10 Purchases That Prove Your Home Has Grown Up
It’s a rite of passage – your place is all grown-up! – but which key purchases signal that a home has recently hit maturity?
Jo Simmons
14 July 2016
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Our homes grow with us, changing with our tastes, our style preferences and our incomes. This gentle evolution, which might take decades, sometimes culminates in what can be termed a “grown-up” home.
When it comes to working out whether your home has made that final step into adulthood (whatever your own age), look for some telltale key purchases and investments that suggest a certain maturity. From patio pressure washers to luxury handwash, here’s a tongue-in-cheek round-up of the buys that belong in a grown-up house.
When it comes to working out whether your home has made that final step into adulthood (whatever your own age), look for some telltale key purchases and investments that suggest a certain maturity. From patio pressure washers to luxury handwash, here’s a tongue-in-cheek round-up of the buys that belong in a grown-up house.
A pressure washer
There’s nothing wrong with a stiff brush and a bucket of water for cleaning your patio, but a really grown-up home will insist on something a little more powerful. So if your tiles are looking a bit green about the gills, wheel out the pressure washer and blast them back to beauty. You may only get this bad boy out once a year, but it’s worth it for the satisfying spraying session and the could-eat-your-dinner-off-it results.
Browse 8 inspiring ways to weatherproof your patio for a British summer
There’s nothing wrong with a stiff brush and a bucket of water for cleaning your patio, but a really grown-up home will insist on something a little more powerful. So if your tiles are looking a bit green about the gills, wheel out the pressure washer and blast them back to beauty. You may only get this bad boy out once a year, but it’s worth it for the satisfying spraying session and the could-eat-your-dinner-off-it results.
Browse 8 inspiring ways to weatherproof your patio for a British summer
A serious barbecue
You’ve graduated from precarious portable barbecues that threaten to spill hot coals on your sandalled feet at any moment. And don’t even mention those disposable barbecues in a tinfoil tray. No, you’re now the proud owner of a proper, big boy’s barbecue that can cater for a crowd beautifully on multiple grills, racks and warming areas. Extra grown-up points if you have a built-in design. Respect!
You’ve graduated from precarious portable barbecues that threaten to spill hot coals on your sandalled feet at any moment. And don’t even mention those disposable barbecues in a tinfoil tray. No, you’re now the proud owner of a proper, big boy’s barbecue that can cater for a crowd beautifully on multiple grills, racks and warming areas. Extra grown-up points if you have a built-in design. Respect!
A quality mattress
You’ve long known the advice: when it comes to mattresses, buy the best you can afford. Well, now you have. After years in rented homes with lumpy mattresses, then more years on so-so beds that give you backache, you’ve done it: you’ve bought a really great mattress. It’s cost a bit, but every time you lie down on it at night, you know it was worth every penny.
You’ve long known the advice: when it comes to mattresses, buy the best you can afford. Well, now you have. After years in rented homes with lumpy mattresses, then more years on so-so beds that give you backache, you’ve done it: you’ve bought a really great mattress. It’s cost a bit, but every time you lie down on it at night, you know it was worth every penny.
Bespoke curtains
We’ve all wrestled with off-the-shelf curtains or struggled with flimsy roller blinds, and so a true sign of your home growing up is the day you treat it to bespoke drapes. Measured, made and fitted precisely to your tastes and your windows, this is the gold standard of window treatments and a rite of passage for you and your home.
We’ve all wrestled with off-the-shelf curtains or struggled with flimsy roller blinds, and so a true sign of your home growing up is the day you treat it to bespoke drapes. Measured, made and fitted precisely to your tastes and your windows, this is the gold standard of window treatments and a rite of passage for you and your home.
A powerful vacuum cleaner
After years of struggling with a vacuum cleaner that has all the suction of a hiccuping gerbil, you’ve invested in the real deal. Something with power and longevity. Something that can suck up telephone directories, a plate of chips, your cat, even, without so much as a stutter. Better yet, it comes with a proper, grown-up, 10-year warranty.
After years of struggling with a vacuum cleaner that has all the suction of a hiccuping gerbil, you’ve invested in the real deal. Something with power and longevity. Something that can suck up telephone directories, a plate of chips, your cat, even, without so much as a stutter. Better yet, it comes with a proper, grown-up, 10-year warranty.
A proper coffee machine
Instant coffee is so last millennium and since then you’ve smashed more glass cafetieres in your sink than you’ve had hot dinners. It’s time to invest in a quality coffee maker that makes quality coffee.
Instant coffee is so last millennium and since then you’ve smashed more glass cafetieres in your sink than you’ve had hot dinners. It’s time to invest in a quality coffee maker that makes quality coffee.
Chic coffee table books
Gorgeous photography, enigmatic titles and weighing enough to tether a hot-air balloon, a coffee table book is a wondrous thing. It brings a hint of boutique hotel to a living room and signals a home that’s stylishly grown-up.
Gorgeous photography, enigmatic titles and weighing enough to tether a hot-air balloon, a coffee table book is a wondrous thing. It brings a hint of boutique hotel to a living room and signals a home that’s stylishly grown-up.
A full set of guest towels
Guests coming to stay used to mean putting on a panic wash of all the family towels, and offering these up to visitors while you and the kids share. A grown-up home says, “Enough!” and contains a dedicated set of guest towels available at a moment’s notice. Each one is also beautifully fluffy, as it’s rarely used, unlike the crispy rags with which you and your family dry off.
Guests coming to stay used to mean putting on a panic wash of all the family towels, and offering these up to visitors while you and the kids share. A grown-up home says, “Enough!” and contains a dedicated set of guest towels available at a moment’s notice. Each one is also beautifully fluffy, as it’s rarely used, unlike the crispy rags with which you and your family dry off.
Beautiful handwash in a gorgeous dispenser
Supermarket handwash or a greying bar of soap has no place in a mature home. A sign of being grown up is thrilling to the delicious scent and sensation of a beautiful, luxury soap. The gorgeous bottle adds to the appeal. Team it with some hand cream, too, and you’ll have completed the sophisticated scene.
Discover the designer secrets of a perfectly styled bathroom
Supermarket handwash or a greying bar of soap has no place in a mature home. A sign of being grown up is thrilling to the delicious scent and sensation of a beautiful, luxury soap. The gorgeous bottle adds to the appeal. Team it with some hand cream, too, and you’ll have completed the sophisticated scene.
Discover the designer secrets of a perfectly styled bathroom
Outdoor lighting
Lighting by the front door is a lovely grown-up feature. It welcomes you and guests home on dark evenings and suggests a level of order and security that’s very appealing. It’s also just not the kind of thing you invest in when renting or busily furnishing your first home. This is the preserve of the grown-up pad.
TELL US…
What other purchases do you think signal a home that’s matured beautifully? Let us know in the Comments below.
Lighting by the front door is a lovely grown-up feature. It welcomes you and guests home on dark evenings and suggests a level of order and security that’s very appealing. It’s also just not the kind of thing you invest in when renting or busily furnishing your first home. This is the preserve of the grown-up pad.
TELL US…
What other purchases do you think signal a home that’s matured beautifully? Let us know in the Comments below.
Related Stories
Renovating
10 Secrets to Successfully Doing Up a House Together
By Laura Wheat
Learn how to put your stamp on a property while avoiding unnecessary altercations
Full Story
Houzz Pro
3D Room Designs Inspired by 5 Emmy-nominated TV Shows
Step inside 3D-reimagined rooms based on ‘The Bear’, ‘Ted Lasso’, ‘The White Lotus’, ‘Succession’ and ‘Wednesday’
Full Story
Christmas
What’s Your Christmas Decorating Style?
Are you traditional and nostalgic or bold and creative? Discover your decorating personality with this fun quiz
Full Story
Kitchens
What’s Your Dream Kitchen?
Answer these 7 questions to reveal your perfect kitchen
Full Story
Home Offices
What’s Your Home Working Style?
Answer these 7 questions to reveal your perfect home office
Full Story
Decorating
What’s Your Decorating Style?
Are you calm and organised or instinctive and creative? Discover your decorating personality with this quick quiz
Full Story
Gardens
What’s Your Dream Garden Style?
Answer these 7 questions to reveal your perfect garden
Full Story
Storage & Organisation
What’s Your Storage Style?
Discover which storage style tribe you belong to and get clutter under control with this quick quiz
Full Story
Bedrooms
14 Cosy Bedrooms You’ll Want to Hibernate in
Turn up the heating and snuggle down – these perfect winter bedrooms are the definition of ‘cosy’
Full Story
Lifestyle
This is What Happens When Architects Build a Gingerbread City
Design pros share how they created beautifully intricate biscuit buildings for London’s 2019 Gingerbread City event
Full Story
Grown Up... what's that?... an entitlement to installing Pull out wine storage baskets??? Possibly, and they won't break and bank! CHEERS. Request a catalogue or call for advise
...'a bit green about the gills'...lolol, I haven't heard that expression since before I was a grown-up!
Good points! But add to this: Filtered water (on tap), air-conditioning, (yes) wine storage, guest ensuite, standard poodle ...