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Moving into a new home is a lot of things. Exciting? Yes. Emotional? Yes. A little bit stressful? Definitely.
Getting to grips with what to bring, what home furniture to buy new, and where to even start on your (seemingly never-ending) list can be overwhelming to say the least. But there’s no need to worry - we’ve got you covered. Our new house essentials checklist is your one-stop guide to what you need for your new home, so you can spend less time worrying, and more time settling in.
They say that the living room is the heart of your home, and we’re finding it hard to disagree. Whether it’s kicking back on the sofa after a long day, sipping your morning brew on a Sunday, or entertaining family and friends with a drink in hand, the living room is where the magic happens. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you set up the space in a way that suits you. Here are the things we think you should get nailed down before moving into your new home:
Your sofa is arguably the most important thing in your living room - maybe even your house! Choosing the right one takes a bit of time, but it’s always a worthwhile investment. Our wide choice of sofas comes in a selection of fabrics and finishes to suit your style and budget. Whether you’re looking for a stunning three-seater, a cinema-style recliner, a cosy corner sofa, or something in between, we’ve got you covered.
What’s a good sofa without a coffee table to match? It’s the place to store and show off your bits and bobs, as well as a place to set down your morning coffee. Here at The Range, we have a wide collection to choose from, so no matter if you want a statement piece or something more traditional, you’ll find something to suit your living room.
When choosing the right TV stand for your home, consider a few key things. The space-corner tv units are a great space-saving option, whilst wide and extra-wide TV units offer plenty of shelving space and will accommodate even the biggest of TVs. If it's storage that you need, explore shelving-based TV units and cabinets with drawers and hideaway cupboards to conceal gaming consoles and accessories. In a variety of colours, styles and materials, explore contemporary designs and rustic styles.
Fancy yourself as an amateur chef? On a mission to whip up the perfect cheese toastie? Whatever end of the spectrum you’re at, you’ll want your kitchen to be ready to go from day one. Here are some essentials you’re going to want to check off your list before moving to your new house:
A new kitchen needs a few workhorses before anything else. A good set of saucepans, a sharp knife set, a chopping board, and a decent pair of oven gloves will see you through most evenings. Add a colander, mixing bowls, and a baking tray or two, and you're all set. Check out our selection of cookware and baking essentials for more.
Once the cooking's sorted, you'll want somewhere to actually sit and eat. If you haven't already got a dining table and chairs lined up, it's worth thinking about size and shape early - especially in a new space where you're still getting a feel for the room. A set of four to six place settings, some everyday glasses, and a few serving dishes will round things out nicely.
Little touches go a long way in the kitchen. Think a kitchen bin, a dish rack, a good washing-up brush, and some storage containers for the cupboards. Not necessarily the most glamorous buys, but all of it gets used every single day. A kitchen trolley can also be a handy addition if you find yourself short on worktop space.
Your bedroom should feel like the cosiest corner of your new home, especially after a long day. Get the big things right from the get-go, and the rest will all fall into place.
Everything else can wait, the bed cannot. Work out the size you need first. A double works well for most rooms, but if you’ve got space, a king is a worthy choice. Once you've got the frame you want, invest in a decent mattress, a duvet with the right tog rating for the season, and a few good pillows. Fresh bedding for the first night in a new place is one of life's small (but very satisfying) wins.
A wardrobe and a chest of drawers are the obvious starting points, and enough to keep clothes off the floor while you find your feet. A bedside table on each side (or at least one, to begin with) gives you somewhere for a lamp, a brew, and your phone. If you're working with a smaller room, look at pieces that double up on storage, like ottoman beds or bedside tables with drawers.
If you're working from home or need a quiet spot to study, you’ll want to get your home office sorted early. A proper desk and a comfortable desk chair make all the difference if you're spending hours at it each day. Add a few organisers and drawer units to keep paperwork and stationery out of sight, and a laptop stand if you want to save your neck and shoulders from hunching over a screen all day.
First impressions count, and your hallway is the first space you (and your guests) see when walking through the door. A doormat at the entrance helps keep dirt and mess from being trampled through the rest of the house, while a coat rack or shoe cabinet keeps outerwear and footwear from piling up by the door. A mirror is a small but effective addition too - handy for a last outfit check before heading out, and it can help make a narrow hallway feel a bit more open.
The bathroom doesn't need much in the way of furniture, but it’s good to get the essentials covered when you move into your new house.
Towels, toilet roll, hand soap, and shower gel. “Obvious”, you might say, but the number of people who've moved in without them is probably higher than you'd expect. Get a bath mat down, hang a shower curtain if you need one, and make sure you have a toilet brush and a bathroom bin within the first few days. A bathroom cabinet or mirror with storage is worth adding early too, if you're working with limited shelf space.
On the smaller essentials, it's easy to forget the likes of a soap dish, a toothbrush holder, and a shower caddy to keep everyday bits organised and off the side. A few bath towels in your new colour scheme, some loofahs and sponges, and a plunger tucked away just in case will round out the basics nicely. If you're not too keen on that "new house" smell (every home has one), an air freshener can make a surprising difference too.
And that's everything ticked off. Moving house is never quite as smooth as your checklist makes it look, but with the essentials sorted room by room, you're already a long way ahead. Keep your moving house checklist somewhere you can tick off as you go, take the rest one step at a time, and before long, it'll start to feel less like a new house and more like your home.
