Moving to a new home? Here are my top 10 essential furniture items that I think every new home should have:
A good bed
A good bed means good night sleeps, which after moving is essential. A well-rested you with no aches or pain from a lumpy mattress means you can tackle the rest of the unpacking and whatever else you have on your to-do list. You don’t need your dream bed frame or the perfect headboard when you move, but a bed is a must. The rest of the décor will come with time as you figure out how the space works best for you.
Armchair
It need not have perfect upholstery, it could be the ugliest thing in the world. But having an armchair you can throw a blanket over and use to enjoy tea, a good book or welcome guests is always a good item to have. The bonus is, an armchair can move around the house or apartment depending on your needs. It could add seating in the living room or be a nice place to read a book in your bedroom. Armchairs are essential and full of possibilities.
A Few Good Lights
They might not be the ‘perfect’ lights for the spaces you need them for (on a desk, table, by the bed, etc.) but some lights are better than no lights. Having a few table lamps and maybe a floor lamp is essential to making any house your home. A quick stop at your local reuse centre should yield a couple of decent ones to get you by until you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Table
Just like lights, any old table will do as long as you can comfortably sit at it (with your legs underneath). You need something you can use as a dining table or desk (or both!). Upcycling an old table from your parents or something you buy at a garage sale is a great way to make do until you finally invest in the dining room table and desk you need.
Chairs
A couple of chairs, old wood ones you’ve painted in bright colours, or basic folding chairs are helpful for eating at the table and working at a desk. A fun collection of random chairs can be used in a variety of ways throughout the house, and are on standby should they be needed for a larger dinner party.
Sofa
A sofa is essential yes, but worth waiting for if you don’t have one yet. Unless you get a hand-me-down or find a second hand one for a steal; you’ll want to save your pennies for a quality sofa. A quality sofa is an investment in any home whether you’re staying or moving. A quality sofa is worth waiting the six to eight weeks for it to be made locally, using fabric you have picked specifically for your lifestyle needs, with the dimensions your space requires. So, yes, a sofa is essential for your new home – a quality one is worth the wait.
Coffee Table
You need a place to put your cuppa-tea, you need somewhere to rest your feet during a Netflix binge-watching session, and it doesn’t need to be fancy. A coffee table is a great item to find locally at second-hand stores or garage sales. Give them a fresh funky coat of paint and change up the legs to add or remove height. This is a fun way to add personality and function to your new space without breaking the bank.
Dresser
A clean and organized space immediately feels more welcoming, and that’s what a dresser does for a bedroom and any other number of places. When I moved into my very first apartment, I took my childhood dresser. That same dresser now helps store linens in the guest room and it is painted a lovely chalk white. When it comes to dressers, they can be used in so many ways – for clothes, for linens, for supplies in a shed or workroom; you can always use one – and in a move to a new home, they are essential.
Shelving
A bookcase, a shelving unit and an armoire, are all a great asset to have when you move into your first home. You’ll need a space to display and store some of your favourite things like photos, books, and décor accessories.
Area Rug
Nothing makes a space feel warm and brings it together like an area rug. A large rug can anchor a room and helps cold floors feel warm, instantly making you want to stay a little bit longer. Pick one in your favourite colours to bring you cheer and brighten up your décor, especially if it is a rental where you can’t change the colours of the walls.
Need some essentials to round out your collection of hand-me-downs and upcycle projects before you move? Shop our living room furniture.
Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert