Congratulations – you just bought a new house! Moving into a new house comes with a lot of things to think about. Once you’ve gotten your keys, you will need to make a few more purchases to make your house a home. Some of the first things to buy for a new house are self-explanatory while others might just surprise you, or they might be things you simply didn’t consider.
The biggest part is making sure you have everything you need. If you are wondering what are the first things to buy for a new house, having a checklist can be helpful when making your purchases. Some of the things on this list might vary depending upon your specific situation. Let’s take a look at the necessities room by room.
General Necessities
Before we look at each individual space, let’s take a look at what you will need for the house as a whole. First, let’s look at home safety. The absolute first thing to purchase for your new home is new locks. You want to have control of who has keys to your new home, so replacing the locks is an essential first safety step.
Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are next on the list of safety equipment you will need in your new home. Most homes have smoke detectors already, but if they aren’t working properly or if you would like to upgrade them to a newer style, this is an essential first purchase. The partner to the smoke detector is the fire extinguisher. You will want to have at least one for your kitchen.
Cleaning supplies are often forgotten, but necessary. Not only will you need cleaners for each area of the house, but also you will need trash cans, trash bags, a broom, dustpan, mop, sponges or cloths, and a vacuum for carpeted areas. And, don’t forget lightbulbs. While they aren’t exactly cleaning supplies, they are easy to forget, and replacing them as you clean is a good way to make sure you have working bulbs.
Now that you have new locks and cleaning supplies, take a long look at the home. Do you want to paint? Are the floors, walls, or ceiling in need of repairs? If so, repairs and cosmetic changes are easier to do before you move furniture in. If you are a DIYer, then purchasing the supplies for that should probably be next on your list. If like most homeowners, you are not able to make your own repairs it would be wise to find a contractor and make arrangements well in advance of your closing so they will be able to schedule your repairs to coincide with your closing.
While we’re thinking about repairs, a small home toolkit would be a good purchase as well. A hammer, screwdrivers (both Phillips and flat-head), a tape measure, a pair of pliers, an adjustable wrench, an assortment of nails and screws, as well as electrical tape, duct tape, and super glue are good things to have on hand for needed minor repairs.
Kitchen Essentials
The kitchen is probably the most expensive of the area in your new home that you will be filling with essentials. Sometimes, your home purchase includes the basic appliances, but if not, those need to go on your buy immediately list.
If this is your first home, or if you simply want a fresh start, other kitchen essentials to be purchased include cookware, sheet pans, pizza pan or stone, casserole dishes, plates, bowls, drinkware, coffee cups, eating utensils, cooking utensils, and items to serve your food. You will also need at least one good sharp knife, a cutting board, a mixing bowl, and measuring cups and spoons. Don’t forget sandwich bags, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and parchment paper.
Dishwashing essentials are also necessary. Dish soap for both hand-washing and a dishwasher if you have one, cloths or sponges, and towels for both drying dishes and drying hands are also essential. A draining cloth or draining rack is also necessary if you hand-wash your dishes. Don’t forget paper towels for little spills!
Bathroom Essentials
The most often forgotten thing in the bathroom is toilet tissue. Surprisingly, most people don’t think about the fact they will need to use their bathroom when they are excited about purchasing a house. Another necessity in the bathroom is a plunger because you never know when you might need to free a clog. Cleaning supplies specific to the bathroom, like a toilet brush, are good things to put on your buy first list.
Towels and washcloths are among the first things to buy for a new house. Unless you have glass shower doors, you will also want to purchase a shower curtain. If your new home has a window in the bathroom, you’ll want to cover that with something—blinds, a curtain, even a matching shower curtain.
Bedroom Essentials
In the bedroom, the first things to buy for a new house are blinds or curtains for the windows. Most people can’t sleep well with light pouring in through the windows, so covering them is one of the first steps to making your house feel like home. Unless you have a well-established household, bed linens are also on your must-purchase list.
Wrapping It Up
Hopefully, buying your new home has been an exciting adventure. Now that you’re ready to move into the new space, don’t forget to buy the essentials to turn your house into your home. This list is by no means all-inclusive, but we hope that it will get you started. If you know you are ready to take the leap into homeownership, my team and I are here to help! Start by getting pre-approved before the house hunt, and you’ll be checking things off your list in no time.
