Last Updated on January 4, 2024
Moving into a new house can be an exciting adventure – a fresh start. But moving can also be stressful and downright exhausting. At the end of moving day, you deserve to put up your feet, pop some bubbly, and celebrate this major life event. And not spend your first night digging through boxes wondering where you packed the toilet paper. Get off on the right foot with this printable checklist of essentials for the first night in your new home.
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Transporting Your Essentials
Before we dive into the printable checklist of essentials for the first night in your new home, I want to touch on how to transport these supplies from your old to new house.
If you are moving to your new home via car, ideally these essentials should travel with you. Especially if you plan to arrive at your new home before the movers. However, if it isn’t possible (ex: flying), then these supplies (minus personal items) should be packed together in a box, labeled as “First Night Essentials” and loaded last on the moving truck so you can get to it asap.
First Night in Your New Home
What’s the purpose of this printable checklist of essentials? Quite simply, it’s to have everything you need to get through your first night in your new home. And for ease, I’ve divided these essentials into these 6 categories:
- Cleaning Supplies
- Sustenance
- Sleeping
- Personal Items
- Kids & Pets
- Odds & Ends
Hopefully I’ve thought of everything, so you don’t have to. But If you think I’ve forgotten an essential, please, please, please reach out to me. I’ll be happy to update my printable and help future movers with their first night.
Download Free Printable Checklist
Click below to download the pdf version of this checklist of essentials for the first night in your new home. If you have problems, feel free to reach me over at Everyday Old House over at gmail.
Once you’ve completed your download, read on to learn more about on how to smoothly get through your first night, relax and celebrate!
And don’t forget to scroll to the bottom for more Moving Checklists, like Prioritizing Checklists and Cleaning Checklists!
Cleaning
If you believe that you will be walking into a sparkling clean house, I’m afraid your chances being right are slim. While the last owners probably didn’t leave the house a complete disaster, there are probably a few areas that need a bit of touchup to get through your first night. Don’t worry – a heavy-duty, deep cleaning of the house can be tackled tomorrow or beyond.
For your first night, you just need to do a quick cleaning and attend to any immediate household repairs. The goal is to do the minimum to achieve a clean and comfortable sleep and get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow you will wake refreshed and ready to tackle a deep clean, unpacking and home improvements.
I’ve included a list of basic cleaning supplies and basic tools to get you through your first night in your new home. In addition, don’t forget scissors or box cutters so that you can open boxes the next morning, and a notebook and pen to jot down notes or create a to-do list.
- Trash Bags
- Cleaning Solutions (Lysol, Bathroom, All-Purpose, etc.)
- Cleaning Rags
- Gloves
- Paper Towels
- Vacuum
- Dustpan & Broom
- Mop
- Bucket
- Toolbox (Hammer, Pliers, Screwdriver, Drills w/ Bits)
- Scissors/ Box Cutters
- Hand Soap
- Notebook & Pen
Sustenance
At the end of a long day of moving, the last thing you want to do is cook a meal. And even if you are willing to cook, your kitchen might not be ready for you. Perhaps you don’t have your appliances – no stove, oven, or microwave. Or maybe your home has working appliances, but your refrigerator and freezer haven’t reached cold enough temperatures to cool food.
For your first night at your house, treat yourself to take-out. It’s the perfect opportunity to grab some take-out menus and try out restaurants in your new neighborhood.
The printable checklist below assumes that you indulge in some take-out and only need snacks and water to keep you satisfied between meals. Pack snacks like granola bars, fruit, and trail mix that keep your energy levels up, while water keeps you hydrated.
- Bottled Water
- Snacks
- Plates, Cups, Napkins, Utensils
- Dish Soap
- Can Opener
- Corkscrew/Bottle Opener
But if take-out isn’t an option, pack foods that easily create a meal, such as canned meats (tuna, chicken) or beans, peanut butter sandwiches, and fresh fruits and veggies.
OH! And if you can’t live without coffee in the morning and are unsure where the closest barista is located, you might also want to consider packing your coffee maker as a first night essential.
Sleeping
A restful night’s sleep is essential for a huge life event like moving. And to achieve that you’ll need a few things to create a cozy environment.
If your beds are already assembled (lucky you!), then you just need to make the bed with linens (mattress pad, sheets, blankets, comforter and pillows).
But if your beds won’t be set up by nightfall, be sure to have an air mattress (don’t forget the pump!) with a sleeping bag and pillows. And if you have a little one, don’t forget the Pack’n Play.
- Linens (Sheets, Blankets, Pillows, Comforter, etc.)
- Pillow
- Air Mattress w/ Pump
- Sleeping Bag
- Nightlight
If you struggle sleeping at night, don’t forget you sleeping sound machine (especially if moving to a noisier neighborhood).
Personal Items
Your new house isn’t the only thing that needs cleaning items on the first night…. You need to be clean too! ?
Pack yourself a back with the essential personal items – toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, brush or comb, etc. You get the idea. If easier, just buy a travel-sized kit that comes with all the toiletries you need for a few days.
Pack some pjs and a set (or two) of clean work clothes for the next day. You don’t want to be caught working in the same smelly clothes when the neighbors stop by!
Here’s a short list of necessities to get through your first night in your new home:
- Toilet Paper
- Towels (Bath, Hand, Wash)
- Toiletries (Toothbrush/paste, Brush, Deodorant, etc.)
- Contacts/Glasses
- Clothes, Pjs, Underwear
- Medications
- First-Aid Kit
Keep medications in an easy to reach spot. Don’t forget Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen (trust me you WILL be sore from all that moving!). And to handle any boo-boos and bumps the occur while unpacking and moving, pack a fully stocked first-aid kit.
Kids & Pets
Moving with kids and/ or pets adds an extra challenge to organizing and preparing for your first night in your new home. Not only do you need to have their essentials, but you also need to make moving house a fun experience.
Here’s the essential items needed for your kids or pets first night to help ease any anxiety they may feel during the settling-in process:
- Clothes, Pjs, Underwear
- Entertainment (Toys, Books, Tablets)
- Baby Supplies (Diapers, Bouncy Seat)
- Lovey/ Sleep Friend
- Pet Food w/ Bowls
- Poop Bags or Kitty Litter Box w/ Scoop
- Leash
- Water & Food Bowl
- Bones/ Toys
- Crate/ Carrier
- Pet Bed or Blanket
Moving with smaller children (aka babies and toddlers) is especially challenging. Ensure you pack enough diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers to get through a few days. And don’t forget any loveys, stuffed animals or nightlights and sounds machines they used in their old bedrooms to help transition to their new ones.
If applicable, keep your little ones safe from the action with barriers such as playpens, bouncy chairs, gates, etc…)
And don’t forget to pack ways to entertain the little ones while you clean and unpack. While you are far from bored setting up house, your little ones need their own activities, such as crayons and coloring book, books and toys. And don’t feel guilty if you end up bending the rules with extra screen time on a laptop or tablet to get through your day.
Odds & Ends
This section of this printable checklist of essentials for your first night in your new home is the catch-all. This includes the random but still critical items for a smooth moving process.
For example, this list includes important documents that you don’t feel comfortable leaving in a moving van – like Social Security cards, checkbooks, and birth certificates. You may also consider holding onto a copy of your closing documents including title documents and insurance policies.
- Important Docs
- Phone Chargers
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Cash
- Camping Chairs
Don’t forget phone chargers! And while not essential (and therefore not on the “essentials printable checklist), if you plan to use rely on more than your phone, then bring your personal electronic devices like laptops and tablets (plus chargers!).
If your laptop has a DVD player (I know, I know, I’m dating myself), bring a few DVDs to watch and unwind since you probably won’t have internet or cable the first day. Other ways to entertain yourself? Pack a book or the family’s favorite board game for a memorable game night.
And if you are using movers, don’t forget cash for a tip!
Conclusion
After a long day of moving, give yourself a break at night with this free printable listing all the essentials needed for a first night in a new home. Be prepared so that you can sit back, relax and pop open some bubbly to celebrate! (Or celebrate another way with this list of 10 Fun Ways to Celebrate First Night in New House.)
When you get up tomorrow, tackle cleaning your new home with my Move-In Cleaning Checklist and my Kitchen Comprehensive Deep Cleaning Checklist, followed by my Priority Move-in Checklist!
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