Furnishing a New Home Checklist: Your Essential Room-by-Room Guide
Moving into a new home is exciting, but it can be a lot to handle. Figuring out what furniture you need to furnish your new home can feel overwhelming. That’s where this guide comes in.
We’ve broken everything down, room by room, so you can focus on making your new space just what you envisioned. Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading as you go, this checklist covers all the must-haves, plus smart tips to help you furnish on your terms, in your style, and within your budget.
As a trusted source for quality furniture and thoughtful design, Coleman Furniture is here to make moving easier. We offer everything you need to bring your home to life, plus free White Glove Delivery on thousands of items to take the heavy lifting off your plate.
Ready to make your new house feel like home? Let’s get started.
Download Your Furnishing a New Home Checklist PDF
Download the printable version of this checklist to help you stay organized while furnishing your new home. It’s a simple, shareable PDF version of everything in this guide, perfect for planning your space, checking things off as you go, or bringing along when you shop.
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In this Article:
This guide is structured to make your planning process simple. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each section, including room-by-room furniture checklists to moving tips, budget advice, and FAQs. Click any section to jump straight to the info you need.
Room-by-Room Essentials
To make furnishing your new home easier, we’ve broken it down one space at a time. For each room, you’ll find a checklist of must-have furniture, our product suggestions with links, and a bonus tip to help you save space or money.
Whether you're starting from scratch or adding to what you already have, these essentials will help you build a home that’s both functional and personal, room by room.
Kitchen & Dining
The kitchen and dining area should be one of the first spaces you set up after moving in. It’s where you’ll grab your first meal, start your mornings, and maybe even unpack a few boxes over coffee. Get the essentials in place so you’re ready to settle into your new routine.
Must-Have Furniture
- Dining table: Try Marlow Dining Table
- Dining chairs/bench seating: Try Realyn White Dining Chair Set
- Bar stools (if you have an island or counter): Try Ale Bar Stool
- Sideboard/buffet: Try Winslow Sideboard
- China cabinet/hutch: Try Pengrove Antique Oak Cabinet
Bonus Tip: Measure your area before choosing a dining table. Leave at least 36 inches around all sides for easy movement. If you’re working with a smaller layout, consider bench seating or a counter-height table to save space.
Living Room
Once you're in, the living room quickly becomes your comfort zone; the place to crash after move-in day and where guests will gather. Furnish it early to create a space that feels like home right away. Prioritize comfort, seating, and smart storage.
Must-Have Furniture
- Sofa or sectional: Try Serena Velvet Sectional
- Coffee table or ottoman: Try Cota Dark Wood Cocktail Table
- TV stand or media console: Try Lenox Corsica Alabaster Entertainment Console
- Accent chair or loveseat: Try Massa Textured Green Performance Fabric Swivel Accent Chair
- Console table: Try Sophie Four-Door Cabinet
Bonus Tip: For smaller living rooms, opt for a
chaise sectional or a loveseat and
accent chairs combo to keep the space open and balanced.
Bedroom
After the chaos of moving, having a finished bedroom is a game-changer. Make this room a priority so you can recharge in a space that feels calm, private, and comfortable from day one. Focus on sleep essentials first, then add storage and style.
Must-Have Furniture
- Bed frame: Try Hatia Sienna Red Basketweave King Panel Bed
- Nightstands: Try Flynn 2-Drawer Nightstand
- Dresser: Try Ashbryn White and Natural Dresser
- Chest of drawers: Try Emery Pecan 5 Drawer Chest
- Wardrobe or armoire: Try Seph Peppercorn Door Chest
- Bedroom bench: Try Flynn 2-Drawer Bench
Bonus Tip: Consider multifunctional furniture like storage beds or dressers with mirrors
to maximize space and utility in your bedroom. To complete your bedroom without searching out individual pieces, explore our curated
bedroom sets.
Home Office
If you work from home or just need a spot to keep life organized, your office space should be functional and easy to set up right after moving in. Even a small, well-appointed corner can help you feel settled and productive fast.
Must-Have Furniture
- Desk: Try Realyn Office Lift Top L Shape Desk
- Office chair: Try Echo High Back Swivel Executive Chair
- Bookcase: Try San Mateo Home Office Tuscan Bunching Bookcase
- Filing cabinet: Try Bellamy Deep Weathered Pine Lateral File
- Credenza: Try Laurel Unique Natural Credenza
Bonus Tip: Consider ergonomic furniture
to enhance comfort during long work hours. Adjustable
chairs and
desks
can help maintain good posture and reduce strain. Or, if you have a small space to fill, try a
corner desk that tucks neatly into the room’s flow.
Outdoors
Don’t forget the outside of your new home. Whether it’s a patio, balcony, or backyard, setting up your outdoor space can offer a much-needed escape while you unpack and settle in. It’s also one of the easiest areas to furnish quickly with a few key pieces.
Must-Have Furniture
- Outdoor dining set: Try Palata Cream Outdoor Living Room Set
- Outdoor sofa or loveseat: Try Cali Natural Wicker Outdoor Loveseat
- Outdoor lounge chair: Try Clare View Outdoor Lounge Chair
- Outdoor coffee table: Try Trapani Neutral Outdoor Cocktail Table
- Outdoor ottoman: Try Cali Natural Wicker Outdoor Ottoman
- Outdoor bar set: Try Walton Bridge Driftwood Outdoor Bar Table Set
Bonus Tip: Consider adding weather-resistant cushions and rugs to create comfort and style, even when the elements combine against you. Incorporate lighting elements like string lights or lanterns to create a cozy ambiance for evening gatherings.
Bathroom
It might not be the first thing on your furnishing list, but adding a few thoughtful pieces to your bathroom can make a huge difference from the start. Storage, vanities, and small comforts will instantly elevate how the space feels after move-in.
Must-Have Furniture
- Vanity: Try Robbinsdale Antique White Vanity With Stool
- Storage cabinet: Try Mayfield Shiplap Storage Cabinet
- Mirror: Try Satin Black Mirror
Bonus Tip: Consider adding over-the-toilet storage or wall-mounted shelves to maximize space in smaller bathrooms.
Moving Day
Moving day is exciting, chaotic, and packed with decisions. Among the boxes and to-do lists, one of the smartest things you can do is prioritize a few key pieces of furniture that help your space feel livable right away. Start with the essentials: a bed frame and mattress to relax after a long day, a dining table and chairs for your first meals at home, and a sofa or comfy chair so you have a place to sit amid the chaos. Don’t forget lighting. Lamps go a long way if your new place doesn’t have overhead fixtures. And finally, remember to grab a basic bathroom setup.
Packing smart helps the day go smoother. Label boxes by room and mark priority boxes you want to open first, especially for the kitchen and bedroom. Keep hardware and cords in small, labeled zip bags, and tape them to the furniture they belong to. If you're disassembling anything complex like a sectional or bed frame, take a few quick photos of how it’s put together to make reassembly easier.
Furniture Delivery & Setup, On Us
Want to reduce stress on moving day? Use Coleman Furniture’s free White Glove Delivery and in-home setup service, available on thousands of items. Instead of lifting, unpacking, and assembling heavy furniture on your own, our delivery team does it for you, placing each item exactly where it belongs and handling the setup so you can focus on getting settled. For busy movers, it’s a game-changer.
You can also schedule your deliveries in advance to line up with your moving day. Whether you’re furnishing everything at once or in stages, Coleman’s shipping coordination tools make it easy to track and time each piece of your new home. Explore our delivery services to learn more.
Budget-Friendly Furnishing Tips
Furnishing a new home doesn’t have to drain your savings. With the right approach, you can create a space you love without overspending. Here are smart ways to stretch your budget, shop strategically, and still get high-quality furniture that fits your lifestyle.
Set a Budget by Room
Start by mapping out your space and assigning a realistic budget to each room. Focus more of your budget on high-use spaces, like your living room and bedroom, and dial it back on less urgent areas like guest rooms or entryways. Prioritizing what you need right now versus what can wait will help you stay financially on track.
Know Where to Splurge vs. Save
Some furniture gets consistent daily use and is worth investing in, like your mattress, sofa, or office chair. These are items that affect your comfort and health. With pieces that will see less wear and tear,, you can save and go for the less-luxury option. Think accent tables, decor, or shelving. Look for deals, bundles, or collections that offer a coordinated look at a better value. Check out our sale at Coleman Furniture to snag top pieces for a lower price and great savings.
Use Modular and Multi-Use Furniture
Modular furniture is a smart investment because it can adapt as your needs or space change. A modular sectional can grow with your family or be rearranged when you move. Storage beds, nesting tables, and sleeper sofas add function without needing extra square footage. The more flexible your furniture is, the fewer replacements you’ll need long-term.
Start with the basics that make your space livable: a bed, a dining table with chairs, a sofa or sectional, and at least one spot for storage. From there, prioritize room by room based on your lifestyle. A desk and office chair might be essential if you work from home, while a patio set might be high on the list if you love entertaining outdoors. Begin with what you’ll use daily and add as your needs grow.
Break your budget down by room and focus on the areas you’ll use most, typically the bedroom and living room. Allocate more for comfort-first pieces like mattresses, sofas, and chairs. Look for opportunities to save by choosing multi-functional furniture or shopping bundle deals. And don’t forget to factor in delivery and setup, which Coleman Furniture offers for free with White Glove Service on thousands of items.
The most common big-ticket items include a bed and mattress, a sectional or sofa, a dining table with seating, and potentially a home office setup. These are investment pieces that impact your daily comfort and are worth getting right from the beginning. If you’re on a budget, consider financing options or purchasing in phases, starting with one core room at a time.
Not necessarily. Focus on getting your must-haves delivered around move-in day, like a bed, seating, and a table. Everything else can follow once you’ve lived in the space a bit and better understand your flow, needs, and what each room calls for. Coleman Furniture’s fast shipping and delivery coordination make it easy to furnish in stages without stress.
Think in layers. Start with the foundational pieces: beds, a sofa, dining table, and storage. Then add accent furniture, rugs, and lighting to bring warmth and personality. Modular and transitional pieces can grow with you, especially if you're planning future moves or lifestyle changes. Our curated collections and room packages make it simple to furnish cohesively, even when shopping over time
