There are a few items that every house should have, mostly because they will make your life so much easier. And the majority of the items on the list will pretty much last forever, so you won't ever have to replace them.
Portable Radio.
Most homes have a computer, television, stereo with a radio and all the other modern day conveniences. The thing is though if the power ever goes off none of those item will be of any use to you. However if you have a battery operated portable radio, you will still be able to get the weather report and any other important news announcements.
Battery Powered Lantern.
A few years ago we purchased a good sized battery powered lantern, and I am surprised how many times we have had the opportunity to use it. A few times we used it when the power went off, and a couple of times when a light burned out it a room it came in handy, until we replaced the bulb. You can even buy styles now that are quite attractive, but the main thing is to have one, as it will be much appreciated when you really need it.
Portable Coat Rack.
Many condos, apartments and houses have a limited amount of space for storing coats. Having a portable coat rack will come in handy for both your family and visitors. If the entrance has a spot for a coat rack then you can stick it in a corner in that space. And they have improved in appearance so much over the years that some coat racks are nice enough to be placed in other rooms as well, they don't need to be limited to the entrance way. You can pick them up at most home decorating stores and they come in a number of colours and materials, so you can purchase one that best suits your decor.
Stacking Tables.
I don't think there is anyone that will not at some point or the other need a set of stacking tables. And the neat thing is they come in a variety of styles from the casual to the more elegant, so you can fit them into your decorating style. The uses for stacking tables are endless, and they are especially useful when you have guests. Now with the amount of entertaining that goes on they can be placed strategically in any room you are having guests in, and they can be used for glasses, snacks and so forth.
Folding Chairs.
Who hasn't been stuck at the last minute borrowing chairs for a dinner, you are just about to serve. Like everything else folding chairs have come a long way, and you can now buy folding chairs that look quite good. You can also find them in all different types of materials, colours and price ranges. The main thing is having a few on hand at all times will be one of the handiest accessories you will have.
Serving Tray.
A few years ago I picked up a serving tray because I liked the way it looked. I found it had a number of uses so I have since picked up a few more. Obviously they can be used for serving drinks and o'rderves, and when they are not being used they look lovely set at the end of a kitchen or dining room table. Everyone will find their own uses for serving trays and once you have one or two you will wonder what you did before you had them.
Butler Table.
If you have a coffee table then you aren't necessarily going to go out and purchase a butler's table. When you do need a new coffee table I would highly recommend making it a butler's table. We bought one over 25 years ago and it still looks current, and I think we will probably have it forever. I would suggest buying the style that has sides that fold up and down, that way you can adjust the size of your table according to the amount of space you want from it.
Reading Lamp.
Every home needs to have at least one good reading lamp. I find that a floor lamp works best, that way it can be easily moved around from place to place without requiring a table to set it on. Another suggestion is to get a reading lamp that has an adjustable base, that way it can be raised and lowered according to which height you want it to be. The cost of floor lamps has really dropped over the last few years, and you can purchase a good one for a relatively inexpensive price.
Magazine Rack.
I admit I have a thing for magazine racks (which stems from having a thing for magazines) and we probably have at least one magazine rack in every room. Obviously there use is pretty much only for storing magazines. But the added bonus is there are so many different and interesting styles available, that they can actually look quite nice in a room and add interest to the space. But their main requirement to basically store your daily newspaper and any magazines, will help keep your living space tidy.
Desk.
I think it would be difficult to not have some form of desk in a home. Especially today when just about everyone has a computer. Also it will give you an area to pay your bills and store any important papers you have. One of the things I have noticed lately in decorating books is people are starting to put desks in their family room or even living room. Because they are available in decorative as well as functional styles, this concept actually looks quite lovely.
If anyone has any suggestions for other items that no home should be without, please feel free to send them into the comments section below.
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