But fear not! With some planning and organisation, you can remove much of the pain from experience and make the most of this exciting time. Taking the time to plan and get organised can help you reduce stress and enjoy settling into your new home.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a comprehensive checklist of essential items for your new home. Our checklist covers everything from practical tasks like setting up utilities and changing your address to more personal touches like decorating your new space and making it feel like home.
By following this checklist, you can stay on track and ensure everything is noticed and remembered. Then, with a bit of preparation and excitement, you can ease into your new abode and start enjoying everything your new home has to offer.
So take a deep breath, relax, and let us help you make the most of this exciting new adventure!
Moving checklist – Room by room
- The kitchen
- The living room
- The bedroom
- The bathroom
- General
- Cleaning
- Medical
- Safety
- DIY
- Utilities and services
The kitchen
The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, where meals are prepared, conversations are had, and memories are made. While your new home may come equipped with basic appliances such as a fridge/freezer and cooker, you may want to consider upgrading or changing them depending on your taste or the age of the appliances. A functioning kitchen is crucial for a stress-free move, and having all the essential items in place before you start cooking up a storm is important.
When creating your kitchen moving checklist, it’s important to include all the necessary items to make your daily life easier. This includes basics such as a table, chairs, and a rubbish bin with bin bags. Other vitals include a microwave, kettle, toaster, kitchen roll, sponge, washing-up liquid, tea towel, and a drying rack.
You’ll also need to stock up on cutlery, crockery, glasses, mugs, sharp knives, a can opener, a baking tray, pots and pans, a vegetable peeler, a bottle opener, and a wooden spoon. Don’t forget the salt and pepper shakers, a measuring jug, a mixing bowl, oven gloves, and a colander to make your cooking and cleaning tasks easier.
On a moving day, it’s also a good idea to have some basic supplies on hand, such as milk, tea, coffee, butter, bread, and other items you might need for your first few days in your new home. These can be stored in the fridge, ready to use when needed.
The kitchen checklist
- Table
- Chairs
- Microwave
- Kettle
- Rubbish bin and bin bags
- Toaster
- Kitchen roll
- Sponge
- Washing-up liquid
- Tea towel
- Drying rack
- Cutlery
- Crockery
- Glasses
- Mugs
- Sharp knives
- Can opener
- Baking tray
- Pots and pans
- Vegetable peeler
- Bottle opener
- Wooden spoon
- Salt and pepper shakers
- Measuring jug
- Mixing bowl
- Oven gloves
- Colander
By including these items on your kitchen moving checklist, you can be sure that you’re fully prepared to start cooking and making new memories in your new home.
The living room
It’s often a good idea to hold off on buying new furniture and décor until you get a better sense of the space and how you’ll use it. However, on the first day of moving in, there are certain essentials that you’ll likely need to make the space feel like home. For example, a comfortable sofa or armchair is crucial for relaxing and unwinding after a long day of moving.
A coffee table is also a practical addition for holding drinks and snacks, while a TV with a stand or wall bracket and a TV cable can help you wind down with your favourite shows or movies. Finally, don’t forget to set up Wi-Fi to stream Netflix on your devices. A lamp can add a cosy touch to the space and create a warm and inviting atmosphere in the evenings.
The living room checklist
Here’s the complete checklist for the living room:
- Sofa/armchair(s)
- Coffee table
- TV, with something to put it on (e.g., a stand or a wall bracket)
- A TV cable
- Wi-Fi (so you can watch your favourite Netflix series!!)
- Lamp
The bedroom
Your bedroom is your sanctuary in your new home, a peaceful retreat where you can unwind and rest after a long day. Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial; it all starts with the bed. So, invest in a good quality bed and mattress that suits your comfort and support your needs. Duvets and pillows are crucial in ensuring a comfortable and cosy sleep.
Remember to stock up on bedding, including duvet covers and pillowcases. You will also need a bedside table and lamp to keep your essentials close at hand. A wardrobe and hangers are necessary to keep your clothes organised and wrinkle-free. A chest of drawers provides additional storage space, and a mirror is vital for dressing up.
Lastly, curtains or blinds will help you regulate the amount of light and create a peaceful sleeping environment.
The bedroom checklist
With these bedroom essentials, you can create a comfortable and calming space to recharge for the next day.
- Get a good bed with a good mattress – they are not cheap, but when you think how much time you spend on it every week, it soon becomes a sensible investment!
- Duvet & pillows
- Bedding (duvet cover and pillowcases)
- Bedside table
- Bedside lamp
- Wardrobe
- Hangers for your clothes
- Chest of drawers
- A mirror
- Curtains – also consider a ‘blackout blind’ to ensure a peaceful sleeping environment.
A lot of reports advise not to put any electronic gear in your bedroom – no TV’s, mobile phones etc, but that is a personal choice.
The bathroom
When you move into a new home, the bathroom is often the first place you go after a long day of unpacking and organising. While the basic fixtures, such as the bath, sink and toilet, are already there, you’ll need a few other items to ensure the space is fully functional. It’s crucial to have a good set of towels that are absorbent and soft to dry off after a shower or bath.
You might also want to invest in a comfortable bathroom mat to step onto when you get out of the shower or bath. It’s vital to keep your bathroom clean, so make sure you have a toilet brush, cleaning sponge, and bathroom cleaner. You’ll need a bin for disposing of used toiletries, and don’t forget to stock up on toilet rolls, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Lastly, it’s a good idea to have some bleach for cleaning the toilet and keeping the bathroom fresh and hygienic.
The Bathroom checklist
With these essential items, you can turn your new bathroom into a clean, comfortable and relaxing space in no time:
- Towels
- Bathroom mat
- Toilet brush
- Toilet roll
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Bin
- Bathroom cleaner
- Bleach
General
With the main rooms covered, it’s time to think of the extra items it can be easy to forget. So remember to list these extras and check them off as you purchase them to avoid any last-minute panic or disappointment.
Cleaning
Moving into a new home is an exciting time, but it can also be a dusty and dirty experience. That’s why cleaning is an essential task when you first move in. In addition to the items listed, you may also need a broom or vacuum cleaner with attachments to clean the corners and nooks of your new home.
Don’t forget to have some glass cleaner on hand for windows and mirrors. If you have carpets, consider renting a steam cleaner to get them shining. You may also want some diffusers or candles to help freshen up your new space after a deep clean.
Remember that a clean home is a happy home, and starting off with a clean slate will make settling into your new nest much more enjoyable.
Cleaning checklist
- Wiping cloths, sponges and scrubbers
- Mop and bucket
- Dustpan and brush
- Washing-up liquid
- Floor cleaner
- Kitchen and bathroom spray
- General disinfectant
- Vacuum cleaner
- Washing powder/liquid (if you have a washing machine)
- A clothes horse to dry your clothes on
Medical
It’s always advisable to have basic medical supplies in the home, stored in a safe location and away from children. For instance, having a first aid kit is crucial in any home, and it should include a range of medical supplies that can be used to treat minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, and bruises.
You may also want to consider having items like cough and cold medicine, allergy medication, and antacids. In addition, it’s important to store all medications in a safe and secure location, out of reach of children.
It’s also a good idea to keep a list of emergency contacts, such as your doctor’s phone number and the local hospital’s address, in a prominent location in case of an emergency.
Finally, remember to check and replace any expired or out-of-date medications regularly. By being prepared and having these medical supplies on hand, you can help ensure the health and well-being of you and your loved ones during a medical emergency.
Medical checklist
- Painkillers
- Antiseptic cream
- Plasters
- Bandages
- Thermometer
- Nail scissors/clippers
Safety
Certain items are vital to ensure your safety. A smoke alarm is a must-have. It can alert you to danger and provide precious time to escape. A carbon monoxide alarm is important to detect any buildup of dangerous gases that can be odourless and deadly.
It’s also crucial to have a torch on hand in case of power outages or emergencies where you need to navigate your home in the dark. Additionally, a fire extinguisher can be invaluable in quickly extinguishing small fires before they spread, and a fire blanket can smother flames on clothing or in small areas.
Safety checklist
Be sure to regularly test and maintain all of these safety items to ensure they are in good working order and can provide the protection you need in case of an emergency.
- Smoke alarm
- Carbon monoxide alarm
- Torch
- Fire extinguisher
- Fire blanket
DIY
Having basic household supplies on hand is essential for any homeowner, regardless of their DIY skills. One of the most important items to have is a sturdy ladder, as it can be used for various tasks such as changing light bulbs, reaching high shelves, or accessing the roof for repairs.
It’s also a good idea to have a few plug extension leads handy, as well as spare light bulbs and batteries for emergencies. In addition, tools such as a hammer, measuring tape, pliers, and screwdrivers can come in handy for basic repairs and installations. Be sure to also have a variety of screws on hand, as they can be used to fix loose fittings or attach new items.
With these basic household supplies available, you can feel confident in handling minor household emergencies or other maintenance tasks.’
DIY checklist
- Ladder
- Plug extension leads
- Light bulbs
- Batteries
- Hammer
- Measuring tape
- Pliers
- Screwdrivers (flat and Phillip’s heads)
- Screws
Services
Setting up utilities and new subscriptions is crucial when moving into a new home. It’s important to ensure you have the necessary services connected before living in your new place.
Firstly, you need to arrange for the electricity to be turned on in your new home, and if you are using gas appliances, you need to arrange for the gas supply to be connected. You also need to ensure that your water supply is connected to access clean water. Another important service to set up is Wi-Fi, which is vital for households these days.
Lastly, don’t forget to arrange mail forwarding from your old home to your new address to ensure you don’t miss any important mail or packages. It’s a good idea to make a list of all the utilities and services you need to set up and check them off as you go to ensure that everything is in place before you move in.
Utilities and services checklist
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water
- Wi-Fi
- Mail forwarding from your old home to your new address
As you can see, there are many things to remember, so we hope this list of essentials has you covered and can take the stress out of this wonderful time.
We have also put together a handy ‘Packing Guide’ with a very useful checklist which you can download here.
Good luck with your move from all the Metro Storage Team!
