Your First Home Checklist: All the Essentials for Your New Place

So, you’ve done it. After many months of highs and lows with your legal team, you’ve got the keys, the paperwork’s signed and the moving van’s probably blocking someone’s driveway (possibly not the best way to make friends with the neighbours but let's worry about that later). Welcome to your first home.

It’s exciting, it’s emotional and yes, let's be honest, it’s a littleeeee bit stressful. But don’t panic. We’re here to help you tick off every box on your moving into a new house checklist so you can settle in, kick back and enjoy your new space.

This is your ultimate guide to first home essentials. We’re talking room-by-room must-haves, clever little extras and all the bits you didn’t know you needed (until you realised you didn’t have them). From the kitchen to the bathroom, the bedroom to the finishing touches, we’ve got everything covered with our first home checklist. So pop the kettle on (if you can find the box it's in) and let’s get stuck right in.

The Kitchen: Your New Home's Hub

Welcome to the kitchen. It’s the heart of the home, the place where toast gets burnt, roasts are hosted and midnight snacks are snaffled. Whether you’re a budding chef or just here for the cereal, your kitchen needs to be functional from day one.

Start with the basic things to buy for a new house. You’ll need pots and pans, something to stir with and something to chop on. A couple of baking trays wouldn’t hurt either. Then there’s the small stuff – measuring cups, mixing bowls, a colander for pasta night and oven gloves so you don’t burn your fingers. These are the new home essentials that make cooking possible, even if your signature dish is beans on toast.

Now let’s talk gadgets. A kettle is non-negotiable. A toaster? Essential. A microwave? You're gonna want to get one of those. Add a can opener, a blender if you’re feeling fancy and maybe a coffee maker if caffeine is your love language. These are the things to buy for a new house that make life easier and mornings bearable.

And don’t forget the dining side of things. You’ll need plates, bowls, mugs and cutlery. Glasses too, for water, wine or whatever you’re celebrating with. A dish rack helps keep things tidy and tea towels are your new best friend. Add washing-up liquid, sponges and bin bags to your things to buy for new home list (you'll wish you had them on hand if you don't) and you’re good to go.

Kitchen cupboard checklist:
Plates
Bowls
Drinking glasses
Wine glasses
Mugs
Cutlery
Colander
Sieve
Jug
Placemats
Coasters
Bread bin
Spice rack
Measuring cups
Mixing bowls
Chopping boards
Kitchen knives
Tea towels
Dish rack

Let’s be honest, your kitchen isn’t really a kitchen until you’ve got your cookware covered. Whether you’re whipping up a three-course meal or just trying to make sure your scrambled eggs don't stick to the pan, you’ll need a few trusty tools to get started.

These are the new home essentials that turn your kitchen from empty to epic. And if baking’s your thing, don’t forget the cake tins and cooling racks. Your banana bread deserves better than a roasting tray.

Cookwear checklist:
Frying pan
Saucepans
Casserole dish
Baking trays
Roasting tins
Utensils
Cake tins
Cooling racks
Trivets

Small Appliances & Gadgets

Now onto the little lifesavers. You might not think about them until you need them but once they’re in your kitchen, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. These are the things to buy for a new house that make your kitchen work smarter, not harder. And if you’re feeling fancy, throw in a hand mixer or an air fryer. Because why not?

Appliance and gadget checklist:
Kettle
Toaster
Can opener
Microwave
Coffee maker
Hand blender
Bottle opener
Corkscrew
Timer
Meat thermometer
Air fryer
Slow cooker
Rice cooker
Garlic press
Cheese grater

After a long day of unpacking, you’ll want a bedroom that feels cosy. This is your sanctuary, your escape and the place where you’ll finally get some sleep after all the chaos.

Start with the bedding as the first-step on your moving into a new house checklist. You’ll need a duvet, pillows and a set of bed linen that doesn’t clash with your wall colour. A mattress protector is a smart move and an extra throw or blanket adds instant cosiness. These are the new home necessities that make your first night feel like home.

Then there’s storage. You’ll need hangers for your clothes, boxes for the bits you don’t know where to put yet and a laundry basket so your socks don’t end up everywhere. These are the things needed for new home organisation. If you’re short on space, under-bed storage is a game-changer and drawer organisers will keep your chaos contained.

Bedding Basics

You’ve just moved in, you’re exhausted and all you want is a comfy place to crash. That means starting with the essentials. A duvet that’s just the right weight, pillows that don’t feel like pancakes and bed linen that actually fits your mattress. These are the first home essentials that turn your bedroom into a proper sanctuary.

Bedding checklist:
Duvet
Pillows
Bed linen sets
Mattress protector
Throw or bedspread
Scatter cushions

Storage & Organisation

Now that you’ve got somewhere to sleep, it’s time to tackle the *stuff*. Clothes, shoes, random bits you forgot you owned – they all need a home. Hangers are a must unless you fancy living out of boxes.

Storage boxes are perfect for everything from spare bedding to mystery cables and laundry baskets keep the chaos contained. These are the things needed for new home organisation that make your space feel sorted from day one. Whether you’re folding, stacking or hiding things under the bed, a little storage goes a long way.

Storage checklist:
Hangers
Storage boxes
Laundry basket
Cable tidy

You’ve moved in, you’re sweaty and you need a shower. And erm, where’s the toilet roll? The bathroom needs to be ready from the moment you arrive and this part of your new house items checklist is *all* about the essentials.

Start with towels. Trust us, you really will want that shower after moving. Then there’s the practical stuff. A toilet brush, a soap dispenser, a toothbrush holder and a shower curtain if your bathroom needs one. Add a bin for the bits you don’t want to flush and you’re sorted. These are the stuff you need for a new house to keep things clean and functional.

Towels & Textiles

You’ve got a bathroom. You’ll need towels. Not just one sad little hand towel you nicked from your mum’s airing cupboard. This is your moment to go big. Think soft, fluffy, matching sets – the kind you always wanted when you were renting and making do with whatever was clean. Choose colours that make you smile, or go bold and clash with your tiles just because you can. It’s your bathroom, not a spa retreat, so make it feel like home.

Towel checklist:
Bath towels
Hand towels
Bath mat

Bathroom Accessories

Let’s be honest – no one gets excited about buying a toilet brush but it is one of those first home essentials you'll be grateful for. Unless you’re planning to live in chaos, it’s a must. Same goes for a soap dispenser – bonus points if it’s refillable – a toothbrush holder (because leaving them loose on the sink isn’t exactly grown-up), and a shower curtain if your bath doubles as a shower. These aren’t just practical picks, they’re a chance to show off a bit of personality. Gold toilet brush? Go for it. Leopard print curtain? Why not. Your bathroom might be small but it can still make a big statement.

Bathroom accessory checklist:
Toilet brush
Soap dispenser
Toothbrush holder
Shower curtain
Bathroom bin

Furnishings & Finishing Touches

Now for the fun part. This is where you turn your house into a home. It’s all about personality, comfort and those little extras that make you smile every time you walk in.

Start with soft furnishings. Cushions for the sofa, throws for the bed and rugs that make you smile. Curtains or blinds add privacy and style, and they’re a quick way to make a room feel finished. These are top of the the first home shopping list that bring warmth and character.

Lighting and lamps are key as first home essentials. Floor lamps for the living room, table lamps for your bedside and maybe a few fairy lights if you’re feeling whimsical. Good lighting creates atmosphere, makes your space feel cosy and helps you avoid bumping into furniture. These are the things you need when you move into a new house to set the mood and make your home glow.

Soft Furnishings

Cushions and throws are the unsung heroes of instant cosiness and yes we do consider them first home essentials. You don’t need a full room makeover – just scatter a few cushions like you’re in a homeware ad and drape a throw over something (literally anything) and boom, it looks styled. Whether it’s the sofa, the bed or that chair you never sit on, soft furnishings are your shortcut to making your new home feel lived-in, loved and low-key fabulous.

Want it to feel pulled together? Stick to a colour palette – even if it’s just “neutrals with one loud accent”. Mix textures for depth – think velvet, boucle, chunky knits. And don’t forget candles – they’re the easiest way to add warmth, scent and a little bit of magic.

Soft furnishings checklist:
Cushions
Throws
Blankets
Candles
Vases

Overhead lights are fine – if you want your living room to feel like a dentist’s office. But for actual ambiance? Lamps are where it’s at. Floor lamps bring drama, table lamps add a warm glow, and bedside lamps are perfect for late-night scrolling while pretending you’re reading. Good lighting equals good mood – and it’s one of the easiest ways to make your space feel cosy, layered and lived-in.

Styling tip – mix heights and light temperatures. A warm bulb in a low lamp instantly softens a room, while a tall floor lamp can add structure and balance. Don’t be afraid to play with shapes and shades either – lighting is functional, but it’s also a chance to show off your taste.

Lighting checklist:
Floor lamps
Table lamps
Bedside lamps

The 'Don't Forget' Cleaning & Utility Kit

Last but definitely not least – the practical stuff. These are the new home essentials that are easy to forget but totally crucial for surviving the first few days and weeks.

Start with cleaning supplies. You’ll need multi-surface cleaner, bathroom spray, glass cleaner and disinfectant wipes. A mop and bucket, a broom and dustpan, and a vacuum cleaner will keep your floors looking fresh. Cloths and sponges are handy for everything else. These are the things to buy for a new house to keep it clean, comfy and ready for guests – even the unexpected ones.

Then there’s the utility kit. Light bulbs, extension cords, batteries and a torch for when you can’t find the fuse box. A first aid kit is always a good idea and a basic toolkit will help you hang pictures, tighten screws and feel like a DIY pro. Add a step stool for reaching high places and a doorstop to keep things open while you move in. These are the need-to-know essentials for new home living that make everything run smoothly – the behind-the-scenes heroes of a well-functioning space.

Practical essentials checklist:
Multi-surface cleaner
Bathroom spray
Glass cleaner
Disinfectant wipes
Mop and bucket
Broom and dustpan
Vacuum cleaner
Cloths and sponges
Light bulbs
Extension cords
Batteries
Torch
First aid kit
Basic toolkit
Step stool
Doorstops

Moving into your first home is a big moment. It’s exciting, a little bit scary and totally worth celebrating. With this moving into a new house checklist, you’ve got everything you need to settle in, get comfy and start living your best home life.

From the kitchen to the bathroom, the bedroom to the finishing touches, this guide covers all the first home essentials and things to buy for new home comfort. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or helping someone else get started, this is your go-to list for making a house feel like home.

Now go on – unpack, unwind and enjoy every moment. You’ve earned it.