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5 new home essentials you'll need

Oct 12, 2017
5 new home essentials you'll need

Key Takeaways

  • Curtains and Blinds: Essential for privacy and a good night’s sleep. Consider neutral colors if undecided on long-term color schemes.
  • Kitchen Essentials: Beyond integrated appliances, ensure you have items like a kettle, mugs, cutlery, and cleaning supplies ready.
  • Cleaning Supplies: A good vacuum cleaner and mop are crucial for maintaining cleanliness from day one.
  • Accessories: Personalize your space with items like cushions, throws, and photo frames to make your new house feel like home.
  • Storage Solutions: Invest in practical storage options to keep your new home organized and clutter-free.
Buying a new home is very exciting, and you’ll be counting down the days until you can move in. Being prepared is everything, but as well as making sure you’ve got enough in your savings to cover your deposit, other fees and charges, you’ll want to start purchasing items for your new home to ensure you are ready to hit the ground running and make your house somewhere you can call home. Not sure what you’ll need? This guide should help.


Curtains and blinds

From day one you’ll want curtains or blinds up in your property so that you have some privacy and are able to get a good night’s sleep. When dressing your windows, you could choose matching ones or opt for different styling in each room. You’ll also have to decide whether you want ready-made curtains or have them made to measure. If you’re not sure on your long-term colour schemes yet, perhaps think about installing neutral coloured blinds in your bedrooms to begin with. Depending on your developer, you may be able to gain access to the property a few days before completion day, so that you can get your curtains and blinds fitted.  


Kitchen essentials

With a new build property, you’ll usually receive integrated white goods such as a fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer as standard specifications. However, there are several smaller items that you’ll want to buy in advance. For example, a good size kitchen bin is essential, especially in family homes, but you’ll want other smaller bins dotted around your home so that you can keep your home clean and tidy. As well as bins, make sure you’ve bought plenty of bin bags, and know where they’re located on moving in day, as you’ll have lots of packaging materials you’ll want to get rid of. Start putting together a box of kitchen essentials now, which may include:
  • Kettle
  • Mugs
  • Teabags
  • Sugar
  • Cutlery
  • Plates
  • Glasses
  • Can opener
  • Bottle opener
  • Sharp knives
  • Chopping board
  • Tea towels
  • Cleaning cloths
  • Sponges
  • Saucepans
 
You might already have some items, but you will need to buy others. A chopping board probably won’t at the forefront of your mind right now, but you won’t want to damage your lovely new worktop, so make sure you have at least one in your kitchen essentials box. You’ll need a decent mop, and if you don’t have a vacuum cleaner already, add one to the top of your ‘must buy’ list. You’ll want to give your new home a good vacuum from top to bottom, before you start unpacking your belongings, making sure every nook and cranny is free from dust.


Accessories

Some of the most enjoyable items to buy for your home are accessories, as they allow you to add your own personality to each room. From cushions to throws, ornaments to candles, accessories can make a huge difference to a room’s look and feel. Perhaps buy some photo frames in advance of your move and fill with your favourite photos so that they’re ready to hang up or display from the get-go.  


Sofa

You’ll obviously want somewhere to sit, so if you’re planning on getting a new sofa and have decided what size is appropriate for your room dimensions, why not order one now? Most handcrafted sofas are only made once you’ve placed your order, and there can be a wait time of around nine weeks, depending on the manufacturer. If you order in advance, you could have your new sofa with you just a few days after you move in.  


Lawnmower and shed

When you buy a new build home the garden is a blank canvas, so you can landscape it however you wish. You could choose to have a patio or decking, a sunken trampoline or swing for children. If you have a dog, you may want to fence off a small toileting area. If you’ve never had a garden before, you’ll need to get either a petrol or electric lawnmower so that you can cut your grass every couple of weeks. New turf should be left to grow to 3 – 5 cm before you cut it for the first time.
Most homeowners decide on a shed to store their lawnmower, toolbox and tools, bikes and other items in. If you don’t have a tool box you should make getting one a priority, as tools will be required to assemble furniture, put up shelves and hang photographs or artwork as you settle in properly. When deciding what you need to buy for your new home, make sure you write a list and tick things off as you go, so you don’t forget anything. It might be that friends and family will give you some items, and you may get some gift vouchers or money as moving in gifts, which will all help. Shopping for a new home can be lots of fun, so try to enjoy every moment.

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