40 Inexpensive Basics For Every Room In Your Home
Because you shouldn’t have to spend a fortune on the essentials.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1.
A set of Swedish dishcloths that can absorb over 20x their weight and are gritty enough to tackle tough messes. They’re essentially the perfect reusable alternative to paper towels and sponges, so you can go ahead and cross those off your grocery list forever.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: “I absolutely love these. For quite a while I have been frustrated with kitchen/dish towels. I find most to be not nearly absorbent enough, too large and awkward, and needing frequent disinfecting to avoid smelling funky.
These towel sponges are exactly what I needed in a dish cloth. They are absorbent, just the right size, antimicrobial, and easy to clean! Add in that they are sourced from a small family business and I’m thrilled.” —Nathaniel Rider
Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in five colors and a variety pack).
Amazon
Promising review: “I’m purchasing my third and fourth sets of these sheets today. One will be a gift for my mom and dad. Over a year later, I’ve had no issues at all. They continue to wash and fit perfectly, and are easily adaptable for weather changes. I add a flannel top sheet or blanket when chilly. Can’t be beat for under $20 a set.” —nativepeach
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven sizes and 44 colors and patterns).
3.
A set of wool dryer balls that help soak up excess water and create extra space in between your clothes, meaning you won’t have to run two cycles just to get your jeans completely dry.
4.
A tub of super powerful Tide detergent pods that are specially designed to completely dissolve in cold water, so you won’t have to crank up the temperature just to remove those stubborn stains.
Amazon
Promising review: “I live in the Caribbean with no dryer and no temperature adjustment knob on my washing machine. So these were really helpful in making sure my clothes stayed their original color and didn’t get too stiff from the cold-hard water! Cleans as well as any Tide product and makes doing laundry simple, easy & quick!” —Natasha
Get a pack of 61 from Amazon for $19.99.
5.
A set of bathroom organizing accessories so you can stop scattering everything all over your sink — and because nothing ruins a bathroom’s aesthetic like the label on a generic bottle of soap.
Amazon
Promising review: “These were the perfect accents for our bathroom. Classy and easy to clean!” —Sarah Sandoval
Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in four colors).
6.
A six-pack of fade resistant towels, hand towels, and washcloths that over 28,900 Amazon reviewers have fallen in love with thanks to their impressive absorbency and surprisingly affordable price.
Promising review: “This is my second purchase of these towels. I needed more and decided these are my FAVORITE. They aren’t too thick, they dry you off so easily, and they dry quickly too.” —Kristina Gleason
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in seven colors).
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: “I scoured the site looking for storage that was nice looking and sturdy enough to hold all these linens. I am SO happy with these! I especially love the Velcro front and that they were bigger and sturdier than I pictured. Buying a second set!” —Amanda
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $24.87.
8.
A pack of sanitizing wipes with 65{7fdb079a49a3139eb70ba6db044f3bbe0279c46efbc8518eda811287ddf25be9} ethyl alcohol and a lavender fragrance so soothing you’ll want to wipe down basically everything in your home.
Public Goods
9.
A low-sudsing laundry detergent that’s safe for sensitive skin without skimping on the cleaning power. Its super concentrated formula means you’ll also save money in the long run — so the wins just keep coming.
Promising review: “Just switched to this laundry detergent and I am so happy with it. When I first opened the bottle, I thought the scent would be a little strong for me but once I poured it into my machine, it softened and smelled amazing! I loved the smell of the detergent so much, I didn’t use dryer sheets. My first wash was my new bedding and I don’t have super sensitive skin, but it’s been about a week since I used the detergent and haven’t had any reactions to it. I’m so glad I made the switch to True!” —CW
True is a Black-owned and veteran-owned business based in Atlanta, GA.
Get it from Amazon for $22.50.
10.
A pair of heat-resistant silicone oven mitts, because those cloth ones you’ve been using barely work and you know it. They’re also waterproof and extremely easy to clean, so you won’t have to worry about these getting all funky in between washes.
Amazon
Promising review: “These oven mitts have been holding up and keeping my hands protected for a couple years now. They’re protective while still allowing some flexibility for grabbing pans/pots/trays out of the oven or off the stove. Plus, they’re large enough to double as a quick pot holder on the kitchen counter. I also like the little fabric loop as I hang them on a hook in the kitchen for easy access.” —AMG de Wet
Get it from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in two sizes and 14 colors).
11.
A pack of reusable beeswax wraps that are washable, reusable and biodegradable so you can finally ditch that annoying roll of plastic wrap that somehow clings to everything and nothing at the same time.
Promising review: “Love this product as an alternative to plastic wrap! The cute designs are a plus but the main reason for switching from plastic wrap is to reduce our plastic use/buying for the environment. This reusable beeswax wrap has been great for covering our cut-up produce. It even worked to keep our half of the avocado green for 24 hours. Plastic wrap couldn’t even do that for six hours.” —Mel
Get a pack of seven from Amazon for $17.99.
12.
A set of five desk organizers in a stunning shade of gold to keep your home office looking tidy and Instagram-ready at all times.
BluMonaco/Etsy
Promising review: “I moved into a new office space because of quarantine, and I needed something to help personalize the space, and these did the trick! Just what I needed to help me stay organized and bring some color into the space without being overbearing.” —Brittany
BluMonaco is an Etsy shop that specializes in organization and decor.
13.
A pack of dishwashing detergent pods that will break down caked-on grease and have your dishes looking so shiny you can see your reflection in them. They’re so convenient you’ll wonder how you ever used the liquid stuff.
Amazon
Promising review: “YES! The answer is YES! I thought my brand new dishwasher was a piece of crap b/c there were dishes that looked like the water never touched them. I tried avoiding putting dishes in various spots so they would get clean, but I still wound up with a few dirty dishes every time. Then I read an article in Consumer Reports that rated dishwasher pods and learned that there is a difference. I bought these and immediately noticed the difference. No more dirty dishes after running them through the wash regardless of where they were loaded.” —Southern Gal
Get a 70-pack from Amazon for $19.99.
14.
A toothbrush holder with extra space for toothpaste, hand soap, hair products, lotion, cotton rounds, or anything else you want to keep handy.
Amazon
Promising review: “This product is exactly what I needed by my bathroom sink! It holds a couple of toothbrushes, the tooth paste and the hand soap (which I ordered separately). I threw out the one I had that ended up getting yucky moldy stuff at the bottom. Now I have no worries. It’s the simple things in life.” —ChangingLeaves
Get it from Amazon for $9.47 (available in two colors).
15.
A pack of bamboo toothbrushes that are biodegradable and way more eco-friendly than the plastic one you’re currently using. And let’s face it — they also just look way cooler.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: “I’m in love with these toothbrushes. I know it’s a little silly to feel so strongly about a toothbrush, but as they are 100{7fdb079a49a3139eb70ba6db044f3bbe0279c46efbc8518eda811287ddf25be9} sustainable AND they clean my teeth better than ANY TOOTHBRUSH I’VE EVER USED, I’m pretty excited about this find! And the bristles are SO SOFT. Wonderful.” —J. Lee
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $5.99.
16.
An eight-pack of hand towels – they’re soft, lightweight, and super absorbent. And you know how some skin care products and acne creams leave behind those weird discolored splotches on your towels? These are made of a “cosmetic friendly” fabric that’s designed to resist those stains!
Amazon
Promising review: “These towels were the perfect thickness, weight, and color for my kitchen. I feel like standard kitchen towels are too thin and not very absorbent, while bath towels are usually too thick. These were perfect and great for the price.” —Tommy’s Mimi
Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $15.99 (available in eight colors).
17.
A two-pack of durable pillows designed to provide support for any sleeping position, so you can turn to the side or toss over on your stomach and still get a good night’s sleep.
Amazon
Promising review: “Fantastic deal. Been having headaches from neck issues for months. Tried four different types of pillows to no avail. Within one week of using this my sleep had completely changed. No more tweaked neck, or headaches at all. I sleep much better. Am still amazed after one month of how much it changed my sleep for the better. Highly recommended.” —Joe B.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and five colors).
18.
A compact and sturdy shoe rack with a surprising amount of versatility. It would work just as well in your entryway as it would in your closet, and you can even use it in the kitchen to stack dishes and random utensils. The storage possibilities are endless.
Amazon
Promising review: “Perfect side table for living room! Sturdy materials and so easy to assemble (instructions provided but not necessary). I assembled both in under 10 minutes! I am able to place a laptop, coffee mug, and bottled water on small side table. The larger table can fit all of the above and my 5 year old even used it to do her homework and have a snack with room to spare. Great buy for the price!” —Laura
Get it from Amazon for $42.99 (available in two colors).
20.
A personalized jewelry stand to become the standout item on your vanity. You know that giant knot of tangled bracelets and earrings in your drawer right now? This will eliminate that for good.
Etchey/Etsy
Promising review: “This is such a beautiful piece. Will definitely buy again as a gift for someone one day. Hangs all of my earrings perfectly and holds some rings as well.” —laurlaurcara
Etchey is a California-based Etsy shop that specializes in personalized items.
Get it from Etchey on Etsy for $23.99 (available in two materials and nine shapes).
21.
A set of storage cubes so you can contain your clutter instead of displaying it for all the world to see. Whether you slide them under your bed or place them on shelves, it’ll make it seem like there’s a method to your messy madness.
Amazon
I personally love me some storage cubes and they’ve become a must-have for my closet shelves. I mean, if I can’t see my unorganized mess, it doesn’t really exist, right?! These are by far the best cubes I’ve found for the price. They’re super sturdy and tall enough to store tons of stuff without anything spilling out over the sides.
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $18.49 (available in six colors).
22.
These magical heavy-duty cleaning wipes that remove everything from grease to ink stains with zero water required. It’s also formulated with aloe and vitamin E so it’s gentle on your skin.
Amazon
These wipes are nonabrasive so they’re safe to use on smooth surfaces like car exteriors.
Promising review: “I have a small kitchen, and everything tends to get an oily, greasy film on it very quickly. I don’t have a tile back splash or a range hood, and my fridge is right next to my stove, so the paint on the wall and the textured fridge get pretty disgusting. The tiniest little oil splatter seems to cover my whole kitchen. When these wipes arrived yesterday, I attacked my kitchen with them. They worked amazingly well! I didn’t realize how much grease was really sticking to everything until I saw how disgusting the wipes were getting. Luckily, they’re huge, so I was able to cover a lot before a needed a new one.
I have very sensitive skin, and these didn’t dry my hands out at all. I also get severe migraines, which are easily triggered by chemical smells, and these have a nice, lemony scent that didn’t trigger me at all. I give 10 stars!” —Michele West
Get a 90-pack from Amazon for $13.94 (available in two sizes and multipacks).
Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed
“I’m obsessed! This thing works small miracles: I cleaned about half of my bathroom’s grout to its original sparkling-clean cream color in 40 minutes, and it took honestly no effort at all. And — as if easy, sparkling grout wasn’t enough! — it busted through some serious soap-scum buildup in my bathtub (thanks, fancy soap and slow-draining tub) in less than a minute.
Honestly, when I first tried the scrubber out, I didn’t see too many uses for it other than for grout. But after owning it for a while, I’ve realized that while I don’t need it every single week, it’s priceless for the occasions I encounter tough gunk that I’d otherwise only conquer with excessive patience and elbow grease.” —Natalie Brown
Get it from Amazon for $19.62.
24.
A sleek utensil that looks like a simple spatula, but it’s actually so much more. You can use it as a slotted spoon, spatula, turner and it even features an edge that’s perfect for light slicing and dicing.
Joseph Joseph
Promising review: “Give it a cap and a costume, this is the only thing I need in the kitchen! I am often looking for tools that can replace the 30 others I have collected in my kitchen. I have used this to flip grilled cheese, stir red beans and rice, strain Brussel’s sprouts, and taste sauce. I used the flat edge to cut onions that were too large once in the pot and scrape the bottom of the pan. The uni-tool feels nice in my hand, has held up fine in multiple dishwashings, and has allowed me to toss a few kitchen tools that have become obsolete.” —Hiawhatha
Get it from Amazon for $19.65.
25.
A sleek kitchen scale so you can finally stop eyeballing everything and start following recipes to a T.
Promising review: “Great little scale for food! I bought this scale nine months ago, but wanted to wait to write a review. I saw other reviews when ordering, and some said the battery life wasn’t good, but I have yet to change the battery after using this three times a day to weigh food for meals over the past nine months. It is lightweight and easy to store. It is pretty sensitive. I can measure 5 grams of chia seeds, e.g. Personally, I use this scale to measure in fluid ounces, grams, and ounces.” —Adam
Get it from Amazon for $14.88+ (available in five colors).
26.
A best-selling cast-iron skillet that will make you wonder why you haven’t bought one before.
Looking to impress your guests (or yourself) with a restaurant-quality steak? A cast-iron skillet is a must.
Promising review: “What can I say, I love my cast-iron skillet! This thing gives a nice charred flavor to meat, and is super easy to clean. I even baked a stuffed pizza in this last night with my wife. If you are not familiar with the cast-iron ways then let me tell you, you are missing out. This thing cooks better than a Teflon pan, is easier to clean, and doesn’t release harmful chemicals into your food.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes).
27.
A pack of thin velvet hangers to basically double your closet space and provide a much better grip on your clothes.
Promising review: “The difference in my closet because of the hangers alone is striking. I can finally shift clothes to the side to actually see what I have. While some may think that saving their money and dealing with a tight closet is worth it, I am completely sold on making the change. So happy I pulled the trigger. I’ve purchased 100 more just now so that I can do the same for my boyfriend’s closet.” —ChristineSD
Get a 30-pack from Amazon for $15.58+ (available in five colors and three styles).
28.
A cleaning kit that will break down burnt-on food and make your ceramic cooktop look as shiny and flawless as the day you moved in.
The kit comes with a bottle of cleaner, a cleaning pad and a heavy-duty scraper that are all designed to break down burnt-on foods and tough stains.
Promising review: “As soon as I used this stuff, I couldn’t believe it! We had a new stove that I didn’t clean for months and assumed the burnt pea juice (my enemy) would just be a new stain forever. However, after one application, it was basically gone. I used the scraper that came with it and did one more small application on just that spot, and it was gone! Every time I use this it looks like my stove could be brand-new.” —Christi Lambertson
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
29.
A spray gel for when you want to get rid of rust stains but don’t feel like scrubbing. Simply spray it on, wait a few minutes for the rust to dissolve and then lightly wipe it away.
Promising review: “We bought a house and there was iron stains in the showers, sinks and toilets. I tried bleach and other types of cleaners at different times to try and remove the stains. Nothing worked and I was so disappointed as I usually use bleach on tough stains and it removes them with no problems…..but it failed. I saw this on amazon and was skeptical if it would work. To my surprise it worked and fast. Just a few min after spraying it on it melted the rust stain away.” —S. Peterson
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $38.99.
30.
A disposable cleaning wand to make scrubbing the toilet less of a chore. The kit comes with 16 refill heads to get you started, so you can immediately say goodbye to that dirty toilet wand in your bathroom!
Promising review: “So, we have a toilet that belongs to the cats. We don’t use it, we don’t look at it, we like to pretend it does not exist. Even with semi-regular flushing, cat waste is pretty nasty stuff and built up quickly in the bowl. One of these wands cleaned it up in a single session! Before-and-after pic attached (above).” —Whitney
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
31.
A seriously chic drying mat that rolls up to a compact size so you can easily store it when not in use. It can also come in handy if you need a place to dry large pots and pans that won’t fit in a standard drying rack.
Amazon
Promising review: “So excited! I got new white countertops and I love them! However, what I didn’t know (because the old tops were dark gray) was that when my Keurig dispenses coffee into the cups it tends to leave splash/spatter marks on the counter. This is exactly what I wanted to hide the small coffee spatter marks. It’s thick, absorbent and the perfect size for the machine, the refill pitcher and a few cups!” —Allison Piatt
Get it from Amazon for $7.79+ (available in 29 colors).
Promising review: “Absolutely love these containers from Chef’s Path!! Have been searching for a good set for quite some time and am happy I stumbled upon these. I feel these containers are of a higher quality than others and the price is much more affordable. I really like the fact that the lid handles are made up of durable plastic. The assortment of sizes is a plus, they’re easy to stack one on another and are rather durable. The locking mechanism works well to seal but not difficult like others I’ve tried to open. The pen, chalkboard labels, and measuring spoon set are a great addition to the set. Everything you might need for pantry organization has been provided.” —Manzi
Get a set of 14 from Amazon for $44.97.
33.
A storage strip to keep your brooms and mops off the floor and free up some much-needed space in your utility closet. It might even convince you to clean more, but no promises.
Promising review: “I have had sticky hooks hanging on my laundry room wall to hold my cleaning devices but they keep falling down. This holder is much better. It anchors right into the studs and not only holds all my mops and brooms and such but also has some hooks to hold my cleaning cloths. It’s a great organizational item and is sturdy along with being a great space-saver. Great purchase.” —Kcuret
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in two colors).
34.
A hair care and styling tool organizer that hangs right over your sink’s cabinet, because there’s nothing worse than losing track of your hair dryer when you’re in a hurry.
Ashley Homestore
Get it from Ashely Homestore for $29.99 (originally $44.99).
35.
A hanging laundry hamper to get your clothes off the floor and create space for more cute décor. It even has a zippered bottom so you can easily dump everything into a hamper without taking it down.
I’ve personally used this for about a year now and WOW, where has this been all my life?! Every little bit of space counts in New York City apartments, and this miracle hamper helped me clear up enough space to fit a new shelving unit in my room. I’ve been using the adhesive hooks it comes with and they have held up surprisingly well, even when my hamper gets a bit more full than I’d like to admit.
Get it from Amazon for $13.96+ (available in two colors and various two-pack options).
36.
A sliding drawer that will not only add some organization to your cabinets, but also glides right out so you can actually see what you put in there in the first place.
The Container Store
Promising review: “I installed one of these in a very narrow kitchen cabinet and it has made everything so much more accessible, I can’t believe I ever managed without it. Installation took a total of 20 minutes, and I could probably have shaved five minutes off that time if I’d had more space to maneuver my power drill.” —Squeezle
Get it from The Container Store for $31+ (available in nine sizes).
37.
A set of leak-proof storage containers you can pop right in the microwave, because you shouldn’t have to dirty extra dishes just to enjoy leftovers.
Amazon
Read our full review of the Rubbermaid Brilliance food storage containers!
Promising review: “I am in the process of replacing all my storage containers with these. I cannot say enough good things about this product! These containers go from dishwasher to freezer storage without any issue. Started with a sample set to test whether they would bubble up in the microwave or stain, as I cook a lot of red sauce pasta and barbecue. They have passed every test with flying colors. These have not stained, bubbled (whitened), and hand washing or dishwasher — it doesn’t make a difference, because they clean up great! Exceeded all expectations and I wish I would have bought these sooner. The best all around storage container I have ever used! Love them!” —Susanne S.
Get thgem from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in four sizes).
38.
An organizer tray that will keep all of your silverware in its proper place, because not every drawer should be a junk drawer. The slanted, stacked design will also add so much extra space.
Amazon
Promising review: “I loved this so much I bought one for the bestie who just bought a new house. My silverware drawer is organized for the first time in forever!” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
39.
A set of fridge bins to add some order to your chaotic mess of groceries. And because you’ll be able to actually see all your food, you might just end up using that bag of lettuce before it goes bad!
The set includes: two wide drawers, two narrow drawers, one can dispenser drawer, and one egg drawer.
Promising review: “It’s nice to be able to find things in the refrigerator and be able to pull out the whole tray container to see what’s in the back of the fridge. I don’t know if this happens to you, but I find my way to the back every so often, and come to find out a jar in the back expired a year ago. Now I can see everything and use it.” —BookBroke
Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $32.99.
40.
And a sprayable hand sanitizer that’s so easy to use you’ll want it in literally every single room of your home. It features 62{7fdb079a49a3139eb70ba6db044f3bbe0279c46efbc8518eda811287ddf25be9} alcohol and a relaxing blend of bergamot and vanilla, so you’ll probably be smelling your hands all day.
When all your new household necessities arrive:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Reviews here have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Looking for more stuff to help make your house a home? Check out the best places to buy inexpensive furniture online, the best places to buy couches online, cute home decor you’ll wish you knew about sooner, or check out all of our home content for even more great ideas.
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