I can’t quite believe it’s now been five years of living with Stefan and nearly four since we bought our own house. We still have so much to do with the house, but it’s been a fun ride making it ours. Moving into a new home is exciting — that blank canvas feeling, the fresh start, the Pinterest boards overflowing with inspiration. But once the boxes are unpacked and the novelty fades, reality hits: you’re missing a few key items that make everyday living smoother, cleaner, and just a bit more stylish.
I was kindly gifted a few items from SONGMICS, which has a range of excellent homeware bits. These are certainly items that I wish I had from day one.
Let’s be honest — few things are less glamorous than a bin, but few are more used. The dual pedal rubbish bin has quickly become one of those “why didn’t I get this sooner?” items. With two separate compartments, it makes recycling effortless and keeps the kitchen looking sleek and tidy. It’s certainly an upgrade from the standard plastic bin we had. It makes recycling so much easier to have two compartments to sort them.
No more juggling multiple bins or running to the garage with recyclables — just a quick tap of the pedal and everything is sorted. Plus, the minimalist design blends in beautifully with any décor style, from modern to farmhouse chic. The bin even came with some rubbish bags, which I thought was a great touch. As you can see from the images, Walter is even a fan of the bin. Who knew a rubbish bin could cause so much excitement?
Whether you’re short on wardrobe space or just need somewhere to hang tomorrow’s outfit, a good clothing rack on wheels is a total game-changer. It’s one of those essentials you don’t realise you need until laundry day — when the backs of your chairs are covered in shirts and dresses.
A simple, sturdy rack not only keeps your clothes organised and fresh but can also double as a design feature. Think of it as functional décor — hang your favourite pieces, add a woven basket beneath for storage, and you’ve got a minimalist moment worthy of a magazine spread. I found having a clothing rail like this super helpful when packing for trips. I can pull outfits together and visualise how they look more clearly. I still need to figure out where it lives in the house, but I think over the next couple of months, I’m keeping my bridal era outfits on it!
When you move into a new place, it’s easy to focus on the big-ticket items — the sofa, the bed, the TV. But it’s the practical, everyday pieces that truly make a house a home.
A clever dual waste bin and a versatile clothes rack might not sound like showstoppers, but trust me: once you have them, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without.