Moving into a new home is exciting, especially when you have everything you need. Here's a list of essential items informed by real estate pros.
11 Essential Items Every New Homeowner Should Have
Updated on Jun. 20, 2025
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Basic Furniture
Furniture is one of the first items you’ll need in a new home. Maybe you are moving furniture from an apartment, or perhaps even your family home. Arrange for it to arrive on the day you take possession of the property, so it’ll be there when you spend the first day in your new home.
If you don’t have any furniture and you’re planning on roughing it until you buy some, at least bring a few chairs, a table and folding mattresses with you on moving day. Trust me, there will be times when you want to sit down.
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A Tool Kit
You’ll need tools for a number of reasons that are hard to predict. “A screwdriver set, hammer, measuring tape, utility knife, and maybe a level will come in handy for those initial tasks,” advises real estate expert Fred Loguidice.
Your tool kit should also include:
- A drill, with a selection of screwdrivers and boring bits
- Pliers
- Manual screwdrivers (flat and Phillips heads)
- Screws
Keep all your tools in a toolbox, so they don’t get scattered around. I can’t tell you how much time I’ve wasted setting a tool down absent-mindedly and then having to look for it.
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Cleaning Supplies
“You’ll want to give your new place a good clean before settling in,” says Loguidice. For this, he suggests the following items you’ll need in a new home:
- All-purpose cleaner;
- Bathroom cleaner;
- Dish soap;
- Paper towels;
- Sponges;
- A mop.
A vacuum will also come in handy. And don’t forget window cleaner, which is great for not only the windows that need it, but other glass-like and metal surfaces like tabletops, countertops and stainless steel appliances.
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Trash Can and Trash Bags
One of the tasks to complete—even before move-in day— is to arrange for trash pickup with the local waste management service. But it can’t pick trash that isn’t in a container, so if the service doesn’t supply bins automatically, don’t forget to have them dropped off.
Indoors, Loguidice reminds you: “You’ll need somewhere to put your trash and recycling.” So don’t forget to bring trash bins. You’ll need at least one for the kitchen, and it isn’t a bad idea to have a few more for bathrooms and other parts of the house.
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Bathroom Supplies and Toiletries
Florida real estate agent Eli Pasternak advises you to bring along what you need to keep your bathroom clean, including sponges, disinfectant cleaner and a bucket. “You’ll need a plunger immediately, trust me on that one.”
You’re also going to want to take a shower after a hard day of moving in, and you’ll also need to brush your teeth and freshen up, so the items you’ll need in a new home include toiletry supplies. Loguidice’s list includes “soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper – the essentials!”
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Extension Cords, Surge Protectors and Batteries
“You might not have outlets exactly where you need them right away,” says Loguidice, so one or more extension cords will come in handy. If you need to plug in sensitive electronic equipment, you should also bring a surge protector, especially if you’re moving into an older home with a questionable electrical system.
Batteries are other essential items you’ll need in a new home, advises Jeff Lichtenstein, who owns a luxury brokerage firm in Florida. “Once that smoke detector goes off, you’ll need to have enough of a supply.” You’ll probably also need batteries for flashlights and the electronic equipment you bring with you.
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Ladder
Speaking of smoke detectors, they are usually high on the wall or on the ceiling, prompting Lichtenstein to advise: “Different size ladders are huge, and people forget about them at first. Can’t change that smoke detector without them.”
You’re unlikely to need a selection of ladders on your first few days, but you will need one tall enough to allow you to reach the ceiling. A six-foot aluminum stepladder is easy to maneuver and won’t add much weight to your moving-in supplies.
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Emergency First Aid Kit
Over and above the toiletries you bring for the bathroom, you should also have an emergency first-aid kit. It should include “band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any personal medications,” says Loguidice.
It’s a good idea to include a head lamp in the kit to allow you to see what you’re doing in the dark. This is especially important if your family includes small children, because kids tend to sustain small injuries at the most inopportune times.
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Bedding and Towels
“You’ll definitely want a comfortable place to sleep and a way to dry off after a shower,” says Loguidice. Maybe you don’t even have a bed yet (in which case, you’ll need a folding mattress or something similar), but even if you do, you’ll need bedding and pillows.
When it comes to towels, consider bringing one for each person who is moving in. That way, no one will get stuck with a soggy towel after showering.
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Important Documents
Loguidice recommends that you “keep your closing papers, insurance information, and any other important documents in a safe and easily accessible place.” My experience has been that you’ll need to refer to these papers more often than you expect, not just on moving day, but years down the road.
Your important papers should also include the manuals for all the major appliances in place when you move in. You can get them online, but your life will be much easier if they’re all in one place and easy to find.
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Snacks and Drinks
Setting up a new home is no picnic, but there’s no reason why you can’t make it one. Moving is hard work, so Loguidice advises keeping some easy-to-grab food and drinks on hand. You’ll need to take some downtime during the day to regroup and assess your progress, and snacks will make that time more enjoyable. And the nutrition and hydration will prevent you from burning out.
About the Experts
- Fred Loguidice is a real estate expert and investor with a background in Applied Mathematics from Johns Hopkins. He runs Sell My House Fast Long Island and several related brands nationwide,
- Eli Pasternak is a licensed Florida real estate agent and experienced investor. He is the founder of Liberty House Buying Group.
- Jeff Lichtenstein is the owner and broker of Echo Fine Properties, a luxury residential brokerage, based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
