomans than can serve dual duty for visitors
Side tables and a coffee table to keep drinks, magazines and other necessities within reach
Soft, cozy touches such as rugs, pillows and throw blankets
Artwork and other decor that can add character and personality
Lamps that create a more inviting ambiance than stark overhead lighting (adding a dimmer
switch can give you ultimate ambiance control)
n Entertainment features, such as a television or music system
n Window coverings to block harsh daylight sun and give added privacy at night
n
n
n
n
n
n
Office
n
n
n
n
n
n
A comfortable chair with adequate lumbar support
One or more flat, sturdy work surfaces
Supply of pens and pencils in varying weights and colors
Standard supplies, including stapler, paper clips, ruler, etc.
Printer, paper and extra ink, so you don’t get caught mid-project with no way to finish
Quality task lighting
Guest Room
At least two sets of linens to accommodate beds, plus extra for inflatable mattresses or sleeper
sofas for guests
n Blankets in a variety of seasonal weights so guests can layer up or down to their comfort level
n A complete set of towels and washcloths per guest
n Toiletry essentials that are easily forgotten, like toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo and conditioner
n Remedies for current maladies, such as headaches and allergies
n A supply of extra hangers
n Reading material, such as a couple of classic novels or current magazines
n
Laundry Room
A drying rack for air-dry-only garments
Baby powder to help lift greasy stains (just sprinkle, let sit to absorb then apply stain remover
before washing)
n Stain remover
n An iron and ironing board
n Hangers for items fresh out of the dryer and a rack or rod to hold them
n A secure shelf or basket to safely hold detergent, other laundry essentials and items that do not
fit in the pantry
n
n
Find more helpful tips for your home and lifestyle at eLivingToday.com.
5 Ways to Save Money While Shopping
T
here’s shopping for pleasure, then there’s
shopping for purpose. The latter is
never quite as fun, but taking a practical
approach to buying household necessities can
help save money so there’s more to spend on the
shopping you enjoy most.
Tackle your household shopping with these cost-
conscious tips from the experts at Scott Brand:
Keep a list. Knowing which groceries and
supplies you have on-hand before heading to
the store makes it easier to avoid overspending.
Look for a shopping list app that includes sharing
features so others in the household can let you
know when they use the last of something that
needs replaced.
Pull in price-cutting resources. Start by
looking at store ads before heading out to shop
so you know where to find the best deals. Be
sure to clip coupons from the local paper and
print more coupons online. Also remember to
do price comparisons at online shopping sites.
Shop for value. Instead of simply purchasing
the cheapest product, do your research to know
which product offers the best value. Look for
household items like Scott 1000 toilet paper,
America’s longest-lasting toilet paper, which
comes with 1,000 sheets in every roll to help
your family keep on going. Determining which
products will meet your family’s needs in terms
of performance and long-lasting value at the
lowest price can help you
save in the long run.
Know when bulk
spending is better. While
it will likely make a larger
dent on your wallet at
the store, buying in bulk
can provide long-term
financial gain. Because
you’re buying in quantity,
you’ll likely be purchasing
products that will last
longer to help delay a
return trip to the store.
One way to minimize
the “ouch” of the upfront
expense: stagger your
bulk buying so you’re
restocking items over time.
Avoid impulses. Especially
when you’re shopping
with family members, it’s
easy to watch the shopping
cart grow full with each
“bargain” item at the end
of the aisle. Unfortunately,
these impulse buys can add
up quickly. Instead, invite
the whole family to help
build a reasonable list and
then help keep each other
accountable to it. If you
make it all the way to the
register, reward yourselves
with a small snack or treat
from the check-out aisle.
Find more information and
ways to save on household
necessities at ScottBrand.com.