Congratulations—you bought a house! Now, it’s time to consider the things to buy for a new house that will turn your house into a home.
If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll have your work cut out for you. Furnishings, supplies, cookware, bedding, and bathware can quickly add up to major expenses.
If this isn’t your first home, you’ll still find things your new place needs that your old place didn’t.
Here are the top eight essentials to make you feel right at home:
1. Window Treatments
Adding window treatments can instantly change the look and feel of a room. It’s one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to turn your home into a space that matches your personality.
Blinds, curtains, and valences come in a variety of shapes, colors, and materials. Whatever your budget, you should be able to find suitable window decor to spruce up your space.
Before you purchase, consider the overall vibe and functionality your window treatments should provide.
For example, you might want blackout curtains to prevent early morning sunshine from creeping into your bedroom. Or, you might want to combine a valence with sheer curtains for an airy yet sophisticated dining room.
2. Welcome Mat
It’s not quite home until you add the welcome mat.
Welcome mats give you a place to clean your shoes so you don’t track dirt and grime through your new home. Plus, they create a happy homecoming every time you walk through the door.
3. Curb Appeal
While many home buyers focus on internal things to buy for a new house, they often neglect the outer curb appeal.
Investing in your exterior from the beginning can make you all the happier to come home. Creating curb appeal helps you make your home unique to you.
Add planters to your front porch. Change the mailbox or how your house numbers are displayed. Add a little landscaping, a windchime, or birdfeeder to the front facade.
Even minor changes to the outside can make a major difference in how your home looks to you.
And, though you may not be thinking about resell value now, investing in curb appeal can make your home more desirable to buyers. You can read more about how buyers are finding homes, for future reference.
4. Light Bulbs
You’ll want to stock up on light bulbs before you actually need them. There’s no way of knowing how old the existing light bulbs are or when they’re likely to go out.
Look at the various light fixtures throughout your home and make note of the bulbs they require.
Head to your store and buy spares of each type. Carefully store them so you have them on hand when lights need replacing.
5. Quality Tools and DIY Supplies
Even brand new homes will have minor, unexpected repairs to be made. Make sure you have some basic tools on hand that can help you tackle issues quickly.
Your homeowner’s tool kit should have different sizes of screwdrivers, a hammer, pliers, drill and drill bits, tape measure, level tool, and assorted nails and screws.
Saws, paintbrushes, extension cords, drop cloths or tarps, sandpaper, and five-gallon buckets are also useful items to keep on hand.
As you run into more complex problems, your collection of tools and supplies will also grow. Investing in quality tools from the start can help you avoid having to replace tools sooner than you should have to.
6. Furnishings
From seating to sleeping, you’ll need some furniture to fill your spaces.
Before you invest thousands of dollars in furniture, it’s important to consider what you really need.
A couch and chair may be an adequate start for the living room. Beds and clothes storage are must-haves for the bedroom. You may also need a few side or end tables to place lighting or store remote controls or chargers.
If you’re strapped for cash, you may hold off on a dining room table and chairs if you have a breakfast bar. Bar stools can be a less expensive investment.
Things like desks, floor mirrors, hallway tables, or china cabinets can wait until you come up with a decorating plan.
7. Cleaning Supplies
Once you own a home, it’s up to you to protect your investment. Keeping the place clean goes a long way in maintaining its beauty and functionality.
Stock your cleaning cupboard with the basic essentials. All-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, sponges, dish soap, floor cleaner, and hand soap should be top priorities.
In addition, you’ll need a broom, mop, and mop bucket to keep floors tidy. If you have carpet, you’ll also need a good vacuum cleaner.
Handheld vacuums can be helpful for quick spot cleans, but don’t rely on them too often. The canisters are small and suction isn’t as powerful as a full-sized vacuum cleaner.
8. Home Security
Now that you bought your home, how do you plan to protect it?
Home security can be as simple as motion-activated floodlights or as complex as complete camera systems.
For starters, you should find a way to hide a key outdoors. Fake rocks or small key boxes are common choices, plus they’re inexpensive.
Security systems aren’t too expensive to have installed. However, you’ll have to pay for monitoring every month, which can add up.
Smart security technology has made major advances in recent years. It’s affordable on almost any budget and allows you to control security from your smart device.
Or, you might just stick with window guards and smoke detectors.
One of the Best Things to Buy for a New House
Are you still debating on what things to buy for a new house?
Sometimes, the best option is to buy nothing for the first month or two.
Once you live in the space for a while, you can get intentional with how you want it to look and function. This way, you won’t end up buying half-rate items just to fill the room.
Pace yourself (and your budget)—now that it’s yours, there’s plenty of time to turn your house into your dream home.
For more financial inspiration, check out our Money Saving blog.