Moving into your very first home is a momentous occasion and one that will be filled with apprehension and excitement. You’ll likely have a list a mile long of the things you need for your house to make it a home, furniture is a given but what about the essential must-haves? Here are some key things that can make your home more comfortable and well-equipped.
Cleaning equipment and products
Not everyone loves cleaning but moving into your own home means that you’ll have to do it, even going a week without proper cleaning supplies can see your home become dirty quick. Some things you should ensure that you have are:
- A mop and bucket
- A broom
- A vacuum cleaner
- Cleaning cloths – including microfibre cloths, sponges, scourers and anti-bacterial wipes
- Cleaning products – including glass cleaner, dishwashing liquid, toilet cleaner, floor cleaner, disinfectant, kitchen spray, bathroom spray, washing powder and softener.
- A duster
- Cleaning gloves
- Disposable bags
- A toilet brush
- Dustpan and brush
- A clothes horse
Crockery and cutlery
Using paper plates and cutlery is ok for a day or two, but you’ll need to stock your cupboards with some crockery and cutlery. You’ll need pots and pans to cook in, utensils to prepare your food and glassware and cutlery to eat and drink.
When it comes to kitchen items, there are a lot and it may take you some time to fill your kitchen with the things that you want. Here are the essential items you’ll need:
- Cutlery
- Cutting knives
- A peeler
- A can opener
- Mugs
- Glasses
- Wine glasses
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Casserole dishes
- Baking tins
- Chopping board
- Foil, baking paper and cling wrap
- Plates and bowls
- Strainer
- Mixing spoons such as wooden spoons
- Tongs
Linens
To make your home more comfortable and practical, you will need some linens. It is a good idea to have a few of each of these on hand so that when they become dirty or soiled, you can replace them straight away rather than waiting for the original ones to be washed and then dried. If you don’t have a clothes drier, waiting for clothes to dry outside in the cooler months can take quite a while so having spares eliminates this problem. Here are some essential linen items:
- Bed sheets
- Pillowcases
- Doona covers
- Towels
- Hand towels
- Bathmats
- Tea towels
A lawn mower and gardening utensils
If you are planning on hiring someone to do your garden work for you or if you don’t have gardens, you can skip this one. Moving into a new place with grass and gardens means that they’ll require regular maintenance to prevent them from overgrowing. If you are renting, it may even be in your lease agreement that you must maintain the lawns and gardens regularly. If your gardens are unkempt, you may be issued a breach. To keep your garden in tip-top shape, you’ll need a few things:
- A lawn mower
- Whipper snipper
- Weed treatment
- Gardening gloves
- A rake
- Garden shears
- A hose
- Garden tools
A first aid kit
Every home should be equipped with a First Aid Kit. You never know when you might need one, and you want to be sure you have what you need when you need it. This can promote better healing outcomes by preventing infections from occurring. Your home first aid kit should have the following basic first aid items:
- Non-stick dressing pads
- Crepe bandages of varying sizes
- Alcohol wipes
- Hand sanitiser
- Hypoallergenic medical tape
- Disposable gloves
- Stainless steel scissors
- Sterile eye pad
- Safety pins
- Antiseptic spray, cream, lotions
- Triangular bandages
- Gauze swabs
- Dressing pads
- Stainless steel pointed splinter tweezers
- Band-Aids in various sizes
- Thermal blanket
- Bug bite cream/lotion
- First aid manual
- Disposable CPR mask
- Individual sterile saline tubes
- Pen and notepad
You can customise your kit to suit your specific needs, for example, if you or someone in the home suffers from allergies, adding an antihistamine to your kit is worthwhile. You can purchase premade kits or create one yourself. You should ensure that your first aid is easily accessible and the contents are protected from external contaminants such as dust. It should be labelled with a large white cross and a green or red background so that it is recognisable to all people who visit your home. Ensure you check the expiry dates of your first aid items and order replacements when they are coming up for expiry or when they have been used.
Electrical appliances
Electrical appliances make life easier and there are some basic items that you should include on your to-buy list to take the hassle out of completing everyday tasks. Here are some must-have electrical items:
- Fridge and freezer
- Washing machine (and dryer if it’s in your budget)
- An iron and ironing board
- A TV
- Wi-Fi modem
- Microwave
- A kettle and toaster
- A flat grill
- Airfryer (optional)
Toolkit
Regardless of whether you use tools regularly or not, every household should have some basic tools on hand to tackle any small jobs or minor repairs. When moving into a new home, you’ll likely need to assemble some furniture and having some tools at home can make this job easier. Here are some basic tools you should consider purchasing:
- A hammer
- Screwdrivers
- A drill and drill bits
- Pliers
- Spanners
- Allen key set
- Tape measure
- A level
Toiletries
After a big day of moving into your first home, you’ll likely want to jump in the shower so it’s a good idea to pack some toiletries. Here are some essential toiletry items:
- Toilet paper
- Hand wash
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- Body wash or soap
- A loofah
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush and hair ties
- Moisturiser
- Razors and shaving cream
Got everything you need to move into your first home?
Moving into your first home is exciting and even if you don’t have everything you need to begin with, you can gradually add the items you need as you go. If you are looking for a first aid kit for your new home, check out our extensive first aid collection at The First Aid Shop or feel free to reach out to the team if you have any questions about first aid kits or medical supplies for the home on 1300 423 477.
