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1. A roll-out, under-the-sink organizer, because adulthood is the time to get every last inch of your home under control. With adjustable compartments and even a spot for a sponge, this organizer gives a new meaning to the phrase, “A place for everything, and everything in its place” — and thanks to the roll-out function, it’s easy to get to everything, too.
2. A really good mattress that befits your ~mature~ status. (Translation: You deserve to sleep on something better than the plastic-covered mess of lumps and springs that’s the hallmark of dorm room bedding everywhere.) Both supportive and soft, this gel memory foam pick from Simmons is especially good for hot sleepers, thanks to its moisture-wicking technology.
3. Plus, some excellent 100% cotton sheets to go with it, because why sleep on scratchy sheets if you don’t have to? This 1,000 thread count sateen-finish set will send you off to the land of Nod in cool, soft comfort.
4. A bottle of Clean Shower daily shower cleaner, so you can keep your bathroom mildew-free with almost zero effort. (We’re all about efficiency in adulthood!) Just spritz some of this stuff in the tub or on your shower walls and floors when you’re done washing up each day, and then just…walk away. Yes, really. Regular use will prevent hard water buildup, mildew, and other weird…growths. Heck yes.
5. A set of dishwasher — and microwave — safe stoneware dishes that’ll dress up your dining room table with some understated sophistication. This 16-piece service for four includes dinner plates, salad plates, mugs, and bowls — and, I mean, let’s be honest: We all deserve to feel fancy even when dinner is cereal. (No judgment. You’re an adult. Do what you want. You’re in charge now!)
6. A beautiful two-tone seagrass basket, so your storage solutions can be as grownup as you are. (No more plastic milk crates here!) Perfect for aesthetics ranging from coastal to rustic, this round basket gives you someplace refined to stash any clutter you want to get out of the way — blankets, your kids’ toys, you name it.
7. A decorative shower curtain, because it's time to upgrade from using nothing but a plain liner (not shaming! But you'll feel better when your bathroom has a little more going on, decor-wise). This gorgeous, floral-printed pick will pull your bathroom together in a way it’s never been before — but if you’re concerned about upkeep, don’t worry: Since it’s 100% cotton, it’s machine-washable for easy care. Adulthood doesn’t have to be complicated!
8. A good household tool kit, so you can DIY some of your own fix-it needs, you big ol’ competent grownup, you. This 40-piece set packs everything you need to handle most common household needs; included are a tape measurer, a claw hammer, pliers, a bunch of hex keys, a ratchet screwdriver with a ton of bits, scissors, a utility knife, some precision screwdrivers, a magnetic bit holder, and a case to keep it all in.
9. A pair of playful cloud bookends, because being a grownup doesn’t have to mean giving up on fun. Designed to look like two halves of a puffy little cloud, this solid set keeps your favorite tomes in place while also injecting a touch of whimsy into your space.
10. A rustic ceramic soap/lotion dispenser or two, so you can finally give up on those single-use plastic bottles and invest instead in reusable ones that will last. Whether you use them for hand soap, dish soap, or your favorite after-shower body lotion, this cottagecore-style pump bottle is practical and a lovely way to dress up your sink or countertop.
11. An enameled cast iron Dutch oven from Lodge, because adulthood is about knowing what works — and this. Works. Look, I realize I plug this exact piece at every possible opportunity, but y’all, it is just that great. Between soups and stews and breads and braises, it is hands-down the most-used item in my kitchen — and despite not being as pricey as some of the prestige brands out there, it’s both sturdy and beautiful, and I anticipate continuing to get tons of use out of it for years to come.
12. A laundry hamper cleverly disguised as an unassuming cabinet that'll teach that old mesh bag you've been using for years a lesson or two. The tilt-out door allows you to quickly drop your clothes in; meanwhile, the bag inside is removable, so you can just as easily pull it out when it’s time to put everything into the washer.
13. A two-pack of drain snakes, because being able to clear out your own drains is an Adulting 101 skill that’s absolutely worth having. You’d be amazed what this simple little tool can dig out of the depths of your pipes (Spoiler alert: It's mostly hair, and it is grossssssss.). Sink clogs, begone!
14. An elegant marble soap dish, so your bar soap can finally have somewhere to live that’s not just, y’know, teetering directly on the edge of your sink. (As a grownup, it’s the details that matter, right?) Bonus: Reviewers say this little piece works equally well as a trinket dish, so hey, points for versatility!
15. An L-shaped computer desk that’ll look right at home in the coveted corner office you’ve worked so hard for all this time — even if it's an at-home one. Unlike a traditional executive desk, this one isn’t heavy or stodgy; instead, it offers clean lines and an open feel, thanks to its sleek metal frame and tempered glass top.
16. A pleated and tasseled velvet throw pillow or two, so you can finally add that certain je ne sais quoi to your space. And even if you know people who believe there is such a thing as too many throw pillows (me, for instance — guilty as charged), you get to put as many throw pillows on your couch as you want. Because you're the adult here. So there.
17. A slick, modern task chair that’ll make you actually want to sit down to work every day. (Someone's gotta pay the bills, and when you're the head of household, that someone is you.) With tilt control, pneumatic height adjustment, adjustable arms, and five caster wheels, it’s got all the flexibility and movement you could want from a workspace seating solution — and it looks darn good, too.
18. A three-lantern floor lamp with tropical vibes, so you can finally swap that bendy-armed plastic lamp you’ve been carting around since your dorm room days for something nicer — without sacrificing the practicality of a (literally) flexible lighting solution. Each of the lanterns on this lamp swings on its own arm, so you can position them however you like.
19. A woven storage ottoman, because you’ll never stop finding uses for it (knowing how to deal with messes is one of the most valuable skills for an adult to have, right?). It’s a side table! It’s a footrest! And, of course, it’s a place to stash those odds and ends floating around the room that you just want to get out sight!
20. An eye-catching area rug with a neat-o geometric design that’ll dress up your floors — even if you’ve had a habit of ignoring them up until now. Combining a bold look with easy care, it’ll make your space more cohesive than you would have thought possible. (Hey, you don’t stop learning just because you’re an adult now, right?)
21. A 72" faux ficus tree in a cute li’l basket, because it is 100% okay if you, a Real, Live Grownup, still cannot keep a plant alive. (It’s me. I’m talking about me.) This surprisingly realistic artificial ficus will bring a touch of greenery to your space, even if you have the opposite of a green thumb. Adults are not perfect. Adults have their failings. And if yours is plants, that’s fine.
22. A five-pack of coordinated dish towels, so your kitchen will always look put-together and grownup — and clean, of course! These lightweight towels with a classic striped design are made of soft terry for the ultimate in kitchen décor-plus-clean-up powers.
23. A glam gold tone bar cart with wood and leather detailing, because the kinds of parties you throw in adulthood are very different than the kinds you throw in your youth. Bye bye, red Solo cups; hello, getting your Gatsby on and shaking up the perfect cocktails. Throwing a sophisticated party is easy when you’ve got a classy, two-tiered, rolling cart like this one to keep all your bottles, mixers, and garnishes corralled.
24. A lightweight, bagless, cordless Dyson vacuum that’ll make keeping your floors clean a breeze. Yes, it’s an investment, but now’s the perfect time to start making those kinds of purchases if you’re able to do so. This vacuum is so much easier to move around your home than the huge, corded vacuums of yore, and it comes with tons of attachments and a wall-mounted charging dock for easy use and storage. (This, by the way, is how I realized I had grown into An Actual Adult: Getting a high-tech vacuum a few years ago — this one, in fact – was really exciting to me. True story. And it was worth every penny.)
25. A highly-rated Cuisinart coffee maker, because life is too short to drink bad coffee. (I finally replaced my aging and unreliable $20 coffee maker about a year and a half ago for something higher end, and it was life-changing.) This 12-cup option is programmable, so you can set it to go off at exactly the right time every morning — and it brews one heck of a good cup, according to reviewers.
26. A thermal blackout curtain panel, so you can finally get the shut-eye you need and save some cash on your climate control bills. (Feels good to be a responsible-ish adult, doesn’t it?) These curtain panels have a cool, modern feel, thanks to the grommets at the top — and with both temperature-regulating abilities and blackout capabilities, they’ll create the ideal sleeping environment for you without you needing to do anything other than, y’know, hang them. Handy!
27. A set of antimicrobial micromesh wash bags, because being older and wiser means understanding the value of taking care of your delicates. With two large bags and two medium-sized ones, this set of four from Woolite gives you everything you need to make sure items both big and small — from workout gear to intimates — stay safe in the laundry.
28. A colorful four-piece slipcover that’ll makeover your old sofa easily and inexpensively. At this stage in your life, you definitely know the value of a dollar — and sometimes, the best solution is also the most cost-effective one. Designed for sofas measuring 74 to 96 inches, this stretchy slipcover slides right over your couch’s frame and cushions, instantly turning an out-of-date or damaged piece into something shiny and new. It’s like magic!
29. A pantry storage bin or two, because nothing makes you feel quite as grown-up as a well-organized kitchen. These clear plastic bins might look simple, but they’re terrific for arranging and organizing goods of all kinds, from cans to dish towels and more. You can even stick ‘em in your fridge if you want.
30. A pack of 32 felt furniture pads, so you can keep all your floors scuff-free. Slap some of these self-adhesive suckers on the bottoms of any heavy pieces you’ve got sitting directly on your hardwood, and bam — instant protection of your security deposit if you’re a renter, or of your overall investment if you’re a homeowner.
31. And a pack of highly effective washing machine cleaner tablets, because yes, you do need to clean machines that exist for the sole purpose of cleaning other things from time to time. Instead of running your washer with vinegar a million times and hoping for the best (0/10, do not recommend), stick one of these inside the drum and run it with the hottest water setting you’ve got. Grit, grime, and smells, begone!
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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