Our guide to furnishing your new home

Staring at empty rooms and blank walls can be a daunting feeling, especially if you have just gone through the stress of a long-distance move. Furnishing your home might seem like a huge task, but it can be easier to accomplish than you might think.

Check out these smart tips to have your home looking exactly how you want!

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Make lists…

Take stock of what you need in each room at your new place, including measurements so you know how much space you’re working with.

You may want to go through magazines or browse online for home decorating ideas that suit your personal style. List everything you need by room and keep photos for reference so it’s easier to visualise the outcome.

…but don’t buy everything all at once!

How you think you’ll live in your new house and how you actually live in it are two different things. You’ll probably come up with better decisions and smarter choices after a couple months or so of living in your new home. Moreover, furnishing an entire house will put quite a dent in your wallet, so you might want to save the aesthetics for later.

In the meantime, focus on the furniture and appliances you will be using right away. First and foremost, you will need a bed and a good-quality mattress (moving is exhausting, after all). A snug and comfortable mattress is going to be the most important purchase you make, and one that you will need to get sorted out as soon as you possibly can.

Another top priority would be a fridge, as there is only so long that you can live on local takeaway! You might also want to add a wardrobe to your must-buy list, since you don’t want to live out of your suitcase for too long. And a word of advice from experience—the importance of entertainment is not to be underestimated!

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While you’re shopping for furniture, make sure you are ready to set up all of your flat-packed furniture when it arrives! Ensure you have a set of screwdrivers, allen keys, and spanners all handy. It’s also worth adding some basic cleaning materials to your shopping trolley as well, as not every empty home is left in pristine condition, especially if it has just been renovated or you’ve had a long settlement.

Get your shopping done online

There’s no quicker and easier way to shop home furnishings than via the internet. Online furniture stores tend to offer better deals and more choice, ranging between stylish, luxury furniture and more affordable furnishings. Plus, shopping online means you don’t have to spend a day trudging through the maze that is IKEA!

There are plenty of sites where you can shop everything from living room furniture to kitchenware, lighting, and décor. If you want more unique items, you can check out specialty shops for stylish kitchen furniture, comfy sofas and lounges, contemporary lighting, outdoor furniture, and more.

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Before you start adding items to your virtual shopping cart, make sure to check out reputable review sites first. Customer reviews will point you to the right suppliers and online stores, so take time to read them. Pay attention to what clients are saying about delivery/shipping times, product quality, and overall service. This is important if you want to get your money’s worth and have your new home furnished as quickly as possible.

Invest in the bedroom

If there’s one area to splurge on, it’s the bedroom. It only seems logical as it’s where you’ll be spending a third of your life. Trading comfort and good sleep for a lower price tag just isn’t worth it.

If you go the retail route when buying a bed, you’ll need to put a day aside to visit showrooms as this can quickly turn into a lengthy process. Alternatively, you can buy your mattress online with free trial and same-day delivery options to save you the trouble and stress. Many of these online options also come with return refund policies, unlike most retailers. Such options are great to have, especially for big-ticket items like a mattress.

Once you’ve got your bed sorted, maximise your comfort factor with some quality linens and bedding. Finish off your sleep sanctuary with blinds or other stylish window treatments and sleep tight! You need your rest to tackle tomorrow’s furnishing-your-new-home to-do list.

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For more furniture and home decor inspo head to our bedding buying guide, tips to choose the right sofa, how to choose patio furniture that’ll last and how to make the most of your living room space.