Essential items for the first night in your new home

What do you need for the first night in a new home?

There are a few key essentials for the home to consider having close by when you first move in. From personal items like bedding and towels to practical supplies like bin bags and plates, it’s important to be prepared on move-in day.

Personal items

• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and anything else you use every day)

• Towels

• Bedding and clean sheets

• Clothes and pyjamas

• Medication and a first aid kit

Practical supplies

• Toilet paper

• Hand soap

• Basic cleaning supplies

• Bin bags

• Torch

• Batteries and lightbulbs

• Important documents

• Device chargers

Kitchen essentials

• Paper towels

• Plates, glasses, mugs and cutlery

• Food and snacks

• Can and bottle openers

• Kettle (and tea, coffee, milk and sugar)

• Dish soap

Items for kids

• Changes of clothes and pyjamas

• Baby supplies (nappies, baby wipes, baby food and any other essentials)

• Entertainment (toys, books, music)

• Comfort items (blanket or stuffed animal)

• Nightlights

Items for pets

• Water and food bowls

• Food

• Litter box or waste bags

• Bed and blankets

• Toys

• Lead and collar

• Carrier

How to feel comfortable on night one

Follow these steps to help ensure your first night in your new home is comfortable.

Set up your bedrooms

Ensure your main bedrooms, including any kids’ rooms, are cosy and comfortable by prioritising personal touches, such as blankets, cushions and photos, and making the beds with crisp, clean bedding.

Plan a delicious dinner

Whether cooking a meal or ordering a takeaway, the first dinner in your new home has special meaning – treat yourself. You could even celebrate with a glass of wine or champagne after a long day of moving.

Take time to relax

Watching a movie or your favourite show is a great way to settle in – you might want to download these ahead of time, in case your broadband isn’t set up straight away. You could also play board or card games with your family to help everyone settle into the new surroundings.

Bring in personal touches

Make your house feel like a home from night one with personal touches like family photographs and comforting items like blankets. While you may not want to hang photos right away, dotting them around your new space can help you feel more settled.

Tips for settling into a new home

When it comes to settling into your new home, we have three major tips that you can take with you upon move-in day.

1. Unpack essentials first

Start by unpacking bedding, toiletries, phone chargers and a change of clothes. Then set up basic kitchen items like the kettle, mugs and some snacks so you have something to hand without a fully unpacked kitchen. You may want to set aside any important documents, medications and valuables and place them in a secure location in your new home.

2. Ensure safety and security

Safety is key when moving into a new home, so make sure to test all door and window locks to ensure they work correctly. Then it’s time to locate the fuse box, the stopcock for the water supply, and the gas meter. Assess your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working.

3. Check important utilities

Test the lighting and heating in your new home before it gets late – if any issues arise, you can get in touch with local tradespeople before closing hours. Test your taps to ensure water pressure is adequate and check under sinks for any signs of leaks. Make sure you have lighting in key rooms, such as the bedroom, bathroom and main living area.

At Barratt Homes, we have a wide range of new homes across the UK. Discover unique offers to help you move, including Deposit Boost. We also have schemes for existing homeowners, such as Movemaker and Part Exchange.

If you're ready to find your new property, visit or call our Sales Advisers today.