Little Things That Make a Big Difference in Our House
A little over a year ago, we moved into our farmhouse and have absolutely loved it. But building a house teaches you things you don’t know to ask, don’t think about, or don’t realize will matter until you’re actually living in the space.
Some things are big decisions. Others are small details you don’t think twice about until they either make your life easier—or frustrate you daily. Looking back, there are several things we’re really glad we spent money on, and the surprising part is that some of our favorite choices were also some of the cheapest.
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A Small Sink Trap Makes a Big Difference
A small sink trap—one that costs just a few dollars —has been one of the best things we added to our kitchen. We do a lot of cooking, and I often forget to wipe dishes, pans, and plates before putting them in the sink. That little sink trap catches everything before it goes down the drain, and it’s saved us more than once.
Counter Pads for Everyday Kitchen Appliances
Another thing we’re glad we bought is counter heat-resistant mats for the coffee pot, mixer, and Instant Pot. They’re smooth on one side, which means you can easily slide them out from under the cabinets without lifting heavy appliances. They protect the countertops and make daily use easier, plus they cost less than twenty dollars. It’s one of those things you don’t realize you need until you have it.
Stick Vacuum vs a Broom
With hardwood floors, I assumed a broom would be enough. It turns out, a stick vacuum has been one of the best purchases we made. We thought about getting a Dyson or a Shark but decided to try a more affordable Amazon version for about a hundred dollars. For our smaller floor space, it’s been perfect. Maybe we’ll upgrade someday, but for now, it does everything we need.
A Small Lighting Choice That Changed the Kitchen
One of my favorite features in our kitchen was actually a suggestion from our electrician. We added a plug above the kitchen cabinets and wired it to a switch by the sink. Now we can turn on a soft light in the mornings, making the space feel warm and cozy without relying on an extension cord.
A Simple Spot for Keys
Inside the laundry cabinets, we added a simple Command hook for keys. It’s not original or fancy, but having one place for all the keys has made life easier. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the ones you appreciate most.
Deciding What Furniture to Keep and What to Replace
Another big decision was deciding what old furniture to keep and what to replace. When we moved in, we only wanted to bring things we loved, but we couldn’t afford to replace everything at once. We chose to keep our kitchen table, scratches and all, because it works great, is solid wood, and holds so many memories. At the same time, we knew the couch had to go because it was falling apart. Making intentional choices about what to keep and what to replace helped us balance the moving budget and still get the look we wanted.
Rethinking Cabinet Liners
Cabinet liners were another learning experience. I do recommend protecting cabinet shelves, but I do not recommend the expensive white liners from Lowe’s. We bought enough to line all our cabinets, and while they technically work, they slip around and, honestly, aren’t very attractive. Instead, I found a table runner on clearance after Easter for ninety percent off. It was a pretty, gingham green that I loved. I cut it to fit the shelves, and it’s been perfect. Now I keep an eye out for seasonal discounts and am slowly replacing the boring white liners that were expensive and just not worth it.
Building a house teaches you lessons you don’t learn from plans or checklists. Some of the things that matter most turn out to be small, practical choices that make everyday life easier—and those are the ones you figure out along the way.
What are some things you learned while building a house? Let’s share all of our tips and tricks so others can learn from them too!
