If I had to spend the night in any store, I’d choose a hardware store

I haven’t enjoyed wandering around stores in years. But there’s one exception: the hardware store. If, for some reason, I had to spend the night in a store, I’d probably pick a hardware store. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t get bored.

A hardware store breaks another rule. While an unfamiliar grocery store is exasperating, a new hardware store feels like an adventure. When I’m driving my kids to their activities, I sometimes have an hour or two to fill in an unfamiliar town. If there’s a hardware store nearby, that’s always my first pick.

I always have to check out my old favorites: paint colors. Sometimes I get excited about finding the perfect greenish-gray or stormy blue—special thanks to stores that let you compare swatches under different types of bulbs. Another time, I’ll consider the best outdoor furniture paint for an old porch swing or the right option for painting a sauna.

I’m not actually planning a major renovation, but it’s still good to pick a flooring material and check out the tile selection just in case. If the store has a kitchen lineup, I’ll also look at the cabinets and their mechanisms. I’m the person who wants to open and close the display cabinets.

I always have to pop into the sheet-goods section! Plywood and laminated wood panels beckon with ideas, inviting me to run my hand over their surfaces. I compare sizes and look for pieces with interesting grain patterns. Plywood would be gorgeous for the back wall of a cabinet that also serves as a room divider, and a spruce board could become a plant shelf by the window, measured to the exact centimeter. I could immediately use a few meters of oak countertop, too. And then there are tapes, small hardware, sealants and glues, bulbs, wallpaper, gardening tools—endless possibilities.

So how much do all these ideas cost? My usual purchase is just a small chocolate bar. I also often pick up a couple of paint strips, so I’ve amassed quite a collection in my purses.

Tip! Sunday is the perfect day to wander around a hardware store. If you need help from the staff, visit on a weekday.