Things to Buy When Moving Into a New Place

Prepare for Your Move-Out With a New Home Purchase List

Whether you are moving into a new house or apartment, you need a checklist of new home things to buy.

Imagine getting in the shower after a long day of moving boxes and furniture, hoping to feel refreshed — only to realize you don’t have any soap. To avoid situations like this, you need to know the items that will help you get through the first few days or weeks as you settle into your new home.

When you move in, you’ll realize that the smallest details really do matter. Prepare a shopping list ahead of time and ensure you have everything you’ll need to settle in quickly. That way, you’ll be comfortable and able to enjoy your new home as soon as possible.

Best Things to Buy When Moving Into a New Apartment or House

Moving into a new place is very exciting, but keeping track of all your needs can be overwhelming. The checklists below can help you keep up with all the things you need to move forward and settle into your new residence.

Bedroom Essentials

The following items will help make your nighttime routine a breeze at your new home:

• Bed frame
• Mattress
• Bedding sheets, blankets, duvet covers, and/or quilts
• Nightstand
• Dresser
• Blinds or curtains
• Electric fan or portable electric space heater
• Hangers for your closet
• Mirror

You likely have many of these items already, but these essentials will make for a comfortable, relaxing bedroom.

Aside from having a list of what to buy, it’s suggested that you set up your bedroom first when moving into your new place. Preparing this room first will ensure you get a good night’s sleep so you’re rested and ready to take on setting up the rest of your home the next day.

Kitchen Essentials

Prudent Reviews provides a compare-and-contrast comprehensive kitchen product list to help you decide on the best and most affordable kitchen products to buy for your new home. Some of the items you may want to consider include:

• Baking sheet
• Can opener
• Coffee maker
• Coffee mugs
• Cups
• Cutting board
• Dishtowels
• Dish soap and scrubber or sponge
• Knife set
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Microwave
• Napkins and/or paper towels
• Plates and bowls
• Potholders
• Pots and pans
• Spices
• Strainer
• Trash can

It’s beneficial to buy these kitchen basics so you can be prepared to cook at any time upon moving in rather than spending more on takeout. Not to mention, having a complete kitchen is more affordable if you plan to do home cooking in the long run.

Bathroom Essentials

After a long day moving around and being on the go, you’ll want to feel refreshed from a nice shower. Here is a list of must-buy items to help you elevate the comfort level and functionality of your bathroom:

• First aid kit
• Hand soap
• Laundry hamper
• Plunger
• Rugs and mats
• Shower caddy
• Shower curtain and rings
• Soap dish
• Toiletries
• Toilet brush
• Towels and washcloths

Kid Essentials

Depending on how old your kids are, it may be better and safer to ask relatives or friends to take care of them during moving day. However, if that’s not possible, here is a list of items you may need to keep your children safe and occupied while you organize your new home:

• Bath items
• Coloring books and crayons
• Diapers and wipes, if applicable
• Favorite toys
• Games, puzzles, or books
• Snacks and juice
• Stuffed animals

As a bonus tip, Piece of Cake Moving & Storage suggests to “have an age-appropriate conversation with the children in the family, stepping out all the great reasons you are making a move and what it will mean for them.”

This will help your children have a better understanding of the moving process — and may even cause them to volunteer to help set up your new home.

Pet Essentials

Having a relative or a friend take care of your pets can take away another element of stress during your move-in process. Most importantly, it will be less stressful for your pet.

If you decide to have your furry friends join you on your move day, here is a list of items to keep on hand to ensure your pets are taken care of:

• Leash
• Plastic bags for picking up after your pet
• Crate
• Favorite treats and toys
• Bowls for food and water
• The food they normally eat

Cleaning Supplies

Your new home is empty upon moving in — but that does not mean it is immaculately clean. Dust accumulates especially if your new house or apartment has been vacant for a long time.

Below is a list of cleaning supplies to buy to give your new home a fresh start and a cleaner atmosphere:

• Broom and dustpan
• Bleach
• Baking soda
• Paper towels
• Multi-purpose liquid cleaner
• Sponges
• Swiffer or mop
• Toilet bowl cleaning solution
• Trash bags
• Window cleaner
• Vacuum

Tools and Equipment

Once you settle into your new home, you’ll need supplies to help you put together furniture, hang picture frames, and more.

The list below is a catch-all for anything else you may need when moving to a new place:

• Basic tools (hammer, nails, pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, level, etc.)
• Batteries
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Duct tape
• Ethernet cables
• Extension cords
• Fire extinguisher
• Flashlights
• Light bulbs
• Surge protectors
• Smoke detectors
• Step stool
• Tape measure

Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Buy for a New House

What do I need to buy for a new apartment or house?

When moving into a new home, you will need cleaning supplies, kitchenware, bathroom essentials, and anything else that will help you get through the first few days or weeks of settling in. The lists above of items needed in a new home will help you stay organized and on top of things.

What should I buy after moving?

After you’re settled into your new home, you can add some extras or upgrades that can complement your living space. Below is a list of additional items to keep in mind when enhancing your new home:

• Candles to give your home an inviting scent
• Extra chairs outside to accommodate more visitors
• Smart locks to no longer worry about losing keys or having to make duplicates
• Wallplates to hide your TV cables and other messy wires
• A welcome mat for a great finishing touch for your home’s entrance

Having a list of items that can help polish your home after moving in will make you feel good about starting fresh.

How can I save money when shopping for my new home?

Moving into a new home is expensive — that’s no secret. Fortunately, there are a ton of ways you can save money. Here is a list of things to consider when shopping for your new home:

• Go to your local thrift shops like Goodwill to buy furniture. As a bonus tip, you may want to go on a Sunday, as some stores offer 50% off on all items that day.
• Buy energy-efficient appliances. Though these appliances might be more costly upfront, they use less energy. This means you’ll likely be paying less in the long run.
• Use your own supplies to set up your furniture instead of hiring a professional.
• Use price-comparison tools like ShopSavvy to compare costs in different stores and find great deals.

Implement these tips when shopping for your new home so that you can stick to your budget — and maybe even end up with money leftover.

Add Professional Cleaning to the List of Things You Need for a New House

Moving to a new home gives you the opportunity to start fresh. By creating a new home list of things to buy, you will save time and ensure you have everything you need from the get-go.

You may also want to add professional cleaning to the list of essential things to buy when moving into a new home. This will help you clear out any dust, allergens, and odors, ultimately making your home feel like new before your family can comfortably move in.

You may want to hire a professional move-out cleaner for your former home as well. Doing so can help you get your security deposit back, which means more money to invest in your new home. This is also a courteous thing to do to leave the place ready for the next tenants.

Whether you want a move-out or move-in cleaning — or both — check out Moveout.com's cleaner marketplace. There you can hire trusted cleaners in your area, helping alleviate some of the stress of your move.