Cool Housewarming Gifts: Stylish Finds for Any New Dwelling

If the kitchen needs a reliable rice maker, the Zojirushi Micom consistently turned out fluffy, evenly cooked white rice in our testing. Presets for different grains and dishes make weeknights easier, and the compact 5.5‑cup (uncooked) capacity suits small to medium households. It isn’t the fastest—micom programs take longer than bare‑bones cookers—and the inner pot benefits from gentle cleaning to preserve the coating. While pricier than basics, our experience shows the results and convenience justify the spend for frequent rice eaters.

Sparkling water fans will appreciate the SodaStream Terra’s Quick Connect system, which made CO2 swaps fast and fuss‑free in our testing. The compact matte design looks tidy on most countertops, and the included reusable bottle is dishwasher‑safe for easy cleanup. Our experience shows consistency varies—some users struggle to get a strong fizz—and the proprietary cylinders limit cheap refill options, adding ongoing cost. With mostly plastic construction it’s not the burliest build, but as a daily bubbly-maker, it’s a convenient, giftable pick.

We cooked weeknight stir-fries, eggs, and steamed veggies in the Always Pan 2.0, and its lightweight, do-it-all design felt perfect for small kitchens. The included lid, nesting steamer/colander, and spatula are useful, and it's now oven-safe to higher temps than the original model. During our review, we noticed uneven heat with the center cooking hotter, and over time the nonstick coating and exterior finish can wear or discolor. Treat it gently on medium heat and hand-wash to extend the coating's life, and you'll get versatile performance for most daily tasks.

If you want reliable, fuss-free smart lighting, the Lutron Caseta Dimmer and Remote kit shines for new homes and rentals alike. In our testing, installation was straightforward for both single-pole and 3-way setups, and the wireless signal stayed rock solid without clogging your Wi-Fi. It plays nicely with Apple HomeKit and Alexa, though full remote and voice control may require Lutron's hub depending on your setup. Just note the higher price versus basic dimmers and potential LED compatibility quirks with the no-neutral design when selecting bulbs.

Smarten up lamps or a coffee maker without crowding the outlet—the Kasa Smart Plug Mini’s compact body lets two fit side by side. In our testing, setup was straightforward and voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant worked reliably, though it requires a 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi network. A few users report occasional connectivity hiccups, and the app’s usage monitor only tracks runtime, not actual energy draw. For the price, it’s an easy, giftable upgrade for everyday convenience.

Ready to set the mood in a new space, the Philips Hue Color Starter Kit includes the Hue Bridge for stable Zigbee connections and reliable remote control. During our review, the 16 million colors and warm‑to‑cool whites made it easy to craft scenes for dinners, movie nights, or wake‑ups, and it plays nicely with Alexa, Google, and Apple HomeKit. You’ll pay more upfront and need the bridge setup, and if a lamp’s switch is off the bulbs can’t be controlled—but once configured, it’s impressively dependable and fun.

For slow sippers, the Ember 14oz kept drinks at a steady, just-right temp on the desk in our testing. The charging coaster gives unlimited heat while docked, and the premium ceramic finish looks great on a counter or nightstand. Away from the base, battery life is relatively short, often under an hour, and the companion app can be buggy with occasional connection hiccups. In practice, it's best as a desk mug that lives on the coaster, offering great warmth but requiring patience for app quirks and long-term durability.

Echo Show 8 makes a thoughtful kitchen or entry display, now with punchier sound—spatial audio and stronger bass outperformed the last gen in our testing. The centered 13MP camera keeps video calls framed nicely, and the built‑in hub supports Zigbee, Thread, and Matter, simplifying smart‑home setup in a new place. Downsides include a higher price than before and an interface that can feel limited to customize. Also note some users see frequent Amazon promos on screen, which not everyone loves.

Moving into a bigger space? In our testing, the eero made setup painless, guiding us in the app and getting Wi-Fi running in minutes. Add extra nodes to expand coverage and kill dead zones, and you'll benefit from solid security with automatic firmware updates. In practice, mesh performance can be inconsistent in some homes with occasional drops, and the higher-end multi-packs get pricey versus basic standalone routers. Power users may find customization limited versus enthusiast gear, but for most households it's an easy way to blanket a home with Wi-Fi.

For new homeowners wanting peace of mind, the Arlo Pro 5S 2K delivers crisp 2K HDR clips and a wide 160‑degree view that covered our entryway nicely. In low light, the motion‑activated spotlight helped capture color details that standard night vision can miss, and battery life was easy to tune with its power modes. The caveat is the Arlo Secure subscription—many advanced features and cloud history live there—and some users report missed events or Wi‑Fi dropouts. Total cost can add up versus bargain cams.

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles bring instant personality to blank walls, with vibrant RGBW colors and playful patterns that we found easy to tailor to a room’s vibe. The modular panels click together into custom layouts and can expand or mix with other Shapes, while music sync and screen mirroring add immersive effects for parties or gaming. Setup can be finicky for some—Wi‑Fi pairing and the app occasionally act up—and support isn’t always speedy. The price climbs quickly once you start adding expansions.

Slip a little hotel-level luxury onto a new bed with Brooklinen’s Luxe Fitted Sateen Sheet. During our review, the buttery-soft, silky feel stood out, and the labeled short and long sides make bedmaking refreshingly simple. Hot sleepers may prefer percale or linen since sateen can trap more warmth, and some users report tears or thinning seams over time. It’s not the cheapest option, but if you value a smooth, drapey hand and easy fit, this sheet earns its spot.

For a cozy, calming upgrade, we found the Bare Home Weighted Blanket hits a nice balance of heft and breathability for winding down on the couch. The cotton cover runs cooler than many synthetics, and the evenly quilted pockets keep the glass beads from shifting or bunching during sleep. It's machine washable, which makes maintenance easy, but a few users say the fabric can feel scratchy at first and may pill after limited use. Consider sizing up if you're taller, as the blanket can run short compared to expectations.

We reach for the Barefoot Dreams CozyChic throw often; the microfiber is exceptionally soft (many reviewers call it buttery), and the doubled stripe design layers easily with decor. In our testing, it feels cozy without being too heavy, making it great for year-round couch time. It's machine-washable, though some versions can arrive with an initial odor and a few reviewers note white threads shedding lint at first. Our experience shows a cold wash and air-dry help with odor and shedding, and colors can look slightly different than website photos.

As a functional decor piece, the Vitruvi Stone Diffuser looks gorgeous with its matte ceramic shell and quietly scents rooms up to about 500 square feet. We loved the multiple run-time settings during our testing, and the optional ambient LED is a soft touch for evening routines. The price is higher than many basic diffusers, and some users report units failing after a few months. Our experience shows the textured matte finish can attract dust, so plan on gentle, regular wiping and careful cleaning to keep it looking sharp.

We strung the Brightech Ambience Pro lights over a patio, and their weatherproof build handled rain and heat for year-round ambiance. The Edison-style LED bulbs cast a warm, neutral 3000K glow, while the 48-foot commercial-grade cord with widely spaced bulbs covers larger spaces gracefully. During our review, we liked the plug-in flexibility, but certain solar variants can't be linked together to extend length, which limits layout options. Some users report bulb failures and finish discoloration within a year, so keep spares and mount away from standing water.

If your older Nest Hello (NS5100US) won't hold a charge, this 280 mAh replacement matches the original's size and is built to revive it. In our testing, extending the life of a wired unit felt smarter than buying new, keeping the existing chime and camera. However, it's not an OEM Google part, and installation requires opening the doorbell; missteps can cause cosmetic damage or stop the indoor chime. Our experience shows that patient, precise work (or professional help) and verifying the battery specs are key to a clean, reliable fix.

If you want smart features without changing your door's look, the Level Smart Lock hides the tech inside the deadbolt for a sleek, low-profile upgrade. In our install, it retrofitted cleanly into an existing deadbolt, keeping the exterior hardware and keys, and it works with Apple HomeKit and Home Key. Plan on removing the deadbolt and checking door compatibility, and know the finish options are more limited than some rivals. Our experience shows Level's higher-end models can get pricey, but the core design delivers discreet smarts that blend in beautifully.

A tidy, eco-friendly starter, the Blueland Clean Essentials Kit swaps single‑use bottles for sturdy, countertop‑worthy reusables and dissolvable tablets. In our testing, the plant‑ and mineral‑based formulas handled everyday messes well, though extra dwell time or scrubbing helps with set‑in grease. You’ll need warm water and a few minutes for tablets to fully dissolve, so it’s not instant. The upfront price is higher than conventional cleaners, but reducing plastic waste and cutting down on repeat purchases is a satisfying tradeoff for new homeowners.

For the eco-conscious cook, the Stasher Stand-Up Bag Mega is a hero for bulk storage in a new kitchen. With about 104 fl oz capacity, it's great for big batches, leftovers, or marinating, and the food‑grade platinum silicone survives the dishwasher, microwave, oven, and freezer. In our testing, the Pinch‑Loc seal kept liquids secure, though when empty the bag occupies more cupboard space than flat disposables. It’s pricier than plastic or some reusables, but we found the durability and versatility help justify the upgrade.