23 Home Splurges That Homeowners Swear By
"Turning one of my rooms into a gym. The whole setup cost me $1,500 — about the same as a gym membership for two people."
—epapi169
"A giant air purifier — like, it's basically industrial grade. I feel so much healthier."
"Almost 10 years ago, we installed a pond in our backyard. We get so much joy from it and can hear the waterfall from our bedroom. Water lilies and lotuses bloom, and we watch the fish, frogs, and birds. It isn't for everyone, but if you've been considering getting one for a good while, I say give it a go."
—Buttonwood63
"Solar power. My power bill is low in the fall and winter, and in the spring and summer, my power is free. The power I sell back to the city pays for my water, too. I caught so much crap for installing that system, but it's literally behaved perfectly for the three years I've had it, and it pays for itself. I haven't had any issues with the roof, either, like the haters promised I would have. And if power exports from Canada go through the roof in price, I will be largely unaffected. I cannot express how happy I am that I made the choice to get solar."
"A robot vacuum and mop combo. It even self-empties and washes its own mop."
—Practical-Ant7330
"Smart light bulbs and switches."
"Screening in the back patio. You get all the best things about sitting outside without the bugs."
—DescriptionOne8197
"A bidet. It was the greatest birthday gift I've ever received from my spouse!"
"An in-ground swimming pool and spa."
—CreateYourUserhandle
"Outdoor string lights with solar batteries. I love the ambiance and that I don't have to think about them at all."
"I got a big ass toaster oven. Now, I never have to use the real oven!"
—Changeofscenery65
"Paying for yard service and a house cleaning service. The gift to myself of time. We still work in the yard and the house, but instead of mowing, weeding, or scrubbing out grime from the sinks, we can focus on more interesting projects. Also, a walk-in shower for the master bedroom. Showering in a tub now seems weird and slightly dangerous."
"A hot tub! We got it ONE WEEK before Hurricane Helene hit our area, so having it was...amazing. First, it was nice having extra flushing water on hand. It was pretty apocalyptic here, and no one could get water or get out of their homes with the roads washed away and the trees all down. Then, even with the power back on, the water was still bad, so it was nice to have our hot tub. I still can't believe the timing. It's nothing too fancy, but it's been nice and warm under the winter stars, and our kiddos love hanging in it. I constantly feel so uplifted because of the hot tub. It's the best purchase I've made, and it never gets old."
—Teepeaparty
"For the yard, an electric chainsaw was a huge improvement over a gas chainsaw. It's lighter in weight, easier to start, and there's no need to store gas for it."
"Getting a six-foot fence around our backyard was worth every penny. I love our neighborhood, but it is so nice to have a more secluded feeling in our backyard. I go out to read and will do yoga or just hang out."
—No_Photo_6126
"A generator. We live in a heavily forested area, so windstorms are a big issue. We used to lose power four or six times a year, and now we don't. It's awesome!"
"A rice cooker. I went for a slightly more expensive Korean brand. There is so much I love about it. It takes the guesswork out of cooking rice, it has a timer function, it has a slow cooker function, and more. It's saved me so much time and effort."
—My_Clandestine_Grave
"A washing machine that dispenses soap. I only have to refill it once every three months or so. It's such a small thing, but it's been a game-changer for my family and me."
"I am older and work a very physical job. I tore a tendon in my leg three years ago because of work. So, I bought myself an electric recliner that fits me perfectly and takes the pressure off my foot and legs in the evening. It's made my life, job, and attitude much better."
—DasderdlyD4
"Central air conditioning. I'm in New England, and only very new houses have it. I had hot water heat, so I had to have all the ductwork installed and everything. When I felt the cold air falling from the ceiling for the first time, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. It was worth every penny."
"A litter robot. We have four cats, so it is the absolute best thing. It keeps the house from smelling terrible, and we only ever have to worry about emptying the bin and topping it off with more litter once a week. They're expensive, but 100% worth it."
—Squintz_ATB
"A power sander! I'm very DIY-oriented, so I didn't want to spend the money when I could just sand things by hand. It made repairing drywall and more SO much faster."
Lastly: "This one might be silly, but we got a nice fridge with French doors, a produce drawer in the middle, and a big freezer on the bottom. We cook at home for 95% of our meals, and it's definitely a treat after having shitty, old fridges in the past."
—rg2404
OK, fine, now I want a pond. If you're a homeowner, what is the one big purchase you made that ultimately improved your living? Let us know in the comments, or you can anonymously submit your thoughts using the form below!
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