Moving houses, whether into a first house or a new residential area, is usually associated with joy and excitement. However, failure to properly plan for the move often strains the process making it stressful and essentially overwhelming for the individuals involved. This is usually due to the numerous household items that should often be packed or acquired in readiness for the move. As such, to ensure that all items are properly accounted for, the formulation/acquisition of a new house checklist is usually recommended to ease the relocation while limiting any inconveniences, thus guaranteeing a smooth process.
What is a New House Checklist?
A new house checklist constitutes a catalog of all the items and activities an individual needs to facilitate before moving into a new house. As such, it aids the planning and preparatory phases of the move making the entire process simple and convenient by ensuring that everything is in order before, during, and even after the move. The pressure of moving houses can often be stressful, resulting in omissions in the packing process as some essential items may get misplaced or mislabeled, creating confusion, frustration, and time wastage. This elaborates on the vitality of composing or acquiring a new house checklist when planning to move to guarantee efficiency during relocation.
The Ultimate New House Checklist?
A new house checklist comprises several categories of items to deal with during house moving. As such, a complete and fully comprehensive new house checklist should include;
Pre-Move Essentials
This section of the new house checklist usually focuses on a couple of items and tasks necessary to facilitate easy relocation. These are vital since failure to check them off the list is often accompanied by inconvenience and severe implications such as time and resource wastage, among others. They include;
- Conducting a proper inspection of the property with the real estate agent
- Changing the new house locks and alarm codes
- Painting, if needed
- General cleaning of the space
- Conducting repairs and renovations, if needed
- Locating and familiarizing oneself with circuit breakers, shut-off valves, and smoke detectors
- Checking meter readings
- Transferring utilities and other services of the new house to your name
- Change address at your financial institution and for billing/credit card companies
It is vital to note that some of these are not often mandatory and, as such, can be conducted after the move. However, depending on your type of move (first time settling or relocating), some of these items can be significant in facilitating a smooth and consequence-free process.
Kitchen Essentials
This constitutes the bulk of vital items that must be purchased or properly packed before moving to a new house. Kitchen items are usually significant in a new house environment as they facilitate easy cooking and eating, without which preparing food can become stressful and inconvenient for many. Subsequently, you will also need to eat during the move or at least after completion, and this requires ready access to these kitchen items. The new house checklist thus constitutes the following sub-categories of kitchen essentials;
Eating Items
- Plates
- Steak knives
- Coffee mugs
- Bowls
- Glasses
- Wine glasses
- Food trays
- Eating cutlery set
Cooking Items
- Measuring cups
- Wisk
- Tongs
- Measuring spoons
- Colander
- Bowls
- Ice cube trays
- Spatula
- Corning Ware
- Bottle opener
Cookware Items
- Frying pan
- Non-Stick
- Roasting pan
- Wok
- Baking dish
- Sauté pan
- Saucepan
- Stockpot
- Dutch oven
- Baking sheets
Kitchen Tools
- Cutting knives
- Pizza stone
- Sealable containers
- Cutting board
- Tinfoil
- Drying rack/drip tray
- Can opener
- Turkey baster
- Parchment paper
Kitchen Appliances
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Toaster
- Kettle
- Instant pot
- Coffee maker
- Microwave
- Toaster oven
- Juicer
- Rice cooker
- Waffle maker
Spices and Pantry Staples
- Salt
- Garlic
- Cooking oil
- Pepper
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
Kitchen Cleaning Items
- Lining paper
- Duster
- Broom
- Trash bags/cans
- Vacuum
- Recycling bags
Other Kitchen Essentials
- Cleaning gloves
- Stepping stool
- Standing mat
- Oven mitts
- Fridge magnets
- Dishrags
- Dish soap/detergent
- Napkins
- Dishtowels
- Paper towels
Bedroom Essentials
This is another significant category of items within the new house checklist. They ensure that you get a good night’s sleep while also making your bedroom presentable and ambient. As such, below should be incorporated within the checklist;
- Bed frame(s)
- Mattress(s)
- Sheet sets
- Pillowcases
- Pillows
- Blanket/Duvet
- Nightstands
- Curtains
- Curtain rods
- Dresser
- Laundry bag
- Full-length mirror
Bedroom Closets
Various houses often have different closet designs as some come empty, others fully furnished, while others may lack a closet structure. As such, moving into a new house may warrant checking and listing some of the following items for your closet;
- Hangers
- Portable closet
- Shoe rack
- Closet organizer
- Jewelry organizer
- Storage bags/bins
Technology Gadget Essentials
A number of house gadgets exploiting the advanced technology industry may also prove vital during the move and, as such, should be included in this new house checklist. They include;
- Surge protectors
- Internet routers
- Ethernet cables
- Phone chargers
- House telephones
- Smart bulbs, switches, and plugs/outlets
- Smart assistants like Alexa
Home Office Essentials
Over the years, many have embraced the ‘work from home ethic’ leading to home offices in many households. As such, if you intend to work from home, the following are some of the crucial items to consider within your checklist, depending on individual needs and preferences.
- Office desk
- Office chair
- Monitor
- Computer
- Surge protector
- Mouse
- Paper organizer
- Pens/pencils/markers/highlighters
- Filing cabinet
- Printer
- Shredder
- Paper
- Eraser
- Art
- Air mattress
Dining Room Essentials
This is another significant category of household items to consider before moving. On top of serving as an eating space, the dining room can often be utilized for many purposes, such as studying, among others, in a limited apartment space. As such, the following items only apply in order of available dining room space.
- Dining room table
- Dining room chairs
- Tablemats
- Tale cloth
- Candles
- Candleholders
- Chair felts
- Art
Living Room Essentials
This is the living space where most interactions among your family happen. As such, it is a significant consideration given that proper setup often complements the ambient environment of the house. Some of the items to consider in this checklist thus include;
Furniture
- Coffee table
- Sofa
- Drapery panels, valances, and swags
- Curtains
- Sofa table
- End tables
- Chairs
- Stools
- Felts
- Area rug and rug underlay
Media/Entertainment items
- TV stand
- Video game and TV consoles
- Streaming/cable boxes
- TV remotes
- Sound/speaker system
- Books
- Movie collection
- Charging station
- Extension cords
Lighting
- Lamps
- Candles
- Candlestands
- Bulbs
Décor
- Pillows
- Throws
- Picture frames
- Artwork
- Wall/table clock
- Family pictures
Bathroom Essentials
Bathrooms are also often busy areas of the household, frequently visited, more so during rush hours. As such, it should also be properly stocked to easily service the family after the move without inconveniences. Items to check include;
- Shower curtains
- Shower hooks
- Shower caddy
- Bathtub plug
- Sink plug
- Plunger
- Toilet seat
- Toilet paper
- Toilet brush
- Towels
- Face cloths
- Hand towels
- Tissues
- New showerheads
Cleaning Items
These are a must to have when moving into a new house, given you will use some of them right away after unpacking. They include;
- Sweepers
- Dusters
- Disinfectant wipes
- Vacuum cleaners
- Mops
- Cupboard liners
- Rags
- Paper towels
- Laundry detergent
- First aid kit
- Fabric softener
Household Tools
As a homeowner, even if it is just a rented apartment, you need essential household tools to assist in fixing up some of the little gadgets after unpacking from the move or conducting repairs all over the homestead/house. They include;
- Screwdriver set
- Stud finder
- Hammer
- Drill set
- Hanging nails
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Matches
- Duct tape
- Tape measure
- Mini saw
- Step ladder
Door Way Essentials
These constitute items that reflect a warm and welcoming first impression, whether new or already existent. Some of these entryway items include;
- Coat rack
- Hangers
- A chair/bench
- Shoe tray
- Welcome mat/rag
- Shoehorn
Outdoor Items
If your house has a back yard, front yard, verandah, or even a spacious balcony, you will want to confirm some of the following items with your checklist as per available space in your new place.
- BBQ/Smoker
- Grilling set
- Patio set
- BBQ Cover
- Firepit
- Outdoor carpet
- Garden hose
- End tables
Common Packing Mistakes to Avoid
Proper packing when moving guarantees minimal to zero inconveniences and, as such little stress and frustration. As such, when packing, one needs to evade some common but overlooked mistakes frequently committed and often make moving stressful. They include;
Last-minute rush
You should never start your packing in the last minutes as this could be overwhelming and, as such, accompanied by shoddiness and numerous mistakes. You should start packing early, even a month before the move. This will give you time to properly organize the items and reflect on what to do with others.
Packing without a plan
Packing is a demanding task and, as such, should be approached keenly with a detailed plan of action and a checklist to ensure everything is in order. Often, a planless packing approach may result in mix-ups and confusion, resulting in consequences.
Packing up every item
Packing everything you own whenever moving may not be sustainable in the long run, given that the need for space will be growing, as time and resources are also wasted in the process. You should declutter the entire house and get rid of everything unnecessary and non-essential.
Insufficient packing supplies
This is often a common mistake that leads to poor packing and securing of the household items resulting in damages and losses. You should always ensure that everything is properly packed and secured before moving.
Using wrong packing supplies
This has affected many of us at one point when you find yourself packing items in a wrongful packing tool. Specific supplies, like cardboard boxes and plastic bags, are usually designed for specific items, ensuring proper fitting and security. Therefore, this mistake often leads to damage and time wastage.
Packing and Moving Tips for a Smoothest Move
Packing your belongings and moving can often be challenging. However, following some globally recommended tips might go a long way in avoiding any form of disaster during the entire process. You should consider some of the following tips as they fit your needs.
Moving tips
- Prepare and follow a moving checklist.
- Cut back on clutter and non-essential items as much as possible
- Make a plan and assemble all associated documents in a folder for easy analysis and access
- Always start packing as early as possible to avoid the last-minute rush
- Timely schedule utilities for the new place before moving
- Always invest and stock up on supplies to avoid insufficiency
Packing tips
- Always use the appropriate and right-size packaging supply
- Pack properly and do not leave empty spaces in packing boxes
- Place heavy items at the bottom and lighter ones on top of packing boxes
- Properly label your packed items
- Avoid mixing items from different rooms in one box or bag
- Take special care with fragile items or ask for assistance from movers if uncertain
- Properly secure the boxes by taping
Final Thoughts
We have assembled a completely new house checklist with all the items you would need and other bonus ones when planning to move to a new house. Some essential tips on packing and moving for a simple, stress-free, and joyful relocation are included. As such, following the above information will guarantee you a happy start on your new life as the often-overwhelming packing and moving will have already been simplified.
