Moving into a new house is like embarking on an entirely new journey. Depending on how you approach it, it can be either daunting, exciting or a little bit of both. Our advice? Focus on the good things ahead instead of those you're leaving behind. It's an opportunity to start anew, meet new people, gain new experiences and create the home of your dreams. Whether you're moving out of your parents' house for the first time or you're no stranger to the moving process, this is the perfect moment to declutter your belongings and design your personal space completely from scratch.
There are many things to take care of when moving but one that deserves special attention is making sure you have everything you need to transform your new place into a comfortable living space for you and your loved ones right from the beginning. To help you with this task, we've prepared useful checklists with essential things to buy for a new house.
Things to Buy for a New House: A Room-By-Room Checklist
To make our checklist easier to follow, we've divided it into separate lists for different parts of your house. Remember that these are just suggestions to help you along the way, modify them based on your individual needs and expectations to gather all the household items you find useful in your day-to-day life.
Kitchen Essentials
Kitchen essentials can include everything from basic kitchenware and a microwave to top-notch appliances and professional cooking accessories. It all depends on how you typically use your kitchen. If you prefer eating out and only prepare simple meals at home, there's no need to fill your cabinets with tools and gadgets you'll probably never use. But for someone who loves cooking a garlic press or an instant pot may be considered among the essentials for home.
Our list covers things useful for everyday cooking and baking as well as keeping your kitchen well-organised.
- Baking tools
- Chopping boards
- Cutlery
- Dinner plates
- Dish drying rack
- Dish soap
- Food containers
- Fruit bowl
- Kettle
- Ladle
- Large salad bowl
- Large serving plate
- Oven gloves
- Pots and pans
- Rubbish bin
- Set of cups and mugs
- Set of knives
- Sieve
- Spatulas
- Spice and condiment containers
- Sponge
- Table and chairs
- Tea towels
- Tin and bottle openers
- Vegetable peeler
- Whisk
- Wooden spoons
Bathroom Essentials
While your new bathroom will most likely already be equipped with all the basic things you require, such as a toilet, sink, and shower/bathtub, when you move in, there are a few items worth buying to make it as comfortable and functional as possible.
- Basic toiletries
- Bath mat
- Bath towels
- Mirror
- Shower curtain and shower rings
- Soap dispenser
- Storage boxes/baskets
- Toilet brush
- Toilet cleaner
- Toilet roll
- Toilet roll holder
- Towel hooks
Bedroom Essentials
Another room you'll need right after moving in is your bedroom. Of course, it's possible to survive with just a bed or a mattress for the first few days, but there's no need to settle for being uncomfortable when you can easily transform an empty room into a perfect space for resting with just a few simple additions.
- Bedsheet, duvet covers and pillowcases
- Bedside lamps
- Bedside tables
- Clothes hangers
- Curtains/blinds
- Duvets
- Mattress
- Pillows
- Wardrobe/chest of drawers
Living Room Essentials
And finally, it's time to equip your living room. You don't have to make it perfect right away. There will be time to add the final touches once you're settled in. First, focus on creating a comfortable space for you and your first guests to spend some time in. This way, you'll be able to take a break from unpacking and enjoy a nice cup of tea on your new sofa in a cosy atmosphere.
- Blanket
- Carpet
- Coffee table
- Shelves/storage boxes or baskets
- Sofa/armchairs
- Sofa cushions
- TV
- TV stand
Essentials for a New Home
Apart from things specific to different rooms, there are various other household items and supplies every house needs. These can include cleaning detergents, medicines, tools and equipment, as well as solutions that can make your living space safer and more practical.
Cleaning Supplies
- Brush/broom
- Cleaning detergents
- Dusters
- Dustpan
- Laundry detergent
- Limescale remover
- Mop and bucket
- Rubber gloves
- Vacuum cleaner
- Window cleaning detergent

First Aid Kit
- Bandages
- Disinfectant
- Gauze
- Hand sanitiser
- Painkillers (e.g. Paracetamol)
- Plasters
- Thermometer
Basic Household Toolbox Essentials
- Adjustable wrench
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Screwdrivers
- Set of nails and screws
- Tape
- Tape measure
- Utility knife
Home Safety
- Fire extinguisher
- Home insurance
- New locks
- Security system
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Other Home Essentials
- Clothes dryer/clothes horse
- Extension cord
- Internet connection
- Laundry basket
- Light bulbs
- Spare batteries
- Stepladder
- Torch
Easy and Affordable Home Decor Ideas for a New House
- Use scented and coloured candles to add a touch of colour to your rooms and create a cosier atmosphere.
- Decorate with fabrics! Make your sofa stand out with colourful and patterned throws, blankets and cushions. Use beautiful curtains and carpets to give your interior design a quick makeover.
- Layer your lighting for the perfect ambience. Mix practical overhead lamps and task lighting with subtle and more decorative solutions, such as up-lighting lamps, wall fixtures, fairy lights or LED strip lights.
- Combine functionality and style when buying home essentials. Look for everyday items and utensils that are unique and beautiful while still being perfectly capable of serving their purpose.
- Spice up your walls by creating a gallery with photos, art pieces, postcards or printouts. To avoid damaging the paint/wallpaper, use removable tape for hanging pictures and paintings.
- You can make your home more welcoming and interesting quickly and on a budget with plants! They are a great addition to any room in any interior design style. From foliage plants to succulents, colourful flowers and even miniature fruit trees, there are many types of indoor plants to choose from!
Buying Home Essentials: Useful Tips and Tricks
- If you want to avoid spending too much money on essentials, take as many things with you from your previous house as possible. Make sure to pack fragile items securely to avoid damaging them during transport.
- Start buying essential things for your new house early. There are two reasons for this. First, you'll have everything ready for your moving day, which means you'll have one less thing to worry about. Second, you'll have more time to shop around and look for good deals and interesting designs.
- Invest in quality. In the long run, spending a bit more on homeware may end up being better for your wallet. Why? Because high-quality items are more likely to stay with you for much longer, while cheaper alternatives often break easily or lose their aesthetic value.
- It may be a good idea to include food items on your list of essential things you need for a new house. This way, instead of thinking about buying groceries and stocking the fridge, you'll be able to focus on unpacking and crossing off other more urgent things from your to-do list. What can you buy in advance? Choose non-perishable and packaged foods, such as canned vegetables and fruits, rice, pasta, etc.
- Whether you want to stay with your current Internet and TV providers or look for new deals, remember that it can take even a few days to set up your chosen services, so don't wait until the last minute to make the necessary arrangements.
Enjoy a Stress-Free Move With Professional Moving Services
Whether your new house is just a few streets away or you're moving to a different country, moving can be a stressful experience. Especially when you're dealing with everything on your own. Luckily, it doesn't have to be complicated! With our professional services moving house from the UK to Germany (and from Germany to the UK) can be a quick and hassle-free process. From boxes filled with books or clothes to household appliances, our team of experienced movers can transport all your belongings to your new address. Thanks to our expertise and attention to detail, we can guarantee that everything will be handled with care and professionalism to keep your things safe and your move smooth. Contact us and let us know how we can help you!