What to Bring When Moving to a New House

Moving to a new house is extremely exciting, but it comes with a lot of challenges – you need to prepare your belongings for moving, find a way to transport them to your new place, organize a smooth moving day, etc. Most importantly though, you need to decide what to bring to your new home, so you can make it functional, comfortable, and beautiful – and fill it with positivity and warmth.

There are many things that you need for a new house – from furnishings and decorations to good luck items and memorabilia. You will likely have most of these things in your old home and will bring them with you – and you will probably need to buy some new things for your new place as well.

Either way, you need to know what to bring to a new house, so you have everything necessary to turn it into a home – and bestow it with good luck.

Here are the most crucial things to bring when moving into a new house in order to get your new life off to a great start.

Essentials for moving into a new home

First things first – in order for you to be able to live in your new home, it needs to be functional.  And in order to be functional, the house has to be equipped with some basic items. Some of them may be included in the home (such as kitchen cabinets and countertops, for example), but, for the most part, you will need to bring these essentials with you when you move in – or buy them shortly after the move.

So, what things to bring to a new house to make it functional?

Here is a list of the most essential items you need when moving into a new house, categorized by room:

Kitchen essentials

• Large kitchen appliances – fridge, kitchen stove, dishwasher, etc.
• Small kitchen appliances – microwave, coffee maker, toaster, blender, mixer, etc.
• Kitchen furniture – cupboard, table, chairs, etc.
• Pantry racks and pantry items
• Cookware – pots and pans, cooking utensils (a set of knives, ladle, spatula, wooden spoon, tongs, etc.), food preparation equipment (cutting boards, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, can and bottle openers, graters, whisks, colander, mortar and pestle, etc.), etc.
• Dishes and glasses – plates, saucers, bowls, cups, mugs, tumblers, stemmed glasses, etc.
• Silverware
• Dishwashing products and a dish drying rack
• Dish towels and hand towels
• Tablecloth, apron, oven mitts, potholders, and other kitchen linens
• Bin and bin bags

Related: How to pack a kitchen for moving

Living room essentials

• Upholstered furniture – couch, armchairs, ottomans, etc.
• Coffee table
• Bookshelves
• Desk and desk chair
• Floor lamps, pendant lights, or other lighting fixtures
• Area rug
• Curtains
• Electronics – TV, computer, printer, stereo, etc.

Related: How to pack a living room for moving

Bedroom essentials

• Bed and mattress
• Dresser
• Bedside tables or nightstands
• Curtains and rugs
• Full-length mirror
• Night lamps
• Bedding – sheets, pillows, blankets, quilts, bed covers, etc.

Related: How to pack a bedroom for moving

Bathroom essentials

• Towel rack and towels
• Shower curtains
• Plastic wash basins and buckets
• Bath mats
• Bathroom mirror
• Toiletries and hygiene items
• Medications and first aid supplies
• Wastebasket
• Toilet paper holder
• Toilet brush and toilet plunger
• Soap dishes, soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, canisters, etc.

Related: How to pack a bathroom for moving

Laundry room essentials

• Washing machine
• Dryer and drying racks
• Laundry baskets
• Iron and ironing board
• Laundry detergent, fabric softener, stain remover, etc.
• Cleaning equipment and cleaning supplies

Outdoor essentials

• Patio furniture
• Lawn mower
• Garden tools
• Ladder

Other things needed when moving into a new house include hand tools (hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, screws, measuring tape, etc.), light bulbs, flash lights, batteries, plug extension cords, duct tape, scissors, and various other miscellaneous items required for daily life.

Depending on your and your family’s needs and lifestyle, the list of essentials to bring to your new home can be much longer (it may include nursery essentials and specialized baby items, children’s room essentials, toys, school items, pet items, specialized equipment, etc.). And, of course, you need to bring everyone’s personal essentials too (clothes, shoes, personal care items, study materials, work-related materials, personal favorites, etc.)

See also: How to decide what to take with you when moving

Bonus tip: Among everything else, when moving into a new home, you need to ensure that it is equipped with smoke detectors, a security alarm system, and other safety features. These are not exactly things you can bring to the house, but unless they’re already available, you need to have them installed as soon as possible (and don’t forget to bring fire extinguishers either!).

Items that will make your new place feel like home

In addition to the things you need for a new house to make it functional, you also need a number of things that are not essential to your everyday life, but are crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle. These things include a wide variety of items – from entertainment items and artwork to house plants and mementos.

Here is what to bring when moving to a new house in order to bring comfort, coziness, character, and warmth to the place – and make it feel like home:

• Full kitchenware – all kinds of kitchen utensils (everything from scales, rolling pins, and vegetable peelers to pepper grinders, salt shakers, and ice trays), kitchen organizers (silverware trays, knife stands, food storage containers, spice jars, etc.), and miscellaneous kitchen items (place mats, paper towel holders, cooking sheets, etc.)
• Comfort furniture – lounge seating, rocking chair, vanity table, armoire, etc.
• Decorative fabrics – cushions, throw pillows, throw blankets, throw rugs, tapestries, etc.
• Relaxation items – fireplace, hot tub, mini bar, grill, fire pit, garden water features, etc.
• Entertainment items – books, board games, musical instruments, home theater, game consoles, game tables (pool table, foosball table, ping-pong table, etc.), playground equipment (swing set, trampoline, basketball hoop, etc.), hobby materials, etc.   
• Indoor plants – potted foliage plants, flowering plants, herbs, etc.
• Extra lighting – chandeliers, lanterns, string lights, etc.
• Wall décor – framed art (pictures, paintings, prints, etc.), wall mirrors, wall clocks, wall sconces, etc.
• Decorations – ceramics, vases, crystal items, marble trivets, figurines, sculptures, candles, dry flowers, seashells, etc.
• Items that have special meaning to you – souvenirs, keepsakes, collectibles, and other sentimental items.

There is no question that when moving to a new house you need to bring all your favorite items and treasured possessions with you – surrounding yourself with things that you love will make you feel at ease – and at home – in your new place.

Must-read: How to make a new place feel like home

Things that bring good luck to a new home

Most of the things you need when moving into a new house are practical items (to make the place functional), helpful items (to make the place comfortable), decorative items (to make the place beautiful), enjoyable items (to make the place fun), and/or cherished items (to make the place feel like yours). There is, however, one more category of items you may want to bring to your new home – good luck items.

There are various objects believed to bring good fortune, ward off evil, and invite positive energy into the home. These good luck charms have their origins in folklore, mythology, or religion – they’re meant to purify and bless the living space and ensure the health, wealth, and happiness of the residents.

So, what to bring to a new home for good luck?

Here are some of the most popular good fortune charms to choose from:

• Horseshoe – Horseshoes top the list of lucky things to bring when moving to a new house. Hanging a horseshoe above the door is known to attract good fortune to the home. You can hang the horseshoe pointing upward so luck never runs out or hang it pointing downward so good luck falls onto everyone who walks beneath it;
• Elephant (elephant-shaped items, elephant ornaments, elephant pictures and paintings, etc.) – Elephants are a symbol of strength, stability, and wisdom. Hence, elephant images and elephant-shaped items are believed to have the power to protect the home and bring prosperity and longevity to the inhabitants. Tradition says that elephant figurines must face the door and have their trunks turned up;
• Goldfish (live goldfish in an aquarium or a small pond in the garden, goldfish figurines, goldfish paintings, goldfish ornaments, etc.)- Fish symbolize good health, abundance, and prosperity – and goldfish, in particular, signify wealth and success. Therefore, bringing a goldfish to your new home is supposed to invite good fortune to your life;
• Turtle (a pet turtle in a tank, a turtle statue, turtle decorations, etc.) – Turtles represent longevity, wisdom, and prosperity. The turtle is said to be one of the Four Celestial Guardians, so it has the power to protect a home from evil forces and bring good health and well-being to the residents;
• Fruits (a bowl of fruits, a still-life painting of fruits, etc.) – Fruits stand for joy, abundance, and good health. Different fruits carry different meanings: apples are associated with peace, grapes – with abundance, pomegranates – with fertility, peaches – with immortality, citrus fruits – with wealth, etc.;
• Incense (or sage) – Burning incense, as well as burning sage, purifies the space and chases away evil spirits. The smoke dispels negative energy and replaces it with harmony and positivity, bringing peace and cheer to the home and its inhabitants;
• Crystals – Known for their healing powers, crystals can fill the space with positive vibes, relieve stress, bring happiness, and improve creativity and focus;
• Dream catcher – Dream catchers are believed to capture nightmares and evil spirits, bringing harmony and good luck to the house and its residents.  

There are many other good luck items for a new house (barn stars, animal totems, spirit houses, statues of guardian angels and saints, etc.) and plenty of plants and animals that are also believed to bring good fortune to a home (crickets, ladybugs, four-leaf clovers, acorns, bamboo, jade, orchids, orange and tangerine trees, etc.). Bringing one or several of them with you is a good way to bestow good luck upon your new home and summon positive energy to your new life.

Good to remember: While it may be very easy to bring your old throw blanket that depicts an elephant in ornamental armor to your new home, moving your fragile valuables and essential furniture will be quite a challenge. It is, therefore, a good idea to hire professional movers to take care of your belongings, so you can rest assured that everything will arrive safe and sound at your new home – without any effort or stress on your part (and you will then be able to make your new place cozy and comfortable and turn it into your dream home).

What to bring first when moving to a new house

It is only logical that when moving into your new home, you need to bring your larger household items first, so you can put them in their rightful places without encountering any obstacles.

Yet, large furniture and appliances are not the first things to bring into a new home – all moving house superstitions say that you need to bring some very special items with you when entering your new residence for the first time in order to bring good luck to the home and to your new life.

According to tradition, the first thing to bring when moving to a new house is a loaf of bread – and some salt.

Bread and salt are the most common symbols of prosperity, hospitality, and well-being. So, to make sure your family never know hunger and have a good life, you need to bring bread and salt with you the very first time you step over the threshold of your new home.

To invite happiness, abundance, and good fortune into your new life, you can also bring honey, wine, and/or rice to the house when going in for the first time.

It is a good idea to let a cat walk across the threshold before you move in, too – it will bring you good luck.

Click here to learn more about moving into new house rituals around the world and find out how to bring good luck to your new home.

Now that you know what to bring when moving into a new house, you can make sure that you have everything necessary for a comfortable, safe, enjoyable, and lucky life after the move. Just don’t forget to bring along your good humor and positive attitude too!