So you've finally done it—you've bought your very first home. Congratulations! This is a huge accomplishment, and you're probably feeling a mix of excitement and nerves right about now. But don't worry, we're here to help. In this blog post, we'll go over 10 things that you should make sure to have in your new home before you move in. Trust us, you'll be glad you did!
A Good Vacuum Cleaner
You're going to want to start off on the right foot by keeping your new house nice and clean. A good vacuum cleaner is a must-have for any home, and it will make cleaning up much easier (and more fun!) than using a broom and dustpan. This way, you can always stay on top of the daunting task of cleaning.
A Set of Basic Tools
You never know when you're going to need a screwdriver or a hammer, so it's always good to have a basic set of tools on hand. Whether you're going to be hanging pictures on your new walls, fixing furniture that may have gotten damaged during the move, or any other number of unforeseen needs, you'll want to have the tools necessary already in the house.
You can buy a pre-made set at your local hardware store, or you can put one together yourself with the help of our tool guide. Either way, make sure you have the essentials so that you're prepared for anything!
Comfortable Bedding
Your bed should be your sanctuary—a place where you can relax and unwind after a long day. This means getting the right pillows for your bed, and getting enough pillows, too. It's always good to get a mattress protector as well, especially if you have young kids that may spend time in bed with you, or pets that like take over in the middle of the night.
You will want to make sure you have comfortable bedding that you love so that you can enjoy spending time in your bedroom, too. Comfort is king when it comes to bed stuff, but I'm sure you want your bed to look nice too, right? Your bedding is a great way to incorporate accent colors from the rest of your home into your bed room.
Curtains or Blinds
Most houses don't come with window treatments, so you'll need to buy some before you move in. Curtains or blinds are not only functional (they help keep out unwanted light and pests), but they also add a touch of style to your home. You can get hanging curtains that go on simple curtain rods, or you can have blinds installed if you don't like the hanging material look of curtains.
Blackout curtains can be a game changer for bedrooms, especially if you work 2nd or 3rd shift. Some companies will even give you simple blinds to put on your windows while they make your actual blinds, or while you wait for your blinds to be installed. This can be a great perk if you have to wait a few weeks for installation.
Dishes and Utensils
You'll need somewhere to eat all those meals you cook in your new kitchen, so make sure you have enough dishes and utensils for everyone in your family (plus a few extra just in case). You can find sets of dishes and utensils at most department stores, or you can mix and match pieces from different places to create your own unique set. Just make sure everything coordinates!
Fun Backyard Games
It's the middle of the list so it's important to interrupt all the serious stuff you need and remember that your new home should be a play you ENJOY, too. It's not all about buying things you need and doing work all the time. You should spend a little time and money getting things that you'll just enjoy at your new house.
Outdoor games are a great option for a few reasons. They're relatively inexpensive when compared to all the other stuff you're buying for your house. They are easy to set up and leave out, ready to use at a moments notice. And most lawn games, or backyard games, let you leave and come back to playing them - you don't have to sit down a play a whole game at once - so it's great for small little breaks between unpacking or working on the house.
Cornhole is a top choice because it doesn't take up much room and you can set it up inside or outside. Take a turn or two, throw some bags, tally up the score, mark it down, and get back to work. Trust us, you'll appreciate the little break when you take it, and a little bit of fun can go a long way to turning a crazy busy day into a fun memory. Besides, you'll need something fun to do at all the parties you'll be hosting now that you have a house! If you don't know where to start, you can check out all of the custom corn hole boards that Skip's Garage has to offer.
The "Standard" Items
One of the worst things is having to use your new bathroom and realizing, too late, that you never bought toilet paper. Or you knock over the coffee you're drinking early in the morning and there are paper towels packed away somewhere but you haven't gotten to that box yet. Learn from our many mistakes and show up to your house with a handful of these items on the FIRST TRIP to the house.
Toilet paper, paper towels, band aids, a plunger, soap, small trash can, sponge...these are all items that are used when you have an immediate need, so make sure they are there before you need them.
Towels
Towels are an essential part of any bathroom, so make sure you have enough for everyone in your family (plus a few extras just in case). towels come in all sorts of materials (cotton, linen, microfiber, etc.), so choose something that will be absorbent and soft enough for your needs.
Don't forget beach towels if you have a pool, or live in a community with a pool, or are by the beach!
Toiletries
Moving into a new house is the perfect opportunity to stock up on all the toiletries you need (and get rid of any old ones taking up space). Make sure you have everything from shampoo and soap to toothpaste and toilet paper so that you're fully stocked from day one.
Not really toiletries per se, but things in the bathroom you will definitely need but may not have, would include things like: toilet paper holders, towel racks, shower rod/curtain/liner/hooks, and a bath mat. It's great if you remember all the stuff to take a shower, but it's less great if you don't have a shower curtain or a place to hang your towel!
Cleaning Supplies
Last but not least, make sure you have all the cleaning supplies you need to keep your new house clean and tidy. This includes everything from dish soap and laundry detergent to all-purpose cleaner and sponges. You'll want a simple carpet stain remover if you have carpet, and maybe a Swiffer or other hard wood cleaning device if you've got hard wood floors.
Toilet bowl cleaner is a good thing to have, glass cleaner, stainless steel wipes for your nice new appliances. Not necessarily cleaning supplies, but it may be a good idea to get some outdoor sprays to kill bees or ants, just in case. Pretty much anything you can spray on something, inside or outside the house, is good to have on hand for when you need it.
Enjoy Your New Home
These are just a few things that we think every new homeowner should have—but there may be other things specific to your situation that we didn't mention here. Our number one pick is a set of cornhole boards as they will able to be used to entertain friends for years to come!
The bottom line is that there's no such thing as being too prepared when moving into a new house—so take some time before the big day to make sure you have everything squared away. And if there's anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to let us know!