Start with needs versus nice-to-haves
Most long checklists mix what you need on day one with things you might want in six months. A simpler way to use any list is to sort items into three groups: needed now, needed soon, and later. Items such as a bed, cookware, towels and cleaning supplies are usually “now”. Decorative extras, specialty gadgets and extra furniture can wait. Adjust everything to your household size and habits.
Kitchen
- Pots and pans: one or two pots, a frying pan, and a baking tray
- Knives: a chef’s knife, a paring knife and a cutting board
- Plates, bowls, glasses, mugs and cutlery for each person plus a few spares
- Cooking utensils: spatula, wooden spoon, ladle, tongs, peeler
- Can opener, bottle opener, measuring cups and spoons, colander
- Food storage containers
- Dish soap, sponge or brush, dish towels and a drying rack
- Small appliances such as a kettle, toaster or coffee maker, depending on how you eat
Bedroom
- Mattress and bed base or frame
- Two sets of sheets, pillows and a blanket or duvet
- Somewhere to hang or store clothes: hangers, wardrobe or dresser
- A bedside lamp and curtains or blinds for light control and privacy
- Laundry basket or hamper
Bathroom
- Toilet paper, hand soap and towels
- Shower curtain with liner and rings, if the shower needs one
- Bath mat
- Toilet brush and plunger
- Small bin and basic storage for toiletries
Living areas
- A comfortable place to sit
- A small table or surface for drinks and essentials
- Lighting, such as a floor or table lamp
- Curtains or blinds (see curtains in interior design)
- A rug, if floors are cold, hard or noisy
Once these are in, you can think about layout and style. Our guide to how to furnish a new house explains how to phase bigger purchases.
Cleaning supplies
- All-purpose cleaner and glass cleaner
- Sponges and microfibre cloths
- Broom, dustpan, mop and vacuum cleaner
- Toilet cleaner
- Rubbish bags and bins
- Laundry detergent
Tools and repair basics
A small tool kit saves many trips and is very useful for assembling furniture and hanging items:
- Hammer and screwdrivers
- Tape measure
- Adjustable wrench or pliers
- Utility knife
- Spare light bulbs and batteries
- Extension cord or power strip
- Tape and a few basic fixings
Safety items
- Working smoke alarms and, where appropriate, carbon monoxide alarms
- A first-aid kit
- A flashlight or torch
- A fire extinguisher or fire blanket for the kitchen, if suitable for your home
Check local guidance on what alarms and equipment are recommended or required where you live.
Laundry and storage
- Iron or steamer, if you wear clothes that need it
- Clothes drying rack
- Storage boxes, hooks and shelves for entry, closets and utility spaces
Ten common household items
If you want a quick sense of the everyday objects most homes have, these ten appear on nearly every list: bed linens, towels, dishes and cutlery, cookware, cleaning supplies, light bulbs, a tool kit, a first-aid kit, trash bins and a few storage containers.
Build the list over time
You do not need to buy everything in a week, and a room-by-room furnishing budget can help you pace it. Start with the basics above, then add items as you notice gaps. If you are setting up a smaller rental, see basic necessities for a new apartment. If you are in the middle of moving, the list of must-haves when moving into a new home will help you prepare your first days.