The 12 Best Purchases I’ve Made for My Home: Cultivate a Life You Love
Creating a peaceful space was my number one priority when I moved.
When I moved into my solo apartment in Fall 2021, my primary goal was to create a space that made me feel safe, comfortable, calm, and at home. This was so much my mission that when I bought my condo in Spring 2022, the FIRST thing I did was hire a painter to paint all of the walls the color “calm”.
What’s funny is I didn’t actually intentionally pick a color named “calm”. I hired a the business Peaceful Painter to come in and set the tone for the space. I told her I wanted a soft white on all of the walls. Something that felt clean and comforting. She tried no less than 10 colors… and by colors I mean variations of white that I repeatedly said, “no”, “not quite”, and “that’s not it” to. She tried and tried until she found the perfect tint for me. When she swatched it on the wall, I was immediately in love. It was perfect!! In full sun, part sun, darkness, overhead light, and lit by floor lamps, it was perfect. I told her it was “the one” even before I knew it was called “calm”. It just felt right and fit! I knew that was the entire vibe I was going for in my space. “Calm”.
I have been pretty intentional with the things I have added to my space and the ways in which I have made the space mine. I’ve wanted it to be functional in all of the ways that made my life easier, worked with my small space dwelling, and that made me feel at home!!
So with that, here are a few of the things I’ve bought for my space that I absolutely LOVE!!!!
This modular couch has storage in EVERY cushion
AND my lights are all controlled with my Echo Dot.
Lights and Sound
Comfort and ease are key for me. Especially as someone with chronic pain issues and ADHD. My first investment was getting and Amazon Alexa for every room. I have a small space (750 sq feet) and have 6 Alexa echo dot devices. I still want a 7th. Additionally, I have 5 smart light bulbs and another couple smart outlets. (I bought the light switches as well but still need to install them.)
You might think I’m crazy, but hear me out!! There is NOTHING like laying in bed after a long day and being able to say “Alexa, turn off the lights”. And every light goes off. Every. Single. One.
There is nothing like having my sleep white noise play in stereo speakers on both sides of my room. And music! I have an “around the house” music group that allows me to stream my music throughout my home. It is the most beautiful way to keep my ADHD brain happy while I’m working through mundane tasks or getting ready in the morning. I could listen to an audio book or podcast and not miss a single word.
And timers, reminders, etc!!! I ask Alexa to do a LOT in my life. A lot. Worried you’ll leave the coffee maker on, put it on a smart plug that you can control from your phone. Going out of town? Built in timers.
TRULY, investing in an Amazon Alexa system and smart lights has been by far the best thing I did when moving in.
Furniture
Moving from a 3 story, 2 garage house to a 750 sq ft condo was quite the shift!! A lot of things had to make their way out of my life. Even still, I’m a girl who loves clothes and shoes, loves food, AND who has a lot of hobbies. So, having multifunctional furniture was important.
THIS COUCH is probably my favorite investment. Every part of it is rearrangable and every cushion is storage. It serves as an almost queen size bed for when I have company AND houses some of my hobby gear (my favorite skates, hiking gear, camping gear, extra plant supplies, etc). It is quite easily the space I spend the most waking hours sitting. The best accessory I bought to go with this couch? These cupholders that slide between the cushions. They are beyond perfect.
My bed also has storage drawers under the entire thing & I selected taller but less deep dressers to maximize the use of floor space and the height of the room. A big bonus was the matching shoe organizer I found!!! AND there were matching nightstands!! EPIC! Truly, a win. My favorite accessory for my dresser were the organizer trays I found to put in the dresser drawers. This girl needs ALL of the storage space she can get so having under bed storage was a MUST!
All of my plants suspended from my ceiling and anything on my walls uses these incredible hooks!! They hold 33lbs!!!
Bathroom
When it comes to the bathroom there are two thing, I need. Organizaiton & Comfort. NOTHING says comfort more than a toilet footstool. Yes, friends. A squatty potty. If you haven’t tried one, you’re missing out. Like really… missing out. I thought it was a ridiculous purchase initially, but now I love it so very much that I want to bring it every where I go. Do they make a travel version? I mean… This one does fold up.
As far as organization. I had to find the RIGHT size size of furniture for my bathroom. Which was was a true challenge. My options were limited, but I’ve really love this!!
Functional Accessories
I hate looking for an outlet and having to reach behind a couch or other furntiture to plug something in. I hate drilling into walls only to change my mind on where I want something. I really dislike the look of loose cords dangling places I don’t want them. I hate searching for the right adapter for different cables to plug them into a way. SO, I bought invested in accessories the change that.
These adhesive hooks are truly magical. I have plants hanging from my ceiling on the them, a shelf mounted to my wall, and pictures hung throughout my home using these nifty things! The fact that they hold 33lbs is what really drew me in!! Truly. They are splendid!! I have had several people ask me what they are and have gifted them to others because I love them so much!! The fact that they are also clear and have a small hook… perfection.
Power strips with long cables and USB ports and USB multi-outlet wall plug adapters have become a staple in my home. The fact that the wall outlet adapter has both USB and USB-C ports is my favorite thing. I have it in my kitchen and have all of my miscellaneous charging cables in one of my drawers for easy access. No more searching and scrambling!! And the power strip… it has a flat plug AND a 10ft cord. I put it on the back of my couch and keep a phone charge plugged in for ease!
To make it all look a little more sleek, I used this adhesive cord hider in more visible spaces to run the cable neatly :)
My favorite thing though…. is that when people walk in, they feel at home. I get so many compliments on how cozy and peaceful my space is.
No matter what you fill your space with, make it something you love!! A space you love. And some place you WANT to go home to! :)
With Love,
Katey
P.S. I share these products because they are things I own and LOVE. I have used them and enjoy them. While I do earn a commission from any purchase made from these links, I will only share things I believe in, use and love!!
