Share:
First home packing forces you to reconsider the worth of every single thing you own. From furniture to tech, to cutlery sets and even pens. It’s exhausting. But with careful planning, you can completely bypass the stress of the big day. That starts with making a list. But what do you even need to bring?
You actually only need to bring a few initial essentials when you’re packing to move into your first home, including:
The limits of how much you can transport at once can be a seriously frustrating limitation during your first house move. But it also might be your best tool.
Understanding that you’ve only got your friend’s Fiat 500 to pack everything into, or that you can afford limited professional removal services, can be a great opportunity to ask yourself what actually matters. This should prompt you to reach out for more help from friends and family, get creative with how you pack, or reduce the number of things you’re taking; all of which will benefit the process overall.
Using online selling platforms such as Depop, Vinted, and eBay can provide you with some extra cash in hand while also slimming down your burdensome hoards.
In the next sections, we’re going to list the items you’ll need (or want) to pack for your first home, organised by the method of transportation. Each list follows on from the last, so if you’re hiring a van for your move, include the items from each list above it too. The categories include:
So no one offered you a lift, and now you have to get the train. No problem. You can totally move into your first home with just the essentials! And even if you have more transport space, getting the absolute essentials in one accessible box is vital for those first few days of living post-move-in.
Packing incredibly light can be less hassle initially, though you will also need to budget either to pick up everything else later or buy things after moving in.
Below are our recommendations for essential items you will need when you move into your first home.
A small pot or something to cook with
A cooking spoon or spatula
Utensils per person
Plate or bowl per person
Additionally, if the new home does not come with a bed mattress, take a blow-up mattress or camping mat for the first couple of nights. If the new home has a sofa, that can also provide a temporary bed.
A little more space means that you don’t have to be so cutthroat when picking what to pack, but you still can’t take everything. In addition to the essentials listed above, you might also consider some larger pieces of tech — such as a TV — or furniture — such as a bookcase. Be aware, though, that you still can only take one or two larger items, so pick wisely.
Below are some recommendations for non-essential but still-important items you might want to pack if you have a little more space. Be wary that you will have to make sacrifices at this point, choosing to leave some items behind for later collection or to get rid of them entirely.
Beside table
Lamps
Flatpack clothes storage
Bins
TV
Games consoles
Media collections (DVDs, games, CDs, vinyls)
Book collections
Hobby supplies
Full dinnerware sets
Tea towels
Microwave
Kettle
Toaster
Cooking pots and pans
Duvet
Pillows
Fitted sheet
Mattress topper
Small vacuum cleaner or broom
Cleaning spray
Cloth
Toiletries & makeup
Plants
A van will be very useful if you have large or multiple pieces of furniture to move. Vans come in many different sizes — be wary that some vans aren’t actually much bigger than a car — and you can hire them to drive yourself or from a professional pickup and dropoff service.
Below are some additional items you might consider if you are hiring a van for your first home move.
Bedframe
Mattress
Wardrobe
TV unit
Coffee table
Small sofa
Dining chairs
Small dining table
PC
Bookshelves
Desk
Desk chair
Mirror
Large plants
Wall decor
Calling in the cavalry is a good idea if you have lots of large pieces of furniture to move, have a large family, or need a professional’s help dealing with something particularly delicate.
If this is the first time you’re moving home solo, you probably don’t need to hire a lorry or professional crew to help you move. You might benefit from slimming down the belongings you plan to take and hiring a van instead. However, if you’re moving out of one home and into your first owned property, or have a large family to move to, then this may be the solution for you.
Below are some additional large and delicate items you might consider when hiring a lorry or professional removal crew to assist the move.
Sofa(s)
Armchairs
Media centre
Large bookcases
Kitchen island
Cupboards
Chairs & stools
Large bedframe
Bespoke wardrobes
Large dining table
Dining chairs
Display cabinets
Bathtub
Vanity Cabinets
Lighting fixtures
Blind fittings
Chandeliers
Delicate wall decor
With your checklists complete and moving transport organised, you’re ready to start boxing up and shipping out. Moving into your first home is an amazing period of life full of opportunity; with thorough planning, you can bat away stress and ensure that the experience stays amazing.
Share:
