Having built many different homes, for my family and others, I often focus on the material and construction side of things. However, when it comes to my own home, there are specific aspects of every room that make me happiest and would be difficult to live without. Read on for the one element in each space I’d prefer not to part with.
Bryan Baeumler is one of HGTV Canada’s go-to contractors and the host of Bryan Inc., House of Bryan and Leave it to Bryan.
Bathroom: Fuzzy Bath Mat
I love the new shower Sarah surprised me with – it’s a joy to wake up every morning and step into it. However, I don’t think it would be quite as relaxing an experience if I didn’t have my fuzzy bath mat to welcome me once I stepped out. You have to keep those feet nice and warm, after all, especially during the colder months!
Kitchen: Coffee Maker
To expand on what helps me get up in the morning, the coffee maker we have is another element that makes the beginning of the day far more enjoyable. The machine is nothing fancy, but it makes a delicious cup of coffee!
Living Room: Fireplace
There is nothing more satisfying than seeing flames light up the living room on a cold winter’s night. The fireplace we have is a central feature of our living space, and I love it. I’ll often sit on my sofa and admire its craftsmanship – sometimes I even pat myself on the back (haha).
Bedroom: Comfy Mattress
What’s a bedroom if not a place for sleeping? I spend a good eight hours lying down on our mattress every night, so it has to be as comfortable as possible. I love ours – it’s the perfect level of firmness and is a welcome retreat after a long day on site.
Family Room: My Family
This one is probably a bit of a cop out, but it’s true. When we sit around watching a funny movie, popcorn on our laps and sugary treats resting on the sofa arms, I am a happy man. The kids are at a fun age where we can all enjoy a movie and share in the jokes. It makes for a fun weekend evening.
Basement: Sump Pump
I know! But it really is the best part of my basement. Without an efficient sump pump, we would be up the creek without a paddle, and the creek would be in the basement. Don’t skimp on a sump pump, you might not care about it now, but when your basement floods, you certainly will.
Garage: Leaf Blower
Living where we do, with trees all around us, means that the number of leaves falling in autumn is seemingly never-ending. I’m not sure where I would be without my leaf blower… I guess I’d be raking for days!
Backyard: Chickens
I love having animals around, and the chickens are some of my favourites. They are a lot of fun and produce all the eggs we could possibly need thanks to our chicken coop (pictured above). They don’t require an awful lot of care, and provide tons of entertainment. The kids love them too.
Laundry Room: Floor Drain
Again, not necessarily my favourite room of the house, and I don’t get particularly excited by washers and dryers, but I do have a lot of respect for the floor drain. It’s always there when you need it, and it never complains. Again, a boring choice, but one that we all thank when those appliances don’t apply themselves properly.
Workshop: Dust Collection System
Oh, the doghouse. I do an awful lot of work here, and this often means sawing and cutting wood. The amount of sawdust I produce is considerable, so having a dust collection system makes my life far easier. It leaves me more time to make things, and less time to clean up. Perfect.
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