10 items that top our 2012 ‘perfect home’ bucket list

Let’s talk bucket lists. What are the things that you’d buy for yourself if nothing was standing in your way? Best Buy asked me this question, and I was all too pleased to add up a bunch of my favorites to pass on to you. So without further ado I bring you my 2012 perfect home bucket list.

Let’s start with a great digital camera. While the need for a dedicated camera might seem a bit passe these days, Nikon’s D3100 manages to produce amazing images for the price that a single DSLR lens might cost you with other brands. It’s great for first-time DSLR buyers, like myself, as its included guide mode will help walk you through basic features from setup through picture taking. But it’s a serious camera, have no doubt. It packs a 24 MP sensor, does full 1080p HD video and includes a standard 18-55 mm lens.

Now that you’ve taken those amazing photos, you need somewhere to view them. That’s where Sharp’s 80-inch Aquos Quattron HDTV comes in. I’ve owned, used and help others to purchase a bank-vault’s worth of TVs over the years, and the Aquos line from Sharp has continually been one of my favorites. While this is no doorbuster bargain at $5,500 it’s one of the most amazing TVs I’ve ever seen.

Tired of looking at photos? Movie time with your Aquos is handled by  Pioneer Elite’s Smart 3D Wi-Fi ready Blu-ray player. While the Aquos isn’t 3D, I’ve been so impressed by the Pioneer Elite line of home AV equipment that it’s hard to pass up the option of having a 3D Blu-Ray player for those of you who already own the capable TV.

I’m going to assume that you have the basics of a home theater setup going already. But you can spend all the money you want on a killer receiver and amplifier, only to have the sound killed by cheap speakers. For my money, there’s almost nothing on the market that can compare to Bowers & Wilkins, and the B&O CM9GB floor-standing speakers will knock your socks off while looking incredible. More important than the fact that they’re sexy speakers, though, is that they’re deadly accurate.

Now I know what you’re thinking — ‘But Brad, those B&O speakers are only 6.5 inches. Where’s the bass??’ T0 answer that question, I present you with your new best friend, B&O’s 10-inch, 500-watt powered subwoofer. Bowers & Wilkins accuracy, 500 watts of power and a classy, piano-black paint job? Sign me up.

I’ll admit it, I tend to sit in my office more than any other room of my house. Not only because I work here, but we tend to play here as well. As such, it’s important to have an office chair that can stand the rigors of my daily activity while still remaining comfortable. I’ve fallen in love with the Therasage mesh-back chair, and I think you will too. Not only does it keep you cool and comfortable, it has adjustments galore and even has an infrared-heated massager for those long days.  Yes, there are cheaper chairs on the market, but there’s not a single one that will stand up to abuse like this while still treating you like royalty.

There’s a fine line between practicality and fun, and buying a vacuum cleaner is typically nowhere near that line. But Dyson has managed to come up with innovative products in an area that hadn’t really changed much since its inception. The company’s DC35 Slim is a great example of that innovation. It’s wall-mountable, goes anywhere, light enough to carry with one hand and reaches amazing heights…all while never losing suction. Say what you will about fun, but having a clean house in which to enjoy all of your new toys is important.

Now that we’ve covered some of the basics, my last three items are part of my dream kitchen. I love to cook, and I feed a family of four. As such that means that there’s often a lot of clean up left to do. My aging dishwasher has seen its better days, so I’ve been in the market for a new one. The best I’ve found is this stainless beauty from KitchenAid , and it’s definitely up there toward the top of my list. Considering that it’s packing a 24-inch internal tub, has 6 different wash cycles and 5 levels to meet your needs, it’s a great selling point. But it’s also whisper-quiet and its hidden control panel keeps it looking sleek.

My next kitchen essential is a killer refrigerator, and LG has this down in spades. I’m not talking about something that includes access to Twitter and can keep your grocery list for you, but rather a fridge that packs in a load of function. This 30.5 cubic foot monster includes a slide-out freezer drawer, French main doors and an innovative system that keeps your drinks and snacks handy without opening up the main area.

Rounding out my kitchen, and our list, is my personal favorite, LG’s double-oven convection range. Yes, that’s right, not just one but TWO convection ovens, and a great-looking cooktop, rolled into a single unit. It’s self-cleaning, has 5 cooktop elements including a warming zone, includes an infrared broiler and puts out up to 3,800 watts of cooking power. Even if you’re not a foodie, something this nice could turn you into one. It’s amazing what you can do when you have the right tools.

So there you have it — my 2012 bucket list. It’s just a sampling, really, but there could be some ideas for you if you’ve been looking for anything in these categories. I’ve done my homework, and had a heck of a good time doing so. Have suggestions or questions? Drop them below and let’s work it out.