Each month I feature something I love that makes my life easier to manage. Something that I know could help you make your life less stressful and more enjoyable too. This month it’s my must-have kits for the home. I cannot tell you how much easier life becomes when you have a few of these dotted around the house!
Taking no more than a couple of hours to put together (because you probably already have everything you need), I guarantee they’ll save you HOURS of stress and headache! You’ll find a checklist of all the kits (plus suggested supplies) in my FREE Resource Library too. You can get the password for the library at the bottom of this post.
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Ten must-have kits for the home…
Imagine having everything you need to complete a task all in one place and close to hand. No more hunting, searching or having things in multiple places. No more going to use something only to discover it’s run out, empty, broken or worse, lost. Imagine the time and stress you’d save yourself. Not only would things get done a lot quicker, life would be SO much easier!
Well, create a few kits for the home and that’s exactly what happens!
But what kits to create?
The most obvious one that everyone has somewhere in their home is a first aid kit. But that’s just the start. There are SO many more you could have. In fact, the possibilities are endless! Work through this list and I’m sure you’ll come up with a few of your own too!
Here are my top ten must-have kits for the home:
1. First aid kit
It’s an obvious choice because we all have one, but do you have one in your car? What about in the garage? Do you go camping, hiking or cycling with your kids? If so, store a mini one in your rucksack or camping gear ready.
2. Cleaning kit
Always hunting for your cleaning supplies before you start? Put everything together in a portable grab-and-go box that you can carry around the house with you, it’s SO much easier!
3. Sundries kit
Possibly the most useful of the must-have kits for the home of all, think toilet roll, kitchen roll, cling film, foil, bin bags, toothpaste, shower gel, hand soap, bubble bath etc etc. You don’t need to go over the top, but stashing away an extra one of these makes life a whole lot easier. No more running out of them when you need them most. And no more last-minute dashes to the store either!
- Want the checklist with all the suggested supplies for each kit? Find it in my FREE Resource Library – request the password at the bottom of this post.
4. Homework kit
Getting your kids to do their homework can be tricky, but having a homework kit makes things a little easier. Fill a box with paper, pens, a ruler, rubber, glue, scissors and a calculator. Better still, if you have space, why not create a designated homework station. Who knows, it may end up making them enjoy doing their homework!
5. Travel kit
We regularly visit parents and friends a couple of hours away from us, and so one of the best kits I created was a travel kit. Now, when I go to pack, my weekend bag already has a phone charger, my medication, my contact lenses and a few other bits I need. No more hunting for the same things each time I go away. I no longer forget my toothbrush or phone charger either!
6. Kids activity kit
An activity kit is perfect for those times you’re stuck in traffic and your kids are getting impatient. Or when you’re kept waiting at the doctor’s surgery. All you need is a small rucksack with a notebook or colouring book, pen and felt-pens, a pack of cards, a couple of small toys, a snack and you’re good to go. Quiet, occupied, happy children!
7. Sports/Outdoors kit
Do you go to the gym? Do your kids have after school activities such as swimming, football or karate? Set their kit up so that it’s always ready to go. That way instead of hunting for everything each week, you can just add a fresh towel and head straight out the door. The same applies if you go to the beach or for picnics regularly. Gather all your supplies in one handy place, then just add your food before you go.
8. Glovebox kit
How often do we need change for parking only to realise we don’t have any? Or need to leave a note on the dashboard but have no paper or pen? That’s exactly why a glovebox kit is on my list of must-have kits for the home – or in this case, the car! Think spare change, post-it notes, a pen, your emergency breakdown and car insurance phone and policy numbers, spare glasses or contact lenses if you need them and a £1 coin for the shopping trolley!
- Want the checklist with all the suggested supplies for each kit? Find it in my FREE Resource Library – request the password at the bottom of this post.
9. Seasonal car kit
As a family that’s regularly on the road, this kit gives us a huge piece of mind. We swap it out twice a year and so have a summer AND winter kit, but it’s totally worth it. It has things like a blanket, spare clothes and PJs for my youngest, medication, a toilet roll and carrier bag, some anti-bac gel and baby wipes, snacks and a couple of bottles of water. If we have to spend an unexpected night away or we get stuck on the motorway, this kit has everything we need.
10. Power cut/emergency tool kit
We all have spare batteries, candles and a torch somewhere in our home. But would you be able to find yours in the dark or in an emergency? Do you know where your matches are so you could light the candles if the power was out? Create your own power cut kit by putting everything together. Keep the torch by your bed and don’t forget to include the matches, a screwdriver, spanner and a list of emergency contact numbers!
The self-care pamper kit – aka the bonus kit!
Now I know I said I was sharing my top ten kits, but I have a bonus kit I think you’ll like. Making life less stressful and more enjoyable isn’t just about making family life run more smoothly, it’s about making our wellbeing a priority too. And that’s where my bonus kit comes in!
My all-time favourite kit is my pamper kit and I thought it only fair I shared this one with you too! We all know how important self-care is but how often do we do it? And who says we have to stop at making kits for the home…why shouldn’t we make a kit for ourselves too?!
Easy to make, all I did was find myself a pretty box and filled it with things I love. I added my favourite bubble bath, a scented candle, some body lotion, essential oils, my de-stress mist, a journal and pen, headphones for my iPod, a couple of tea bags of my favourite herbal tea and maybe a cheeky bar of chocolate! I try to use it once a week and whilst it doesn’t quite compare to a spa day, I do feel pretty pampered afterwards! Why not make one for yourself too?!
Creating your must-have kits for the home…
Creating kits for the home makes so much sense. And if I’m honest, I wish I’d done it sooner. I’m amazed at how much of a difference a simple tweak like this has made. I used to spend HOURS hunting for something only to give up, buy another and then find the one I’d lost! It used to take ages to get ready to go out somewhere too. Now, I just grab the relevant kit and go!
Don’t think that by doing this you have to start filling your home with lots of bags full of things. That’s not required. All you need to do is gather everything you need for a specific task or activity and simply store it all together in the same place. A cupboard, shelf, drawer or box all work as well as a bag! My only question is, which kit will you create first?!
Don’t forget to download the FREE checklist!
Want to create these kits yourself? You’ll find the checklist in my FREE Resource Library. You can get the password by filling out the form below: