Buying your first home is an amazing, challenging, exciting and often-exhausting experience. Sometimes the mountain of paperwork and endless phone calls to solicitors can make it tricky to remember that at the end of it all you will be in possession of your very first home and there are many preparations to make before you move in. If you are moving in directly from your parents home, then you'll be surprised at how many of their home comforts you take for granted. If you are moving from a shared or rented accommodation then the chances are you'll have more of an idea what you're likely to need.
When you are a child you sit down to a cooked meal at the family table, enjoy a delicious range of tasty food and have a fairly endless supply of snacks. But someone is working hard behind the scenes to make sure you have all of this, as you'll discover when you buy your own property.
Kitchen essentials
Ask anyone what the most important thing is in their kitchen and kitchen kettle is most likely to be the top answer. You will also need saucepans, cooking implements, crockery, glasses, cutlery, a toaster and a microwave. Don't forget the extras like a tin opener, vegetable peeler, corkscrew, oven gloves, measuring jug and chopping boards. Depending on the size of your kitchen you will also need to think about furniture such as chairs and a table.
Living room must-haves
The most obvious thing in your living room is some comfortable furniture. You'll probably want a few bookshelves too and maybe a coffee table and some soft-lighting lamps. Most people keep their television and DVD player in their living room, so you'll need a TV stand. Don't forget the finishing touches, such as curtains, cushions, pictures, plants and candles.
Bedroom basics
Yes it goes without saying you need a bed. But you'll also need bedding, pillows, a wardrobe and chest of drawers, a bedside table and lamp and a dressing table. A full-length mirror is also great in your bedroom to check your outfit before you leave the house!
Bathroom bits and bobs
Some fittings might already be there, but you'll need a towel rack, toilet roll holder, toilet brush, bathroom mat and a shower curtain if you have a shower.
White goods
Again, some houses are sold with white goods, others are completely bare. You will need to think about a washing machine, fridge freezer and maybe a dishwasher and tumble dryer.
Anything else?
It's always a good idea to have a tool set, a first aid kit, a set of stepladders and plenty of cleaning products and equipment. If you have a garden, you'll need a lawnmower, rake, trowel and spade. Don't forget the ironing – get yourself an iron and ironing board, too.
Sounds like a lot of stuff, but setting up home is a big deal and it's worth getting it right. You don't need to spend too much, but make sure you have these essentials to get you started.