Must Haves When Moving Into a New Home

The short version: what you actually need first

Most moving-in lists run to hundreds of items, which makes it hard to tell what matters on day one. A more useful way to think about it is timing. Some things need to be in place before your furniture arrives, some are needed that first night, and a large share can wait until you have lived in the space for a few weeks.

In rough order, the must haves are:

1. Cleaning supplies, so you can wipe down empty cabinets, closets and floors.
2. A first-night box with the things you will reach for immediately.
3. Basic safety checks, such as working smoke alarms and locks you trust.
4. A few tools for assembling furniture and hanging things.
5. A place for keys, shoes and mail, so the entryway does not turn into a pile.

Everything else, including most storage products and decor, is easier to buy once you know how you actually use the space.

Before the furniture arrives

If you can get into the home before your belongings do, this is the easiest time to clean. Empty rooms let you reach corners, shelves and the insides of cabinets that become hard to get to later. Many movers’ checklists suggest cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces, wiping down the inside of cabinets and closets, and vacuuming or mopping floors before anything is placed on them.

Useful supplies for this stage:

• All-purpose cleaner and a few microfiber cloths
• Sponges, a bucket and a mop or floor cleaner suited to your flooring
• A broom, dustpan and a vacuum if the home is carpeted
• Toilet brush and toilet cleaner
• Heavy-duty trash bags

It is also a good moment for some basic checks. Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries if needed. Many people also choose to change or rekey the locks on a home they have just bought or rented, since they cannot know who else has keys. If you rent, ask your landlord first, as the lease may limit what you can change. Look under sinks and around the water heater for signs of leaks, and watch for signs of pests before food and dishes go into the cabinets.

If you have the chance, take care of painting or repairs now too. It is much easier with the rooms empty. For help with the order you move things in, see our guide to tips for unpacking after a move.

Your first-night box

Moves rarely go exactly to plan, and boxes can end up buried. A small box or bag that travels with you, rather than on the truck, means you are never stuck. The common answer to “what is the first thing to bring into a new house?” is exactly this kit.

Consider including:

• Phone chargers and a power strip or extension cord
• Toilet paper, hand soap and a towel
• Toiletries, medications and a change of clothes for each person
• Bedding for each bed, ideally packed together in one place
• A box cutter or scissors
• A few basic tools, such as a screwdriver and a tape measure
• Paper plates, cups, utensils and a few snacks, plus a kettle or coffee maker if you rely on one
• Pet food and bowls, or anything children need for bedtime
• Important documents, keys and valuables, which are best kept with you rather than on the truck

Pack your bedding together so making the bed takes five minutes rather than a hunt through boxes. Label this box clearly, and tell movers or helpers that it goes in your own vehicle or in a specific room.

Essentials for the first week

Once you are in, you will quickly find the gaps. A reasonable first-week list, room by room:

• Kitchen: a few plates and bowls, utensils, a pan and a pot, a sharp knife, a cutting board, a can opener, dish soap and a sponge, and trash bags.
• Bathroom: shower curtain and rings if there is no glass door, a bath mat, a plunger, and a small trash can.
• Bedroom: a bed with a mattress, sheets and pillows, curtains or another way to cover windows, and a lamp.
• Living area: somewhere to sit, a light source, and a place for the TV or work gear if you use them.
• Laundry and cleaning: a basket or hamper, detergent and a broom.

Once the kitchen basics are in, our guide to kitchen cupboard must haves helps you decide what goes where.

For a fuller room-by-room list, see things you need in a home.

The most forgotten items

People often name the same small things as the ones they forgot. These are worth adding to your list:

• Shower curtain and bath mat
• Toilet paper and trash bags
• Light bulbs, especially if the previous owner took theirs
• Batteries and a flashlight
• Can opener, bottle opener and a corkscrew
• A step stool for high shelves
• Extra keys and a place to hang them
• A basic first aid kit
• Spare furnace or air filters, if your system uses them

Most are inexpensive. They only feel like a crisis when you need them at 9 p.m. and the stores are closed.

Set up a landing zone early

Organization experts often recommend creating a simple landing zone by the entry as soon as you move in. It does not need to be elaborate: a doormat, a hook or two, a tray or bowl for keys, and somewhere to put shoes. A bench or small shelf is a bonus if there is room.

This is one of the highest-value fixes because it catches the daily clutter, such as keys, bags, mail and coats, before it spreads across the kitchen counters and sofa. It is also a good first step toward the habits of an organized home. It also costs little, which suits the early weeks when you are spending on other things.

Wait to buy storage until you have unpacked

It is tempting to buy bins, baskets, shelving and drawer dividers before you move so everything has a home. In practice, it is hard to buy the right size without knowing what you own and how much space you have. A more reliable approach is to unpack the essentials, live with things for a few weeks, and then buy storage for the problems you actually find.

While you wait, measure your closets, cabinets and shelves and make a list of what does not fit. That list will guide your purchases far better than a pre-move shopping spree. It also helps to declutter as you unpack, so you are not paying to store things you do not use.

A note on the “3-3-3 rule”

You may see the “3-3-3 rule” mentioned alongside moving or home buying. The phrase is used in several different ways online, and it is not an established standard. Before relying on any version of it, check where it comes from and what it claims. For decisions about affordability or a mortgage, a lender or a qualified financial adviser is a better source than a rule of thumb.

Ten quick tips for moving in

1. Clean while the rooms are empty.
2. Pack and carry a first-night box yourself.
3. Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
4. Confirm utilities, internet and mail forwarding are set up.
5. Take photos of the condition of the home on arrival, particularly if you rent.
6. Make a floor plan before the furniture comes in so each piece goes where it should. Our tips for moving furniture cover this in more detail.
7. Unpack the kitchen, bathroom and beds first.
8. Flatten boxes as you empty them.
9. Set up a landing zone.
10. Hold off on decor and storage purchases until the basics are settled.

Where to go next

Depending on where you are in the process, these guides may help:

• For preparation and sequence, see moving into a new house: what do I need?
• For a broad household shopping list, see things you need in a home
• For the unpacking stage, see tips for unpacking after a move
• If this is your first rental, see tips for moving into your first apartment and our comparison of studio vs 1 bedroom apartments
• If you are still deciding whether to move at all, read about good reasons to move house