The Definitive New Home Shopping List

Moving into your first home—or even your seventh—can be overwhelming. With everything there is to consider, it’s easy to overlook home essentials. Take stock before moving day. We’ve compiled a list of everything you’ll need for your new home, from batteries to wall art, so your house will be a home from day one.

Entrance

You may not come through your front door on a regular basis once you’ve settled in, but it will be the first impression most of people have of your home. Not to mention, home security starts here. These items will set the stage for the rest of your home.

• Welcome mat
• Shoe tray
• Coat rack
• Smart lock (you’ll want to change the locks)
• Smart doorbell (to see who’s at the door without leaving the couch)
• Security camera
• Motion-activated lights

Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of your new home, so don’t be surprised if you need to buy a lot of stuff—everything from oven mitts to cutlery—to properly stock it. To keep things simple, we’ve broken the kitchen down into several categories: eating essentials, cooking essentials, kitchen tools, kitchen appliances and kitchen supplies.

If you need to stock up on food items, we’ve got a list for that, too, along with helpful tips for shopping and planning your first week of meals.

Eating Essentials

You’ll need something to eat with and eat on. Start with a 16-piece dinnerware set (four dinner plates, salad plates, bowls and mugs) plus glasses and flatware at the very least

• Plates and bowls
• Flatware
• Steak knives
• Cabinet and drawer organizers (to keep everything tidy)
• Glasses (consider a set with six short and six tall tumblers)
• Wine glasses
• Coffee mugs
• Serving platters and utensils

Cooking Essentials

One of the perks of having a kitchen is being able to prepare your own meals. To do so, though, you’ll need a few essentials, like a good 10” skillet. Since you’ll likely use these items daily, consider durability before purchasing.

• Cutting board
• Knives (a set with a block comes in handy)
• Kitchen shears
• Cooking utensils (spatula, whisk, tongs)
• Pots and pans
• Bakeware (9”x13” pan and a baking sheet, to get started)
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons

Kitchen Tools

You may not use these items every day, but if you spend any time in the kitchen, you’ll want to have them on hand.

• Rolling pin
• Can opener
• Hand mixer
• Meat thermometer
• Colander
• Salt shaker and pepper grinder
• Spice rack
• Turkey baster
• Sealable containers
• Aluminum foil (for easy clean up and keeping food warm)

Kitchen Appliances

Most kitchens come with an oven, stove and dishwasher; some also have built-in microwaves. But it will take a few extras, including a refrigerator, to fully outfit your kitchen. Consider having these items on hand when you move in.

• Refrigerator
• Microwave (if you don’t have a built-in)
• Toaster oven (a great option when you don’t want to turn the oven on)
• Toaster
• Blender
• Keurig or coffee maker
• Insta Pot or crockpot
• Waffle maker

Kitchen supplies

These are the items you probably don’t think but are essential in a well-stocked kitchen. If you have the room, you may want to have backups of supplies you’ll need to purchase on a regular basis like dishwasher detergent and trash bags.

• Dish soap
• Scrubber
• Sponge and/or dish rag
• Dishwasher detergent
• Rinse aid (say goodbye to spots on your glasses)
• Drying rack
• Plastic bags
• Plastic wrap
• Paper towels and paper towel holder
• Napkins
• Kitchen towels
• Oven mitts
• Cooling rack
• Fire extinguisher
• Garbage can
• Recycling can
• Trash bags
• Trash can

Dining Room

Once you’ve prepared your meal, you’ll need some place to eat it. As you settle into your home, you may want to purchase special items for holidays, like a Christmas-themed table runner.

• Dining room table and chairs
• Table cloth (for special occasions)
• Tablemats (opt for easy-to-clean tablemats)
• Table runner
• Chair felts (to prevent the chairs from scratching your hardwood floors)

Bathroom

Depending on how many bathrooms you have, you may need to purchase multiples of some items, like hand soap and shower curtains. Other items, like a plunger, can be shared between bathrooms.

• Bath and hand towels
• Hand soap
• Shower curtain and liner
• Shower rod and rings
• Bath rug
• Toothbrush holder
• Makeup organizer
• Drawer organizers
• Trash can
• Plunger
• Drain snake
• Toilet brush and holder
• Toilet paper
• Tissues

Bedrooms

If you have more than one bedroom, you’ll want to purchase more enough bed sheets, pillows and the like for them all. You may also want to consider who will be using each room when making purchases. Young kids probably need a nightlight more than an alarm clock.

• Mattress
• Bedframe
• Mattress protectors and pads
• Sheets
• Blankets/comforters
• Duvet covers
• Pillows
• Pillowcases
• Decorative pillows
• Nightstand
• Alarm clock

Closet

The size of your closet will determine your needs and what you’re able to do with the space. Regardless, organization is key. Keep like items, such as belts, together on a belt hanger, and maximize unused space with storage bins.

• Hangers
• Hamper
• Accessory/jewelry organizer
• Belt hanger
• Shoe rack
• Full-length mirror
• Storage bins

Living Room

Chances are, if you’re not eating, sleeping or working, you’re in your living room. Make it as comfortable and functional as you can using the checklist below.

• Television
• TV mount or cabinet
• Sound system
• Area rug
• Lamps/lighting
• Coffee table
• Sofa or sectional
• End tables
• Shelving
• Plants
• Wall art/picture frames

Home Office

More and more of us are working from home now. While you may already have many of these items, doublecheck this list to make sure you can get to work on day one in your new home.

• Desk
• Office chair
• Computer, monitor and mouse
• Office supplies (pens, pencils, stapler, Post-Its, highlighter, etc.)
• Printer and paper
• Envelopes and stamps
• Desk organizer
• File cabinet
• Whiteboard, markers and dry eraser
• Desk lamp

Laundry room

You’ll likely get dirty and sweaty unpacking, so you’ll want to have your laundry room ready for load that first day. Here’s what you’ll need.

• Laundry detergent
• Dryer sheets
• Bar for hangers
• Iron and ironing board
• Drying rack for sweaters
• Storage bin for laundry supplies

Outdoors

Even if you hire someone maintain your landscape, you’ll want to have some basic tools on hand. And, you’ll probably want to turn your backyard into additional living space. Make it happen with these items.

• Garden tools (shovel, rake, pruning shears)
• Hoses (one for the front yard, one for the backyard)
• Patio furniture (table and chairs)
• Overhead fan or misters
• Electric or charcoal grill
• Grilling tools (spatula, grill brush)

Windows

Take stock of all windows, and determine which window treatments you need to purchase for each room.

• Blinds or shades
• Curtains and drapes
• Curtain rods
• Tie backs
• Window hardware

Cleaning supplies

Your house will get dirty as the movers walk in and out of the house. Plus, items tend to get dusty in storage and during the move. Be prepared to tidy up with these essentials.

• Cleaners (bleach, glass cleaner, all-purpose cleaner)
• Sponges
• Magic Eraser
• Broom and dustpan
• Gloves
• Mop
• Vacuum cleaner
• Duster

Maintenance and household items

It takes a lot to manage and maintain a house. This category is a catch-all for everything else you could possibly need.

• Basic tools (pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, hammer and nails, sandpaper)
• Batteries
• Flashlight
• Candles and matches
• Light bulbs
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Smoke detectors
• Extension cords
• Fire extinguisher
• Heaters/fans/humidifiers
• Ceiling fans
• Step stool
• Duct tape
• Level
• Tape measure
• Ethernet cables
• Surge protectors
• Wi-Fi router