How to Furnish a Newly Built House: Furniture for New House Checklist

October 14, 2024

Furnishing a newly built home is exciting but can sometimes become overwhelming.

But worry not! With some guidance and the right plan, you can make smart furniture buying decisions and ensure your new home reflects your lifestyle while staying within your budget.

Let’s discover in this post.

What Are the 5 Factors to Consider When Buying Furniture?

There are five factors you should keep in mind when thinking about buying furniture for your newly built house. Here they are:

1. The Size of Your Space

One of the first things to consider is the size of your home. Compact spaces require careful planning to avoid overcrowding.

To make the most of your space, you should:

Measure your rooms. Take note of doorways, windows, and traffic areas.
Prioritise functionality. Choose furniture with built-in storage to reduce clutter.
Leave enough space. Ensure room to move freely, especially in high-traffic areas.

If you’re furnishing a small apartment, focus on multipurpose furniture. A sofa with hidden storage or a fold-out dining table can maximise your space.

For larger homes, you can get creative with layouts and add statement pieces, like a large sectional or a grand dining table. Always measure the space and doorways before buying.

2. Your Lifestyle and Preferences

Your furniture choices should match your daily habits and who lives in your home.

If you have kids and pets, avoid light-coloured or delicate fabrics like suede or velvet. Instead, opt for durable, easy-to-clean materials like leather or microfibre.
Focus on furnishing high-traffic areas like the living room, kitchen, and bedroom before tackling spare rooms or offices.
Consider your overall aesthetic. Do you prefer a cohesive look throughout the house or varying styles for each room?
Prioritise a large dining table or a cosy sectional for the living room to accommodate guests.
Invest in an ergonomic chair and a spacious desk, especially if you’ll spend long hours at your home office.

3. Your Budget

Setting a budget helps you make smart furniture choices without overextending your finances. Focus on investing in high-quality pieces for the most-used rooms:

Bedroom essentials: A good mattress and bed frame are worth the investment.
Living room: Choose a durable sofa that can withstand daily use.
Dining room: Invest in a sturdy dining table and chairs.

Set a budget and stick to it. You don’t need to furnish the whole house at once.

Why invest in a high-quality mattress and sofa? Because these are used daily and impact your comfort. You can spend less on occasional furniture like side tables or lamps and upgrade later.

4. Multi-Purpose Items

Look for furniture that serves multiple functions. This is crucial if you’re working with limited space.

Modular furniture: Pieces like L-shaped sectional sofas can be rearranged to fit different layouts.
Convertible items: Look for furniture with hidden storage or convertible designs, like sleeper sofas or tables that expand when needed.

These pieces help you adapt as your needs change, ensuring you get more value from your furniture over time.

5. Quality Materials

High-traffic areas like the living room and kitchen need furniture made from durable, long-lasting materials:

Wood: Ideal for tables, chairs, and sideboards, wood is timeless and robust.
Metal: Great for durability in items like bed frames or dining chairs.
Upholstery: Choose fabrics that are easy to clean and resistant to wear.

Avoid cheap materials like plastic for high-traffic furniture. Instead, invest in long-lasting, durable options that won’t need constant repairs or replacement.

Do You Buy New Furniture When Moving Into a New Home?

It depends on your situation. It may be time to upgrade if your old furniture doesn’t fit the new space or align with your current style. Consider the following:

First home or final home: If this isn’t your forever home, buy versatile pieces that can be transitioned to future spaces.
Existing furniture condition: Evaluate whether your current furniture suits the layout and design of your new home. If not, consider selling or donating pieces that no longer work.
Mortgage and budget: Moving comes with expenses. Be mindful of your financial situation and avoid accumulating unnecessary debt.

If you work from home, prioritise setting up your workspace early, as this will directly impact your productivity.

Slowly Start Furnishing Your Home

Furnishing a new home is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s okay to start with minimal pieces and gradually add to your collection over time. Prioritise essentials, like bed and sofa, and avoid rushing to fill every room.

You’ll enjoy transforming your house into a home by taking a slow and steady approach.

Furniture for New House Checklist

Below, we'll go over the furniture essentials for a newly built house, explaining why each piece is critical and providing examples to help guide your choices.

1. Sofas

Your living room is where you unwind after a long day, watch TV, read, or spend time with family and friends. That’s why you need a sofa for your new home.

When selecting a sofa, consider the size of your living room. If space is tight, start with a standard three-seater. For larger rooms, you could add a loveseat or even a sectional.

2. Coffee Table

A coffee table is where you’ll place drinks, snacks, and remotes while watching TV, preventing spills on your sofa. A well-chosen coffee table also balances the room by grounding your seating area.

3. Dining Table

A dining table is crucial if you enjoy hosting meals or simply need a designated eating spot. It provides a space for conversation, bonding over food, and even working on projects. Choose a size that fits your dining area without overcrowding it.

4. Chairs

Chairs are essential for your dining room and additional seating around the house. For your dining table, ensure the chairs are comfortable for long meals and complement the style of the table.

Consider padded chairs for dining to add comfort during meals. For extra seating in the living room, add an accent chair or recliner.

5. Bookshelf

A bookshelf is great for both storage and display. It can hold your book collection and showcase decorative items, photos, and small plants. A bookshelf can also help organise a home office or living room by keeping clutter off the floor.

If you don’t have much wall space, opt for a vertical bookshelf to maximise storage without taking up too much floor space. You can also find bookshelves with drawers for additional hidden storage.

6. Bedside Table

A bedside table adds functionality to your bedroom by providing a spot for essentials like your phone, glasses, water bottle, or lamp. It's also convenient for keeping small personal items within reach without cluttering your bed.

Choose a bedside table with a drawer to store things like a phone charger or books. A small table with an open shelf may suffice if you use overhead lighting.

7. TV Stand

A TV stand is essential for organising your entertainment area. It elevates your television to the ideal viewing height and often includes storage for media devices, consoles, and decor.

Look for a stand with adjustable shelves or cabinets to hide cables and store remotes, games, or DVDs, helping keep your living room neat.

8. A Closet with Drawers

If your closet lacks built-in drawers, a dresser is a must. It helps keep your clothes organised and can serve as a surface for personal items like a grooming kit, keys, or TV.

A six-drawer dresser offers ample storage for folded clothes, while the top can hold decor or practical items like a mirror or a tray for keys and wallets.

9. Mirror

A mirror helps you get ready each day. It can also make a room feel larger and brighter by reflecting light.

10. Office Desk and Chair

If you work from home, a dedicated office desk and chair are essential for maintaining productivity and comfort. You can choose a compact desk with built-in cable management to keep your workspace tidy or an ergonomic chair to maintain good posture during long workdays. If space is limited, consider a fold-out wall desk that saves room when not in use.

FAQs

Things to Buy for a New House Checklist

When moving into a new home, focus on essentials first. Here’s a practical checklist to start:

Bedroom: Bed, mattress, bedding, pillows, and bedside table.
Living room: Sofa, coffee table, TV stand.
Kitchen/Dining: A dining table, chairs, cookware, utensils, plates, and basic appliances like a microwave or toaster are included.
Bathroom: Towels, shower curtain, toiletries, and storage for bathroom essentials.
Storage: Closet organisers, dressers, and shelves for extra storage.

Once you’ve got the basics, you can add decor, rugs, and accent pieces over time.

What Is the First Thing to Bring in a New House?

The first thing to bring is your bed and essential bedding. Moving can be exhausting, so having a comfortable place to sleep will help you rest after a long day of unpacking. Essentials like kitchen utensils, toiletries, and a few changes of clothes should follow close behind.

How to Start Furnishing a New Home?

Start with these key rooms:

Bedroom: Prioritise your bed and mattress for a good night’s sleep.
Living room: A sofa is the centrepiece for relaxation and socialising.
Dining area: A table and chairs for meals.

Focus on these essentials first, and gradually add more items like decor and storage solutions as you become comfortable.

How Much to Spend on Furniture When Moving Out?

It depends on your situation and how much furniture you need. For a basic setup, plan to spend between $3,000 and $5,000 on essentials like a bed, sofa, dining table, and storage. If you're looking for higher-end items or need more furniture, the cost could be over $10,000.

How to Start Buying Furniture?

When buying furniture, start with function and comfort.

Prioritise essentials: Begin with the rooms you’ll use most — your bedroom (bed, mattress) and living room (sofa, coffee table).
Set a budget: Determine how much you will spend, focusing on durable, long-lasting pieces for high-use areas.
Measure your space: Always measure each room and doorway to ensure the furniture will fit properly.
Plan for flexibility: Consider versatile furniture like a sofa bed or dining table with extendable leaves that adjust to your changing needs.

Ready to Furnish Your Newly Built House?

When prioritising furniture for a new home, focus on pieces that will immediately enhance your comfort and the functionality of your space. Start with the essentials like a sofa, dining table, and bed, and build from there. Over time, you can layer in additional furniture and decor to complete your space.

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