If the construction of your dream home is now underway, you're no doubt counting down the days until it's done, and even more so, the morning the removal company arrives to pick up your belongings and take them to your new property. But if you don't have a lot of existing furniture, there's a lot to get organised! We know how daunting the acquirement process can be, so we've put together the ultimate household checklist to make moving into your first home stress-free.
Rather than bulk buying from the likes of Kmart or IKEA the day the truck arrives, the moving process will be more painless if you consider your purchases ahead of time. We recommend buying essential household goods in four stages, as it will allow you to find quality items you love at a price point you can afford. It will also help manage cash flow, minimising credit card damage and price shock at the checkout. Most of all, meticulous planning is the one thing that will save you from the home décor regrets only impulse buying can bring on.
You can find a printable version of the checklist here: First Home Buyer Checklist PDF (100KB)
Stage One
Start collecting essential items while still living in your old home. If you're almost ready to leave the nest, store some packing boxes in a safe place and start gradually purchasing the below items. We've broken it down for you room by room to simplify the process.
Kitchen
- Cutlery Set (Knives, Forks Spoons)
- Crockery Set (Bowls, Plates, Mugs)
- Glassware (inc. Wine Glasses)
- Chopping Boards
- Saucepans
- Frypans
- Knife Block Set
- Measuring Cups
- Mixing Bowls
- Salad Bowls
- Grater
- Peeler
- Tupperware Containers
- Oven Trays
- Baking Tins
- Colander
- Oven Mit
- Salt/Pepper Shakers
- Cannisters
- Rubbish Bin
- Bottle Opener
- Can Opener
- Ice Cube Trays
- Spatula
- Tongs
- Salad Servers
- Wooden Spoon
- Rolling Pin
- Whisk
- Cooling Rack
- Platters
- Kitchen Scoop
- Drying Rack
- Tea Towels
Bathroom
- Bath Towels/Sheets
- Hand Towels
- Face Washers
- Bath Caddy
- Shower Caddy
- Toilet Roll Holder
- Toilet Brush
- Drawer Dividers
- Toothbrush Holder
- Soap Dispenser
- Rubbish Bin
- Bathroom Scale
Bedroom
- Pillows
- Duvet
- Sheet Sets
- Duvet Cover
- Mattress Protector
- Coat Hangers
- Door Hooks
- Mirror
- Accessory Organiser
- Underbed Storage
Laundry
- Laundry Basket
- Clothes Horse
- Ironing Board
- Laundry Hamper
- Pegs
Household items
- Dust Pan & Brush
- Broom (Indoor & Outdoor)
- Cleaning Cloths
- Sponges
- Matches/Lighter
- Candles
- Extension Cords
- Power Boards
- Rake/Shovel
- Ladder
- Scissors/Tape
- Welcome Mat
- Paper/Pens
- Mop
- Buckets
- Duster
- Toolkit with screwdrivers
- Nails
- Wall Hooks
- First Aid Kit
- Batteries
- Hose
- Clock
- Tape Measure
Decorative
- Cushions
- Throw Blankets
- Storage Tubs
- Vases
- Art/Prints
- Photo Frames
- Plants/Pots
- Rugs
Stage Two
Research electronics, both online and in-store. Read their reviews, assess the warranties and plan your purchases for when you are ready to move into your new home.
Electronics
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Blender
- Coffee Machine
- Electric Mixer
- Sandwich Press
- Television
- Soundbar
- Fridge
- Microwave
- Washing Machine
- Dryer
- Printer
- Iron/Steamer
- Lawn Mower
Stage Three
Buy your key furniture pieces. Take your room measurements and head down to your local homemaker centre! Keep in mind that most furniture items will need to be custom made or ordered in advance. Once you've found what you're looking for – ask if they can have it delivered to your new address the day or week you move in!
Furniture
- Kitchen Stools
- Dining Chairs
- Dining Table
- Sofa & Ottoman
- TV Unit
- Storage Unit
- Bed
- Bedside Tables
- Tallboy
- Desk & Desk Chair
- Coffee Table
- Side Tables
- Shelving
- Lamp
Stage Four
The removalists are on their way, and it's now time to move in. Your first grocery shop is going to be a little pricey – but once you've purchased all the essential items, your future shopping trips will be far less expensive. While you'll be eager to stock your fridge and pantry fully – here are some toiletries, household items and cleaning supplies you'll also need to purchase:
Grocery List
- Hand Soap
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Soap/Shower Gel
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Razors
- Toilet Paper
- Room Freshener
- Tissues
- Paper Towel
- Dishwashing Detergent
- Sponges/Dishcloths
- Washing Powder/Liquid
- Dishwasher Tablets
- Multipurpose Cleaning Spray
- Window Cleaner
- Multipurpose Wipes
- Insect Repellent/Insecticide
- Napisan
- Bleach
- Paracetamol/Ibuprofen
- Throat Lozenges
Congratulations! If you've made it to the bottom of this list, and you're now ready to move into your brand new Metricon home. Seeing our customers make their dreams a reality is our ultimate goal, and we wish you all the best with this exciting new chapter.
Downloadable First Home Buyer Checklist: First Home Buyer Checklist PDF (100KB)
If you're a first home buyer looking for more information, head over to our First Home Buyer page for a range of helpful resources to help you on your way to building your dream new home.
