Moving day is exciting – full of possibility, and the thrill of settling into a new home. But what happens when you reach for the kettle, and there isn’t one? Or you realise you forgot bin bags for the takeaway boxes?
A brand new home is a true blank canvas, which also means starting from scratch. There’s no leftover light bulb or loo roll to rely on. So, what should you have ready before moving day?
This room-by-room checklist covers the new home essentials you need from the day you move in, so nothing catches you out.
A word on budgeting for your new home essentials
Buy the essentials first (bed, kettle, sofa, curtains), then add the nice-to-haves over time rather than blowing your budget in the first week.
Research from Aldermore’s First Time Buyer Index found that half of first-time buyers went without full furnishings for months after moving, after spending heavily on deposits, fees and moving costs. On average, buyers spent £15,509 furnishing and decorating a new home.
If you’re still exploring new build homes, it’s worth building this cost into your budget early, rather than after you’ve moved in.
How to stretch your budget by focusing on what matters most:
- Prioritise the essentials. Buy the basics first, such as a bed, a kettle, cooking equipment, and window coverings. Then add everything else over time.
- Shop secondhand first. Check Facebook Marketplace, Vinted, and local auction sites for sofas, wardrobes, and dining tables before buying new. You’ll often find great quality furniture for a fraction of the price.
- Give old furniture a new life. A coat of paint, new handles, or fresh fabric can transform inherited or secondhand pieces without the cost of buying new.
Your printable new home essentials checklist
Save or print the infographic below to tick off every room as you go.
📥Download Your Free Printable Checklist (PDF)
Kitchen essentials for a new home
Sort cooking, storage, and cleaning basics before moving day to avoid annoying last-minute shops when you realise what you don’t have.
Here’s what to get:
| Category | Kitchen essentials for a new home |
|---|---|
| Cooking | Kettle, toaster, saucepans, frying pan, oven dish, baking tray |
| Eating | Plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, cutlery set |
| Storage | Food containers, clingfilm/tin foil, bin |
| Cleaning | Bin bags, washing-up liquid, sponges, tea towels, dishcloths |
A list of kitchen essentials for a new home ensures you have everything you need to feed, water, and clean up after yourself from day dot. No one wants to be drinking from a tap or coming down the next day to smelly takeaway boxes!
Bathroom essentials checklist
You need towels and toiletries from your first night, since fittings alone won’t keep you dry or clean. Along with those, which bathroom essentials will help you settle into a new home?
- Bath and hand towels
- Bath/shower mat
- Toilet cleaning brush and bin
- Toiletries (like toothpaste, soap, and so on)
- Soap dispenser/dish
- Toothbrush holder
- Shower curtain or screen wipe
- Toilet roll
Good to know: Genesis Homes provides high-spec bathroom finishes as standard, so you can enjoy a beautiful suite, tiling, and taps right away.
New home bedroom essentials for peaceful sleep
Having comfortable bedding and blackout essentials ready means you’ll sleep well from your first night. Build your essentials for a new home checklist around:
- Bedding sets (duvet, pillows, sheets)
- Curtains or blinds (new builds rarely come with fitted window dressings)
- A lamp for each bedside (remember kids’ bedrooms!)
- Wardrobe storage or a hanging rail, if your bedrooms don’t have fitted wardrobes
Living room must-haves for a new home
The living room is where you’ll unwind after the move, so prioritise seating, lighting, and window coverings before anything decorative. A new home essentials list for a living room typically includes:
- Sofa or seating for the household size
- TV and a simple stand or unit
- Lamps and lampshades (unless you don’t mind a bare bulb!)
- A rug to soften bare flooring (if you opt for laminate or wood)
Cleaning, household, and DIY kit essentials
Even a spotless new build home needs basic cleaning and DIY from the outset, since dust and flat-pack furniture are part of every move. Pack or buy:
- A vacuum cleaner
- A mop/bucket
- Multi-surface spray and scratch-free cloths
- Screwdriver set, spirit level, and tape measure
- Step ladders for curtains and shelving
- Spare batteries
- Light bulbs (check fittings for the right sizes and shapes)
Related reading: For the practicalities of the day itself, our guide to what happens on moving day is worth a read alongside this list.
Finishing touches to make it feel like home
Our lists above cover the absolute essentials for a new home, but small personal touches turn a house into a home faster than any big purchase. Think:
- Photo frames and mirrors
- Cushions and throws
- A few houseplants
- A signature candle or diffuser scent
- Doormat and coat hooks by the entrance
With a Genesis home, personal touches start even earlier than moving day. Every buyer can attend a choices appointment to select kitchens, tiling and finishes, so your new home is yours to personalise before you’ve even picked up the keys.
Related reading: New build gardens are a blank canvas, too. Our new build garden ideas guide covers where to start outside.
Starting fresh? Get ahead with Genesis Homes
After creating your new home essentials budget, make sure to factor it into your overall house-buying costs. At Genesis Homes, high-spec finishes come as standard, so repairs and redecoration aren’t part of that sum. This means more of your budget can go towards settling in.
Find out how our Home Goals scheme can also help fund your moving-in and new home essentials! Get in touch with our team for a friendly chat and see how far your budget could go with Genesis Homes.