New Home Essentials Checklist for Pakistan: Everything You Need in Your First Month

The keys are in your hand. The boxes are everywhere. Here’s exactly what you need, and when.

Moving into a new home in Pakistan is a beautiful kind of chaos.

The truck arrives late. The movers drop one box (always the crockery). The electrician says he’ll come “bas thori der mein” and arrives two days later. The water tank is empty. Someone from the family arrives with a degh of biryani, and there are no plates to eat it on.

And somewhere in all of this, you’re trying to make a house feel like a home.

This checklist will help. It’s organised by timing (day one, week one, month one) and by room, so you know exactly what to get first and what can wait.

Save it. Share it with whoever is moving with you. And take a deep breath. You’ve got this.

Before moving day

• Check water supply, electricity and gas connections.
• Arrange internet installation in advance (it can take days).
• Check the UPS, inverter or solar setup for loadshedding.
• Deep clean the empty house before furniture arrives.
• Check for leaks, especially in washrooms and under kitchen sinks.
• Change the locks if you’re renting or buying a previously owned home.
• Pest control treatment, ideally before moving in.

Day one survival kit

Pack one box, clearly marked “OPEN FIRST”, with:

• Toilet rolls and tissues.
• Soap, hand wash and towels.
• A few plates, cups, spoons and a kettle.
• Chai, sugar, milk powder or fresh milk.
• Phone chargers and an extension board.
• A torch or rechargeable lamp.
• Basic medicine and a first aid kit.
• Bedsheets and pillows for the first night.
• A change of clothes for everyone.
• Cleaning cloths, a broom and a bucket.
• Scissors or a box cutter.
• Prayer mat and Quran.
• Snacks and water bottles.

Many families also recite Surah Baqarah or arrange a small Quran khwani in the new home for barakah. It’s a lovely way to begin.

Week one essentials: room by room

Kitchen

• Cooking pots: pateela, karahi, pressure cooker, frying pan.
• Tawa for roti.
• Cooking spoons, belan and chakla.
• Knives and a chopping board.
• Plates, bowls, glasses and cups for daily use.
• Storage jars for daal, rice, sugar, chai and spices.
• Masala dabba.
• Dish soap, scrubbers and a dish rack.
• Rubbish bin and bin bags.
• Water filter or arrangement for drinking water.

Washrooms

• Lota or shower spray.
• Towels and a towel rail.
• Soap and a soap dish or dispenser.
• Toilet brush and cleaning supplies.
• Bathroom mat.
• Small bin.
• Mirror, if not fitted.

Bedrooms

• Beds and mattresses.
• Bedsheets, pillows and covers.
• Razai or blankets (depending on season).
• Curtains, especially blackout ones.
• Bedside lamp.
• Bedside tissue holder.
• Hangers.

Drawing room and lounge

• Seating.
• Curtains.
• A centre table.
• A tissue holder for guests (they will start visiting very soon).
• Coasters.
• A serving tray for chai.

Dining area

• Dining table and chairs.
• A tissue holder for meals.
• Salt and pepper.
• Water jug and glasses.
• Placemats or a runner.

The guest factor: be ready sooner than you think

In Pakistan, guests start arriving almost immediately after you move. Mubarakbaad visits. Neighbours dropping by. Relatives wanting to “dekhna ghar kaisa hai.”

You don’t need a finished home. But you do need the drawing room basics:

• Somewhere to sit.
• Clean cups and a way to make chai.
• A few biscuits or snacks.
• A clean guest washroom.
• Tissues on the centre table, ideally in something nicer than a cardboard box.

A handmade Pure Sheesham Wood tissue holder on your centre table from the first week makes a new, still-unpacked home look instantly more settled. And the pack of three covers the drawing room, dining table and bedroom in one go.

More: How to Prepare Your Home for Guests in 30 Minutes.

Month one: making it feel like home

Comfort and decor

• Rugs for the drawing room and bedrooms.
• Cushions and throws.
• Warm lamps for evenings.
• Indoor plants.
• Wall art or calligraphy.
• Mirrors.
• Matching everyday accessories: tissue holders, trays, coasters.

Storage and organisation

• Shoe rack near the entrance.
• Baskets and storage boxes.
• Hooks behind doors.
• Shelves where needed.
• Under-bed storage.

Cleaning and maintenance

• Vacuum cleaner or good brooms and mops.
• Dusting cloths (soft, for wooden furniture and decor).
• Iron and ironing board.
• Washing machine and drying stand.
• Basic toolkit: screwdriver, hammer, pliers, tape.

Safety

• Fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Smoke detector.
• Gas leak awareness and regular checks.
• First aid kit.
• Emergency contact list on the fridge.

Spiritual corner

• Clean prayer mats.
• Quran on a rehal.
• Tasbeeh.
• Qibla direction marked.
• Calligraphy or dua frame.

What can wait

Don’t rush these. Live in the space first, then decide:

• Large decor pieces and showcases.
• Expensive artwork.
• Additional furniture.
• Major renovations.
• Feature walls and wallpaper.

Living in a home for a few weeks shows you how you actually use each room.

Budget tips for setting up a new home

1. Prioritise daily-use items. These are where quality matters most.
2. Buy once, buy well. Cheap items replaced often cost more in the end.
3. Accept gifts graciously, and let family know what you actually need.
4. Avoid buying “sets” of things you don’t need.
5. Mix new with heritage. Family pieces add soul to a new home.

The emotional side of a new home

A new home is more than a new address.

It’s the first Eid you’ll host. The room where your children will grow up. The table where you’ll share thousands of meals. The drawing room where your parents will visit and say, with quiet pride, “Mashallah, bohat acha ghar banaya hai.”

The things you choose in the first month will be part of all those memories. Choose them with care.

Printable checklist summary

Day one: Toilet rolls, tissues, soap, towels, kettle, chai, cups, plates, chargers, torch, medicine, bedding, clothes, cleaning supplies, prayer mat.

Week one: Kitchen basics, washroom basics, beds, curtains, drawing room seating, centre table, tissue holders, serving tray, dining essentials.

Month one: Rugs, lamps, plants, art, storage, cleaning tools, safety equipment, spiritual corner.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need first when moving into a new house?

Toilet rolls, tissues, soap, towels, a kettle, basic dishes, chargers, a torch, bedding and cleaning supplies.

What are essential items for a new apartment in Pakistan?

Kitchen basics, washroom supplies, beds, curtains, seating, a centre table, tissue holders, a UPS or backup light, and safety equipment.

What is a good gift for someone moving into a new home?

Useful decor like Pure Sheesham Wood tissue holders, serving trays, plants or calligraphy. See our housewarming gift ideas.

Should I buy everything at once?

No. Buy daily essentials first, then add decor and furniture as you learn how you use the space.

Welcome home

Every home starts with a few boxes and a lot of hope. Fill it slowly, thoughtfully, and with things you’ll love for years.

See the Handmade Pure Sheesham Wood Tissue Holder →

The Oom. The Origin of Masterpieces.