New Home Essentials: What You Need to Buy Now
- Insurance
- Utilities
- Safety
- First Aid and Medical
- Cleaning
- Tools
- Furniture
- Kitchen
- Bathroom
- Closets
- Linens
- Outdoor
- Kitchen
- Decor
- Technology
- Outdoors
New Home Essentials: What You Need to Buy Now
You just bought a house and have a million things to do before you move in. Trust me; I know how you feel.
Now’s not the time to worry about what picture frames to buy or what smart home gadgets you’re going to install.
Now’s the time to make sure you’re home is equipped with the necessities.
These are the things you should buy either before you move in, or within the first couple weeks.
Homeowners Insurance
Homeowners and flood insurance (especially if you are in a flood zone) is essential to have before moving in. Unless you are paying in cash, mortgage companies won’t give you a loan without it.
Your house will likely be the most expensive asset you ever purchase. Make sure you have complete coverage from an insurance carrier that has a strong reputation and financial stability. Work with an agent you can trust that will explain what is and isn’t covered, so you understand completely.
Utilities
Before you move in, call your local utility companies and make sure to set up accounts for water, gas/oil, electricity, cable, and internet. Schedule them to turn on the day you close on your house.
If you live in a deregulated energy state (see list below), you have “Energy Choice.” In other words, you can compare electricity and rates across several different providers to get the best rate for your home.
Go to ElectricityRates.com, type in your zip code, and you’ll see the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the top providers in your area. It literally takes 5 minutes to switch providers and start saving on your bills.
Deregulated Energy States:
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Texas
Here’s a screenshot of what you’ll see after you enter your zip code on ElectricityRates.com.
Safety Essentials
Besides insurance, which will prevent any financial disasters, these are the essential items you need to buy to keep your family safe.
New Locks and Keys
Between contractors, repairmen, renters, and family, you never know how many copies of the keys to your house are floating around out there.
Within the first week, you should replace all the locks in your house and create copies of the new keys. I would recommend using the same key for all locks to make life easier.
Home Security System
Even in the nicest neighborhoods, there’s an occasional burglary. Having a home security system gives you peace of mind, especially when you are away from your home for extended periods.
We are big fans of SimpliSafe and wrote and an in-depth review of their home security system if you want to get more information. There are several other home security options like ADT and Frontpoint that are worth considering too. We recently published an article comparing SimpliSafe vs. ADT if you want to take a close look at the similarities and differences.
Fire Safety
- Fire extinguisher
- Smoke detectors
- Carbon monoxide detectors (learn exactly where to put carbon monoxide detectors)
- Fireproof safe
- Flashlight and batteries
- Extension cords
- Surge protectors
First Aid and Medical Supplies
You never know when an accident will happen, or when you will feel sick.
It’s not always easy or convenient to run to the store and pick up medicine and first aid items.
We recommend keeping the following stocked in your house to keep you healthy and safe.
- Bandages
- Gauze
- Cotton balls
- Petroleum jelly
- Hand sanitizer
- Antibiotic ointment
- Antiseptic solution
- Thermometer
- Cold/heat packs
- Icy Hot
- Aloe Vera gel
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Laxative
- Antacids
- Antihistamine
- OTC pain relievers/fever reducers
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Cough and cold medications
- Humidifier
Instead of buying all of these supplies individually, you can pick up a complete First Aid/Medical Kit that includes most of these items. I love this one on Amazon that the maker designed for college students but would work great for a new home too.
Cleaning Essentials
Cleaning, everyone’s favorite thing to do, right?
To make cleaning more routine, my wife and I split up responsibilities and keep a weekly, monthly, and annual checklist (check out our list).
Assuming you are not bringing anything from your apartment or previous home, make sure to pick up these items to keep that beautiful home you just bought nice and shiny.
Cleaning Agents
- All-purpose non-toxic cleaner (I love Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, link to view on Amazon)
- Toilet cleaner
- Mild abrasive bathroom cleaner
- Bleach, window cleaner
- Dish detergent
- Laundry detergent (check out our comparisons of Tide vs. Gain, Tide vs. Persil, and Tide vs. OxiClean)
- Baking soda
Cleaning Supplies
- Sponges
- Mop and buckets
- Broom and dustpans
- Rubber gloves
- Scrubbing brushes
- Rags
- Vacuum cleaner (our favorite all-purpose vacuum is the Dyson Big Ball but if you’re on a budget, check out these Dyson alternatives)
- Wipes (Not sure which brand to buy? Check out our comparison of Clorox vs. Lysol disinfecting wipes)
- Microfiber cloths (We also reviewed E-Cloth vs. Norwex)
- Toilet scrubber
- Swiffer WetJet or a Bona Spray Mop (see how they compare)
- Liquid drain cleaner such as Liquid Plumr or Drano (see how they compare)
Essential Tools
Whether you are handy or not, you’ll need some basic tools to fix minor things around the house, hang pictures, and put together furniture.
These are the essential tools you need to keep the household running smoothly.
- Hammer
- Adjustable wrench
- Screwdrivers (Phillips head and flat head)
- Pliers
- Utility knife
- Level
- Allen wrenches
- Scraper/putty knife
- Tape measure
- Chisels
- A variety of hardware (nails, screws, bolts, etc.)
- Tape (duct and electrical)
- Stud finder
- Paintbrushes
- Sandpaper
- Cordless drill (for basic household use, Ryobi makes a solid drill that’s very affordable on Amazon)
Instead of buying all of these tools individually, you can get most of these in a set. We purchased this set of Stanley tools off Amazon, and it comes in handy all the time. Stanley is an excellent brand with high-quality tools, and their set will cover most of the essentials.
Essential Furniture
When it comes to furniture, the only real essential item is a mattress.
The rest of these items could technically wait, but most likely, you’ll want to have them within the first 2 to 4 months.
Tip: Taking a patient approach and not buying all your furniture at once will allow you to figure out your style slowly but, more importantly, it will enable you to spread out the financial burden over several months.
With that said, here’s what you’ll need at a minimum for each room.
Bedroom
- Bed
- Mattress (I highly recommend The WinkBed. It’s the most comfortable mattress I’ve ever slept on, and it’s earned top honors from The New York Times, HuffPost, CNET, and many others. Check it out on WinkBeds.com)
- Dressers/wardrobes
- Bedside tables
- Mirror
- Area rug
Kitchen
Living
- Couch
- Chairs
- Area rug
- Coffee table
- Side tables
- TV
- Lamps/lighting
Dining
- Table
- Table protector
- Table cloths
- Chairs
- Rug
- Light fixture
- Storage cabinet (buffet/hutch)
Kitchen Essentials
My wife and I love to cook. We cook for ourselves almost every night and enjoy entertaining family and friends.
Because of that, we spend a significant amount of time in our kitchen.
If you’re like us, you’ll want to buy the following items soon after moving into your new house.
Flatware and Dinnerware
- Silverware and utensils
- Plates and bowls
- Glasses and mugs
Cookware
- Skillet
- Frying pan
- Saute pan
- Saucepan
- Stockpot
- Roasting pans
- Bakeware
- Cast iron skillet
Instead of buying each piece of cookware individually, you’ll save a significant amount of money if you buy a set.
If you’re confused about which cookware to buy, I’ve recently published a bunch of reviews and comparisons of the top brands on the market.
Bottom line—with stainless steel cookware, I highly recommend investing in a set from a premium brand like All-Clad (see on Amazon) since it will last forever. With non-stick cookware, save your money and buy a few pans from a more affordable brand like Calphalon, Cuisinart, or T-Fal (since it only lasts 3-5 years).
Kitchen Knives
- Chef’s knife (we recently reviewed the Best Chef’s Knives Under $100 – we recommend Wusthof Classic which you can pick up on Amazon)
- Santoku knife (Again, Wusthof Classic is our pick, but you can find many great options with a quick search on Amazon)
- Serrated bread knife
- Paring knife
- Honing Steel
- Cutting board (this board is the best one you can get for cheap on Amazon)
If you want to start small, you can buy each knife individually, but, in general, it’s cheaper to buy a complete set like this one.
But, before you decide which brand to buy, check out our in-depth comparisons of the top options on the market:
- Wusthof vs. Zwilling J.A. Henckels
- Wusthof vs. Cutco
- Wusthof vs. Shun
- Wusthof vs. Global
- Wusthof vs. Victorinox
- Or check out our Definitive Guide to the Best Kitchen Knife Brands
Small Kitchen Appliances
- Coffee maker
- Toast or toaster oven (this guide will help you decide which type to buy)
- Blender (no, a Vitamix is not essential, but a basic blender might be)
- Food processor
- Microwave
- Slow cooker (learn how to choose the right slow cooker size)
Miscellaneous Kitchen Items
- Serving platters, bowls, and spoons
- Water pitchers
- Ice cream scooper
- Pizza cutter and roller
- Salad spinner
- Trash can and bags
- Paper towels
- Napkins
- Dish drying rack
- Step stool
- Tea kettle
- Vegetable peeler
- Oven mitts
- Spatula
- Tongs
- Ladle
- Measuring cups
- Can opener
- Lemon squeezer
- Tenderizer
- Colander
- Storage containers/Tupperware
Bathroom Essentials (excluding cleaning supplies )
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Hand soap
- Shampoo
- Bars of soap/body wash
- Conditioner
- Plunger
- Hair catcher for the shower
- Shower curtain
- Shower liner
- Tissues
- Blinds (Not sure where to buy blinds? Check out our review of the top-rated white-glove service from 3 Day Blinds)
Closet Essentials
- Hangers
- Hooks
- Storage bins
- Organizers
- Shoe rack
- Extra light bulbs (see my comparison of soft white vs. daylight bulbs)
Linens
- Blankets
- Sheets (check out this overview of the best bed sheet materials to help narrow your choices)
- Towels
- Pillows
- Pillow covers
- Clothing iron
- Ironing board
Outdoor Essentials
- Lawnmower
- Trimmer
- Leaf blower
- Snowblower
- Ax
- Seed spreader
- Shovel
- Snow shovel
- Ice melt
- Gloves
- Pruner
- Wheelbarrow
- Leaf rake
- Leaf bags
- Garden hose
- Gardening shears
- Edger
- Push broom
- Ladder
New Home Non-Essentials: The Nice-to-Have Items You Can Buy Later
Now that you understand what you really need for your new house, let’s talk about some nice-to-haves.
These are the optional, non-essential things that you might want to buy once you get settled.
Kitchen
- Instant pot
- You’ve heard about the Instant Pot from your friends already. You can also check out our in-depth review to discover the pros, cons, and what exactly it does. If you’re interested in buying one, it is currently available on Amazon at a great price .
- If you’re serious about smoothies and homemade soups, you need to invest in a Vitamix. It will cost you a couple of hundred dollars depending on the model, but it is well worth it, especially considering it comes with a 10-year warranty. Read my in-depth review of Vitamix blenders for more details or check out reviews on Amazon. Don’t want to splurge on a Vitamix? These are the best Vitamix alternatives.
- Who doesn’t appreciate clean, great-tasting water. Our favorite water filter is PUR, but Brita and ZeroWater are great too (check out our in-depth comparisons of ZeroWater vs. PUR and Berkey vs. Brita).
- No home is complete without a fully stocked bar with wine and cocktail glasses. When you have guests over, make sure they don’t leave thirsty!
- If you have space in your basement or garage, consider buying a second fridge to store all those extras.
- A must-have for all the aspiring bakers out there. Warning: It’s incredibly expensive (view current price on Amazon) but totally worth the investment (see why in my in-depth review). If a KitchenAid mixer is out of your budget, check out these high-quality alternatives.
Decor
- Art and Framed Photos
- It’s time to put something on those bare walls and make your house feel like your home. When you hang pictures, save your wall from damage by using Command Picture Hanging Strips. We recently wrote an in-depth review of Command Picture Hanging Strips, including step-by-step instructions on how to use them.
- Brighten up your home with some living plants. Not only do they look great, but they provide some health benefits too .
Technology
- Smart Home Speaker/Assistant
- Smart home speakers are becoming extremely popular. Whether it’s the Google Home, Amazon Echo, or the Apple HomePod, everyone seems to have one. If you’re not sure you need one or don’t understand what they do, check out our in-depth review of the Google Home .
- Sick of turning on lights with a switch, the old-fashioned way? Install smart bulbs, sync them with your Google Home, and start controlling your house with your voice. We wrote an in-depth review of smart bulbs from TP-Link if you want to see it in action .
- I highly recommend the Ring Video Doorbell, which is surprisingly affordable on Amazon. But, before you buy a Ring, check to see if your security system company has a video doorbell that integrates into your entire system. For example, if you have SimpliSafe, you can buy their video doorbell.
- These are a bit pricey, but if you read the overwhelmingly positive reviews, it’s clear that they’re well worth it.
- Is a smart scale necessary? Absolutely not. But, is it a cool gadget to have? Yes! Smart scales sync with health apps like Fitbit, Samsung Health, and Apple Health to track your weight, body fat, BMI, etc. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this best-selling one on Amazon.
Outdoors
- Outdoor Furniture
- Now that you have a yard, it’s time to enjoy it. Pick up some outdoor furniture and start relaxing on your new deck or patio and indulge in some delicious grilled meats. Speaking of grilled meat…
- When I think of summer; I immediately think grilling. There is a wide range of grills on the market, find one that fits your needs and budget.
- If you love cooking pizza, an outdoor pizza oven is a great addition to your backyard or patio. My favorite is the Ooni (check out my full review)
- You will thank yourself the next time your whole town loses power for multiple hours or days.
What Did We Forget?
You won’t need everything right away, so my advice is to start by downloading the checklist of essentials and prioritize each item into buckets: first week, first month, first three months.
Prioritizing the list will help you focus on what is most important and will take the pressure off of thinking you need everything right away.
Please let us know what we items we forgot.
Now go and enjoy your new home!
If you found this article helpful, you should also check out:
- Is All-Clad Cookware Worth the High Price? (In-Depth Review)
- The Definitive Guide to the Best Kitchen Knife Brands
- Is Le Creuset Worth the High Price? An In-Depth Review
- The Ultimate Ooni Pizza Oven Review: Is It Worth the Money?
- Berkey vs. Alexapure Water Filters: 10 Key Differences
- What Are the Best Cookware Materials? (Top 10 Compared)
- Are Vitamix Blenders Worth the High Price? (In-Depth Review)
- 19 Pros and Cons of Air Fryers: Are They Worth It?
- Best Cookware Made in the USA: Top Brands Reviewed
- Best German Kitchen Knives: Top 5 Brands Reviewed
- Best Type of Roller for Painting Cabinets (Quick Guide)
- Top 4 Best Vacuums for Hardwood Floors and Area Rugs (With Pictures)
- What Is the Best Material for Bed Sheets? (Top 11 Compared)
- Cleanblend vs. Vitamix: Which Blenders Are Better?
- Is Costco Worth It? Weighing The Pros and Cons Of A Costco Membership
- Is BJ’s Wholesale Club Worth the Membership Fee? (Pros & Cons)
- The Ultimate KitchenAid Mixer Review: Is It Worth the High Price?
Andrew Palermo - About the Author
Andrew is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Prudent Reviews. He began his career in marketing, managing campaigns for dozens of Fortune 500 brands. In 2018, Andrew founded Prudent Reviews and has since reviewed 600+ products. When he’s not testing the latest cookware, kitchen knives, and appliances, he’s spending time with his family, cooking, and doing house projects. Connect with Andrew via email, LinkedIn, or the Prudent Reviews YouTube channel.
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