HouseStage Guide
New home furnishing checklist: what to buy first
Buy in this order. On day one you need beds, sheets and towels, bathroom basics, light bulbs, a small kitchen kit and cleaning supplies. In the first week add somewhere to sit, a table to eat at, dressers, bedside lamps, a toolkit and new locks. In the first month finish the rooms you use every day with rugs, curtains, a desk and lighting. Guest rooms, formal rooms and decor can wait until you know how you live in the house.
By the 126 Design team · Published · Last updated
What do you need on day one?
The goal for the first night is to sleep, shower and make coffee without a trip to the store.
| What to buy | Notes |
|---|---|
| Beds and mattresses for everyone | A mattress on a frame, or at least off the floor. Sleep is the first thing that falls apart in a move. |
| Sheets, pillows and towels | Pack one set per person in a box you carry yourself. |
| Toilet paper, soap, a shower curtain | Vacant homes have none of these. |
| Light bulbs, a flashlight, extension cords | Some rooms in older homes have no overhead light. |
| Basic kitchen kit | A pan, a pot, a knife, plates, cups, a kettle or coffee maker, dish soap, trash bags. |
| Cleaning supplies | Paper towels, all-purpose spray, a broom or stick vacuum. |
| Phone chargers and a router plan | Book internet installation before move-in; appointments can be days out. |
| Window coverings for bedrooms | Temporary paper shades work until the real ones arrive. |
What should you buy in the first week?
This is the week the house goes from camping to living. Focus on sitting, eating and getting things out of boxes.
| What to buy | Notes |
|---|---|
| A sofa or two comfortable chairs | Somewhere to sit that is not a box. Measure the doorway before ordering. |
| A table and chairs | Kitchen table or dining table, whichever room you will actually eat in. |
| Dressers or closet systems | Gets clothes out of boxes, which makes the house feel lived in. |
| Nightstands and bedside lamps | Cheap to add and they make bedrooms usable at night. |
| Toolkit and a step ladder | For curtain rods, smoke detectors and hanging the first pictures. |
| Rekeyed locks | Change or rekey exterior locks and reset garage door codes. |
| Fire extinguisher, smoke and CO detector check | Test the detectors and put an extinguisher in the kitchen. |
| Doormats and shoe storage | Protects new floors from the first rainy day. |
What can wait until the first month?
By now you know where the light comes in, where people actually sit and which room gets used. That is when rugs, curtains and lighting are easiest to get right.
| What to buy | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rugs | Size them to the furniture: in a living room, at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs on the rug. |
| Curtains or shades for living areas | Custom curtains often take a few weeks; measure and order early. |
| Desk and office chair | If anyone works from home, this is a daily-use piece worth buying well. |
| Media console and TV mounting | Mount once you are sure where the sofa goes. |
| Floor and table lamps | Layered light makes a room feel finished more than decor does. |
| Entry storage | A bench, hooks or a console by the door for keys, bags and mail. |
| Outdoor seating | A small table and two chairs for the patio, if you have one. |
What can wait longer?
| What to buy | Notes |
|---|---|
| Guest room | A good mattress and nightstands; the rest can wait. |
| Formal living or dining room | Furnish once you know how you use the house. |
| Art, mirrors and accessories | Easier to choose once the big pieces are in. |
| Replacing pieces from your old place | Keep what works and replace one room at a time. |
Before you buy anything: measure
- Room length and width, and where windows, doors, vents and outlets are.
- Every door, hallway and stair turn a large piece has to pass through.
- Window width and height from the trim, for curtains.
- Ceiling height, if you are thinking about tall bookcases or pendants.
If you bought a home 126 Design staged, your HouseStage page already has the rooms set up, and the designer checks every piece against the floor plan. You can keep the staging look or start fresh, and do the rooms in the order above. See how it works or the sample home.