When you buy your first home, friends and family shower you with “housewarming” gifts that mostly center around decor and sentimentality. But practical items are must-haves when you’re moving into your first house. Here are the essential items you’ll need for day-to-day life in your new home.
General use
- Cleaning supplies: broom, mop, bucket, dustpan, dustcloths, sponges, cleaning products, vacuum cleaner and dusting wand.
- Laundry hamper, detergent, dryer sheets, an iron and an ironing board.
- Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers.
- Batteries of various sizes: AAA, AA, D cell, C cell and 9 volt.
- Light bulbs, particularly LEDs.
- Extension cords, power strips and flashlights.
Kitchen
- Silverware, dishes, glasses, a set of cookware, knives (chef’s, paring and steak), measuring cups and spoons, cooking utensils and potholders.
- Toaster and coffee maker.
- Plastic trash can.
- Cleaners, such as degreaser, dish soap, dishwasher detergent and glass cleaner.
- Dish scrubber sponges and kitchen towels.
- Paper products, including paper towels, napkins and plates.
Bathrooms
- Towels and bath mats.
- Soap dishes and toothbrush holders.
- Plastic trash cans.
- Toilet paper.
- Toilet plunger and scrub brushes.
- First aid kit.
Lawn, garden and tools
- Lawnmower, Weedwacker, leaf blower, pruning shears, limb saw, hedge clippers, shovels, a hoe, a rake and hand trowels.
- In wintry climates, a snowblower and shovels.
- A reinforced garden hose at least 100 feet long, with nozzle and sprinkler if you do not have an irrigation system.
- A well-stocked tool chest that includes a hammer, saw, nails and screws of various sizes, Philips and flat screwdrivers of different sizes, box wrenches, adjustable wrenches and socket wrenches in both metric and imperial sizes.
- Wood glue and epoxy, a measuring tape (at least 16 feet), masking tape, electrical tape and duct tape.
- Outdoor extension cords, a work light and power strips.
Related – Your Survival Guide to Packing and Moving Your Kitchen
