Whether you're leasing a new apartment, outfitting a new Airbnb, buying your first home or upgrading to a larger house, moving gives you something to look forward to. It's an undoubtedly exciting time, especially when transitioning into a bigger space, but it's understandable to feel overwhelmed by the process. After all, even good change can create stress.
Getting organized can help put your mind at ease, and where better to start than with a new house checklist? If your new space boast more bathrooms, bedrooms or a bigger living area, you'll want to make sure you have enough to fill each room. Of course, you don't have to get everything right away, but creating a list will help you figure out what you need.
Moving into a new home is also a great opportunity to upgrade your existing furnishings and textiles. In any case, this guide will walk you through all the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room and laundry essentials you'll need to make your space feel like home.
Find a downloadable checklist of new home essentials at the end of this post.
Bedroom Essentials: Everything You Need
Most movers set up their beds before unpacking anything else. And while your sleeping quarters are undoubtedly essential, they can always be elevated. Here's what you might want to buy for your move-in to ensure you're getting the comfiest, coziest, most restful sleeping experience from the start.
Bed
Your mattress plays a pivotal role in your overall comfort. But many people don't realize that their bed frames have a lot to do with comfort too. Consider a solid wood frame with dependable joinery, like the sturdy handcrafted beds from Parachute.
Nightstands
Offering more than just bedside storage and a place to set a water glass, nightstands can go a long way in making a bedroom look put-together. A matching pair will create symmetry and add an upscale appeal while tying in other design elements throughout the space.
Mattress
If you're in an "out with the old, in with the new” mood, lean in with a new mattress. The Eco Mattress was thoughtfully designed to offer unbeatable support and all-night comfort. It’s made of pure New Zealand wool, organic cotton and pocketed steel coils with a plush, tufted surface.
Not quite ready to replace your mattress? A mattress topper helps you increase comfort by offering a few additional inches of cozy padding. Check out this Guide to Mattress Toppers and Pads to learn more.
Do you need to store your mattress? See our guide: How To Store A Mattress
Dresser
Most bedrooms need a dresser to keep foldable clothes and other items. Some homeowners prefer a tall and narrow chest of drawers, while others choose a horizontal dresser. Most often, shoppers buy their dresser and nightstand set together, for continuity of styling.
Pillows
What's more important for a good night's rest, your mattress or your pillow? The truth is, they're both vital, which is why you’ll find bed pillows for every type of sleeper at Parachute. Maybe you doze on your back or side and need something with a bit more structure. Or you might be a stomach-sleeper who needs a lighter design. Either way, you'll discover the perfect pillow selections on our site.
Look for pillows with breathable cotton shells and real down or hypoallergenic down alternative fill. You can choose from traditional or gusseted designs with different density levels for optimal support, no matter your preferred sleeping position.
Not sure which type of bed pillow to get? Our Pillow Guide will walk you through the various options.
Sheets and Pillowcases
When it comes to getting quality shut-eye, your bedding shouldn't be overlooked either. Look for the best sheets and pillowcases, all woven from naturally sourced, Oeko-Tex certified plant fibers for ultimate comfort and breathability. From buttery-soft brushed cotton and airy linen to silky sateen and crisp percale, there's something for everyone.
What sheets should you get? This Guide to Bed Sheets can help you guide you.
Duvet
Depending on the material and stitching, comforters should be replaced every 10 to 15 years (if not sooner). Moving house the perfect time to refresh yours. The duvet inserts you’ll discover at Parachute are filled with the lightest, fluffiest down or down alternative fibers and boast reliable baffle-box construction. Plus, they come with a five-year warranty, so you can have peace of mind about your investment.
Duvet Cover
While you're at it, you may as well add a fresh duvet cover to your new house checklist. Since you’ll spend plenty of time with your cover, look for premium fabrics that protect your comforter and encourage airflow while you doze. What's more, the top-tier textiles are incredibly comfy and actually get softer with time.
Check out this Guide to Duvets and Duvet Covers to find out what fill and fabric are right for you.
White Noise Machine
Falling asleep in a new environment isn't always easy. By providing relaxing ambient sounds, a white noise machine can help you doze off faster, with fewer wakeups throughout the night. There are many cordless options with rechargeable batteries, which offer more flexibility and a cleaner appearance.
Find more tips on creating pared-down, simplistic sleeping quarters in our blog on How to Design a Minimalist Bedroom.
Bathroom Essentials
Home necessities for your bathroom include towels, a shower curtain, a bath mat, and of course, hand soap. These are all basic items, but that doesn't mean they have to be boring. Remember: day-to-day activities like sleeping, showering and cooking will be new experiences in your new home, so this is your chance to make them special.
Towel Bundle
The number of towels you need depends on how many bathrooms you have, how many people live in your home, how often you do laundry and whether you plan to have guests stay overnight. But generally speaking, you'll want to have two bath sheets per person and at least two hand towels per bathroom.
Keep your new home shopping economical, with towel bundles. It’s easy to find bundles that come with four or six bath towels, hand towels and washcloths. Not only will you have plenty of bath linens, but you'll also save money by buying them in a set.
Shower Curtain
No new home is complete without a shower curtain for each bathroom. You’ll discover shower curtains at Parachute in a range of designs that complement the elegant neutral hues found in the towel collection. From textured stripes and hand-knotted fringe to speckles, cloud cotton and waffle weave, you'll find something that speaks to your personal taste. Of course you’ll also need shower liners and rings.
Bath Mat and Rug
Bath mats should be replaced every couple of years. Bath rugs can add a new look that doesn’t go away when your bath mat’s in the wash. Look for bath mats and rugs loomed from long-staple Turkish cotton — ultra-soft, absorbent and plush underfoot.
Bath Accessories
Aside from stocking up on toilet paper, you'll want to make sure every bathroom has soap, hand towels, a toilet brush and a trash can. For the right bath accessories, shop for hand soap and hand cream, plus self-care extras like makeup towels and aromatherapy bath salts.
Bathrobe
Break in your new abode with a cozy bathrobe. Whether you opt for classic Turkish cotton, lofty cloud cotton, a waffle-knit weave or light linen, you can enjoy five-star-hotel-level luxury right at home.
Kitchen and Dining Essentials
While packing up your current home, you might consider donating some of your kitchenware instead of taking it with you. That way, you can savor your new space with upgraded items.
Dinnerware
When friends and family inevitably stop by, invite them to stay for dinner and serve them with a new dinnerware set. A collab by Parachute and ceramics master Jono Pandolfi, the Coupe Dinnerware collection is the perfect balance of laid-back and luxe.
Table Linens
You'll also want to have some table linens on hand. Woven from European flax fibers, the napkins, runner and tablecloth from the Linen Waffle Tabletop Collection are go-tos for casual get-togethers and special occasions alike.
Trash and Recycling
First-time homeowner guides and new house checklists always include trash and recycling bins — and if they don't, they should. For a clean look, find something you can fit underneath your sink, and make sure you have plenty of liners on hand.
Other Kitchen Essentials
You might want to add other common household items like a cookware set, coffee maker, fruit bowl, blender, dish drying rack, kitchen towels, hot pads, baking sheets, knives, silverware, a toaster or other countertop appliances to your new house checklist.
Living Room Essentials
Whether your new home has a proper living room, family room, great room or all of the above, you'll need to fill it with the right pieces. Besides furniture, what else do you need for your indoor gathering space? While it's different for every household, rugs, curtains, decorative pillows and throws go a long way.
Rugs
An area rug can make your living room feel more inviting while adding insulation and absorbing sound. If you're furnishing a great room, a rug can help section off different areas and actually make the overall space look bigger. And believe it or not, rugs aren't just for hard floors — they can enhance carpeted rooms too. The hand-woven artisanal rugs from Parachute feature neutral, pared-down designs that'll look great in virtually any room of your home.
Curtains
You'll likely need window coverings in every room, but the full-privacy blackout shades you have in your bedroom might not be the best option for your living room. You might consider getting lighter, semi-sheer drapes or Washed Linen Curtains. They offer a decent amount of privacy and soft light filtration without shutting out natural light.
Decorative Pillows and Throws
Decorative pillows and throws are key to nailing the curated, lived-in vibe you see in expertly styled homes. From square Euro cushions and lumbars to oversized rib-knit throws and ultra-fine alpaca knit boucle blankets, throws and pillows can add effortlessly cozy accents. You might also want to add a basket or two to your new house checklist so you have somewhere to stash your pillows and throws.
Laundry Essentials
Let's talk about laundry. Beyond a washer and dryer, every home needs laundry soap and somewhere to sort dirty clothes, but what else? Find recommendations below.
Hampers and Laundry Baskets
The Canvas Laundry Hamper from Parachute is durable, versatile and machine-washable with a collapsible metal frame. You'll also want to have at least a couple of laundry baskets so you have somewhere to unload freshly-washed laundry.
Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is a new home essential. Look for Laundry Detergent made of all-natural ingredients to gently clean your clothes and linens without stripping the color or wearing down the fabric. Not only that, but it's triple-concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
Wool Dryer Balls
To minimize drying time and make your fabrics extra-fluffy and soft with minimal wrinkles, toss in a few wool dryer balls. Made of 100% New Zealand wool, they're a hypoallergenic, non-toxic alternative to dryer sheets.
Learn more about wool dryer balls in our guide, Do Dryer Balls Really Work?
Drying Rack
To save energy and protect your most delicate fabrics, add a drying rack to your new house checklist. They come in a range of sizes and are often collapsible and wheelable.
Ironing Board or Steamer
Wool dryer balls can help minimize wrinkles, but for certain occasions, you need to use a proper iron or steamer. Add one or the other (or both if you have room) to your household items list.
For more laundry tips and advice, check out the blog How to Wash and Properly Care for Bedding.
Other Must-Haves for Moving into a New House
There's no one-size-fits-all list of things to buy for a new house. However, most modern homes can use a cordless vacuum, a smart doorbell, a lockbox, a toolkit and a welcome mat.
Cordless Vacuum
A lightweight cordless model is the key to most easily keeping your home tidy. When you aren't held back by outlet locations and the length of a power cord, you can pick up dust, dirt, crumbs and other debris with minimal effort.
Smart Doorbell
A smart doorbell can give you a little more peace of mind when moving into an unfamiliar neighborhood. Most options provide a video stream of your doorstep, and many come with integrated WiFi-enabled locking systems.
Lockbox
Don't let your valuables and sensitive documents get lost in the move. Get a waterproof, fire-resistant lockbox before you forget where you packed everything.
Toolkit
When it comes to essential household items, a toolkit is at the top of the list. From assembling new furniture and replacing batteries to installing light fixtures and hanging pictures, there's no shortage of instances that call for a screwdriver, hammer and nails.
Dog Bed
If you have a pup at home, your new house checklist should most definitely include a dog bed. Parachute's Canvas Dog Bed is exceedingly durable with a stonewashed cotton cover and a supremely plush poly fill. Your pet will appreciate the gesture.
Where to Buy the Best Home Essentials and Everyday Household Items
Are you ready to start crossing items off your new house checklist? Beyond premium bed linens and towels, you’ll uncover a range of essential household items at Parachute. Discover accents for a new apartment, studio, condo, townhome, Airbnb or house. Whether you're looking for laundry supplies, decorative accents, rugs, table linens or loungewear, you can always count on quality and versatile, elegant designs.