So, you’re moving into your first home! Congratulations! Now is one of the most exciting times in your life. But with all that excitement comes a whole lot of stress too. With a mountain of paperwork to complete, solicitors to stay on top of and a housing chain to navigate, it’s often easy to forget the essentials you should be buying for when the move-in day arrives.
If you’re moving from your parents’ house or rented accommodation, you can often have little to hand to furnish or fill your new home with. Whatever you do, don’t head out and panic-buy everything you see. With this list, you’ll have the staple pieces you need to get started.
First things first, what are the previous owners leaving?
Whether you’re moving into a new-build property or a longer-standing one, it’s important to check your paperwork to see what will already be there. Some previous owners may choose to leave any integrated appliances or free-standing white goods such as a fridge-freezer or dishwasher. It’s important to check, even for a new-build, what will be there when you arrive as you don’t want to be buying more than you need.
For your living space
A solid, good-quality sofa can last you what may seem like a lifetime. Many have a lifespan of around 7-15 years, so as long as you choose a high-quality one, it’s an investment worth making. Of course, any large purchases like this can sometimes cost you thousands of pounds, so it’s worth ensuring you have planned your budget to cover this before you head into a local furniture shop!
You’ll also want to look at some curtains to give yourselves some privacy, especially if your new property sits on the roadside, and a good quality TV, a
For your kitchen
The heart of the home is where you’ll most likely be spending a lot of your time, and it needs a mountain of essentials! From your pots and pans, chopping boards and knives, to your vegetable peelers, bottle openers and wooden spoons, there are a plethora of things to think about!
For your kitchen you’ll also need items such as a kettle, toaster and microwave, as well as a rubbish bin and potentially a dining table and chairs if your eating space is within the kitchen.
Speaking of eating, you can’t eat off the table, so you’ll need to think about a set of plates and bowls, most of which you can buy as one complete set for 4-10 people. You’ll also need a selection of serving dishes for when you have friends and family over, as well as cutlery and glassware.
Make sure you have a plan before you move
Whether you already have a bed and a mattress or not, creating a list of all the things you’ll need room by room is one of the best ways to tackle the task of furnishing your first home. Check out prices online and set aside an amount of money to ensure you stay within budget, and above all, have fun!
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