Don’t Move Into Your First Home Without These 9 Items
Tick off this checklist of must-have homewares to help you feel instantly organised and cosy in your first home
If you’re a first-time buyer or renter, chances are you don’t have a huge collection of homewares – which is all the more exciting, as you can build up your accessories, furniture and décor over time to fit with your style and needs. But to help you feel instantly at home in your new pad, here are some useful small items to buy before you move in.
Lamps
You’ll probably have basic pendant fittings and spotlights in your new home, but that won’t necessarily make the place feel cosy. When you’re thinking about the things every home should have, lighting is an essential element when it comes to creating a warm, welcoming mood, so hunt around for some lamps you love. Consider both table and floor lamps, both of which will provide low lighting in the evening for a more intimate atmosphere.
Don’t forget the ceiling lights, too – check out the types of fittings that are in the property before you move in, so you can purchase suitable shades and bulbs ahead of time.
Find out how good lighting can miraculously transform your hallway
You’ll probably have basic pendant fittings and spotlights in your new home, but that won’t necessarily make the place feel cosy. When you’re thinking about the things every home should have, lighting is an essential element when it comes to creating a warm, welcoming mood, so hunt around for some lamps you love. Consider both table and floor lamps, both of which will provide low lighting in the evening for a more intimate atmosphere.
Don’t forget the ceiling lights, too – check out the types of fittings that are in the property before you move in, so you can purchase suitable shades and bulbs ahead of time.
Find out how good lighting can miraculously transform your hallway
Soft towels
OK, so your new bathroom probably won’t look like this one (yet), but that doesn’t mean it can’t feel luxurious. Shop around for some gorgeous bath towels in a style that suits you. A good rule of thumb is to purchase two bath sheets and two hand towels for every member of the household, and a couple of sets for each guest bedroom.
You could match the design with your bath mat, but it’s best to stick to a neutral colour, as that will give you more flexibility when it comes to decorating the whole room.
OK, so your new bathroom probably won’t look like this one (yet), but that doesn’t mean it can’t feel luxurious. Shop around for some gorgeous bath towels in a style that suits you. A good rule of thumb is to purchase two bath sheets and two hand towels for every member of the household, and a couple of sets for each guest bedroom.
You could match the design with your bath mat, but it’s best to stick to a neutral colour, as that will give you more flexibility when it comes to decorating the whole room.
Bed linen
You might not know how you’re going to decorate your bedroom yet, so it’s a good idea to opt for neutral-coloured bedding that will go with everything. Bed sheets should be on your ‘moving into new home’ checklist, so invest in two sets of good-quality linen, so you have one to put straight on while the other’s in the wash.
If you’re worried that neutral bedding will look too dull, add colour and pattern with quilts, throws, cushions and a mix of different pillowcases.
You might not know how you’re going to decorate your bedroom yet, so it’s a good idea to opt for neutral-coloured bedding that will go with everything. Bed sheets should be on your ‘moving into new home’ checklist, so invest in two sets of good-quality linen, so you have one to put straight on while the other’s in the wash.
If you’re worried that neutral bedding will look too dull, add colour and pattern with quilts, throws, cushions and a mix of different pillowcases.
A clothes rail
Haven’t decided whether you’re going for freestanding or fitted wardrobes? Don’t rush into a decision just so you have somewhere to store your clothes. Instead, purchase a hanging rail as a temporary measure to avoid a pile of clothes on the floor.
This one has been jazzed up with a lick of bright pink paint, meaning there’s really no rush to get a wardrobe at all.
Haven’t decided whether you’re going for freestanding or fitted wardrobes? Don’t rush into a decision just so you have somewhere to store your clothes. Instead, purchase a hanging rail as a temporary measure to avoid a pile of clothes on the floor.
This one has been jazzed up with a lick of bright pink paint, meaning there’s really no rush to get a wardrobe at all.
Kitchen kit
We all need to eat, so one of the most essential areas to consider is your collection of cookware. A cake tin isn’t vital, but a saucepan probably is.
To draw up a list, it’s a good idea to imagine yourself preparing meals from breakfast to dinner, and think about what you’d need for every instance. A frying pan? Spatula? Tin opener?
When you’re purchasing pans, consider investing in a quality set that will last a long time, rather than going for a cheaper, more disposable version.
We all need to eat, so one of the most essential areas to consider is your collection of cookware. A cake tin isn’t vital, but a saucepan probably is.
To draw up a list, it’s a good idea to imagine yourself preparing meals from breakfast to dinner, and think about what you’d need for every instance. A frying pan? Spatula? Tin opener?
When you’re purchasing pans, consider investing in a quality set that will last a long time, rather than going for a cheaper, more disposable version.
Tableware
You’re also going to need something to eat your food off, and some cutlery to eat it with. Prepare ahead by gathering a basic collection of plates, bowls, glasses, mugs and cutlery that will grow with you.
The best way to do this is to choose a fairly neutral range of dinnerware to which you can easily add. Introduce colour and pattern with beautiful serving bowls, platters, side plates and jugs.
You’re also going to need something to eat your food off, and some cutlery to eat it with. Prepare ahead by gathering a basic collection of plates, bowls, glasses, mugs and cutlery that will grow with you.
The best way to do this is to choose a fairly neutral range of dinnerware to which you can easily add. Introduce colour and pattern with beautiful serving bowls, platters, side plates and jugs.
A mirror
During the hubbub of a normal day, you might not even think about a mirror, but when you can’t see how your work clothes look on your first morning in your new home, you’ll wish you’d given it some thought.
Bring just one full-length mirror with you and you’ll have provided yourself with an extremely practical piece of kit for ensuring you can brush your hair, put on make-up, and check those shoes really do work with that outfit.
During the hubbub of a normal day, you might not even think about a mirror, but when you can’t see how your work clothes look on your first morning in your new home, you’ll wish you’d given it some thought.
Bring just one full-length mirror with you and you’ll have provided yourself with an extremely practical piece of kit for ensuring you can brush your hair, put on make-up, and check those shoes really do work with that outfit.
Storage
One of the most frustrating aspects of moving into a new home is not having anywhere to put the things you’ve unpacked. It’s true that books can be artfully stacked as a design feature, but scarves, bags, stationery and knick-knacks don’t look so stylish strewn all over the floor.
Hunt around for some attractive storage baskets and perhaps a shelving unit to provide homes for all those bits and bobs you need to stash.
Discover some of the best storage ideas for small hallways
Tell us…
Are you moving into your first home? How do you feel about it and do you have plans to renovate it? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments section.
One of the most frustrating aspects of moving into a new home is not having anywhere to put the things you’ve unpacked. It’s true that books can be artfully stacked as a design feature, but scarves, bags, stationery and knick-knacks don’t look so stylish strewn all over the floor.
Hunt around for some attractive storage baskets and perhaps a shelving unit to provide homes for all those bits and bobs you need to stash.
Discover some of the best storage ideas for small hallways
Tell us…
Are you moving into your first home? How do you feel about it and do you have plans to renovate it? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments section.
Even if you haven’t invested in a fabulous sofa yet, you can still kit out your home with some small surfaces. Strategically placed side tables will provide a place to put keys, books, mugs and glasses – and can be picked up fairly cheaply either new or from second-hand outlets.
Just one or two in the living room and a couple in each bedroom will make life a lot easier and prevent you from accidentally kicking over glasses of water or cups of tea.