Your home should be your sanctuary — a place where you can unwind, recharge, and enjoy a sense of peace away from the chaos of everyday life. But comfort isn’t just about cozy couches and warm lighting. Sometimes, it’s the small, practical tools that quietly make life easier — especially in the kitchen. The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune to upgrade your home’s functionality. A few simple additions can make a big difference.
Here are twenty underrated household essentials that are absolutely worth having — and won’t hurt your wallet.
20 Must-Have Things Every Home Needs:
1. A Good Blender
A quality blender is a true multitasker in the kitchen. Whether you’re trying to eat healthier, waste less, or just save time, this tool delivers.
Think about all those bananas, strawberries, or spinach leaves that sit in your fridge until they wilt — throw them into a blender with some yogurt or almond milk and you’ve got an instant smoothie. You can also make soups, nut butters, sauces, or even pancake batter with the right settings. For busy mornings or quick, healthy snacks, a blender is a must.
2. Ergonomic Vegetable Peeler
You might not think of a peeler as essential — until you’ve struggled through prepping a bag of potatoes with a dull knife. An ergonomic peeler doesn’t just make the job faster, it also reduces the risk of cutting yourself.
Beyond peeling carrots or apples, a sharp peeler can help you get creative: shave ribbons of zucchini for a low-carb pasta, or make homemade vegetable chips by slicing thin rounds of sweet potato or beetroot. Look for one with a comfortable grip to save your wrists and speed up your prep.
3. Reliable Kitchen Knife
Even if you don’t consider yourself a home chef, a solid kitchen knife is non-negotiable. A good chef’s knife — somewhere between 6 and 10 inches — will make a world of difference when it comes to chopping, slicing, or even opening packages.
It’s the kind of tool you’ll use for everything from dicing onions to trimming meat, and yes, even those rare DIY projects that involve cutting zip ties or shaping cardboard. If you only invest in one knife, choose one that feels balanced in your hand and keeps its edge well.
4. Aluminum Foil
Sure, you’ve used aluminum foil to wrap up leftovers or cover a baking dish, but its uses go far beyond that. Need to sharpen scissors in a pinch? Fold up some foil and cut through it a few times. Want to keep your oven clean when baking a pie? Line the bottom with foil to catch spills.
It’s also perfect for roasting veggies, grilling fish, or creating quick, no-mess meal packets. Keep a roll in your kitchen drawer — it’s one of those things you miss only when it’s gone.
5. Zip Ties (Not Tinsel!)
Let’s swap out the confusing “tinsel” reference and go with something far more useful: zip ties. These are the unsung heroes of home organization and quick fixes. Need to bundle up charger cables, secure a loose drawer handle, or temporarily fix a broken gate? Zip ties are cheap, durable, and incredibly versatile.
They even come in different colors and sizes — some small and sleek enough to use in your office setup, others strong enough to keep tools in place in your garage. Keep a pack in your kitchen junk drawer, and you’ll be surprised how often you reach for them.
6. A Variety of Tapes (Duct, Electrical, Packaging, Masking, and Scotch)
Tape is one of those things you don’t appreciate until you desperately need it. From sealing a box before a move to temporarily patching up a torn window screen, there’s a tape for every task.
If you’re only going to keep one roll, go with a wide masking tape — it’s versatile enough to label items, protect surfaces while painting, or even make impromptu repairs. But ideally, stock a few types:
- Duct tape: strong and weather-resistant, perfect for emergency fixes
- Electrical tape: safe for wiring and small electrical jobs
- Packaging tape: makes moving or shipping items painless
- Scotch tape: great for everyday use like wrapping gifts or resealing food packages
7. Long Nose Pliers (Needle-Nose Pliers)
These slim, pointed pliers are a go-to for precision work. Whether you’re threading wire through tight spaces, fishing out a lost earring from behind a cabinet, or fixing a bent zipper pull, long nose pliers offer control and reach that standard pliers can’t.
They’re also great for craft projects, jewelry repairs, or anything else that involves gripping small objects delicately.
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8. Vise Grip Pliers (Locking Pliers)
Think of vise grips as the heavy-duty cousin of regular pliers. These adjustable tools clamp down on objects and stay locked in place, making them ideal for loosening stubborn bolts, clamping materials during a repair, or even turning stripped screws.
A good pair can replace a small wrench in a pinch and come in handy for tasks that require more torque and stability.
9. Multi-Bit Screwdriver Set
Gone are the days when you only needed a flathead and a Phillips screwdriver. Screws now come in star, hex, square, and even specialty shapes, and having a multi-bit set saves endless frustration.
Look for a set with a comfortable grip and a magnetic bit holder to speed things up. Whether you’re assembling furniture, tightening door hinges, or opening battery compartments, a multi-bit driver is a modern must.
10. Adjustable Wrench
When a pipe is leaking or a faucet starts dripping, a wrench can be the difference between a quick fix and a costly call to a plumber. An adjustable wrench (also called a crescent wrench) lets you tackle a wide range of nuts and bolts without needing an entire socket set.
It’s perfect for tightening a wobbly sink, installing a new shower head, or assembling gym equipment.
11. Heavy-Duty Scissors
Scissors are the unsung heroes of the household. From opening packages to trimming plants or cutting fabric, you’ll find yourself reaching for them daily.
Skip the flimsy plastic-handled versions and invest in a pair of solid, stainless steel scissors — the kind you’d find in an office supply or hardware store. They’ll last longer and handle tougher materials like zip ties, cardboard, or even light wire.
12. Retractable Tape Measure
A ruler might be fine for school projects, but a tape measure is what you’ll need for real-life measurements. Whether you’re figuring out if that new bookshelf will fit your wall or checking the width of your hallway before buying a couch, a retractable tape measure gives you flexibility and range.
Most extend up to 16–25 feet and retract with the push of a button — perfect for both quick checks and more involved DIY projects.
13. Emergency Light or Flashlight
When the power goes out, you don’t want to be stuck fumbling with your phone’s flashlight. A good emergency light or high-lumen flashlight is essential, not just for blackouts, but for late-night fixes, exploring crawl spaces, or camping trips.
Better yet, get a rechargeable model with a built-in battery indicator and a few light modes (like strobe or red light) for emergencies.
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14. Sewing Kit
Clothes always seem to rip or lose a button when you’re in a rush — like five minutes before a meeting or right before leaving for a dinner. A basic sewing kit can spare you the embarrassment and the hassle.
You don’t need to be a tailor. Just a few needles, a couple of thread colors (black, white, navy, and beige will cover most outfits), some safety pins, and small scissors can get you through most minor fixes. It’s also handy for quick fixes on curtains, pillow covers, or even a backpack strap that decides to snap mid-trip.
15. Hand Saw (Wood or Metal)
If you’re into even light DIY or ever move furniture, a hand saw is a worthwhile addition. Whether you’re trimming down a wooden shelf to size, cutting PVC pipes for a garden project, or modifying an old piece of furniture, having a saw saves time — and money.
You don’t need a carpenter’s arsenal. One basic wood saw and a small hacksaw for metals or plastics will cover 90% of home-level tasks.
16. Electric Drill
If you’ve ever tried to screw something into a wall by hand, you know how frustrating it can be. An electric drill takes the pain out of everything from hanging curtains and shelves to assembling furniture or fixing loose door hinges.
Most drills today come with interchangeable heads, so you can drill holes and drive screws with the same tool. It’s a one-time investment that pays off every time you skip calling a handyman for a job you can now do in 15 minutes flat.
17. Rags and Cleaning Cloths
You can never have too many rags — seriously. Spilled coffee on the counter? Need to clean the windows? Dusting behind the TV? Rags are your best friend.
Instead of buying new ones, recycle your old t-shirts, worn-out towels, or bedsheets. Cut them into usable pieces and keep a stash in your cleaning cabinet. Pro tip: color-code them — one for windows, one for kitchen messes, one for greasy tools in the garage.
18. Spare Batteries
It’s always the worst timing — the remote dies in the middle of a movie night, or your flashlight gives up during a blackout. Keeping a small stash of AA, AAA, and maybe even a 9V battery can save you the frustration.
You don’t have to hoard them, but a small container in a drawer with a few extras can keep your clocks ticking and gadgets running when it matters most.
19. Battery-Powered AM/FM Radio
Yes, it feels a little old-school — until your power and Wi-Fi go out during a storm. A simple AM/FM radio with batteries can keep you updated on emergency broadcasts, weather alerts, and other critical info when your phone isn’t an option.
Bonus: they’re great for camping, long road trips, or even relaxing on the porch without getting distracted by your phone screen. And hey, if the zombie apocalypse ever does happen, you’ll be ahead of the curve.
20. Glue (Super Glue, Epoxy, or a Glue Gun)
Things break. It’s part of life. A handle falls off a drawer, your kid cracks a plastic toy, or you knock over a ceramic mug. Instead of tossing it, fix it.
A small tube of super glue can handle most minor breaks. For heavier-duty repairs, like fixing furniture or ceramics, a two-part epoxy or a hot glue gun works wonders. Just be sure to follow instructions — and keep it out of reach of children (and curious pets).
