Essentials to Help You Conquer the First Week After Your Move

Especially after a long and sweaty move, you’re going to want to get clean. Make sure you have the basics to do so by putting aside the following in an easily accessible box or suitcase:

• a basic shower liner and shower curtain hooks
• a bath towel (one per person)
• toilet paper (at least one roll per bathroom)
• hand soap (one bottle or bar per sink)
• hand towel (one per sink)
• shampoo, conditioner, body soap, face wash, and other personal-hygiene items (such as deodorant, tampons and pads, and razors)
• tooth care (floss, mouthwash, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a retainer)
• a bath mat (or a spare towel for the floor by the shower)
• trash cans and bags
• a plunger
• a toilet brush

See our bathroom guide for ideas on how to get organized once you’re settled.

If your old furniture and bedding will arrive after you (or if you’re getting new stuff), plan to pack essential bedding and temporary beds. And since you’ll be sleeping in an unfamiliar and yet-to-be-controlled setting, consider packing some cozy items beyond the basics to help you sleep and make your new room feel like home (such as a diffuser, a sleep mask, scented candles, or a white noise machine).

• pillows and pillowcases
• sheets
• a blanket or comforter
• a mattress encasement (if you’ll have your mattress but not a frame, you’ll want to protect it against dust on the floor)
• an air mattress, futon, or folding mattress (if you won’t have your real mattress yet)
• power strips (for easy charging)
• extension cords
• device chargers and cables
• portable lamps (to avoid harsh overhead lighting)

Your first night at a new home is not the night to whip out Julia Child’s best recipes. Stick to easy meals or takeout. The list below includes more items than you’ll need; pick among them based on the types of food your family usually prepares.

• no-prep snacks (think things like low-fuss fruit and nuts, baby carrots and hummus, and granola bars)
• paper towels or napkins
• disposable plates and cutlery (or camping or outdoor diningware that won’t break on the way to your new place)
• a cutting board and knife
• a skillet or saucepan, depending on what you’ll cook
• a spatula or wooden spoon, depending on what you’ll cook
• a wine opener (in case you’re feeling festive)
• a picnic blanket (if your chairs and table haven’t arrived)
• a kettle
• tea or coffee stuff (or just instant coffee pouches for a low-fuss option)
• a can opener
• a rice cooker or Instant Pot
• trash cans and bags
• dish soap and a sponge
• a sink strainer
• folding or camping chairs

Hanging up and folding all of your clothes is probably not the first task you’ll get to after a move. Keeping a few essentials on hand will guarantee you don’t have to. And remember, you’re just unpacking—no need to pull out your sartorial finest.

• underwear, boxers, and bras
• pajamas
• slippers or cozy socks
• a pair of jeans and some T-shirts
• outerwear (such as hoodies or coats, depending on the weather)

In a perfect world, the home you move into will be sparkling clean when you arrive. But more likely, you’ll be spending the first few nights with dust and grime and a graveyard of dead bugs. A few basics will help you clean up the worst of it.

• paper towels
• a disinfectant spray
• disinfectant wipes
• rags
• a dustpan and broom
• a (pre-charged!) handheld vacuum or a regular vacuum
• trash bags (consider heavy-duty, short contractor bags if you’re moving into a new place with lots of cleanup or if you have awkwardly-sized items to dispose of; smaller loads are easier to carry)

While you’re unpacking, organizing, and settling in, a whole array of unpredicted tasks will emerge. Whether that’s prying open a stubborn box or quickly repairing the broken toy your kid “can’t live without,” some basic tools will keep the day from erupting.

• scissors
• a multitool
• packing tape
• a tool kit (for when you get around to assembling all that furniture)
• lightbulbs (not every light fixture will have one)
• a flashlight or portable light (you’d be surprised which rooms aren’t fitted with overheads)
• babyproofing gear

In the rush and bustle of a move, it’s easy to forget to set aside some of your most important items. These should remain with you, not packed up with your movers.

• medicine
• a first aid kit
• personal- and feminine-hygiene items
• important paperwork (including passports, birth certificates, and social security cards)

We know moving with babies and small children is no easy feat. Keeping them comfortable and well-fed will ease their transition into the new space. Pick and choose the things you know you won’t be able to live without.

For babies:

• bottles and sippy cups
• baby formula and prepared or jarred food
• pacifiers
• babyproofing gear
• baby gates
• wipes and diapers
• multiple changes of clothes
• some favorite toys
• portable cribs or bassinets
• a baby monitor
• a bouncer or rocker
• a stroller
• slings or carriers
• bathtubs
• a high chair
• a white noise machine (for better sleeps in a new space with unfamiliar noises)
• miscellaneous baby essentials and toiletries (such as baby shampoo)
• a night-light

For bigger kids:

• snacks, juice
• kid toothbrushes and toothpaste
• bedtime (or anytime) books
• stuffies and loved toys
• a headlamp or night-light (for bathroom runs and nighttime reading)

A few basics will go a long way towards ensuring you’re not scrambling at the last minute to find the proper pet gear. Again, pick and choose the basics you know you can’t be without.

• pet food
• food and water dishes
• pee pads
• calming sprays
• poop bags
• cat litter and a litter box (don’t forget a scooper)
• a leash and harness
• a collar with proper ID
• health records
• towels
• toys
• a crate or carrier
• a blanket or bed
• a cat scratcher (if you think your cat will try to scratch new surroundings)

Make any downtime pleasurable with some smaller items:

• a tablet or laptop with movies already downloaded (so you can view without Wi-Fi if need be)
• a Wi-Fi hotspot (your cell phone’s mobile hotspot should be adequate for most things, but if you expect to go several days without Wi-Fi and have a lot of work requiring high amounts of bandwidth, this might be a good idea)
• chargers for your laptop, tablet, and phone
• a set of cards
• puzzles or board games
• books and magazines

This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Christine Cyr Clisset.