First-Time Home Owner Essentials: What to Buy Before Moving In

Moving into your first home is exciting—until you realize you need items you never thought about as a renter. The landlord isn’t fixing things anymore. There’s no maintenance team. You’re responsible for everything from light bulbs to lawn mowers, plungers to fire extinguishers. The list of things you need for a new home can feel overwhelming, especially when you just spent your savings on down payment and closing costs.

Here’s what makes a new home essentials list actually useful for first-time buyers:

In this guide, you’ll discover:

• The absolute must-have items you need before spending your first night in your new home
• Room-by-room checklist of essentials versus nice-to-haves to prioritize spending
• Budget-friendly strategies for furnishing and equipping your home without going into debt (following CFPB financial planning principles)
• Utilities setup and service transfers that must happen before or immediately after closing
• The hidden costs and forgotten items that surprise every first-time buyer

The difference between a strategic approach to equipping your new home versus panicked last-minute purchases determines whether you stay on budget or blow through emergency savings in your first month.

Just closed on your home and need guidance on priorities? Schedule a call to discuss budget-friendly homeownership strategies.

Before You Move In: The Absolute Essentials

These items must be handled before or during your first days in the new home. Skip these and you’ll be miserable or unsafe.

Cleaning Supplies for Move-In Day

Your new home needs deep cleaning before furniture arrives, even if it looks clean. Previous owners left dirt, dust, and grime you don’t want to live with.

Minimum cleaning kit:

• All-purpose cleaner and disinfectant
• Glass cleaner for windows and mirrors
• Toilet bowl cleaner and brush
• Floor cleaner appropriate for your flooring type
• Sponges, scrub brushes, microfiber cloths
• Broom, dustpan, mop and bucket
• Vacuum (borrow one if you don’t own yet)
• Trash bags (multiple sizes)
• Paper towels

The strategy: Schedule one full day between closing and moving day for deep cleaning. Easier to clean empty house than working around furniture. If you can’t do full day, at least clean kitchen and bathrooms before anything else.

Safety and Security Essentials

Change all locks immediately. You don’t know who has keys from previous owners—contractors, neighbors, family members, friends. Rekey or replace all exterior door locks the day you take possession.

Install new smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Don’t trust the old ones. Replace batteries at minimum, replace entire units if they’re older than ten years. One on each floor minimum, ideally one per bedroom.

Fire extinguisher: At least one for kitchen, consider additional for garage and upstairs. Know how to use it—”PASS” method (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).

First aid kit: Injuries happen during moving and home maintenance. Band-aids, antiseptic, pain relievers, gauze, medical tape.

Flashlights and batteries: Power outages happen. Have flashlights accessible in multiple locations, not packed in boxes somewhere.

Basic Tools You’ll Need Immediately

Tool essentials:

• Hammer
• Screwdriver set (Phillips and flathead)
• Adjustable wrench
• Pliers
• Tape measure
• Utility knife
• Level
• Drill with basic bit set (if budget allows)
• Ladder (step stool minimum)

Why you need these immediately: Hanging curtains for privacy, assembling furniture, mounting TV, fixing loose cabinet handles, installing curtain rods, countless other tasks happen in first week. Running to hardware store six times daily wastes time and money.

Budget strategy: Buy basic tool set at home improvement store. Adequate quality sets available for reasonable cost. Don’t need professional-grade tools, just functional ones.

Utilities and Services Setup

Schedule before closing:

Electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash: Transfer or establish service to start on closing date. You want lights working and water running when you arrive.

Internet and cable: Schedule installation appointment for within first week. Many providers need several days to weeks for installation appointments.

Security system if desired: Schedule installation during first week while you’re setting up home.

The timing: Contact utility companies 2-3 weeks before closing with tentative closing date. Confirm exact date once closing is final. Most allow you to schedule service start for future date.

If you financed with FHA loan or conventional loan, your escrow account covers property taxes and insurance—but not utilities. Budget for those immediately.

Kitchen Essentials: What You Actually Need

The kitchen requires the most items but also offers the most opportunities to overspend on things you don’t need yet.

Immediate Kitchen Needs

For the first week:

Cookware: One large pot, one medium pot, one large skillet, one small skillet. That’s it. Add specialty items later as you discover you need them.

Utensils: Spatula, large spoon, slotted spoon, ladle, tongs, can opener, cutting board, chef’s knife, paring knife.

Dishware: Service for four (plates, bowls, glasses, mugs). Grow from there. Don’t buy service for twelve on day one unless you’re hosting Thanksgiving immediately.

Silverware: Four sets (fork, knife, spoon, small spoon). Same principle—expand as needed.

Baking: One baking sheet, one 9×13 baking dish. Add muffin tins and specialty pans later if you actually bake.

Storage: Set of food storage containers, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, ziplock bags.

Small appliances: Coffee maker if you drink coffee, toaster if you eat toast. Everything else (blender, mixer, slow cooker, air fryer) can wait until you’re settled.

Budget Kitchen Strategy

What you already own: If you rented, you probably have kitchen items already. Use those. Don’t buy all new everything just because you bought a house.

Dollar store and discount stores: Perfectly adequate kitchen utensils, storage containers, cleaning supplies at fraction of department store prices. Save expensive upgrades for later.

Wedding registry approach even if not getting married: Many stores let you create registries for any occasion. Create “new home registry” and share with family/friends who ask what you need. They might buy housewarming gifts anyway—might as well be useful items.

Thrift stores and estate sales: Kitchen items at estate sales are often barely used and very cheap. Casserole dishes, serving platters, glassware—all available secondhand for pennies.

The upgrade path: Start minimal. After living in home for three months, you’ll know what kitchen items you actually use daily versus what would sit in cabinets unused. Then upgrade or add items strategically.

Bedroom Essentials: Sleep Setup Priority

You need somewhere to sleep on day one. Everything else can wait.

Immediate Bedroom Needs

Mattress and box spring or bed frame: This is the one furniture piece you can’t skip. If budget is tight, mattress on floor works temporarily while you save for frame.

Bedding: Sheets, pillows, blanket or comforter. That’s it. Decorative pillows, throw blankets, bed skirts—all optional later.

Window coverings: Curtains, blinds, or shades for privacy and light control. Bedrooms especially need these immediately. Can’t sleep with streetlights shining in.

Hangers and closet organization: Can’t unpack clothes without hangers. Basic hangers are cheap—buy enough for your entire wardrobe.

Alarm clock: Even if you use phone, having backup alarm clock prevents oversleeping if phone dies.

Budget Bedroom Strategy

Mattress considerations: This is worth investing in since you use it 8 hours daily. However, mattress-in-a-box companies offer quality mattresses for less than traditional retailers. Many offer trial periods—try it, return if unhappy.

Furniture can wait: Dresser, nightstands, reading chair—all nice to have but not essential immediately. You can live out of boxes or suitcases while you save for bedroom furniture.

Window covering solutions: Basic tension rods with cheap curtains from discount stores provide immediate privacy. Upgrade to custom blinds or nice curtains later.

Hand-me-downs: Friends and family often have furniture they’d give you for free or cheap. That dresser sitting in their garage? Ask for it.

Bathroom Essentials: Hygiene and Function

Bathrooms need less than you think, but what you need, you really need.

Immediate Bathroom Needs

Shower curtain and liner if you have tub/shower combo. Can’t shower without it.

Bath towels, hand towels, washcloths: Set for each person. Towels wear out eventually but decent towels last years with proper care.

Bath mat: Prevents slipping on wet floors. Safety item, not luxury.

Toilet paper, hand soap, shampoo, body wash: Obvious but easy to forget in moving chaos.

Toilet plunger and brush: You will need plunger eventually. Have it before you need it, not after.

Basic toiletries storage: Shower caddy or organizer, under-sink storage bins to keep toiletries organized.

Trash can: Every bathroom needs one.

Budget Bathroom Strategy

What transfers from rental: Most bathroom items you owned in apartment work in house. Use what you have.

Sets versus individual pieces: Matching towel sets and bathroom accessory sets look nice but cost more. Mismatched functional items work fine. Upgrade aesthetics later.

Stock up on consumables: Toilet paper, paper towels, soap, cleaning supplies—buy in bulk at warehouse stores when you first move. One less thing to worry about during settling-in chaos.

Living Areas: Function Before Aesthetics

Living room, dining room, home office—these spaces can be sparse initially. Focus on function over decoration.

Immediate Living Area Needs

Seating: Couch or chairs where you and guests can sit. Even folding chairs work temporarily if budget is tight.

TV and stand if you watch TV: Or skip TV entirely and use laptop/tablet. Many people find they don’t miss TV when they first move.

Internet router and modem: Essential for modern life. Working from home requires reliable internet immediately.

Lighting: Lamps if rooms lack adequate overhead lighting. Walking around dark house with flashlight gets old fast.

Curtains or blinds: Privacy and light control for main living areas.

Furniture Priority System

Month 1 priorities:

• Bed for sleeping
• Seating for living room (couch or chairs)
• Kitchen table and chairs for eating

Month 2-3 additions:

• Bedroom furniture (dresser, nightstands)
• Living room furniture (TV stand, coffee table, bookshelf)
• Dining room furniture if you have separate dining room

Month 4+ additions:

• Decorative furniture
• Guest bedroom furniture
• Office furniture
• Outdoor furniture

The strategy: Live in the space before buying furniture. After a month, you’ll understand how you actually use each room versus how you thought you’d use it. Then furnish strategically.

Free and cheap furniture sources:

• Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace (inspect carefully for bed bugs)
• Estate sales and garage sales
• Hand-me-downs from family and friends
• IKEA and discount furniture stores for basic functional pieces
• Wait for holiday sales (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday) for big purchases

Use the budget calculator to see how much cushion you have for furniture after mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities.

Outdoor and Yard Essentials

If you’re coming from apartment living, yard maintenance is entirely new responsibility. Start with basics.

Immediate Outdoor Needs

Lawn mower if you have grass: Push mower adequate for small yards. Larger properties might need riding mower, but most first-time buyers have modest yards. Consider electric mower—quieter, easier maintenance, environmentally friendly.

Rake and outdoor trash bags: For leaves and yard waste. Timing of your purchase matters—buy in fall if you’re moving to property with trees that drop leaves.

Garden hose: For watering and outdoor cleaning. Buy adequate length to reach all exterior sides of house.

Snow shovel if you live in snowy climate: Can’t wait for first snow to buy this. Stores sell out immediately before storms.

Outdoor trash cans and recycling bins: Check if your trash service provides these or if you need to buy your own.

Yard Maintenance Budget Strategy

Borrow before buying: Ask neighbors if you can borrow mower for first few mows while you save for your own. Most homeowners will help out first-time buyers getting established.

Buy used equipment: Mowers, trimmers, and yard tools available used on Craigslist and Facebook. Previous owner moving to condo? They’re selling entire garage of yard equipment cheap.

Consider lawn service temporarily: If you bought house in growing season and don’t have mower yet, hiring lawn service for a month or two while you establish yourself might be more economical than rushing to buy equipment.

Share equipment: Some neighborhoods have tool-sharing arrangements. One person has mower, another has pressure washer, another has ladder—everyone shares. Build these relationships.

The Hidden Costs New Homeowners Forget

These are the items and expenses that surprise every first-time buyer because nobody talks about them.

Immediate Hidden Expenses

HOA fees if applicable: Not included in mortgage payment. Due monthly or quarterly. Factor this into budget immediately.

Water, sewer, and trash bills: Renters often had these included in rent. As homeowner, you pay separately. Can be significant depending on area.

Increased utility costs: Larger space = higher heating and cooling costs. Houses often have higher utility bills than apartments. Budget accordingly.

Furnace filters: Change every 1-3 months depending on filter type. Cheap but easy to forget. Write the size on your calendar so you know what to buy.

Light bulbs: Houses have many light fixtures. You’ll blow through light bulbs. Stock up on bulbs in sizes you need.

Batteries: Smoke detectors, thermostats, remotes—everything needs batteries. Buy variety pack.

Keys made: Get copies made for family members, house sitters, spare set for emergencies. Small cost but necessary.

Mailbox key if gated community or multi-unit: Previous owner may not have given you all keys. Rekey mailbox or get duplicates.

Three-Month Hidden Expenses

Pest control: Especially if buying house that sat empty or had poor maintenance. Ants, roaches, mice—address immediately or problem escalates.

Air filter upgrades: Basic filters that came with house might be inadequate. Higher quality filters improve air quality and HVAC efficiency.

Gutter cleaning: If you have trees near house, gutters fill with debris. Clean before rainy season to prevent water damage.

HVAC maintenance: Schedule service visit to ensure heating and cooling systems work properly. Cheaper to catch problems early than pay for emergency repair mid-winter.

Lawn fertilization and weed control: If you want nice yard, these ongoing expenses add up.

Water softener salt if you have softener. Ongoing expense you might not have considered.

Emergency Fund for Home Repairs

The rule: Save for home repairs and maintenance annually in separate account. Things break. Water heaters fail. Roofs leak. You need money set aside.

Build this fund aggressively: Even if you have home warranty (which often doesn’t cover much), you need cash reserves for repairs that will definitely happen.

If you used down payment assistance to buy the home, prioritize building this emergency fund as fast as possible. See our homeowner maintenance checklist for what to expect in first months.

Budget-Friendly Shopping Strategies

You need a lot of stuff, but you don’t need to go into debt buying it all at once.

The Three-Month Rule

Don’t buy everything immediately. Give yourself three months to understand how you actually live in the space. Then buy what you’re certain you need and will use.

Exception: Essentials like cleaning supplies, tools, security items, utilities—these can’t wait.

The savings: Buying only what you actually need versus what you think you’ll need saves substantial money. That fancy stand mixer sounds great but if you don’t bake, it sits unused taking up counter space.

Where to Shop for Best Value

For tools and hardware: Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Harbor Freight for budget tools. Read reviews online first—some budget tools are fine, others are junk.

For furniture: IKEA for modern affordable options, Ashley Furniture or Bob’s Discount Furniture for budget traditional styles, Wayfair for online variety, Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace for used deals.

For kitchen and household items: Target and Walmart for basics, TJ Maxx and HomeGoods for nice items at discount, Dollar Tree for cleaning supplies and storage.

For bedding and towels: Overstock.com and Amazon for deals, wait for white sales at department stores, Costco for bulk value.

The Gradual Upgrade Path

Month 1: Absolute essentials only. Sleep, eat, shower, basic function.

Months 2-3: Add furniture for comfort. Couch, dining table, bedroom furniture.

Months 4-6: Fill in gaps. Additional kitchen items, decorative pieces, outdoor furniture.

Months 7-12: Upgrades and luxuries. Replace cheap temporary items with quality versions, add non-essential but nice-to-have items.

Year 2+: Remodel and major upgrades. Kitchen renovation, bathroom updates, flooring replacement.

The discipline: Resist urge to furnish entire house in first month. You’ll make better choices after living in space. You’ll also spread costs over time, avoiding debt and financial stress.

Room-by-Room Checklist: Must-Have vs Nice-to-Have

Here’s the complete breakdown so you can prioritize spending strategically.

Kitchen Checklist

Must-Have: Cookware set (pots and pans), basic utensils, can opener, cutting board, knives, plates/bowls/glasses/silverware for 4, dish soap and sponge, dish towels, trash can, coffee maker if you drink coffee

Nice-to-Have: Matching dish set, specialized pans, small appliances beyond basics, wine glasses, serving platters, extensive storage containers

Bedroom Checklist

Must-Have: Bed (mattress and frame or box spring), sheets and pillows, blanket, window coverings, hangers, alarm clock

Nice-to-Have: Dresser, nightstands, decorative pillows, area rug, reading chair, full-length mirror, additional blankets

Bathroom Checklist

Must-Have: Shower curtain and liner, towels (bath and hand), bath mat, toilet paper, soap, toiletries, plunger, trash can

Nice-to-Have: Matching towel sets, decorative storage, upgraded shower head, bathroom scales, nice soap dispenser

Living Room Checklist

Must-Have: Seating (couch or chairs), lamps if lighting is inadequate, window coverings, TV and stand if you watch TV

Nice-to-Have: Coffee table, end tables, entertainment center, decorative items, area rugs, additional seating, bookshelf

Laundry Room Checklist

Must-Have: Laundry detergent, drying rack or clothesline if no dryer, iron and ironing board if you iron clothes

Nice-to-Have: Laundry organizer, folding table, upgraded storage solutions

Garage/Storage Checklist

Must-Have: Basic tools (see earlier list), ladder, storage bins for organizing, cleaning supplies, yard equipment if you have yard

Nice-to-Have: Workbench, tool chest, extensive tool collection, garage organization systems

How Stairway Mortgage Helps You Budget for Homeownership

Getting approved for the mortgage is just the beginning. Successfully managing homeownership expenses determines whether you thrive or struggle financially.

We help you understand total monthly costs before you buy. Mortgage payment is just one piece. Property taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, HOA fees—we walk through complete budget so you know what you’re signing up for. Use our closing costs guide to understand all upfront expenses.

We factor in these realities when determining what you can afford. Just because you qualify for a certain loan amount doesn’t mean you should max it out. We help you buy home that leaves room in budget for furniture, repairs, and life.

We connect you with resources for financial planning. First-time homeownership is financial milestone. We want you succeeding long-term, not just getting keys then struggling. See our true cost of homeownership guide for complete picture.

The difference between buying house you can afford on paper versus buying house you can afford in reality shows up in your first six months of homeownership.

Questions about budgeting for your new home? Schedule a call to discuss financial planning for first-time homeowners.

Ready to Equip Your New Home?

You understand what you actually need versus what can wait. You know budget-friendly strategies for acquiring essentials. Time to execute the plan.

Two weeks before closing: Schedule utility transfers, order internet installation, research furniture options, create essentials shopping list, start collecting boxes and packing supplies.

Closing day to Day 3: Change locks, deep clean before furniture arrives, install smoke/CO detectors, stock cleaning supplies and paper products, buy immediate essentials (bedding, towels, basic kitchen items).

Week 1: Unpack essentials, set up beds and kitchen, buy any critical items you forgot, schedule any repairs or installations needed immediately.

Weeks 2-4: Gradually acquire furniture and household items using budget-conscious strategies, address any maintenance issues that arise, establish cleaning and maintenance routines.

Months 2-3: Fill in remaining gaps, upgrade temporary solutions to permanent ones, continue building emergency fund for future repairs.

For more guidance on your first months of homeownership, see our 30-day homeowner maintenance checklist and first-time buyer mistakes to avoid.

The key is patience. You don’t need everything immediately. Buy strategically, use budget-friendly sources, and give yourself time to understand how you actually live in the space before furnishing completely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I budget for furnishing my first home?

A reasonable budget is approximately a percentage of your home’s purchase price for basic furnishing over 6-12 months. This covers essentials plus some nice-to-haves. However, you can furnish adequately for far less using budget strategies: buying used, accepting hand-me-downs, shopping sales, and acquiring items gradually. Don’t feel pressure to furnish everything immediately—spread costs over time.

What are the most important things to buy before moving in?

Absolute must-haves before move-in day: cleaning supplies for deep clean, changed locks for security, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for safety, basic tools for immediate repairs and assembly, window coverings for bedrooms for privacy, mattress and bedding so you have somewhere to sleep. Everything else can be acquired after you move in, but these essentials make your first days livable and safe.

Is it better to buy new or used furniture?

For first home, combination approach makes sense. Buy new mattress (hygiene concern) and any upholstered furniture touching skin directly. Consider used for solid wood furniture, tables, dressers, shelving, outdoor furniture, and decor items. Used furniture saves substantial money, and solid wood pieces often have better construction than cheap new furniture. Always inspect used furniture carefully for bed bugs, damage, and stability before purchasing. Check our budget planning resources to see what you can afford.

Do I need to buy everything before I move in?

No—and you shouldn’t. You need essentials for sleeping, eating, basic hygiene, and safety. Everything else can be acquired gradually after moving in. Living in the space reveals how you actually use each room, which prevents buying items you don’t need. Spreading purchases over several months also distributes financial burden rather than massive upfront cost creating debt or depleting emergency fund.

How do I prioritize spending when I can’t afford everything?

Follow this priority order: (1) Safety and security items (locks, detectors, fire extinguisher), (2) Basic function items (bed, minimal cookware, bathroom essentials), (3) Comfort items (seating, adequate lighting), (4) Convenience items (additional furniture, kitchen gadgets), (5) Aesthetic items (decorative pieces, upgrades). Buy priorities 1-2 immediately, add priority 3 items within first month, priorities 4-5 can wait months or longer. See our homeownership cost breakdown for complete budgeting guidance.

What items do first-time home buyers always forget?

Common forgotten items: plunger (before you need it desperately), light bulbs (in sizes your fixtures require), furnace filters (write down size and change regularly), batteries (for all those devices), basic tools (can’t hang pictures without them), shower curtain if you have tub, trash cans for multiple rooms, step stool or ladder, cleaning supplies for types of surfaces in your home, yard equipment if you have yard. Make comprehensive list room-by-room before closing to avoid emergency runs to stores.

Also Helpful for First-Time Home Buyers

Equipping your new home is just one part of successful homeownership:

• Homeowner Maintenance Checklist: Your First 30 Days – Beyond buying stuff, you need to maintain your home properly from day one.
• True Cost of Homeownership: Beyond Your Mortgage Payment – Understanding complete budget for home helps you prioritize spending on essentials.
• First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes: 15 Things to Avoid – Learning from others’ mistakes helps you avoid overspending on non-essentials.

What’s Next in Your Journey?

You’ve got your essentials list—now prepare for successful homeownership:

Understand your financing: Review your FHA loan or conventional loan terms to ensure you budget correctly for monthly payments plus essentials.

Calculate your complete budget: Use mortgage calculators to see how mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, and utilities fit with furniture and essentials budgets.

Learn from others: Read case studies from first-time buyers who successfully budgeted for both purchase and furnishing their homes with FHA or conventional financing.

Explore Your Complete Options

Ready to become a homeowner who thrives financially?

Browse all loan programs to understand options from FHA to conventional to VA.

Use all calculators to model complete monthly costs including mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance reserves.

Explore all case studies to see how real first-time buyers managed the financial transition to homeownership.

Schedule a call with a loan advisor who understands the complete financial picture of homeownership—not just getting you approved, but helping you thrive as a homeowner.

Buying the home is the exciting part. Equipping it strategically and managing expenses wisely is what makes homeownership sustainable long-term.