Furnishing a New Home Checklist: Everything You Need to Buy

After finally settling on a new place to call home, the fun can truly begin: Stretching your design muscles and personalizing the space. Our furnishing a new home checklist will help you tackle those overwhelming empty rooms with confidence. Knowing what to buy first makes all the difference, especially if this is your first house. Our guide breaks down what you actually need versus the stuff that you can pick up later. So, let's start with the basics so you can function day-to-day, then work through each room.

Start With the Essentials: What You Need Immediately

It’s tempting to start decorating immediately, but aesthetics can wait. Think about what you need to live comfortably in the first week or so.

Your day-one essentials include somewhere to sleep—even if it’s just an air mattress temporarily. Other practical items to get settled that first week include:

• Cleaning supplies for that inevitable move-in mess

• Basic kitchen supplies so you're not ordering takeout every meal

• Bathroom essentials like a shower curtain and toiletries

Living Room Furniture Checklist

Download Checklist Here

Your living room gets the most traffic, so invest in pieces that'll last. Before you shop, measure everything—twice. Remember that you need space to move the sofa and coffee table comfortably. 

Essential living room items:

• Seating: A decent sofa runs over $700 on average, but consider it an investment in daily comfort

• Tables: Coffee table or two side tables for drinks and remotes

• Area rug: Defines the space and makes hard floors feel warmer

• Window treatments: Give you control over light and privacy

• Lighting: Mix table lamps and floor lamps to create cozy spots and brighten dark corners

• TV stand: Necessary if you’re not mounting the TV or if you need extra storage for video game consoles and other electronics

Nice additions when your budget allows:

• Bookshelves for storage

• Throw pillows for extra comfort

• Artwork that reflects your personality

• Plants (if you have a green thumb—if not, the plastic ones are just as good and less of a responsibility)

Bedroom Essentials Checklist

You can’t overestimate the importance of your bedroom. Quality sleep affects everything from your mood to your health, so don't skimp here. Here are the primary bedroom must-haves:

• Bed frame and mattress: Choose the right size for your space

• Bedding: Invest in quality sheets and pillows since you’ll actually be spending a third of your life using them

• Storage: A dresser keeps clothes organized

• Nightstands: Give you spots for essentials like phone chargers and water glasses

• Lighting: Table lamps on nightstands beat overhead lights for reading

• Mirror: A floor-length mirror is better than relying on the bathroom mirror

• Window treatments: We’d be remiss if we didn't suggest blackout curtains or blinds: They block out 95% to 100% of light for better sleep. 

If you have a guest bedroom, you can worry about this down the line. You’ll need most of the same items, including a bed frame and mattress, bedding, a nightstand, lighting, and window treatments. If you plan on having a guest stay longer term, a small dresser is useful for storing clothes. 

Kitchen and Dining Room Checklist

Depending on your cooking style, this can go a couple of ways. If you’re a microwave person, don’t go overboard. Of course, you’ll still need some basics. Here are the kitchen essentials you’ll need:

• Cookware: Pots, pans, a baking sheet, cutting boards, measuring cups, a knife set

• Dinnerware: Cutlery, plates, bowls, and glassware

• Small appliances: Toaster and coffee maker

• Storage: Food containers to keep your pantry organized

• Kitchen textiles: Dish towels and pot holders

• Trash cans: Both for regular garbage and recycling

• Dining Table and Chairs: Choosing between round, square, and rectangular will depend on the size of the space and if you plan on entertaining. If you anticipate future dinner parties, an expandable table is your best option. 

Bathroom Setup Checklist

Start with the basics, then add comfort items as your budget allows. To start, you’ll need the following for each bathroom:

• Shower curtain: Prevents water damage

• Towels: Stock up on towels and basic toiletries for daily routines

• Storage solutions: Shower caddies and towel bars keep everything organized

• Toiletries: Handsoap, shampoo/conditioner, bodywash, toothpaste, toothbrush

• Waste bin: Appropriately-sized trash can

Budgeting for Your New Home Furniture

Most homeowners spend between $10,000 and $40,000 furnishing their homes, with the average around $16,000 once everything is said and done. But you can start with much less and build up over time—not everything needs to be in place immediately.

Follow these budgeting strategies:

• Stagger purchases over six to 12 months instead of buying everything at once

• Set room budgets, allocating more money to spaces you use most

• Mix high and low price points by investing in quality basics and saving on trendy accessories

• Look for multi-functional pieces like ottomans with storage

• Consider reupholstery instead of new furniture for solid pieces with dated fabric

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Pro?

Some tasks benefit from professional expertise. There are a few options for involving pros to help you furnish a new home. Here’s what you can expect to pay for each:

• Interior designer: Expect to pay between $50 and $500 an hour or between $2,000 and $5,000 for a full room.

• Furniture assembly: This task can cost $80 to $200 for flat-rate providers or $40 to $200 per piece. Professional furniture assembly costs will depend on how many pieces you need assembled and their complexity.

• Storage unit: You may not have the space for everything all at once, so you’ll need a storage unit. You can expect to pay around $250, depending on how much space you’ll need, plus the cost of hiring local movers if you can’t bring those items yourself. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Designing the space yourself can save you thousands of dollars instead of hiring a professional designer. And it might make more sense if you already have pieces you’re taking with you from a previous house. You can also save a few hundred dollars by assembling furniture and hanging blinds yourself. But keep in mind that it could take you much longer to tackle these tasks. Consider hiring a pro if you need custom window treatments ($100 to $300 per window for blinds and $200 to $600 for drapery). A pro will take the guesswork out of measuring properly and installation.