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  House Contents - Version 5 - 2001.03/22 

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I started to think about what I needed for my new house, so I went around the net trying to find what other people had done, but there is very little information out there from individuals so I built this list from six main sources.

• Fully equipped rental apartments (which thankfully give a full listing of contents here on the web, and since some of them are "executive" multi-bedroom apartments, it gives a good idea of what a fully equipped house would be fitted with)
• What to take to university accomodation with you (between what they say to bring, and what they say is already there, it gives a good baseline for what is needed to get by!) I have also built a much cut down list to assist people moving into their first place which can be found here
• Short List for people moving into their first flat/apartment/student accommodation
• Wedding Present lists. There are sites out there devoted to planning weddings, and one of them had the longest list of things people could buy as a present. Many of the "luxuries" in the Kitchen area below are from that list!
• Miscellaneous web sites (home repair, local magazines, cooking sites etc.)
• What I had already
• What ever else I could think of!

Now there are things I've left off this list deliberately (at present) including food/drink, which books/CDs etc. go on the shelves and where, what kind of lighting is required in each room, what decoration for each room, a list of all the bits of junk I've accumulated over the years, a list of clothing etc. as this is not intended to be an inventory of what I've got, just a list of general household things, and some ideas on priorities. I've also combined things under single entries (so that, for example, bedding required for spare beds/sofa beds comes under the Bedroom 1 entry rather than the room that the spare bed is actually in) Also not included on this list are things that are "fixtures and fittings", such as windows, doors, the proverbial kitchen sink, bathtub, toilet, light switches, wall and ceiling light fittings etc.

Since I'm building this list knowing the layout of my new house, I've combined the Living & Dining Rooms and Conservatory because I am currently considering them as one extended room, other houses might have a separate Dining Room, or have the Kitchen and Dining Room combined. Similarly I know I've got three "bedrooms", but that I intend to use one for an office and one for hobbies so I've named them appropriately. I've not stated that there will be little shelves with knick-knacks in the hallway, or pictures on the staircase wall, but there probably will be. There'll probably be a coat rack inside the front door also, which I'll add to the "Somewhere" list below.

New House Layout

Ground Floor	First Floor	Garage

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Room by Room Breakdown 

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Kitchen & Utility Room 

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Appliances (electrical)

• Stove
• Microwave
• Refrigerator / freezer
• Blender / Food Processor
• Expresso / cappuccino machine
• Toaster
• Washer (unless you're happy with the laundrette/laundromat/using someone else's)
• Drier
• Vacuum Cleaner (preferably wet/dry e.g. Vax)
• Coffee maker
• Dishwasher
• Popcorn (hot air) popper
• Coffee grinder (elec./manual)
• Toaster Oven
• Sandwich toaster
• Waffle iron
• Bread maker
• Ice cream maker
• Rice cooker
• Slow cooker / crock pot
• Carpet Shampoo Machine-thingy
• Carpet Sweeper (bissell-y thing)
• Dustbuster-style hand vacuum cleaner

Tableware

• Dinner plates
• Side (bread and butter) Plates
• Salad / dessert plates
• Soup bowls (obviously you can use the same bowls for soup and dessert, but wash them in-between!)
• Dessert bowls
• Serving plates
• Teacups and saucers (but I'm in England, you may decide that you don't need tea cups...)
• Coffee mugs
• Wine glasses
• Other glasses / tumblers / goblets / drinking vessels of some kind
• Place mats
• Trays (place mats are optional if you can put your hot dishes on a tray instead, and it is much more useful if you are eating in front of the TV!)
• Table cutlery (a standard set of table cutlery should include knives, forks, dessert/table spoons and tea spoons. After that you can add soup spoons, steak knives, butter knives, dessert forks etc. Plus things like chop sticks, corn cob holders etc.)
• Butter knives
• Steak knives
• Corn cob holders
• Soup spoons
• Chop sticks, chinese spoons, chop stick rests, chinese food bowls etc.
• Cake / Dessert forks
• Obscure table cutlery like fish knives, cocktail forks, lemon fork, snail pins etc.
• Pie / Cake slice
• Fruit bowl
• Salad bowl and salad spoon / fork set
• Butter Dish (though you could just use the packet/paper the button comes in ... I usually do!)
• Serving bowls including nut / candy bowls
• Coffee pot (you may decide that a coffee pot/coffee maker is essential and the teapot is optional, but this is my list <grin!>)
• Caffitiere
• Tea pot (and cosy?)
• Ice bucket
• Wine cooler
• Punch bowl set
• Juice and water pitchers (with lid?)
• Decanter
• Coasters (if you just get the flat ones then they make good emergency table mats as well)
• Salt and Pepper Shakers (incl. black pepper mill) + vinegar bottle + mustard (cruet set basically!)
• Sugar bowl (though I use an old coffee jar, well, one that was designed to be used as a storage jar once the coffee was gone!)
• Sugar tongs for sugar cubes/lumps
• Milk jug
• Tea strainer / infuser (not needed if you only use teabags)
• Gravy / sauce boat
• Ashtray (for use outside!)
• Candle sticks (in an emergency egg cups could be used, or failing that, cut an apple or a potato in half, wrap it in tin foil, place the flat side down on the table and make a hole in the round side for the candle, repeat for two candles and no wasted apple or potato)
• Table cloths
• Napkins (kitchen paper/paper serviettes from McDonalds make an adequate substitute)
• Napkin rings
• Relish tray
• Toast rack

Cooking tools

• Baking sheets/trays, cake pan, bread pan, cupcake tray, cooling rack etc.
• Baking Dishes
• Kitchen knives (in butcher block?), carbon steel, good quality - Carving, paring, bread, Chef's, utility, sharpener
• Turner
• Cooking fork
• Carving set
• Pots & Pans (minimum: one big saucepan for rice/pasta/stew, another for the sauce, both with lids)
• Microwave cookware
• Frying Pan (with cover/lid)
• Crepe pan
• Wok (with cover/lid)
• Trivet (metal stands for putting hot saucepans/teapots etc. on to stop them damaging your worktops)
• Pyrex (measuring) jug
• Measuring Cups/Spoons
• Kitchen Scales
• Tea Kettle
• Potholders / oven mitts (though you can use tea towels/dish cloths)
• Can opener
• Bottle opener
• Colander
• Whisk (or rotary beater)
• Cheese Grater
• Rolling pin
• Tongs (for getting things out of saucepans etc.)
• Casserole dish (or Dutch oven, apparently!)
• Cutting Board (polyurethane or wood or glass/marble)
• Mixing bowls
• Serving spoons
• Slotted spoons
• Spatula
• Potato masher
• Garlic crusher
• Green bean slicer
• Meat tenderiser (mallet!)
• Ladle
• Wooden spoons
• Poultry Shears
• Kitchen scissors
• Vegetable peeler
• Pasta fork
• Pizza wheel
• Ice Cream scoop
• Ice cube trays
• Apron
• Cookbooks
• Wine rack
• Corkscrew
• Spice Rack and contents
• Storage containers (e.g. sugar, flour, cookies etc.)
• Paper towel holder
• Pressure cooker
• Bread box
• Juicer
• Water Filter
• Kitchen timer
• Thermometer
• Hooks for tea towels
• Rack for spatula etc.
• Drawer tidy for cutlery
• Mug tree
• Plate rack
• Biscuit Barrel
• Bamboo Dim Sum steamers
• Sushi rolling mat (again other people may consider this to be a luxury, since you can use a magazine covered with clingfilm as an emergency substitute)
• Egg cups

Disposable/Consumable stuff

• Tin foil
• Plastic wrap (there are three main kinds, standard, microwave safe and suitable for fatty foods (e.g. cheese))
• Greaseproof paper
• Paper towels
• Paper plates
• Paper napkins
• Candles
• Straws
• Plastic cutlery
• Light bulbs
• Plus there are things that come under Cleaning products such as Washing up liquid etc.

Other

• Clock
• Cabinets and cupboards
• French dresser
• Kick stool / step ladder
• Radio
• Note pad / message board
• Magnets for refrigerator
• Take away/delivery menus
• Taxi/minicab phone numbers
• Fire extinguisher
• First Aid Kit
• Sewing Kit / Scissors etc.
• Tool Kit (here, or in garage, or somewhere. I'll need to make another list for contents, include fuses and candles! Also Nails/Screws, Hammer, screwdriver, wrench etc.)
• Flash light (aka torch!)
• Some stationery (unless you have your desk/office very near the kitchen)
• Curtains

Cleaning, polishing and rubbish

• Cleaning Supplies (window cleaner, furniture polish etc.)
• Dusters / J-cloths
• Washing Powder / Liquid / Softener etc.
• Laundry Bag
• Shoe polish / brush / buffers
• Dish towels and cloths
• Washing Up Liquid/Dish Soap
• Sponge/Dish washing brush
• Sponges
• Dishwasher soap?
• Dish Drying Rack
• Iron
• Ironing Board
• Clothesline and pegs (unless you plan to do all your drying with a tumble dryer)
• Clothes horse/drying rack (to put in front of fire or hang over radiator etc.)
• Broom
• Mop and Bucket
• Dustpan and brush
• Rubber gloves
• Old newspaper
• Contact Paper/Shelf Liners
• Plastic shopping/carrier bags
• Outside dustbin
• Rubbish Bin (plus bags for bin etc.)
• Recycling box(es)/bag(s) to recycle whatever you can
• Spare bags for vacuum cleaner

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Living Room, Dining Room & Conservatory 

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• Lamps (table and floor)
• Couch(es)
• Armchairs
• Beanbag chairs
• Coffee Table
• Little tables/End tables
• Dining Table and chairs
• Television/VCR (& stand)
• HiFi (including speakers, stands, places to put records etc.)
• Area Rugs
• Telephone
• Answering machine (here or in office)
• Mirrors
• Posters/Prints/Pictures/Paintings (assume general decoration throughout the house)
• Curtain Rods
• Curtains (standard and/or lace and/or blinds)
• Throw Cushions
• Wall clock
• Book shelves and places to put knick-knacks
• Magazine rack
• Drinks cabinet / Bar

 

Wander Around...

Ground Floor		Kitchen - Living/Dining/Conservatory - Garage/Garden
First Floor		Bedroom 1 - Bedroom 2 - Bedroom 3 - Bathroom
Other		Somewhere - Everywhere - What's Next - Top of Page

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Bedroom 1 

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• Bed with mattress, headboard, box springs etc.
• Bedding (Sheets, Pillows, Pillow cases, Blankets/Comforter/Quilt, Quilt covers, Mattress cover, Mattress pad, Bed spread / dust cover)
• Clothes Rack / Wardrobe (including hangers etc.)
• Bureau/Chest of Drawers (well, somewhere to store clothing other than in piles on the floor!)
• Any other storage (e.g. underbed, foot locker etc.)
• Clock Radio
• Bedside table /  nightstand for clock radio, lamp etc.)
• Dressing table (with tri-fold mirror?)
• Full Length Mirror
• Chair
• Wastebasket
• Curtains
• Bedside lamp

 

Wander Around...

Ground Floor		Kitchen - Living/Dining/Conservatory - Garage/Garden
First Floor		Bedroom 1 - Bedroom 2 - Bedroom 3 - Bathroom
Other		Somewhere - Everywhere - What's Next - Top of Page

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Office (bedroom 2) 

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• General Stationery including
• Paper/Envelopes
• Stapler
• Stamps
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Calculator
• Tape
• Glue
• Pens / Pencils
• Masking tape/Plastic tack
• Double-sided tape
• Thumb tacks
• In/Out trays
• Desk tidy
• Phone (with answering machine?)
• Fax Machine
• Emergency phone list
• Phone books
• Maps
• Desk
• Desk Chair
• Desk Lamp(s)
• spare bed/sofa bed etc.
• Computer, printer, modem and such
• Drawing board and any other art equipment (e.g. Airbrush)
• Filing cabinet (or at least some sort of filing box to keep important papers etc.)
• Reference books, dictionary etc.
• Some sort of CD/Radio set up

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Hobby Room (bedroom 3) 

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• Hobby equipment (e.g. musical instruments, sewing machines, model aircraft supplies, ship in bottle equipment etc.)
• Spare Bed/Sofa bed/Z-Bed (this is after all a spare bedroom!)
• Shelves / Storage
• Chair

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Bathroom 

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• Floor rug
• Shower Mat
• Shower curtain with rail, rings (and liner?)
• Soap dish
• Hand towels
• Face cloths / towels / flannels
• Bath towels
• Guest towels (though they can always use standard clean towels!)
• Toilet bowl brush
• Toilet paper
• Bathroom cabinet (with mirrored doors)
• Bathroom cleaning items (sponge, disinfectant etc.)
• Shower Massage
• Jacuzzi
• Stuff to make bathtime more fun e.g. Bath oils, Candles, incense, Soft music (grin!), good books etc.
• General requisites (shampoo, shaver, soap, toothpaste/brush/floss/sticks etc.)
• Guest spares (shampoo, toothbrush etc.)
• Tumbler / Glass
• Toothbrush holder
• (TV behind waterproof 2-way mirror? Well, it sounded like a good idea in the home cinema magazine!)
• Electric toothbrush
• Hairdryer (though it is listed here, you shouldn't have live mains powered equipment in the bathroom where it can fall in the bath and kill someone)
• Trash basket
• Clothes basket / hamper (here or in bedroom)
• Nail brush
• Bathroom scales

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Somewhere 

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• Safe/Storage for important documents
• Important Documents
• Spare Keys (Door Keys, Garage Door Key, Car key, garage remote)
• Luggage (Backpack, cases etc.)
• Vases
• Ceiling fans/desk fans (for hot summer days!)
• Coat rack/umbrella stand
• Bar Stools
• Roll Away Bed (if not enough in all the bedrooms already!)
• Exercise/Sporting Equipment
• Closet/Storage System, Crates/Storage boxes (?under bed?)
• Surge Protector
• Extension leads
• A camera
• Junk storage (including boxes that hifi etc. came in)
• Mail sorting area in front hall (junk/personal/bills+important)

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Everywhere (well, around anyway!) 

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• Pictures/Posters/Paintings
• Knick-Knacks
• Other junk acquired over the years including magazines
• Lamps
• Rugs
• Security Equipment (alarm, window locks, smoke detectors etc.)
• Shelves/Storage

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Garden/Garage/Workshop 

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• Barbecue (though can always use disposables from the supermarket!)
• Garden furniture
• Porch swing
• Plant stand / hanger
• Lawnmower / strimmer
• Hose
• Ladder
• Wallpaper table
• Garden tools (rake, outside broom, trowel, secuters, hedge trimmer etc.)
• Decent set of tools (hammer, saw, drill etc.)
• Car stuff
• Clothesline (mentioned under Kitchen above) or Rotary Clothes Dryer (the thing that looks like an upside down garden umbrella made of string!)

What's Next?

If you can spot anything to add to the list (almost no matter how ridiculous! Though I may draw the line at garden gnomes and pink flamingos...) or can offer me anything that I'm missing (e.g. you've got a spare desk lamp, smoke detector, garden hose etc.) then drop me a line at housemove@magician.co.uk

Thanks!

Chris "The Magician" O'Shea