Furnishings checklist
Here are the best things to buy for your new home
I live in a tiny 600 square foot New York City apartment, and for the past three years, I’ve made do with my small quarters. I’ve added drawers underneath my bed, used benches to store workout equipment, and even put a three-panel divider in my kitchen to hide my exercise bikes. I’ve adapted to the renter’s life. Though come November, when it comes time to resign my lease, I’ve decided to celebrate a new chapter. The time has come to wave goodbye to my small space and hello to something bigger – the world of new homeownership.
I work remotely; my desire for more space outweighed any want to stay in the city, so it seemed like the perfect time to become a new homeowner. Yet finding my dream home hasn’t been as seamless as I expected, so I’ve expanded my focus. In addition to finding my dream home, I’ve set my sights on furnishing it. From investment furniture to décor that speaks to me, I wanted to make sure I had everything I’ll need ahead of time.
Whether you’re like me and preparing to become a first-time homeowner or in the process of moving into one, here are some of the best things you need to buy for your new home.
A brand new mattress for your new bedroom
Before joining the Reviewed team, I worked in the home sector, testing nearly every mattress and mattress topper. While I can confidently say no two mattress-in-a-box are the same, I can tell you: that some models are far superior to others. Take the Tuft & Needle’s Hybrid Mattress; the five layers of foam and springs provided softness and support, perfect for a side-sleeper like me. Plus, the heat regulation made my night sweats vanish instantly. Factor in the 10-year warranty and sizes ranging from twin to California King; you’d be hardpressed to find a reason why this mattress is not worth every cent. Also, I’m not the only one who approves – we named this mattress our best affordable mattress pick.
The Hybrid Mattress at Tuft & Needle starts at $1,395.
Bath mats for all your bathrooms
You could pick up a cheap bath mat on Amazon, but you’ll be kicking yourself when you find wet footprints throughout your bathroom. We tested bath mats and found that the Gorilla Grip Bathroom Mat performed the best. It’s deliciously plush and absorbent, which is everything you could ask for in a bath mat.
Get the Gorilla Grip Original Luxury Chenille Bathroom Mat at Amazon for $24.
A sparkly new shower head (believe me, you need this)
I feel so passionately about buying new showerheads wherever you go. They’re cheap and they’re yours, so you can kiss the previous owners’ gunk goodbye.
We tested showerheads and found our favorite at Amazon. A Hydroluxe ($25) showerhead actually comes with two heads, which means you can seriously up your shower game. It maintains an impressive water pressure, but most importantly, the mist feature was so incredible. In fact, one of our writers described it as “the absolute best sensation I have ever had in a shower: It felt like a bunch of angels were gently pelting me with wet cotton clouds.”
More rugs than you thought you’d ever buy
Sometimes the home gods bless you with hardwood floors, and sometimes you’re left with old carpets from generations of old tenants. Either way, you’ll need some new rugs, whether you’re hiding stains or protecting beautiful
floors. Our favorite place to buy rugs is Ruggable, which offer machine-washable rugs in a variety of shapes and designs.
Personally, I’ve sought out pricer models from Rifle Paper Co., with the caveat that these will be more of an investment due to their intricate detailing and exceptional colors.
Fresh plants to brighten up your space
Adding fresh plants is the quickest way to add life and character to your home. When it comes to mail-order plants, it doesn’t get better than The Sill, which has carved out a special place in our hearts.
Our executive editor, Kate Ellsworth, received a Pink Anthurium as a housewarming present, and while she claims to “not know anything about plants, [she’s] absolutely obsessed with her.”
Get the Pink Anthurium at The Sill for $70.
Curtains to tie the room together
I had never really paid attention to curtains before – until I moved into my apartment. Turns out you need some kind of window treatment to keep people from seeing directly into your home – who knew?
If you’re looking for cute curtains, I highly recommend Society6. Each curtain pattern is designed by an artist, so you know you’re getting unique and attractive designs. You can also shop from Amazon, which offers a great selection of chic and affordable curtains, too.
A couch for lounging and entertaining
When it comes to home décor, I believe more is more, unless we’re talking about your sofa. A sofa should work with your décor, not against it, and is best in a solid shade. This is why I highly recommend Article’s Moro sofa.
Available in Lunaria White Boucle, Riverbank Gray Boucle and Space Blue, this stunning foam and down-blend seat provides ample space to sprawl out or cuddle close. Plus, the removable back cushion seals the deal on deepseated comfort.
Get the Moro Sofa at Article for $1,499.
A shop vac, aka your new true love
The Rigid Shop-vac does it all – it comes with four different hoses, two nozzle attachments, a hose, a filter and an entire leaf blower built on top. It works on both wet and dry messes, so we’ve used it to vacuum water from the basement and clean up debris after home improvement projects. If you own a fixer-upper, or just love home projects, this one’s a must-own.
Get the 16 Gal. 6.5-Peak HP NXT Wet/ Dry Shop Vacuum at Home Depot for $199.
This tool kit you can use to assemble furniture
While shipments usually come with Allen wrenches and screws, they don’t come with a screwdriver – or a drill, a rubber mallet or any number of other tools you’ll probably need to actually build your new furniture.
You need a good toolkit anyway, so you may as well buy the best one. We love the 65-piece kit from Stanley, which comes with a hammer, level, two screwdrivers, and much more. It’s got everything the first-time homeowner needs.
Get the Stanley 94-248 65-Piece Homeowner’s Tool Kit at Home Depot for $58.
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