List of Household Items Needed for a New Home or Apartment

February 15, 2023

You're getting ready to move into your new home or apartment, and you're excited. Congratulations. Now, you need to make sure you have all the essential household items to spruce up your new home, and get it ready for you to live comfortably in.

Furnishing a New Home Checklist: What Do You Need for Your First Apartment or Home? 

As the weeks or months move forward, you'll find there will be other items you'll need. But for now, begin by buying:

1. New Locks

This is important. You don't know what the previous homeowners or tenants did with their keys. They could have made copies or have given the neighbors a copy. And, the last thing you want is to make your new home or apartment easily accessible to strangers. So, the first thing you'll want to do once you move in is to replace all the locks. A smart lock is a great choice.

2. Security Cameras

As a homeowner, you need to protect your home, family and pets. Installing security cameras around the outside of your home can give you that extra protection and peace of mind.

3. Kitchenware and Table

Next, it's time to fill your kitchen. Unless you plan on going out to eat or getting take out every night, which can get expensive, you'll need some basic kitchenware, and, of course, a table to sit and eat at. Some kitchenware to consider is:

• Dishes: Bowls and plates
• Drinking glasses: Water and wine glasses
• Silverware: Spoons, forks, and knives
• Mugs: Must have that coffee
• Pots and pans: At a minimum, you'll want a large or medium frying pan, and a large and small pot
• Baking sheet: At least one medium or large cookie sheet
• Oven-safe dish: A large or medium-sized casserole dish
• Colander: For washing fruits and vegetables
• Coffee maker: If you need your cup of coffee in the morning, you can't go without one of these
• Kettle: If you're a tea drinker
• Cutting board: A plastic, silicon or wood board
• Knives: A chef's knife, serrated knife, and paring knife
• Measuring spoons and cups: A set of each
• Cooking utensils: A large spoon and spatula, along with serving utensils
• Oven mitts: At least one set
• Garbage can: A decent sized one is best so you can fill garbage bags
• Dish drying rack: If you don't have a dishwasher
• Dish towels: Around four to five to start
• Step stool: For reaching any high cabinets in your kitchen

4. Appliances

What appliances do you need for a new house? Some small appliances to consider:

• Microwave
• Toaster oven
• Blender
• Mixer
• Crockpot and/or Pressure cooker

Obviously, you'll also need a stove and refrigerator (if they don't already come with the apartment). Generally, you'll always need to buy your own appliances when buying a new home. A dishwasher is another suggestion if you don't want to hand wash your dishes. If you’re moving into a home, you’ll want a washer and dryer if the house isn’t sold furnished with one. Same with an apartment or condo if the building doesn’t supply a laundry room equipped with washers and dryers.

5. Living Room Furniture

While you might not be a television fan, you'll still want a place to sit down and put your feet up. Living room furniture must-haves are a comfortable couch, recliner, loveseat, coffee table, end tables, and possibly an entertainment stand to place your television and pictures on. If you're on a budget, a great place to shop for furniture is at a thrift shop.

6. Bedroom Furniture

Standard furniture for the bedrooms is dressers, nightstands, and beds. Don't forget to invest in a high-quality mattress. After a long day moving, you'll want a cozy bed and mattress to lie down on after all of your hard work. Therefore, a mattress should be one of the first items you buy, and consider a natural latex mattress for its many benefits, including being non-toxic. Don't forget pillows, bedding, and perhaps a mattress topper.

7. Home Lighting

Home lighting is often overlooked, but it can define a room. If your rooms in your home don't get enough natural daylight, you may want to consider additional lighting to brighten your rooms up. A few table lamps can help make your rooms cozy at night and/or possibly recessed lighting in the ceiling.

8. Blinds or Drapes

You certainly don't want people to see inside your home when you're walking around in your pajamas, so you'll want to invest in some drapes or blinds to cover your windows. Of course, you may want to leave your blinds or drapes open during the day to allow the natural sunlight to fill your rooms, but nighttime is a different story.

9. Cleaning Supplies

No doubt you'll want to keep your new apartment or home clean. Some cleaning supplies you don't want to be without are:

• Sponges (for both cleaning and doing dishes)
• Garbage bags
• Dustpan and broom
• Mop
• Microfiber cloths and soft rags
• Paper towels
• Trash bags
• Anti-bacterial wipes
• Vacuum
• Dish soap
• Multi-purpose spray
• Bathroom cleaning spray
• Bucket
• Laundry detergent
• Wood cleaner (if there are wood surfaces)
• Hand soap
• White vinegar and baking soda
• Rubber gloves

You can wait until later to buy things like furniture polish, a fancy vacuum, and a microfiber sweeper.

10. Bathroom Necessities

Along with your basic toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, body wash, shampoo, deodorant, etc.), you'll also want a few items to keep your bathroom functional and organized such as:

• Face/hand towels
• Bath towels
• Bathmat
• Shower liner and curtain, if needed
• Wall hooks
• Small trash can
• Toilet brush
• Plunger
• Toothbrush case or holder

Items you may want to buy later on are water cup, shower speaker, fancy soap dispenser and extra storage.

While you really need everything on this list, the next three items are super important, and most landlords will provide them. If not, you can either request them from the landlord or go out and buy them yourself.

11. Smoke Alarms

You need to replace the smoke alarms at least every 10 years. You should install a smoke alarm on each level of the apartment, and place them in or next to bedrooms, so you can hear them when you're sleeping.

12. Fire Extinguisher

You'll also want to ensure there are up-to-date fire extinguishers in your apartment. Place them near places where there's a higher probability of fire, such as in the kitchen, garage, and laundry room.

13. Carbon Monoxide Detector

Carbon monoxide can kill you, and is undetectable without a detector. Therefore, a carbon monoxide detector is an essential home safety device to have in your apartment. You'll want to place these in your kitchen, near your bedrooms, and in your basement (if there is one).

15. First-Aid Kit

Unfortunately, accidents and illness occur. You could cut a finger, trip down the stairs, get stung by a bee, or become sick with a cold or flu. So, you'll want to ensure you have a first-aid kit in your home. Some items in the kit should include:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs like Motrin or Advil
• Ace bandages
• Antibiotic ointment and Band-Aids
• Muscle pain relief ointment and cold pack
• Cough drops and cold medicine
• Antiseptic wipes and gauze pads

16. Tool Kit

You’ll likely want to hang photos or artwork on the wall, so you need a supply of wall hooks, nails, and a hammer. You might need to make some minor repairs, so having a toolbox with wrenches, screwdrivers, and other essentials will come in handy.

Be sure to have a measuring tape to help with placing furniture and hanging pictures. A few flashlights are necessities in every household. Consider buying a rechargeable flashlight in addition to ones that are battery-operated.

17. Electrical Supplies

Be sure to have some power strips and extensions cords on hand.

18. Storage Supplies

Storage containers and bins are essential in every home to keep your belongings and necessities organized. Purchase various sizes, so you can tuck some away in closets and cupboards, and use bigger tubs for your attic, basement, and garage. Be sure to purchase a few under-the-bed storage containers, which are great for storing extra linens, off-season clothing, and shoes.

19. Outdoor supplies

If you’re moving into a house, you’ll likely need a few outdoor items, including a:

• Lawnmower
• Rake
• Grill
• Garden hose
• Weed-whacker
• Outdoor furniture

New Home Essentials Checklist Takeaway

So, now you have a simple first home or apartment checklist. While these are obviously not going to be the only household items you'll need for your new home or apartment, they can get you started. Save this list, and use it to help you to begin furnishing your new home or apartment.

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