What would you want in a new home kit?
Posted by HamsterBorn9372@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 92 comments
My sister is buying her first house and I had the idea to put together a big box of all the things you need when you get your first house but that you don't want to buy.
My current ideas include dish towels, sponges, batteries, extension leads and cleaning products. Is there anything that you didn't know you needed until you owned a house that I could add to the list?
sunheadeddeity@reddit
Smoke alarms?
Ruu2D2@reddit
And carbon dixiode
rositree@reddit
Carbon monoxide? Good shout if they have gas supply.
HamsterBorn9372@reddit (OP)
Definitely adding these!
lost_send_berries@reddit
It might already have smoke alarms and they might be the wired in type instead of the battery type
Recent-Climate6942@reddit
Im a guy and when i moved into my first place on my own i completely forgot so many things that i previously overlooked. Completely forgot about things like hand soap and a hand towel to have near the bathroom sink. Curtains! I bought bedsheets and a new duvet and forgot that you also need a sheet that covers the mattress. I forgot a can opener, bottle opener, I got knives, forks and spoons but completely overlooked spatulas, weighing scales, chopping boards, tea and coffee pots, ice cube tray and so much more! MIXING BOWL! So many little things that i had to go and buy slowly. Mop, broom, a bin for the kitchen, side tables, cushions for the sofa, lamps were important but it took me ages to realise that and actually buy any. Honestly, im still buying things i dont have now.
glytxh@reddit
It still freaks me out how expensive curtains and blinds are.
It’s one of the adult things I was never prepared for as a child.
Recent-Climate6942@reddit
I know, its absolutely wild. SportsDirect have got some good discounts atm on curtains tho
Isgortio@reddit
That seems like such a strange place to buy curtains from lol
Recent-Climate6942@reddit
😂😂 I thought the same. but I think they've merged with another company as their online store sells loads of home products and things you never see in store.
glytxh@reddit
Making a note
HamsterBorn9372@reddit (OP)
I unfortunately moved into a house with stupidly tall windows and all my curtains have to be made to measure. I couldn't believe how much they cost!
DiDiPLF@reddit
I got all mine 2nd hand off ebay, Laura Ashley fabrics and professionally made for £7 to £20
OkTechnician4610@reddit
Small tool kit very useful.
Chordsy@reddit
Plunger.
A reddit comment I saw years ago said "buy a plunger before you need a plunger"
She will be so grateful for that plunger when she needs it.
OH and cute blankets
TheGeordieGal@reddit
Not to brag, but I’ve made it to 40 and never needed a plunger.
Chordsy@reddit
Do you have one though.
HamsterBorn9372@reddit (OP)
As someone who did not buy a plunger before I needed one this is an excellent shout!
Recent-Climate6942@reddit
BUY A PLUNGER BEFORE YOU NEED A PLUNGER! words to live by, honestly.
Chordsy@reddit
Honestly it's a mantra in my late 30s 😅
rositree@reddit
Teabags, milk and biscuits. And kettle (or remind her to pack the kettle last if she already has one)
Plunger and toilet brush
Maybe lightbulbs if you know the fittings
Candles/wind up torch/charged power pack (for a power cut, not artsy stuff)
Curtain poles
Shower curtain and extendable pole if no screen
List of local delivery/takeaway menus or voucher/homemade microwave meals for the first couple of nights.
Reminder to read the utility meters on move in day.
If you want to splash the cash (aka boring things that are surprisingly expensive): Vacuum cleaner Curtains/blinds Home insurance
Jezbod@reddit
When I moved, I had a box for "stuff I will need the first few days", that I kept putting things in as I saw them. Made life a bit easier in the end.
Think things like kettle, chargers for phones / tablets, medications etc.
kellymacc@reddit
A torch is always handy.
Significant_Froyo899@reddit
Candles and a lighter too
Jezbod@reddit
I'd prefer matches, they go no run out of fuel.
meme_not_found@reddit
Maybe something like an Amazon Basics all in one tool kit that has a hammer, screw drivers, pliers etc for odd jobs.
waves-upon-waves@reddit
1000% times this
Beautifully_TwistedX@reddit
Tin opener.
kamaca@reddit
a fire blanket!
DrMoneybeard@reddit
And a fire extinguisher, please.
LunarSlush@reddit
If she has the space for it I highly recommend going to somewhere like Costco and getting her a bulk supply of toilet roll, kitchen roll, and tissues.
They’re things you may not really think about when making a list of stuff for a new house but they all come in handy and having a bulk supply makes life so much easier!
DamMofoUsername@reddit
A celebration drink (tea, champagne), diffuser, candles, house plants, if they cook nice olive oil. More practical first aid kit, towels,
EvrythingAndNothing@reddit
DIY for beginners book
Aromatic_Pea_4249@reddit
Corkscrew. 🤣
HamsterBorn9372@reddit (OP)
This may be the only thing she already has!
HamsterBorn9372@reddit (OP)
This may be the only thing she already has 🤣
DiDiPLF@reddit
Key rings with the little paper bit to write on, so many keys come with a house!
HamsterBorn9372@reddit (OP)
This is so true, I still have mystery keys and I've lived in my house six years!
DiDiPLF@reddit
Brabantia bins. They are way more expensive than the shops own brand ones but those last a couple of years before getting tatty, a brabantia will last a lifetime and still look and work well. Might need to club together though.
HamsterBorn9372@reddit (OP)
My husband bought a brabantia last year, it's definitely one of his favourite purchases.
Intelligent-Iguana@reddit
Ring binder or folder to organise all the paperwork that will be accumulated! Box to keep instruction manuals in.
Light bulbs.
HamsterBorn9372@reddit (OP)
I'm going to get one of these for my house, all my instruction manuals get chucked in a cupboard above the oven!
No_Refrigerator7911@reddit
Teabags
HamsterBorn9372@reddit (OP)
An essential for any new home
fr3yababii33@reddit
Light bulbs! Screwdrivers and Allen keys, fairy liquid, loo roll, kitchen roll
Pixiebel81@reddit
AdministrativeShip2@reddit
A big box of £50 notes.
Decent_Confidence_36@reddit
One of them small DIY kits from B&Q are handy just have a few essentials in them
DiDiPLF@reddit
We have really good tools, but the cheap mini kit that's kept in the kitchen gets loads of use. We have this £6 one. https://www.kayfast.co.uk/view-product/26pc-Multi-Purpose-Mini-Tool-Kit
Decent_Confidence_36@reddit
I’ve an entire shed purely for tool, all my old stuff from when I was engineer but that little £6 case with everything in its place is my go too for minor works haha
TehTac@reddit
bulbs and fuses.
Also some nice tea / coffee and a box of posh biccies since I'm sure she'll be on a budget and won't be able to get them herself
missyesil@reddit
Le Creuset mugs: one for each hot beverage drinking member of the household. They come in really nice colours, are solid and feel like a bit of luxury. Box them up with a good quality kettle and some nice tea or coffee.
PengyLi@reddit
I remember the day after I got the keys to my first house, and I moved in with a mattress, a bookshelf and my clothes. I went to the supermarket and bought a mop and bucket, J-cloths, multi purpose cleaner, a kettle, a mug, coffee, milk and a bottle of wine. The lady on the checkout said "did you just buy a house or something?" so clearly these are the items needed for starting in a new house 😂😂😂
buginarugsnug@reddit
Plunger. You don’t think you need one until you realllyyyyy need one.
Also not a need but a nice touch would be a scented candle or a house plant
TheBristolBulk@reddit
As long as it’s a different colour to the away kit I’m not too picky tbh
Phoenyx_wilson@reddit
Paracetamol, some chocolate, plasters, toilet paper, anti bacterial wipes, small tool kit, chopping board, maybe a small fire extinguisher.
LaIrlandesa@reddit
https://www.knightfrank.ie/news-blog/201-things-to-buy-for-your-new-house
I moved in about 6 weeks ago and found this a few days after I moved in when I realised I hadn't planned well at all 😂 Some of it is obvious but there's definitely a few things on it I ended up needing asap. Biggest surprise for me was the amount of phone credit I had to buy if she's not on bill pay. Do everything online my hole
Dreadheaddanski@reddit
4 way extention leads
CorinaPhoto@reddit
Toilet brush and bin bags!
Lynvor@reddit
9v spare smoke alarm batteries
Essex-girl-1@reddit
Toilet brush and cleaner. Washing up liquid and sponges. Tea towels. Toilet paper. Screwdrivers. Torch with batteries.
Willsagain2@reddit
A plunger
TopAngle7630@reddit
DIY manual, basic tool kit, meter cupboard key, radiator key, small step thing for reaching high stuff, smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, spare bulbs, a mop and bucket, dustpan and brush....
ddttm@reddit
A secondhand Henry, use it and abuse it.
cari-strat@reddit
A set of assorted batteries in the most common sizes (AA/AAA), a pack of spare fuses, a couple of radiator bleed keys.
tbirdpinz@reddit
Plus the lithium ones!
Choice-Lemon4500@reddit
Scissors, screwdriver, drain unblocker.
AdmirableAthlete8823@reddit
Stiff brush and dust pan
mr_iwi@reddit
So many good ideas already, I won't repeat any but I haven't seen anyone suggest WD40 and a radiator key yet. Both are cheap and useful in every house
DollySheep32@reddit
Kitchen roll
PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit
Honestly, tools.
When you rent a house you just call your landlord to fix stuff. When you own your own house you either pay extortionate rates for simple jobs or you learn DIY.
A drill, or a set of basics spanners and screwdrivers will come in massive use.
justdont7133@reddit
Mini spirit level, we got one in a little gift set from our house builder and it was really useful
Mischeese@reddit
Electric screw driver, hammer, fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarm if they have gas and a fire extinguisher.
NotoriousP_U_G@reddit
Going back to our original team colours and a better manufacturer, Reflo have a good mission but really dropped the ball on design and quality
EyeAware3519@reddit
No gambling sponsors either.
NotoriousP_U_G@reddit
My team turn down gambling sponsors and have committed to never having one
EyeAware3519@reddit
They are banned next season anyway.
Bbew_Mot@reddit
A poo knife
GlitchingGecko@reddit
First Aid Kit and Fire Extinguisher.
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
Small electric screwdriver. Around £20. Or a normal one with many heads.
Torch/cob light.
Duct tape
PuzzleheadedPlant972@reddit
A book with numbers for a good plumber and electrician because as soon as you are responsible for this stuff, something will break and you won't know what to do.
Nice pillows that aren't flat Waterproof mattress protector Towels (bath, hand, tea) Silicone oven gloves Bath mat Good knives A vase for flowers Water jug Shoe rack
johnnyjonnyjonjon@reddit
Beer.
octobod@reddit
Good quality electric drill and a set of wood, metal, masonry and screwdriver bits and maybe https://xkcd.com/905/
Iscan49er@reddit
Rags. Seriously, cut up old t-shirts for rags to mop up gross things and throw away, so as not to spoil the lovely new dish towels or dusters. Also coat hangers.
FullyCapped@reddit
Candles, snacks, an Alexa, doormat, door bell, towels, tea towels, ornaments (to their taste), flowers. Voucher for homeware/bedding
Individual-Cut-5582@reddit
First aid kit, medical supplies such as paracetamol antiseptic cream bite cream plasters accidents happen !
Proof-Order2666@reddit
£50-100 gift card for the first pantry filler or arrange a delivery of food and essentials from a supermarket
pereuse@reddit
A doormat, maybe a broom, sellotape, bin liners
fourlegsfaster@reddit
Extension leads is great, whether it's a first home or tenth home, there always seems to a need for a new one even if it's a temporary measure before getting new outlets installed.
Is there a garden? Garden maintenance/tools might be something your sister hasn't thought about. If there is space to grow things, perhaps a couple of packets of easy seeds, they have a life of several years, so no pressure to get it done this year. Marigolds and sunflowers are really easy, rocket and radishes are easy starter veg.
GeggingIn@reddit
A nice fun doorstop.
Really useful for when moving stuff around and she’ll think of you when she has settled in.
RetroRegretso@reddit
Toilet roll.
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