Things to Buy for a New House & New Home Checklist for First-Time Homebuyers

Kitchen storage

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or you’re an empty nester who’s downsizing, moving into a new home is usually an exciting time. However, it’s also hectic to pack, load, unload and unpack all your possessions. The last thing you want to think about is what new items you need to purchase.

New builds often require you to purchase a lot of things. But even if you’re not the first owner, there are many items you’ll want to make sure you purchase or already have before you can feel like you’re really fully moved in.

Use the checklist below of things to buy for your new home.

What Should I Replace When I Move?

When moving, it’s a good idea to toss or donate items that can be easily replaced or are difficult and expensive to move.

There are several items you might not want to pack up and take to your new home. Deciding which items you’ll purchase new can help you create a packing plan before you move. Consider trashing or donating items that fall in these categories:

Easy to Replace Items

There are many items you might not want to take to your new home that are easy to replace. For instance, dirty items like trashcans, toilet brushes and plungers, area rugs, brooms, mops, and shower curtains are easier and healthier to trash and replace. Aging kitchenware like worn utensils and stained or cracked Tupperware are good options for replacement, as well. Get rid of worn towels and bed linens, too. Your new home will feel fresh with these replacements.

Expensive to Move Items

Cheap furniture can be expensive to move. If yours is aging or damaged, replacement might be a better option.

Broken or Worn Out Items

Large items like mattresses and furniture can be difficult to move and take up a considerable amount of space in the moving truck. Get rid of items that you would likely replace in the near future. Mattresses should be replaced after eight years — or earlier if yours is moldy, sagging, or badly stained. Broken furniture can cause injuries and should be replaced when possible.

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Perishable Items

If you’re traveling a long distance, you’re not likely to attempt to bring the contents of your fridge. Even if you’re only moving across town, attempting to keep perishable food chilled isn’t worth the risk.

Things to Buy for a New House

New homeowner buying essential cleaning supplies

If you’re buying a brand new house and you’re already armed with a wealth of supplies, you’re one step ahead. However, there are some new things you’ll need for your new home for everyday needs and organization. Not everything from your current home fits the items in your new place. Besides, replaceable items should be fresh in your sparkling new home. If you’re buying a home for the first time, you can catch up. While everything might not be essential for the first night in your new home, you’ll need these necessities pretty quickly.

Safety Essentials for Your New Home

Things to buy for a new house don’t always fall into the traditional categories of furniture and home decor. These items are essential to keep you and your family safe in your new home:

  • Insurance: Talk to your insurance agent before the move to ensure you have the coverage you need to protect your new home and the possessions inside. While your home insurance might be rolled into your loan, you may be interested in additional coverage like an umbrella policy. Preparing ahead will help ensure you don’t forget this essential coverage.
  • Fire Extinguishers: Even if you keep safety items updated in your current home, it can be easy to forget that your new home may not be equipped with fire extinguishers.
  • New Locks: No matter how much you trust the previous owners of your home, you don’t have any idea how many people have keys (family members, repairmen, renters, or contractors) to access your new home. The best solution is to have the locks changed as soon as possible.
  • Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Your new home isn’t exactly like your current home and may be larger. Purchase these essential alarms before you move in, and install them as soon as possible. Make sure you install smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on each level of the house. Ensure you install smoke alarms in all the recommended areas and consider interconnecting them so all smoke alarms go off when one is triggered.

Everyday Essentials

Not everything from your home is something you want to pack up and bring to your pristine new abode. Think about it: you don’t want to pack that old toilet brush, right? Dirty and potentially germy items should top your list of things to buy for a new house. Certain items in your current home also won’t fit or match your new home. Others should automatically be replaced. Add these everyday essentials to your new home checklist to make your new home fresh:

Fixtures

  • Window Treatments: The windows in your new home most likely aren’t the same size as those in your current home. Besides, your home is new, and your decor should be new and different as well. Whether you prefer blinds, curtains, or other decorative shades, you’ll want to get these installed quickly. You don’t want to completely eliminate your privacy on your first day in your new home, and you can be sure your neighbors will appreciate your modesty.
  • Shower Curtain: You’re not likely to drag the old one with you, but it can be easy to forget this essential item. After a long day of loading and unloading a moving truck, your shower will be little help without a shower curtain liner.

Supplies

  • Toilet Brush and Plunger: This may top your list of things to buy for a new house. You don’t want to pack these germy items along with your belongings and bring them into your new home. Purchase some new ones before or shortly after the move. You might want to shop for a new toilet seat while you’re at it.
  • Garbage Cans and Liners: Getting rid of potentially germy items that are easy to replace is one way to start fresh. New garbage cans indoors and out can help with the fresh new feeling in your new home. Besides, this is just one more thing you don’t want taking up space in the moving truck.
  • Light Bulbs: The light bulbs might have been working when you viewed your new home, but you can never predict when one will go out. The types of bulbs that fit into different fixtures can vary widely, so you’ll probably want to purchase an assortment.
  • Hangers: Closet space may be one of the things you love about your new home, but you can’t use it if you don’t have hangers. Hangers can be unwieldy to pack, so it might be worth it to buy new ones instead of packing the ones you already own.

Cleaning Supplies

Your new home looks great now, but it will get dirty if you give it a few days without essential cleaning supplies. Instead of packing potentially leaky bottles of soaps and cleaners, purchase your favorite cleaners soon after the move. While you’re at it, stock up on all the essentials you need for keeping your new home neat and tidy:

  • Kitchen Sponges, Dish Cloths, and Dish Towels: Your pristine kitchen deserves new gear to keep it that way. Purchase new sponges, cleaning clothes, dish essentials, and scouring pads for your new kitchen.
  • Mop and Broom: Your old mop and broom are definitely not items you want taking up space and trailing germs and dirt along for the move. Add a new mop and broom (and maybe even a vacuum cleaner) to your cleaning supplies new home list and toss the old ones before packing the truck.
  • Laundry Supplies: Take inventory of the supplies in your laundry room and determine how many items are too worn or broken to be worth taking and loading in the moving truck. Items you may want to replace include your ironing board, iron, aging or damaged hampers, plastic laundry baskets, and storage bins or baskets.

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Upgrades

A move can be a great time to consider the things it’s time to replace. For instance, your mattress and pillows weren’t designed to last forever. Consider replacing items that are large and difficult to move or any items you would replace within a year. These things to buy for a new house are easily overlooked, but they are necessities:

  • Mattress and Boxsprings: Most mattresses have outlived their lifespan in 10 years. If yours is nearing a decade, it’s probably a good idea to replace it. Since you’ll need a boxspring that belongs with your new mattress, toss it, too.
  • Bedding: If your sheets are old, faded, or stained, it’s time for a new set. If you’ve had them longer than a year or two, it’s time for a replacement anyway.
  • Toilet Seat: Before you sit in your pristine new bathroom, you may want a new toilet seat.
  • Towels: Aging, rough, or threadbare towels should be replaced during the move. Besides, you really need a matching set for your new home.
  • Dining Set: The family kitchen table sees a lot of wear. If yours is aging, worn, or damaged, it’s time for a replacement. These items are difficult to pack neatly in a moving truck, and you can purchase a new set that fits neatly in your new dining room.
  • Dishes: If your dishes are mismatched, worn, and relatively inexpensive, consider replacing them and taking one more fragile item off your moving list.
  • Rugs: All rugs see a lot of foot traffic, which means dirt, dust, and germs. Additionally, your new home has a different layout and color scheme that most likely won’t support your aging rugs.

New Home Checklist for First-Time Homebuyers

Homeowner hanging curtains in her new home

As a new homeowner, trying to determine all the things to buy for a new house can be overwhelming. Once you have a list of essential furniture, it’s easy to think you’ll have everything you need. Unfortunately, there’s a lot more to furnishing a home than furniture.

Necessities are the items most people don’t think about until they’re unavailable, and your home needs a lot of them. Luckily, an online visit to Amazon can help you get most of the items you forgot delivered directly to your new home. This room-by-room new house checklist can help you make sure you have the things you need when you need them in your new home.

Things to Buy for a New House Before the Move

Your home may be move-in ready, but there are a few things to take care of before you arrive.

  • Insurance: If you’re paying a mortgage, your home insurance might be rolled into your loan. Still, you might need additional coverage like flood insurance if you’re in a high-risk area or umbrella insurance to ensure all your new possessions are covered.
  • Utilities: You don’t want to spend the first night in your new home without heat, lights, or water. Call all the utility companies for your new home, and make sure everything is turned on when you arrive. Water, electricity, internet, and gas should be on your pre-move checklist.

Essentials

No matter where you store them, you’ll need these items for your new home:

  • Medical Supplies: Fever reducers, band-aids, and a first aid kit will get you started.
  • Cleaning Supplies: Purchase glass cleaner, a multi-purpose surface cleaner, a bleach-based cleaner, toilet cleaner, and a tub cleaner.
  • Tools: A basic toolset with a hammer, screwdrivers, and wire cutters will be necessary to complete routine household repairs.
  • Basics: Light bulbs, a mop, a broom, a dustpan, and paper towels are all household items you’ll need right away.
  • Extension Cords: They’re easy to forget but hard to live without. You’ll probably want at least two extension cords.
  • Surge Protectors: Your expensive electronics will thank you.
  • Router and Modem: Today’s home essentials include the internet.
  • Ethernet Cables: Like extension cords, these are good to have around.

Things to Buy for a New House: The Kitchen

Your kitchen houses everything it takes to feed you and your family. It might require the biggest checklist of any room in your new home. Besides, you’ll likely want items that match your new kitchen color schemes.

Tableware

  • Silverware: You can’t eat with those plastic hybrid sporks for long. Purchase a set of tableware that suits the size of your family.
  • Dishes: Getting these in a complete set will help you avoid forgetting any essentials.

Cooking Supplies

  • Kitchen Knives: Consider starting with a chef’s knife, a bread knife, and a paring knife.
  • Cooking Tools/Utensils: Start with the basics, including tongs, spatula, ladles, whisk, and a utensil holder to keep everything tidy.
  • Pots and Pans: Essentials here require you to shop by size and type. Consider sizes that are useful for a variety of dishes like a 12-inch skillet, a 3-quart saucepot, a large stockpot, and a 1-quart saucepot.
  • Bakeware: Consider a starter set of bakeware that includes a 9×13 baking pan, 2 8 inch round pans, and a cookie sheet.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Glass measuring cups are inexpensive and will last forever if you don’t drop them. Add a cheap set of plastic measuring cups and spoons to the mix, and you’re ready for all your favorite recipes.

Additional Kitchen Supplies

  • Storage Containers: You don’t have to buy Tupperware, but you do need a set of sealable storage containers.
  • Small Appliances: You won’t be at home without the things you use every day, like a coffee maker, blender, toaster, and microwave.
  • Can Opener: Even if you have an automatic can opener sitting on the counter, purchase a cheap handheld one for emergencies.
  • Kitchen Essentials: The things that every kitchen has but are easy to forget fall into this category. Purchase ice trays, plastic wrap and tin foil, oven mitts, sponges, dishcloths, dish towels and dish soap, a drying rack, a trash bin, a cutting board, and mixing bowls.
  • Pantry and Refrigerator Staples: Your first trip to the grocery store will be an experience you won’t soon forget. Get ahead by purchasing items like flour, sugar, ketchup, mustard, coffee, and anything else you know you’ll need on a regular basis.

Pro Tip About Things to Buy for a New House:

Purchasing dishes and silverware in sets can save money. Make sure you have enough by purchasing a set large enough to include two to four guests.

Things to Buy for a New House: The Living Room

The room where you’ll spend the most time requires a few necessities to make it comfortable.

  • Seating: You’ve probably considered some great furniture for your new home and maybe even included the cost in your loan. You’ll want to have a couch, chairs, and maybe a loveseat.
  • Lighting: Older homes may not have ceiling lights, so you may need some lamps.
  • Shelving and Wall Decor: At the very least, you’ll want a TV stand and a bookshelf. Floating shelves make a great option for functional decorating.
  • Television: Your new home will still need entertainment.
  • Coffee Table and End Tables: Often, you can save money by purchasing these items in a set.

Things to Buy for a New House: Each Bedroom

Each bedroom will need to be equipped with furniture and other necessities to keep things tidy and comfortable.

  • Bed Frame: You know you need a bed, but the frame can be surprisingly easy to overlook when you’re swooning over mattress choices.
  • Mattress: Choose mattresses that will fit nicely in your new bedrooms and will last for several years.
  • Box Springs: Sometimes, you can purchase these in a set with the mattress. If not, ask the furniture store clerk for assistance in getting a perfect match.
  • Bedding: You’ll need sheets, pillowcases, and comforters in each bedroom. If kids are involved, let them choose their favorite colors and designs.
  • Dressers: Most homes don’t have built-in dressers. You’ll have to purchase these for each bedroom before the move.
  • Curtains: Bedrooms are the rooms that should have window treatments and window coverings right away.
  • Alarm Clock: Don’t start mornings in your new home with a ritual of being late!
  • Hangers: Your new closets need accessories to keep your clothes neatly in place.
  • Shoe Rack: Keep your new bedroom clean with a tidy place for your shoe collection.
  • Additional Storage: Bins, shelves, space saver bags, drawer organizers will help you keep your possessions neatly tucked away.

Things to Buy for a New House: Each Bathroom

Your bathroom is full of essential items that you need to use every day.

  • Toilet Paper: This should be at the top of your list of things to buy for a new house.
  • Shower Curtain, Rod, and Rings: Even if you’re patting yourself on the back for remembering to buy new shower curtain liners, those essential rods and rings are easy to overlook.
  • Shower Caddy: While you’re picking this up, you might as well grab the toiletries you need to go in it.
  • Toothbrush Holder: Consider this the caddy for your sink. Grab some toothbrushes for every member of your home and your favorite toothpaste while you’re at it.
  • Bath Mat: You don’t want to drip all over your new floor, and you probably need a cute matching bathroom set, anyway.
  • Toilet Brush: You’ll need it sooner than you want to think about.
  • Plunger: This is another item that should top new home checklists.
  • Trash Can: You’ll need a few of these, so grab one for the kitchen and bedrooms while you’re at it. Also, grab some trash bags.
  • Towels and Wash Cloths: Buying these in sets can help you save.
  • Drain Snake: You can’t plan for unexpected emergencies, so it’s best to have this tool on hand.
  • Toilet Seat: You may want a new cover for each of your new toilets.

Things to Buy for a New House: The Entryway

This often overlooked area has an important job of corralling items that would otherwise be cluttering your new home. Outfit your entryway with these essentials:

  • Coat Rack: Avoid draping coats and hats on your new furniture.
  • Key Hooks: If you get used to using this right away, you might never lose your keys in your new home.
  • Mail Organizer: Every flat surface in your new home will thank you.
  • Welcome Mat: You want your guests to feel welcome and to wipe their feet.
  • Shoe Tray: Even if you don’t always take your shoes off when you enter your home, you’ll need a place to stow the drippy muddy ones.

Preparing a list of all the new things to buy for a new house can be exhausting, but it will be worth it when your new house is furnished with all the new items you need. Using a new home checklist will help you get ahead and enjoy furnishing and decorating your new home when you arrive.

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