The new home journey can be pretty overwhelming. Of course, you’re thrilled about the idea of starting a new life in a new home; however, getting to move and settle in the house can sometimes feel like a lifetime of preparation. Ranging from the internet to essential comforters, you have a lot of things to think about.
And the most prominent part is ensuring that every required house items are available. Lucky for you, this new home checklist will put your mind at rest and help you simplify the whole moving process.
To ensure that you’re not caught off guard for the big move to your new house, this checklist covers all essentials and house items you might need to help you set up your new apartment. So with no further ado, let’s dive into the new home checklist.
Moving Day Essentials
Just thinking about the moving day can make you panic. The first day of moving can be pretty stressful; however, the whole process can be more manageable with a bit of prep work.
First off, ensure that you have your boxes ready for the moving truck, and to help you ease the entire moving process on the D-day, here are a few things to help you:
- Dolly
- Van
- Gloves
- Moving boxes
- Beer and pizza (It’s a good idea to provide refreshment for everyone who has chipped in to help you with the process).
- House Cleaning supplies
- Forearm moving strap
- Tools
Important things to do on moving to your new house
Although we usually consider moving processes like packing and unpacking as the essential parts of moving to a newly acquired house, they are just a part of the moving process.
On moving in, you’ll get the keys to your new home, and there are a few steps you must take after that. Although none of these steps is demanding on its own, adding them all up and joining them with the whole moving process can feel a bit overwhelming.
If you are not moving into a house for the first time, some of these steps might not be needed. Nonetheless, no knowledge is a waste. So here are those actions you should take on moving in:
Meet the real estate attorney and collect the keys to your house
- Ensure that the items the previous owners are required to leave according to the purchase agreement are intact. Document the missing things and let your real estate agent know
- Replace the door with new locks
- Repaint if necessary. This is the best time to carry out this process as your stuff isn’t there yet.
- Make necessary repairs in the house.
- Clean your kitchen, including the fridge and cupboard. You can DIY the whole cleaning process, or if you feel the stress is too much for you, I’d recommend hiring a cleaning service before the d-day.
- Take note of the circuit breakers in the house.
- Change the services, such as utility, to your name
- Ease your online bill processes by changing the addresses on all credit card and billing companies
- Change the addresses on accounts at your financial institution
- Check for the availability or functionality of the carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors
- Take and record your meter readings for later
- Locate the house’s shut-off valves
- Keep the homeowner’s insurance policies and other vital documents somewhere safe.
New Home Checklist for the Kitchen
The kitchen is the hub of most activities in many houses. Here, you cook your food, eat throughout the day, and sometimes serve as a storage area for washing and cleaning essentials. You’ll want to visit your grocery stores to make sure you have food for the next few days.
Honestly, it might even be the most important place you’re going to set up in your new house. And as such, your kitchen is undoubtedly going to need a whole lot of stuff.
Here is a new home checklist of some kitchen necessities for you. From this checklist, you can get a better idea of things you might need now and the ones you may forgo for the time being.
Cooking Essentials
Food is fuel, and as they also say, good food is a good mood. So indeed, you’ll need to eat something as soon as you move in. As mentioned before, of course, beer and pizza can do the magic for your friends and everyone who has chipped in to help you with the moving process.
However, as the day approaches a close, you will surely need something more durable and standard to eat. So, to ease the process, here are a few necessities to help you get that food ready.
- Measuring spoon
- Measuring cup
- Spatula
- Tongs
- Wisk
- Rolling pin
- Corning Ware
- Colander
- Bowls
- Ice cube trays
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Eating Essentials
Now that the food is ready, you’re going to need some eating essentials for your new place. You want to be able to drink your coffee in something other than a paper cup. Most of these items are what we use every single day. So, ensure that you have them on your moving checklist unless you make several trips to the store.
- Glasses
- Bowls
- Plates
- Steak knives
- Coffee mugs
- Cutleries and eating utensils
- Food trays or a serving platter
- Utensils organize
- As an alternative to purchasing separate dinnerware, you can opt-in for the set, which can be pretty affordable.
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Kitchen Tools
If cooking is still not your thing (I didn’t fancy it when I first moved in), you probably don’t have the appropriate tools. Moving to a new home is a perfect excuse to buy new pots and pans or knives set. Here is a checklist of some essential items for any new kitchen. You can buy some now and forgo others for later.
- Sealable containers
- Can openers
- Scrubber
- Salad spinner
- Pots and pans
- Cutting knives
- Pizza pans
- Cutting board
- Baking sheets
- Scrubber
- Meat thermometer
- Tinfoil
- Tongs
- Wisk
- Rolling pin
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Bottle opener
- Spatula
- Ice cube trays
- Colander
- Bowls
- Ice cube trays
- Fire extinguishers
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Kitchen Appliances
Again, some of these appliances are necessities you might need right away, and others might not be as pressing. The choice is yours. For many, moving into a new home means purchasing new appliances you always wanted. Maybe it’s time for a new toaster. Perhaps you’re eyeing that new Juicer you always wanted, or maybe you’d like to get into the new fad of air fryers. How about a kitchen composter? Whatever your needs, the list below will cover all your kitchen appliance needs.
- Microwave
- Coffee maker
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Toaster
- Rice cooker
- Air Fryer
- Waffle maker
- Kettle
- Blender
- Griddle
- Juicer
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Spices
Lately, I’ve seen a few cooking shows, and the hosting chefs used similar primary ingredients, which I’ve included in this new house checklist. The first three are essentials in your kitchen if you want to launch your newly occupied house with great-tasting food.
- Garlic
- Pepper
- Salt
- Oregano
- Basil
- Thyme
All these are available in stores near you, and you can also get them online. You may also try out a bunch of spices and select the best fit for you.
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Other Kitchen Essentials
This new home checklist includes every other thing you will surely need either on a weekly or daily basis. It is most advisable that you get them ready as you move in.
- Paper towel
- Dish soap
- Napkins
- Cling film
- Chip clip
- Ziploc bags
- Dishtowel
- Dishrag
- Sponge.
- Ice cube tray
- Meal planning sheets
- Kitchen fridge magnets
- Standing mat
- White gloves
- Whiteboard
- Oven mitt
- Standing mat
- Cooling wire
- Pet dish and pet food
- Stepping stool (to get those things that might be out of your reach)
These items will significantly transform how your kitchen looks.
Kitchen Cleaning Essentials
You should get ready to do a lot of cleaning on your moving day. Your new house is still empty, and giving it a blast won’t be a bad idea. However, having the right tools is necessary if you want to give your home that sparkling feel and make the job as easy as it could be.
Although there is no known item or magical tool that can do it all, these items will have you covered if there is any mess in your new home or if they happen as time goes on (trust me, they always do). You can also take advantage of the latest cleaning technology and purchase items such as a robot vacuum.
Here is a new house checklist for your kitchen cleaning essentials:
- House Vacuum cleaner
- Duster
- Recycling bag
- Trash bag
- Garbage can
- Lining paper
- Magic eraser
- Lining paper
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Bedroom Essentials
There is no fixed formula when it comes to having the perfect bedroom. Still, a perfect bedroom is a thing. At least, the perfect one for you. So, irrespective of your budget or personal preferences, creating the perfect one for you comes down to bedroom items.
If you’re considering a new bed mattress, you have options ranging from pillow-top mattresses or memory foam. Or, if your mattress is relatively new but want to purchase a new bed frame, consider buying one online that can be delivered to your door without having to spend time going from store to store in search of the perfect frame.
However, the number of bedrooms in your new home also plays a role. Depending on how many they are, you may need to purchase multiple pieces of these essentials. Besides, take note of the master bedroom’s bed size so that you can buy the perfectly fitting sheets for it.
Finally, while you could potentially use this in any room, consider purchasing an air purifier for your bedroom to help you sleep better at night.
With that said, here is our New home checklist of essentials for your bedroom.
- Pillows
- Bed frame
- Pillowcases
- Mattress
- Sheet set
- Nightstands
- Alarm clock
- Air Purifier
- Laundry bin
- Curtains and curtain rods
- Blanket or duvet
- Decorative pillows
- Laundry bin
- Dresser
- Full-length mirror
- Under-bed storage
Items we recommend:
Bedroom Closets
What and how many things you need for your closet depends on how your new house looks like. Sometimes, only hangers can suffice, and other times, they may not. For example, at the time I moved into my house, I made do with just a bar in the closet and created a lot of space for myself with some closet organizers.
Here is a checklist of some household essentials for the bedroom closet you may need in your new home.
- Hangers
- Shoe rack
- Storage bins
- Jewelry organizer
- Closet organizer
- Full-length mirror
Children’s Room
If you have children, and depending on their age, you probably have some of the main essentials. But with any new home you’ll certainly get rid of some stuff and welcome your new home with some fresh items. The kid’s room is no exception. As children grow out of the baby stage, it’s important to provide them with age appropriate toys and activities that will keep them busy working on their brain instead of watching TV. Also, by adding a few new things, you create the feeling of a new room and welcoming them into their new home. Some of these items include:
- Bed sheets and comforter
- Play rug
- Fun wall art
- Desk
- Glow in the dark celling stickers
- Projection night light
Tech and Smart Home Essentials
Smart homes are now fast becoming a trend. It is quickly gaining traction. And indeed, everyone wants their light to go off every midnight and automatically turn on every 6 pm.
These latest technologies provide what everyone (including myself) is looking for today – convenience. You can start your smart home adventure with something as small as Smart Plugs or really dive into the tech and add fingerprint door locks to your home. If you are the type that needs more control over multiple things in your home, such as closing your curtains from your phone, consider doing your research on the things you’d like to automate and create a prioritized list.
When I first moved to my new home, I upgraded my light bulbs with the thicker variation and swapped them out for LEDs. After all, it’s the little things that matter.
Also, consider getting a camera security system from your home. With various options available, you can find the right system for your home and budget.
Today, the range of options available is enough to make things smarter in your home. However, ensure that you check and note whether these smart home essentials are pressing needs before moving in.
If you are moving during winter, you want to ensure that your smart thermostats are in place and functioning well. Although most of these are likely not necessities when moving into a new home, you can never go wrong with Alexa dots or smart home security alarms, no matter where you live.
- Smart assistant (Alexa or Google)
- Smart home security system
- Smart house thermostat
- Smart meters
- Smart light switches
- Smart light bulb
- Smart plugs and electrical outlets
- Smart home lock
- Ethernet cables
- Router
- Phone chargers
- Surge protectors
Items we recommend:
Office Essentials
If there is a thing this past year has taught me, it is that even the most well-laid down plan can always go awry. And as such, you should always create alternatives. Who knows, your spare bedroom may become your office as time goes on.
However, how far you take it relative to the designs and setup is ultimately your decision to make. As someone who once worked in an office, having a modern standing desk at home was a lifesaver for me. That said, if you are working from home more post-COVID, it may be time to spruce up your new office. This could include a new office chair, adding computer monitor, or a chair mat to protect your floors. However, if your new home doesn’t have an office, there are options you can consider beyond using your kitchen table.
Of course, it still comes down to your personal preferences and the things you need in your space. Nonetheless, your office furniture is and will remain the most crucial part of this new house for your office space. So here is a checklist of items you should consider.
- Monitor
- Computer
- Desk
- Office chair
- Filing cabinet
- Rechargeable batteries
- Surge protector
- Mouse
- Pencils
- Printer
- Pens
- Shredder
- Paper organizers
- Paper
- Whiteboard and markers
- Post-it’s
- Highlighters
- Dry eraser
- Air mattress (in case anyone needs to stay over)
- Inspirational art quotes (daily motivational quotes will keep you moving)
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Home Gym Essentials
A few years ago, a home gym section probably would not have been on the essential list. However, in a post-COVID world, we felt it was necessary to add, as many people are now working from home permanently, and getting a good workout daily will help with sanity.
Regardless if you are getting in your workout while taking a conference call, or if you’re older, maybe even getting some steps in while you are seated, there’s a perfect workout tool whether you prefer to do it indoors or outdoors. Finally, don’t forget to stretch and consider purchasing some recovery tools!
- Gym Mats
- Foam Roller
- Dumbells
- Workout bench
- Kettle Bells
- Mirror
- Resistance bands
If you’d rather have a complete all-in-one affordable system, below are reviews for some systems you can consider:
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Dining Room Essentials
This is another aspect of your new home checklist that requires maximum attention to detail. Honestly, you might get to spend more time here than you realize. You have many things to think about, such as how many people the dining area will accommodate, what type of setting you will opt-in for, among others.
Of course, everyone gets distracted by beautiful and fancy things. Still, we love them to a fault, and we don’t shy away from getting them in our homes. So, whether it is a place where your family gathers for a meal or just a room that you only use during holidays, you might want to give a spin to your dining room with these essentials.
- Tablemats
- Table runner
- Chair felts
- Dining room chairs
- Dining room table
- Candleholders and candles
- Table cloth
Living Room
Standing in the doorway of a vacant living room can give you this dainty feel (I’ve felt it before, so I know). You have so many options of accessories, furniture, and decorations to select from, and that alone may overwhelm you.
However, note that everyone has their preferences and aesthetics, so it’s okay if you want to try out something a little bit different, just to make your new home feel like home. Still, here are some essentials we think might come in handy for you.
Living Room Entertainment Essentials
This might just be the most significant setup in your new home. Yes, the entertainment setup is enormous! Here are the basics, but remember that you can always level up your game according to your preferences.
- TV mount or cabinet
- Remote control battery
- Sound system
- Television
- Video game system
- Streaming box
Items we recommend:
Living Room Furniture
Your living room is an integral part of your life. As such, furnishing it appropriately can transform its feel and look and ultimately make us feel at home. Here are some essentials you might want to consider when furnishing your new house.
- Sofa table
- Stools
- End tables
- Coffee table
- Lamps
- Sofa or sectional
- Chairs
- Bean bag chairs
- Area rug
- Blankets or throw
- Pillows
Items we recommend:
Bathroom Essentials
No matter the size of your bathroom, there are still some must-haves. Unfortunately, when it comes to getting supplies for your new house, I believe almost everyone overlooks the bathroom. But with this new house checklist, making your bathroom comfortable and guest-ready has never been easier.
This is also a great opportunity to audit what you are using today and make changes if necessary. For example, is it time to replace your toothbrush? Maybe you need a new type of soap. Whatever you decide to replace, you can either purchase before you move or wait until after you move in.
However, note that depending on the number of bathrooms in your house, you may get to need multiple pieces of these items. Or, based on your budget, you may buy them for one and then for others as time passes.
- Shower mat
- Shower hook
- Shower rod
- Shower curtain
- Showerhead
- New bath mats
- Skin plug
- Garbage can
- Shower caddy with shampoo and soap
- Sink plug
- Plunger
- Bathtub plug
- Toilet paper
- Toilet seat (the most pressing, you know what I mean.)
- Drain snake
- Facecloths
- Hand towels
- Tissues
- Toilet brush
- Smart sale
- Towels
- First aid kit
Cleaning Supply Checklist
The first thing you’ll do when you walk in the door of your new house is cleaning, cleaning, and cleaning.
To make the whole process easier for you, ensure that you’ve gotten these home essentials for cleaning your new house. You’ll be glad you listened.
- Scrubbing bubbles
- Swiffer sweeper
- Mr. Clean
- Swiffer duster
- Lysol disinfectant wipes
- Handheld vacuum
- Iron and ironing board
- Vacuum
- Mop
- Cupboard liners
- Microfiber cloths
- Rags
- Cupboard liners
- Broom
- Windex
- Paper towels
- Laundry detergent
New Homeowner Tools Essentials
Purchasing a new house is an exciting milestone and comes with is euphoric feel. But after you’ve made the purchase, every maintenance responsibility falls on you. And that euphoric feel may go down the drain if you fail to take necessary maintenance steps.
The checklist of tool kits you need usually grows the longer you’re a homeowner. I learned this the hard way. When I moved in, I had this thought that “I won’t need anything,” and within the next few minutes, I was already looking for a screwdriver set to fix a loose screw.
Oops!
Of course, I couldn’t borrow from anyone, at least not yet, since it was a new environment. So I raced to the nearest hardware store and bought a set.
A new home checklist like this could have saved me the stress; after all, any good list of household essentials should have tools included. You might even get to need them as soon as you step into your new home.
Never get caught without your basic tools when moving in with this checklist:
- Duct tape (fixes almost anything that needs fixing)
- Flashlight (buy the ones that you can leave plugged into the walls, so they light up anytime power goes off)
- Hammer
- Cordless drill
- Screwdriver set
- Wall screws (you must hang items, so, definitely, you must need them)
- Hanging nails
- UV Glue
- Tape measure
- Batteries
- Matches and candles
- Wd-40
- A step ladder
- Leveler (you don’t want to spend hours arguing and contemplating if every picture is straight)
Items we recommend:
Entranceway Essentials
This is the last and usually the most underrated essentials on the new home checklist. You forget your entryway quickly (everyone does), which is why I included it in the household essentials checklist. Most of us entered via the side or back door.
Nonetheless, visitors will always come in through the front door, so it’s always nice to have a few essentials like a small rug or small table that will help you give them a lasting memorable first impression. Here is a checklist of those items.
- Coat rack
- Shoehorn
- Welcome mat
- Hangers
- Place to sit
- Shoe tray
Items we recommend:
Wrapping it Up
The thought about setting up your home perfectly with the things you need to buy can be pretty overwhelming. In addition, you probably have budget restrictions and some items in your old apartment that you’d want to use in your new space.
Considering all these, take your time, create a scale of preference, and arrange your needs in the most urgent order, starting with the products on this new home checklist.
Most of all, move-in days are full of joy and excitement. So, enjoy the day to the fullest. Take photos, create time for friends, in essence, enjoy the whole process. This house is where you’ll get to make new memories, and your move-in day will be a memorable one for the rest of your life.
Go and introduce yourself to your new neighbors and ask about things you need to know about the neighborhood. Then, start planning your housewarming party!
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