You’ve Bought The House, Now It’s Time For Some Fun!

Buying your first home is fraught with high-emotions and stress and is often regarded as one of the most intense and nervy experiences anyone goes through in their lifetime.

It’s hard to disagree with that, but once all the paperwork, waiting for mortgage approval, dealing with solicitors and estate agents, and of course getting used to committing to such expense is out of the way, not to mention the move itself well, it’s time to relax and start having fun.

And that begins virtually straight away because with your new kitchen will no doubt come some new kitchenware, especially if you are starting a life together with a partner. New home, new start, new furnishings are required!

Of course, you may have your favourite mug or cereal bowl, and that’s fine, but one of the great pleasures of creating a new home is filling it with new stuff that will go with your new habitat.

If you are totally starting off from scratch, then you will want to make a list of all the basics implements you may need as it’s very easy to forget many items you take for granted.

Plates and bowls are obvious, but you may want to remember there are different types of plates and bowls – side plates, dinner plates, large pizza plates, dessert bowls, and soup bowls; little dishes and bowls for snacks and crisps, ceramic or plastic?

It’s not as easy as you think.

Pans and cooking utensils are just as important of course, and you will want to make sure you have a variety of sizes to cater for all eventualities. You’ll want baking tins and roasting tins, pots with lids for oven-cooking, and saucepans and frying pans, again with lids, for hob work. There are different coatings too, copper lined or enamel? Non-stick is usually well worth it.

When it comes to glassware, well this is where you can perhaps start choosing some items that are a little more interesting to look at. You will want some general purpose tumblers and tall glasses of course, but if you haven’t got anything to toast your new home with, then something a little classier in the way of coloured wine glasses or champagne flutes might be something to keep in mind when you start shopping. They will of course be useful for other celebrations, parties or anniversaries, so spending time choosing some nice glassware, maybe crystal, needs a little extra consideration.  

But of course, don’t forget all the little extras, because you just know you can’t do without them when the occasion arises – the salt/pepper pots, storage containers, pizza cutter, grater, sieve, colander, coasters…and oh yes, cutlery!

Speaking from experience, it’s so very easy to miss something out, so make a list if you don’t want to make umpteen visits to your local store or online retailer.

By Mitch Wicking

A journalist and reporter for many years Mitch enjoys investigating Life's little wonders for consumercheckpoint.co.uk, Gurasu crystal and many other topics and domains. Born and bred in London, father-of-three Mitch now lives and works aboard a beautiful narrow boat on a peaceful marina in the heart of England which he shares with his Leicester “duck”/muse.