Sarah’s Favorite Things - Gifts for Homeowners

I’m excited to be sharing some of my favorite household goods with you that also function as useful, practical gifts. I wouldn’t classify myself as a ‘Minimalist’ - but I absolutely despise clutter. Growing up, I was gifted a figurine collection that sat prominently displayed on my dresser (remember when those were popular?). The result was accumulating dust and impossible to clean nooks and crannies that equated to a sense of frustration in an otherwise peaceful environment. As I made my own places home, I was quick to eliminate items that weren’t in use on the regular - refining my belongings to those I couldn’t live without. I’ve found many of these items to make great gifts - hoping others will appreciate their sense of purpose with a discretionary lens for quality.

1.Williams Sonoma Melamine Mixing Bowls

I’ve owned 3 sets of these melamine mixing bowls over the years. I love that they come as a nested set of 3 and are easy to store. The non-slip rubber base prevents slipping when mixing and the pour spout helps keep messes at bay. Would make a wonderful hostess gift!

2.Spring Loaded Drawer Dividers

These spring-loaded dividers are the perfect solution for getting order back in your drawers. They come in a variety of heights to accommodate kitchen utensil drawers up to deeper dresser drawers. They come in sets of 2 and install in seconds by first retracting and then expanding into your desired position. A thin cushion on either end protects your drawers from scratching.

3.Le Creuset Dutch Oven

This is at the top of my Christmas list this year for making hearty soups, breads and other winter comfort food. The Le Creuset Dutch Oven is known for it’s easy-to-clean enamel and even heat conduction - ideal for poaching, simmering, browning and braising. Plus it just looks lovely on your stovetop!

4.Pyrex Stow & Go

This Stow & Go set by Pyrex is a must have around the holidays. The insulated carrying case keeps your dish toasty warm when transporting. I pull my 9 x 13” glass pan out of the oven, pop the lid on and promptly place it into the carrying case. The nylon lining makes the case easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth.

5.Marvis Toothbrush

I was cornered into buying this toothbrush at an airport when I forgot my own and I’ve never looked back. If there was such a thing as a beautifully designed toothbrush, this is it! Streamlined with firm bristles that give your teeth an exceptional cleaning. I loved it so much I gifted one to every member of my extended family.

6.Breville Lift & Look Toaster

Following our home renovation, many of the small appliances we received as wedding gifts had reached the end of their life. After much research, I replaced our old toaster with this stainless Breville model. The push button functionality feels like an everyday luxury while the smart toasting technology allows you to toast one side of the bread darker than the other (think bagels). The streamlined appearance makes it attractive on your countertop.

7.Butter Bell

Another item I’ve gifted to every member of my family is a butter keeper. Instead of having unsightly butter wrappers left on the counter, a butter bell keeps your soft butter fresh with an attractive appearance. Press your softened butter into the bell shaped end and fill the other with a small amount of water. When the bell is inserted into the crock, the water will create a seal keeping your butter fresh. They come in all sorts of beautiful materials and finishes.

8.Flat Knife Storage

Wanting to keep my countertops clear, I found this horizontal knife storage system that fits discreetly into a utensil drawer. With two levels divided up for shorter and longer knives, this compact unit replaces your bulky countertop block while keeping you organized.

9.Label Maker

After we wrapped up the installation of our HVAC system, I noticed our friends at Sayler Heating & Cooling had used a label maker to help us identify the different zones in our home. I was hooked. For our own ease of use and that of future owners of our home, I labeled everything from which gas line belongs to what to water shut offs, electrical circuits and more with this label maker. Refills are totally affordable via Amazon!

10.Motion Sensor Switches

Another favorite upgrade we made in our home was installing motion activated light switches in our garage. This means that as we pull into the driveway and open the garage door, the motion triggers the overhead lights to turn on - a luxury on a dark, cold day. We installed these lights, which are exceptionally bright and make working on projects in the garage a breeze no matter the time of day.

11.Smart Switches

Another great gift for the new homeowner is a starter kit of smart light switches. These savvy switches allow homeowners to dim and pre-set lighting settings - all while having complete control from an app on your phone or tablet. For our bedrooms, we opted for the switches with accompanying remote so lights can be turned off from the convenience of the covers.

12.IKEA Variera Bins

If you’ve been within ear shot of me as of late, you’ve heard me pledging my allegiance to these affordable white bins at Ikea. They come in two sizes and their design makes them functional regardless of the direction you store them. I prefer a solid bin over a ventilated one as they do a better job of containing dust or spills from finding their way elsewhere. We’ve used them in our linen closets, laundry room and pantry but they’re ideal anywhere you want to protect the surfaces beneath them. Would work great to assemble gift baskets in!

13.Samsung Frame TV

When we remodeled, we also replaced all of the electrical in our home (original knob and tube wiring was still present). The improvement meant many of our original televisions were no longer compatible and required an upgrade. We chose to purchase the Samsung Frame TV after many of my clients recommended them. It’s streamlined design is meant to sit flush to your wall with the option to add a customized frame to the TV’s perimeter. The result is a television that looks like a framed piece of art. The TV comes with free downloadable art to display or the option to subscribe for limitless options!

14.Boll & Branch Waffle Bed Blanket

I was influenced to purchase the Boll & Branch Waffle Bed Blanket prior to moving back into our home. Let me tell you, our first night back home was made absolutely sweeter with the addition of this light-weight, breathable blanket. It washes so well and gets softer and softer with time. No pilling or snagging - we are 9 months in using it and it still looks brand new. I’m anxious to try their sheets after this Heavenly experience.

15.Ugg Slippers

I am a slipper lover through and through and having suffered from foot pain, going barefoot indoors is a thing of the past. Ugg has been my go-to brand for slippers for years - like a giant hug for your feet at the end of a long day. I prefer mine with a sole to provide additional support - for sizing, keep in mind the leather will stretch over time. Always a well-received gift!

16.WeatherTech SinkMat

After years of showing homes, I’m telling you one of the biggest pitfalls I come across is the gummy, grimy, damaged, under-the-sink cabinet. Regardless of pricepoint of the home, it’s almost guaranteed that some inevitable spills or leaks have taken place that damage the interior of the cabinet. Prevent these sorts of costly messes from taking place with a WeatherTech SinkMat. Come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors to fit any cabinet base.

While it might seem counterintuitive to show up to Christmas with a utility mat for protecting your sink bases, I promise that as these products get put to use in the receiver’s home, they will thank you. Instead of gifting items that quickly become clutter, look to this list for gifts that are tried and true and improve everyday quality of life. I’d love to hear about the products you can’t live without in your home! Leave links in the comments so we can all share the wealth!