The year 2020 was an eye-opener in more ways than we probably care to mention, but more than anything, it raised the awareness of home. Keeping the home a haven when it’s both your work and living space is hard work. It’s so easy to let the dishes stack in the sink until they could pass for the leaning tower of Pisa.
For me, committing to a daily cleaning schedule has been key to keeping the house consistently tidy, not only for sanitation but also for plain sanity. But ultimately, spending so much time at home has made me appreciate the innovative appliances that make the day-to-day a little more luxurious.
Jura A1 Super Automatic Coffee Machine
Five or so years ago, I bought a Jura Coffee machine after a friend posted an article about how Keurig and pre-filled K-cups could cause cancer, especially if you were a regular coffee consumer.
I’m not here to say whether or not that claim is valid, but if you Google “Keurig cancer warning,” you’ll find a lot of information to decide for yourself.
But being the avid coffee drinker I am and never overly impressed with Keurig-made coffee, I thought a Jura coffee maker was a worthy investment.
Like the Keurig, the Jura is designed to make a single serving of coffee, which is perfect. No pots of coffee sitting out and turning sour with each passing hour. Not to mention less waste overall – less wasted coffee, no filters, or plastic pods needed.
Combine these perks with the fact that the Jura makes the best single cup of coffee I’ve ever tasted, and I don’t even have to leave the house. The crema on top is frothy perfection, and if you want an afternoon espresso, it’s literally ready at the press of a button.
I had a Breville espresso machine, and while gorgeous, it was such an event to use, I hardly ever did. Plus, it took up loads of space on the counter, unlike the Jura, which is half the size. While sometimes I enjoy the ceremony and art that go into making a beverage, whether it’s coffee, tea, or a cocktail, there is also something to be said for convenience.
I always said, “if the Jura broke today, I would immediately order another one,” and case in point, after five years, it finally did quit working properly. The same day, I ordered another one.
The price tag is hard to stomach, but for someone who finds daily, soothing joy in a delicious cup of coffee, the Jura is worth every penny.
iRobot Roomba 960 Wi-Fi Connected Vacuuming Robot
I adopted a kitten that someone abandoned in my neighborhood, and her presence in my life has brought so much joy and love.
It’s also brought a lot of fur.
I’m in a constant war with Zelda’s snowy white strands that stick to the furniture and flock together in fluffy tumbleweeds along the floor’s edges. It’s a war I would be losing if I didn’t have BB8, the name we’ve given our IRobot Roomba.
He runs around the house practically every day, and I’m always amazed at the amount of dust, grit, and fur he sucks up.
Without him, I don’t even want to imagine the hours I would have to spend sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping each day. Priced around $500, the Roomba is another luxury device, but one I really don’t want to live without.
But, it’s not just Zelda’s fur. According to HowStuffWorks.com:
“Of those billions of skin cells, between 30,000 and 40,000 of them fall off every hour. Over a 24-hour period, you lose almost a million skin cells…Where do they all go? The dust that collects on your tables, TV, windowsills, and on those picture frames that are so hard to get clean is made mostly from dead human skin cells. In other words, your house is filled with former bits of yourself. In one year, you’ll shed more than 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) of dead skin. It gets even grosser: Your house is also filled with trillions of microscopic life forms called dust mites that eat your old dead skin.”
These are facts that I’m sure we’d all prefer not to dwell on, but their reality remains—more reasons why I’m grateful for the iRobot Roomba.
It’s also super easy to use. Once you download the app, you can set a schedule to automate the cleaning.
I prefer to have it vacuum when I’m not home due to the noise, which is a mild complaint. But, I’m happy to overlook that one minor issue. I feel a rush of gratefulness every time I dump the bin and think about the dust and fur that’s no longer on my floors.
Brondell Swash SE600 Bidet Toilet Seat
One of the most recent luxury household purchases that directly resulted from the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent toilet paper shortage mayhem was the Brondell Swash bidet toilet seat.
It was the luxury item I didn’t know was missing from my life.
Not only am I saving rolls and rolls of toilet paper, but I’ve never felt fresher.
For my complete review, check out:
“Why I Bought a Brondell Bidet, & Why You’re Going to Want One Too“
Ultimately, these pricey household products are definitely luxury items, but I’m grateful for the enrichment, cleanliness, and ease these devices bring to day-to-day life.