Tag: moving out furniture

Checklist: Handy Furniture, Appliances etc.

Handy furniture, appliances to get cheap

So you’re setting up a home for the first time? Once you’ve worked out your budget, you need to work out what furniture and bits and pieces you’ll need most.

Of course, everyone’s needs differ: a student mightn’t need an iron (does anyone? Just put wet stuff on hangers, shove jeans under your mattress – oh, ok, you might need to iron uniforms or work shirts); naturists won’t have much call for a wardrobe (or probably too many clothes for that matter); rice-lovers might want a rice cooker, stir-fry fans probably need a wok.

But for most people, there’re the essentials, like a bed and a fridge, for example, then the other handy stuff you need, or just really want, which is basically the stuff listed here.

You can get by without it, by going to the laundromat, using the library computer, even sweeping the carpet, but it makes it much easier (& more comfy) if you can beg, borrow or steal these things (ok, the stealing bit was just an expression. Don’t steal them.).

* go to checklists  for a printable checklist of this and more

 

Handy furniture and appliances to have…
Washing machine
Vacuum cleaner
Microwave
Table and chairs
Phone
Iron
TV and/or DVD player and/or computer, tablet etc.
Desk
Bin(s) if not provided
Fan and/or heater
Warning! Remember, when in doubt, don’t. Who knows what will happen in the next few years? Do you want to be tied down by a whole heap of stuff (and debt)? What if you decide to travel? It might be better to use a laundromat or take the washing home to Mum or Dad’s, than fork out for something you can’t afford and mightn’t need in a year. Think about it.

 

 Helpful hints to save

  • If possible, try to beg, borrow, or steal the things you need (ok, not literally — ask if you can take stuff from your folks’, like a kettle, toaster, iron, and/or a starter set of cookware, crockery, mugs etc. Most households tend to have extra bits and pieces they can do without), or see tips here for getting hold of things cheaply or even for free.
  • Be creative: cover old lounges with a throw or sheet (dye or tie-dye it — just buy dye from a pharmacy or chain store like Spotlight or Lincraft, follow the instructions (!), and to tie-dye just poke your finger through bits of material and wrap around a bunch of rubber bands so the dye can’t get into those bits. Simple).
  • A crate and tea towel makes a cheap and easy coffee table.
  • Your laptop can double as a DVD player if you grab a cheap HDMI cable and plug it into your tv.
  • Got a table? Well you’ve also got a desk then.

Checklist: Essential Furniture To Get

What’s the essential furniture for your first home?

Yep, the amount of stuff you need to set up a house can seem overwhelming – from whitegoods, like fridges, to furniture, not to mention all the other bits and pieces you use every day. Where do you start?

  • Take a deep breath, you mightn’t need as much as you think.
  • Always start by working out what you can scrounge from family and friends. Do your folks have a second fridge or tv? Offer to help them save on power bills by taking it off their hands. You saint, you! Ask if you can take other stuff too — most people have at least some extra bits and pieces they can offload.
  • Think outside the box. Grab an old lounge from a charity store and cover it with a throw or sheet (you can dye or tie-dye it); a box plus some fabric is a coffee table; a laptop is a DVD player; your table doubles as a desk (or vice versa).

The basics

While you can get by without too much, beg, borrow or buy the items on the essential furniture checklist if possible.  Then check out the list of useful extras (if you have the cash) in checklist: handy furniture, appliances etc.

* go to checklists for a printable checklist of this and more

 

Essential furniture
Fridge
Toaster and kettle
Crockery (e.g. plates and bowls), cutlery, utensils
Mugs and glasses
Cookware (e.g. oven tray, good sized heavy-based saucepan, non-stick frypan, microwave-safe cookware if you have a microwave)
Food storage (e.g. Tupperware)
Lounge
Bed and new mattress if not bringing your own (foam is the cheapest)
Clothes hanger (if no built-ins or wardrobe)

 Wait! Before you buy anything:

  1. Does your property come with any furniture or appliances? Check before you buy. For example, are there built-in wardrobes? Some apartments may have a dryer; houses may have a washing machine or fridge you can use.
  2. If you are sharing with others, work out who will buy what. Sharing the cost of a major appliance can turn into a nightmare if one or more of you need to move out. Keep things separate so it’s clear who owns what.
  3. Measure the space – you don’t want your hard-earned cash spent on a fridge, microwave, washing machine etc. that will take up half your kitchen or laundry space while the designated wall cavity sits empty.
  4. Remember, when in doubt, don’t. Who knows what will happen in the next few years? Do you want to be tied down by a whole heap of stuff (and debt)? What if you decide to travel? It might be better to use a laundromat or take the washing home to Mum or Dad’s, than fork out for something you can’t afford and mightn’t need in a year. Think about it.

Check out more things that are great if you can get them here