The Ultimate No-Filler List of Household Items Needed For a New Home

Congratulations! Your new home purchase is complete — but the purchasing process was such a whirlwind that you might not have given much thought to the list of household items needed for your new home.

Now that moving in is actually the focus, it’s time to start thinking about what you’re going to need in order to settle in.

We worked with agent John Tae, who has five years of experience helping first-time homebuyers in Oregon, to compile this list of household items needed for a new home. Whether you’re moving out for the first time (kudos!), or this whole process is something you’ve done before, it’s never a bad idea to use a checklist to nudge you in the right direction.

We’ve divided each section in this list into both an “essentials” area and a “leveling up” area to help both those first-time homeowners, as well as veteran homeowners, stay organized.

Cleaning items for your new home

Before settling in, you’re probably going to have to clean. And the right tools can make a huge difference!

If you’re stocking up for the first time, it’s okay to focus on the essentials part of the list and then purchase from the leveling up list for upgrades as you can.

New to cleaning, but interested in learning the ins and outs of keeping a clean home? We suggest the TikTok queen of cleaning herself, Vanessa Amaro; her Instagram account highlights are a repository of the best cleaning advice, products, and essentials from a cleaning professional.

Cleaning essentials

For your cleaning essentials shopping, we highly recommend both Walmart and Lowe’s. They have a large selection of cleaning products, in addition to other items you will probably have on your shopping list.

• Bucket. Tae gives his clients a scrubbing bucket as part of his closing gift. He fills it with a tape measure and basic cleaning supplies. “You know, cleaning gloves and some LED light bulbs,” he explains. Expect to pay around $10 for a store brand.
• Paper towels. You’ll pay around $20 for a 12-pack.
• Microfiber cloths. These non-abrasive cleaning cloths won’t scratch finishes on your furniture, cabinets, or appliances, and the results are streak-free. They can also be machine-washed. You’ll pay $13.95 for the Amazon Basics brand.
• Broom and dustpan ($9.98). The best way to clear hard surfaces!
• Rubber gloves. Protect your hands from cleaning chemicals and hot water with a good set of rubber gloves ($2.28 for one pair).
• Toilet brush and holder. A reusable brush with soft bristles to clean the inside of your toilet bowl is best. Place one next to each toilet in your home. The version with a matching holder helps keep your floors dry and the brush dry ($3.98 for a brush and caddy).
• All-purpose cleaner. While you will probably diversify your cleaning products when you feel more settled in, a great multi-surface, all-purpose cleaner is essential to help you clean grease, dirt, and stains when you first move in.
• Vinegar. White vinegar is an inexpensive way of dissolving grease and cleaning surfaces. You can keep it handy for projects where a chemical cleaner can be too harsh. It’s also super useful for removing hard water stains ($1.64 for 64 fl. oz.).
• Sponges. Dual-sided sponges, like this Scrub Daddy set, feature a scratch-free scrubbing side and a regular foam side, making it the perfect tool for a variety of cleaning jobs ($4.68 for a 4-pack).
• Trash bags. They come in different sizes, depending on your needs. The best starter size is the 13-gallon version that fits into a typical kitchen trash bin ($15.98 for a box of 100).
• Trash bin. Collect your trash and other cleaning debris in a sturdy trash bin. The best starter bin is a simple Rubbermaid plastic bin at $5.98.
• Baking soda. Get rid of odors with an open baking soda container strategically placed in your fridge or a musty room or closet. You can also use these to take care of carpet smells or stale garbage disposals ($0.78 for 1 pound).

Leveling up your cleaning toolset

When it comes time to up-level your cleaning, consider more expensive or specialized tools that are designed to help you take care of the specific materials and surfaces in your home.

• Bucket and mop. The O-Cedar rinse clean mop is a flat, microfiber, machine-washable mop that comes with a bucket that separates dirty water from clean. The bucket contains a foot-activated spinning wringer to allow for hands-free wringing. At $44.98, it’s definitely a step up from the regular mop-and-bucket method, but allowing your hands to remain dry throughout the process of mopping a room is priceless.
• Surface-specific cleaners, meaning a variety of cleaners specifically formulated for the different surfaces in your home. Select from a variety of glass, wood, stainless steel, and stone cleaners in your favorite brands.
• Carpet cleaner. Used to deep-clean your carpets with a combination of steam, water, detergent, and powerful suction, a carpet cleaner is ideal when your home has pets or kids (or both) to help your carpets stay clean. The Bissell DeepClean Lift-Off Full Sized Carpet ($249.99) cleaner is Wirecutter’s favorite due to its stain-removing ability and the lift-off canister that serves as a spot cleaner.
• Vacuum cleaner. A must-have if your house has any carpet, but also necessary for baseboards, couches, and other dust bunny situations. The Shark Navigator Lift-Away ($199.99) is a “reliable, effective, easy-to-use, and reasonably priced bagless upright,” according to Wirecutter, which selected it as the best overall pick for home vacuum.
• Lint roller. An adhesive roll of tape that picks up any lint, dog hair, or other random small items from your furniture or clothes. The Scotch-Brite Lint Roller ($14.99) value pack offers five rollers that you can keep in different areas of your home for quick touchups.
• Degreaser. The Dawn brand professional degreaser ($6.98) is great for keeping your range hood, oven, kitchen cabinets, and floors clear of any sticky residue. Degreaser also comes in handy if you do any car work in your garage or for cleaning up after hobby work.
• Duster. Helps you pick up lint, dust, or debris from hard-to-reach areas like window coverings, tops of furniture, ceiling fans, and HVAC registers. This microfiber dusting wand ($5.48) features a bendable head to get into hard to reach areas.
• Squeegee. Keep your shower doors clear of hard water stains by keeping a squeegee ($2.28) in your shower.

Kitchen items you’ll need in your new home

Let’s be honest: your kitchen is probably one of the reasons you decided to purchase this home in the first place. Properly equipping it with essentials will help set you up for success in the first few weeks in your new home.

Kitchen essentials

• Dish soap and dishwasher detergent. Indispensable for cleaning dirty dishes and kitchen tools, dish soap comes in a variety of brands and scents. For your dishwasher, you can select pre-packaged gel or powder pellets ($6.95 for a 24 ct. pack).
• Dish drying rack. The OXO Good Grips folding stainless dish rack ($49.95) can fit up to 12 plates and offers large, ventilated compartments for quick drying of utensils. Its side walls fold down for compact storage when you want to keep a clear countertop.
• Dinnerware set. The 16-piece Stoneware Tilley Dinnerware set in brown from Project 62 ($52.50) features dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs for four.
• Kitchen towels. Terry kitchen towels are soft enough to wipe spills and messes, but they can also dry dishes or hands. The Threshold Cotton Towel Set ($13) comes with five towels in a simple, striped design. They are machine-washable and come in five different colors.
• Can opener. One of the cornerstones of modern kitchens, this Kuhn Rikon 5-in-1 ($22.28) can opener can also pull tabs, crown caps, and unscrew tops for you. It comes in a variety of colors and has amazing reviews.
• Cutting board. The OXO good grips cutting board ($14.99) is dishwasher-safe and meant to last a really good time without picking up odors or colors from your food.
• Chef’s knife. Upgrade your entire cooking experience by investing in one really good chef’s knife instead of purchasing an entry-level knife block. Mealime recommends the Global G2 8-inch Chef’s Knife ($99.95) and calls it reasonably priced, light, and easy to maintain.
• Ice cube trays. Silicone trays allow you to make ice at home and pop it out easily, without fear of breaking the tray. Several colors are available in the Room Essentials line at Target ($3 each).
• Cooking utensils. The Oxo 17 Piece Culinary and Utensil set ($41.99) is a great choice when you need to purchase all your essentials at once for cooking and baking. All pieces are dishwasher safe and feature comfortable non-slip handles.

Level up your kitchen toolset

• Drawer organizers. Modular organizing trays, like the iDesign Linus Shallow Drawer Organizers ($3.99 to $7.99), allow you to store a variety of kitchen utensils and items. It’s made from clear, unbreakable plastic.
• Oven mitts. A great way of bringing your personality into your kitchen is with an oven mitt! Use one with a quirky saying, or buy this one ($16), featuring a cute cat design.
• Shelf liners. The Spruce calls the Gorilla Grip Original Drawer and Shelf Liner ($19.99 for a 20 ft. roll) from Amazon a great way of keeping your “most prized and fragile dinnerware in place” with this liner that features grippy material, which can easily be wiped clean.
• Mixing bowls. A nesting set ($32 for a set of 9) can be used to mix and serve all sorts of dishes. When you choose a glass set, they won’t absorb stains or odors.
• Measuring cups and spoons. Used to measure ingredients for cooking or baking, any good set would do. We encourage you to go the extra mile and find nesting or stackable ones that will store nicely in a drawer or cupboard. Stainless steel tends to be a great material for both durability and precise measurements.
• Colander. Use it to drain pasta, or to wash fruits or vegetables. The five-quart stainless steel colander from OXO Good Grips ($24.99) has ergonomic non-slip handles. It’s also dishwasher-safe.
• Spice rack. Food and Wine Magazine calls the YouCopia SpiceStack Adjustable Spice Rack Organizer ($39.99) their “best overall” for 2021. It fits up to 24 spices, but is compact enough to fit in either a cabinet or your countertop. The rack comes with 100 removable labels, drop-down drawers, and adjustable non-slip dividers to help keep each jar in its place.
• Vegetable peeler. Speed up your prep with a good vegetable peeler. Select a dishwasher-safe and ergonomic model from Kuhn Rikon like this Y Peeler ($13.90), available on Amazon.
• Wine glasses. Proper glassware is not only the sign of a great host, but it can really affect the smell and taste of your wine. Wirecutter called the Libbey Kentfield 16 oz Wine Glasses ($34.99) “durable yet still thin and elegant enough for a dinner party” when it selected them as their best all-purpose wine glass winner.
• Baking trays. The Wayfair 13-piece Non-Stick Bakeware Set ($37.99) includes everything you need to start (or continue) your adventures in baking. It even includes a pizza pan and a cooling rack. In addition, they are non-stick and dishwasher-safe, making it a no-brainer in the under $40 category.
• Storage containers. For any and all kitchen storage needs, we suggest The Home Edit by iDesign Kitchen and Pantry collection (prices vary). The fully fleshed out line of products is built in unbreakable clear plastic and meant to solve any and all storage conundrums. (For additional kitchen organizing ideas, you can always stream Season 1 of their hit show, Get Organized with The Home Edit, where they style celebrity kitchens and closets using selections from their Container Store collection.)

Bathroom items you’ll need in your new home

An often-forgotten space of the home, a comfortable and properly equipped bathroom can serve as a sanctuary of relaxation for tired homeowners. Make sure your new home is properly equipped from day one to make sure you can bathe in style.

Bathroom essentials

• Toilet paper
• Shower curtain and hooks. Get your bathroom ready for use with an essential shower curtain, liner, and hooks. Select the proper height (standard, long, or extra long), and choose a color and materials that works with the rest of your bathroom decor. Selections start at $3.49 at Bed Bath and Beyond.
• Soap. Choose from gel and nourishing soaps at Bath and Body Works ($7.50 each), with dozens of fragrances.
• Bath towels. Elevate your shower to a space experience with the Wirecutter pick for best bath towel: the Frontgate Resort Cotton Bath Towel ($22 – $129), available in more than a dozen different colors to match your decor.
• Trash bin

Leveling up your bathroom game

• Air freshener. Check out Poo-Pourri ($9.95), a natural product made from a blend of essential oils that is sprayed in the bowl and creates a barrier on the water’s surface. The product is available in a variety of fragrances.
• Bath mat. The Lands’ End Supima Cotton Non-Skid Bath Rug is the best nonslip mat tested by Wirecutter. It comes with a thick latex backing and is fully washable. Prices start at $29.95, and the mat is available in a variety of sizes and colors.
• Loofah. Get a satisfying lather with a loofah that also provides exfoliation when you shower. The Baudelaire Small Wool Sponge ($23) is a bacteria-resistant scrubber derived from sea wool and made in the USA.
• Toilet plunger. Simplehuman offers a drip-free design plunger ($30), featuring a magnetic collar that helps you carry both the plunger and the stand without dripping.
• Fogless mirror. The OXO Fogless Shower Mirror ($19.99) is a large, shatterproof, no-fog mirror with a rear reservoir that gets filled with hot water to create a fog-free experience even in the steamiest of showers.
• Bidet attachment. The Tushy classic 3.0 ($129) is a bidet attachment that can be installed in any toilet and requires no electricity or plumbing. Marketed as the “most thoughtful bidet in the world,” it includes everything you need to install it in under 8.5 minutes.

Bedroom items you’ll need in your new home

Your bedroom is a sanctuary. Properly staging the scene when you catch your Zs will help you be a better rested human during the daytime.

Bedroom essentials

• Bedding. Equip your bed with good, comfy bedding to make it look put together and also maximize your comfort at night. Soft sheets and a fluffy duvet with a carefully chosen throw blanket can make all the difference in your sleep. Wirecutter suggests the LL Bean 280 Thread Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet ($109) set for a “cool, crisp feel to your bedsheets.” They come in eight neutral colors and can be paired with the LL Bean Baffle-Box Stitch Down Comforter ($269) and the LL Bean Wicked Cozy Blanket ($99).
• Bed frame. A solid bed frame adds personality and polish to your sleeping space. For essentials, shop IKEA (starting at $199).
• Nightstand. Ensure your nightstand, no matter its color or size, is prepared with some of the most important essentials you will need when you lounge in bed: a light source, an alarm clock, your phone and charger, reading materials, and a glass of water.
• Lighting. For a well-lit room consider a combination of the following: a general ceiling light, one or more table lamps to place on your nightstand for reading and mood lighting, and consider a floor lamp as an accent point.
• Seating. Having additional seating can be accomplished as easily as adding a bench ($208.79) at the foot of your bed. Create a spot to sit when you put your shoes and socks on, or read a book when you don’t want to be in bed.
• Window covers. Stores like The Shade Store (starting at $345) offer an online process that allows you to measure the windows and then place a full order for window coverings. In many cases, the window treatments can be delivered and installed by the same company that fabricates the product.

Leveling up your bedroom

• Mattress protector. The SafeRest Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector ($34.95)features a terry top layer with a waterproof backing designed to be completely noiseless. It goes on as a fitted sheet and is made with cotton.
• Mirror. Get a really good look before you leave for the day by installing a full-body mirror. The Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose Mirror ($498) is a vintage-inspired stunner featuring metallic frames and delicate flower and scroll details.
• Plant. Sleep better by choosing a plant that’s compatible with your sleep patterns. Jasmine plants have white flowers and help with relaxation, while snake plants are a natural purifier, ensuring that you have additional oxygen released into your bedroom while you sleep.
• Weighted blanket. Wirecutter prefers the Nest Bedding Luxury Weighted Blanket ($116.10) because it’s machine-washable and offers two different texture sides to choose from.

Miscellaneous items you will need in your new home

The essentials for your whole-home needs

• Ladder. A four-foot ladder ($182.86) is Tae’s favorite home essential. “Useful if you’re changing a light bulb, if you’re painting a room, or if you’re storing things in your new home.”
• Light bulbs. LED lightbulbs ($3) will save energy and reduce your replacement cost.
• Flash light or candle and matches. Be prepared for a blackout in any weather with some basics.
• First aid kit ($23.91) Having one of these at home can help you treat cuts, scrapes and injuries including sprains and burns. By providing first aid as soon as an injury happens, you are reducing the risk of infection and the severity of the injury.
• Fire extinguisher ($32.27)
• Batteries
• Basic tool kit ($99 )
• Garden hose (starting at $17)

The leveled-up list of whole home needs

• Lawnmower. If you have a yard to care for, the self-propelled Ego LM2135SP ($649) has a battery that runs for an hour, interchangeable blades depending on your needs, and less noise and emissions than a gas-powered mower.
• Extension cords ($22.24)
• Folding table. This 6’ folding dining table ($59.50) features a carrying handle and can seat overflow during a dinner party.
• Space heater or fans. The Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Air Purifier, Heater and Fan ($499.99) is an all-in-one appliance that can help your spaces feel pleasant regardless of the season. Featuring a HEPA filter that can filter 99.9% of allergens and the powerful airflow that characterizes Dyson appliances, this is a great purchase for a new homeowner.
• Home security systems. SimpliSafe (packages start at $489) offers award-winning home security services for every window, room, and door against intruders, fires, water damage, and medical emergencies.
• Ironing board and iron
• Wifi router ($37.99)

If you’re interested in learning more about moving, check out our list of 32 of the best moving hacks we could find on the internet, or download our moving day checklist. Enjoy your new home!

Header Image Source: (Sidekix Media / Unsplash)