Guide for settling into a new home
How to Build the Perfect Housewarming List
Pinpoint what each room needs, prioritize the essentials, and let friends and family know how to help with the move.
Guide for settling into a new home
Why have a housewarming list?
Moving into a new home is a fresh start, but it also reveals how many basics are still missing. Without a plan, you end up buying things twice or scrambling for essentials after guests arrive.
A housewarming list brings furniture, appliances, storage, and decor into one place. You can tag priorities, share a clean link, and watch who has already reserved each item.
This guide walks you through preparing the list: taking inventory, timing arrivals, balancing budgets, and sharing with everyone who wants to help.
Step-by-step: organizing your housewarming list
Map rooms and priorities
Walk through the empty home, note what every space really needs, and decide what must be ready from day one.
- Use floor plans or photos to visualize the layout
- List the essentials before you think about decor
Inventory what you already own
Separate the pieces that will move with you, note what needs maintenance, and mark what should be left behind.
- Flag items that require cleaning or small repairs
- Donate or sell what you won't reuse to avoid clutter
Organize by category and urgency
Create sections for furniture, kitchen, organization, and maintenance, and mark what must arrive first.
- Put the most urgent items at the top of your list
- Use the description field to name the room and intended use
Balance price ranges and quotas
Combine affordable finds with premium pieces and create quotas for bulky furniture or appliances.
- Include products under $30 so everyone can contribute
- Explain how each quota works for heavy or expensive items
Share it and keep it updated
Send the link, refresh the availability when someone reserves, and thank each person who participates.
- Update the list whenever an item is reserved to avoid duplicates
- Send a personalized note with the link to show appreciation
Ideas for your housewarming list
Find curated suggestions by category to help you build a complete and functional home.
Essential furniture
- •Storage bed or platform bed
- •Sofa or chaise lounge
- •Dining table with chairs
- •Media console or shelving unit
- •Wardrobe or modular closet
- •Accent chair for reading corners
Organization & essentials
- •Modular shelving and cubbies
- •Stackable storage bins
- •Wall hooks and rail systems
- •Entryway bench with storage
- •Tool kit for small repairs
- •Cleaning cart and divided trash cans
Kitchen, decor & maintenance
- •Range or cooktop
- •Refrigerator
- •Cookware set
- •Utensil set (spatulas, ladles, whisks)
- •Rugs, curtains, and lighting
- •Indoor plants or planters
- •Smart bulbs and motion sensors
Housewarming best practices
Think about daily routines
Consider how you use each room so you can prioritize the items that make your new life easier.
Pick multi-purpose pieces
Furniture that serves more than one function saves space and keeps the list lean.
Refresh the list after each reservation
Remove or mark items you've already received so the remaining gaps stay clear.
Add notes about colors and finishes
Help guests match your style by mentioning preferred colors, materials, or themes.
Send quick thank-you messages
Use reservation data to thank each person specifically and let them know how much their help meant.
Housewarming FAQ
Where should I start building the list?+
Walk through the empty home, note what each room really needs, and use MyWishlist to create sections by space. Start with the essentials and refine as you go.
Can I add renovation or assembly services?+
Yes! Create items like 'Furniture assembly' or 'Painter for accent wall' and explain how contributions will be used. Contributors can help by claiming quotas.
How do I highlight room-specific needs?+
Use the description field to name the room and the intended use, reorder items to move urgent ones to the top, or create separate lists per space if needed.
What about large furniture or appliances?+
Create quotas for bulky items (for example, 5 quotas of $100 for a $500 sofa) and explain the delivery or assembly plan. Groups of guests can team up without one person bearing the full cost.
What if someone buys outside the list?+
That's perfectly fine! Update the list to reflect the new gift or remove the item, and send a thank-you. The list is a guide, not a rule.
Explore the housewarming showcase
See how our housewarming templates look and how guests experience your list.
Guide for settling into a new home
Ready to build your housewarming list?
Thousands of people have organized their moves with MyWishlist. It's 100% free and lets guests shop where they prefer.