Moving into a new house is as exciting as it is stressful—knowing the essentials you need to have is one of the best ways to prepare for the big move!

Written by Claire Beaney

Reviewed by Melanie Reiff

Updated on Dec 14, 2023

Table of Contents

The essentials
The fun-to-haves
The things you probably forgot about
Saving money with Jerry
FAQs

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Buying a home can be an exciting and overwhelming process, so it’s important to know the essentials you should have for your new place.

Once you’ve signed on the dotted line, you’re probably counting down the days until you actually get to live in your new home. If you're a first-time homeowner, you might be shocked at how many items you'll need that aren't included with your new home.

There are some essentials you should have with you from day one, some non-necessities that can make the move a little more fun, and some items that you’ll probably forget about until the last minute.

To make sure you’re not left stranded without a can opener, or showering without a curtain, the home and

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The essentials

You've just purchased a home and have a million things to do—and buy—before you move in. We understand how you feel! But the first thing you should do is make sure you’re equipped with all the necessities.

The following are things you should acquire either prior to moving in or during the first few weeks.

Utilities

Call your local utility companies and be sure to set up accounts for water, electricity, cable, internet, and gas/oil before you move in. Arrange them to start the day you close on your new place.

New locks and keys

You never know how many duplicates of your house keys are out there between repairmen, renters, and family.

Replace all of your locks and make duplicates of your new keys within the first week. To make life easy, use the same key for all locks.

Fire and carbon monoxide detectors

Make sure you're prepared in the case of a fire and have working smoke detectors in all the correct places. The same goes for carbon monoxide detectors, which can be an even greater (and inconspicuous) danger.

First aid kit/medical supplies

You never know when you might get injured or fall sick.

It is not always easy or convenient to rush to the store and get medicine and first aid supplies. Instead of purchasing all of your goods separately, you should purchase a full First Aid/Medical Kit that includes the majority of these products.

Cleaning supplies

Assuming you are not taking anything from your previous apartment or house, make sure to grab these items to keep your lovely new space clean:

Cleaning agents: All-purpose cleaner, toiler cleaner, bathroom cleaner, bleach, window cleaner, dish detergent, laundry detergent.

Cleaning tools: Sponges, scrubbing brushes, microfiber cloths, rags, mop and bucket, broom and dustpan, toilet scrubber.

Tools

Whether you're a handy person or not, you'll need some basic tools to fix minor issues around the home, hang pictures, and put furniture together.

These are the key tools you need to keep the household functioning smoothly:

Hammer

Wrench

Screwdriver

Pliers

Utility knife

Level

Allen wrenches

Tape measure

Nails, screws, bolts

Tape

Stud finder

Cordless drill

MORE: Does homeowners insurance cover bellied pipes?

Furniture

The only truly necessary piece of furniture is a mattress. The rest of these products can theoretically wait, but you'll most certainly want them within 2-4 months after moving in.

Bedroom:

Bed

Mattress

Dresser/wardrobe

Bedside table(s)

Mirror

Kitchen:

Kitchen table

Chairs and stools

Living room:

Couch

Chairs

Coffee table

Side table(s)

Lamps

Dining room:

Table

Chairs

Storage (buffet/hutch)

Light fixture

Kitchen essentials

Your kitchen is honestly probably the single room that will require the most setting-up in your new home. The following items are things you should obtain for your kitchen as soon as possible!

Eating essentials: utensils, kitchen knives, dishware set, glasses, coffee mugs.

Cooking essentials: measuring cups and spoons, spatula, rolling pin, whisk, tongs, colander, cutting board, parchment paper, tinfoil

Cookware essentials: over mitts, saute pan, frying pan, saucepan, non-stick skillet, stockpot, baking dish, baking sheets.

Bathroom essentials

Depending on just how many bathrooms you have, you may need to purchase multiple sets of these items.

Toilet paper

Towels

Hand soap

Plunger

Shampoo

Conditioner

Body wash

Home insurance

Before you move in, you must have homeowners insurance. Mortgage firms will not provide you with a loan if you do not have insurance (unless you pay in cash).

Ensure that you get complete coverage from an insurer with a solid reputation—and use the

Jerry

app to compare quotes for guaranteed savings without sacrificing any coverage!

Key Takeaway While this can seem like a long list of essentials for your new home, having them on hand can make the stressful process of moving in go over smoother.

The fun-to-haves

While these items aren’t essential to have within the first few weeks at your new home, having them around can definitely be fun to have! These things can make cooking a little more fun, liven up your space, and more.

Extra kitchen appliances

Water filter

Rice cooker

Instant pot

Air fryer

Coffee machine

Ice cream scooper

Decorations

Area rugs

Art

Plants

Mirrors

Throw pillows and blankets

Tech

Smart home devices

Security cameras

Roomba

MORE: Home insurance terms you need to know

The things you probably forgot about

There are some things that are bound to slip your mind in the hustle and bustle of moving. But finding yourself without these items can leave you rushing to the store last minute, and that extra stress is not something you’ll want to deal with!

Shower curtains and drapes

Both of these are oft-forgotten essentials to maintaining privacy in and around your home. Remember to pick up drapes for your windows and a shower curtain for your bathroom before you move in.

Fire extinguisher

Smoke detectors aren't the only thing you need to worry about when it comes to fire safety—you should also make sure your new house has a fire extinguisher. These potentially life-saving equipment are a must-have for every homeowner.

Lockbox/safe

To keep crucial documents and valuables safe, it's a good idea to invest in a lockbox. Make certain that the one you choose is both water- and fire-resistant.

Welcome mat

Have fun choosing a doormat for your new house, but keep safety in mind! Ensure that the welcome mat will not become a tripping hazard, and use rug pads or grippers if need be.

Garbage cans/recycling bins

You should have a garbage can in each bathroom, kitchen, garage, and even the laundry room. Look for can sets that have numerous sizes for different purposes—and don't forget to get liners in the same size!

Batteries and light bulbs

Batteries may seem obvious, yet they are a must-have in any home. Everything from TV remotes to LED lights is powered by fresh batteries, and no one likes to be left unprepared when your batteries run out!

MORE: The best home emergency insurance

Saving money with Jerry

As we mentioned earlier, one of the first things you should do when moving into a new home is to secure a solid home insurance policy—tracking down all these essential items would be pointless if they ended up damaged or destroyed!

Making sure you have the right home insurance by comparing quotes from different insurers is the best way to keep you and your belongings protected.

If you’d rather leave the hard work of gathering quotes to someone else, then check out the

Jerry

app.

In less than 45 seconds, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. Choose from competitive quotes from top insurance companies and Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one.

To save even more money, Jerry can help you bundle your home and auto policies for maximum savings!

“
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was wonderful! I used it for my auto and renters policies. I trusted it so much that I signed up my homeowners insurance under Jerry as well. All of the agents are amazingly nice and knowledgeable.” —Mary Y.

MORE: Home insurance liability coverage

FAQs

What’s the first thing I should do when I move into my new home?

Everyone will have different priorities when it comes to moving into their new home, but here’s a general checklist of things you should do when you first get to your new place:

Do a walkthrough

Child- and/or pet-proof your home

Make sure your utilities are working properly

Locate and make note of your circuit breaker, fuse box, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors

Perform a deep clean

Take a walk through your neighborhood to get familiar with it

How many knives do I actually need?

For any home cook, the ideal amount of kitchen knives is four. A chef's knife, a bread knife, a carving/slicing knife, and a pairing knife should all be included.

Having a sharpener is also recommended to keep the blades of your knives as sharp and efficient as possible!

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