What are those items you use around the house every day that you reach for automatically and rely on? These items aren’t flashy or trend-driven, but once you have them, you wonder how you lived without them. Here is our list of must-have everyday household items.
Jo:
Nespresso Espresso Machine: This is the item I miss most when I’m on vacation (and can’t bring it along). Tiny yet powerful, it’s simple to use with only two buttons – one for espresso (1.35 oz) and one for a lungo (3.7 oz). It takes under 30 seconds to make a great cup of coffee. It’s also great for espresso martinis and affogatos (espresso over ice cream).
Countertop Nugget Ice Maker: Another item we take on vacation when we’re driving (along with the Nespresso machine) because we don’t like to live without it! It can make up to 38 pounds of ice in a day and can make one batch in less than 10 minutes! It sits easily on the counter and plugs into a regular plug – no fancy hook-ups or electrician needed. We love it for water, soda, iced coffee (see above), espresso martinis, and more!
Vitamix Blender: I make smoothies most days (see our blog on Smoothies here), and they are so easy to make with this powerful blender. It has earned a permanent place on my countertop, and I don’t have that much counter space in my galley kitchen! Yes, you can buy a cheaper blender, but this one is so powerful, easy to use, and I never worry about it jamming or breaking. I also use it for soups, dips, marinades, salad dressings, etc.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven: I pull this puppy out at least 3 nights a week for rice dishes, meatballs, stew, soup, jambalaya, etc. I recommend buying this in the largest size (I like the 9-quart). It goes from stove to oven to table (and it can go in the dishwasher), and it’s indestructible! It’s also my favorite wedding gift to give because I know it will get used and last a lifetime.
Dyson Cordless Vacuum: It’s just so easy. I keep it plugged in so it’s always charged, and there is NO CORD so I can move freely between rooms, up and down stairs, and around furniture, making cleaning less of a chore. It’s so easy to vacuum wooden floors, carpets, our outside furniture, and it works for getting cobwebs up high (there are many different attachments). It also converts to a handheld, which is great for cars, stairs, upholstery, and tight nooks. If you have a pet that sheds, this is a game-changer.
Chrissie:
Little “Appliance Slider Dots” That Go On Counter Items: These work like magic and are $6 really well spent! We put these little dots on the bottom of things that sit on our counter that we constantly move forward (from the back of the counter to the front) when in use – like our Nespresso, foamer, and blender. They make the item ‘glide’ so that you don’t have to actually pick it up to move it. It sounds like a little change (and it is), but it makes a BIG difference and brings me joy every time I realize how easy it makes sliding things around!
Breville Milk Frother/Foamer: We use this multiple times a day, every day. It makes such perfect foam for my chai latte and John’s coffee. LOVE IT.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven: I am copying Jo on this one. I knew these were great, but never seemed to pull the trigger on getting one. Then Jo gifted me one (thanks Jo!), and now I can’t imagine how I lived without it. I make soups, stews, chilis, and more in this, and it really is SO much better than the other large pot I used to use. Love it.
Over the Sink Drying Rack/Strainer: This sits over the side part of our sink (it can be easily folded over or rolled to take up as little or as much space as you want) and we use it as a dish drying rack and as a place to wash fruits and vegetables (they drain/dry directly into the sink). No need for a big clunky dish drainer on the counter. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, so measure your sink before you purchase.
Large Acrylic Counter Cutting Board with “Lip”: This cutting board is clear, large, and has a “shelf lip” to keep it from sliding or moving while you cut. It’s permanently on our kitchen island next to the sink and ready whenever we need it. Because it’s clear you don’t notice it, and it’s nice and big so you can have a big cutting work station available at all times. Come in a variety of sizes.
Air Fryer: Definitely falls into the “you don’t know you need it until you have it” category. Yes, it takes up counter space, and yes, I know you already have an oven, but once you have one of these, there’s no going back. You can make chicken, salmon, vegitables etc. (perfect roasted kale!). You can heat up things that you want crispy and perfect, like leftover pizza. And you use it like a regular oven if yours has a baking mode. We love our Cosori, but we have friends who love their Cuisinart version, which has a form factor more like a toaster oven.
