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essentials for a first time flat
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I may have my first flat in 8 weeks time, but i have no clue about what i need to go in it. Or rather I know what I want but I don't know what is essential.
For example is a cooker essential etc. So any advice on what I need will be brill, so I can work out how much it is and save over the next 8 weeks.
Thanks
AFA
For example is a cooker essential etc. So any advice on what I need will be brill, so I can work out how much it is and save over the next 8 weeks.
Thanks
AFA
0
Comments
Oh and what's the flat like, could you get a washer and a dryer and a big fridge freezer in the kitchen or room for a half fridge and a bag to put everything in before heading down the laundrette?
I have kitchen utensils etc but currently live with my mum so have no appliances.
The kitchen is big enough for a fridge freezer, washing machine, dryer etc and a dining table, it also has a space for a cooker.
I have got a TV unit for the living room but other than that I don't really have alot apart from bedroom furnitiure.
I have a general idea of the things I will need in the long run, but Im asking what do you think are the real essentials i need to have to move in with.
It is only a small one bed flat.
Thanks
AFA
Moving residence is supposed to be one of the most stressfull things you can do in your life, even if it goes swimmingly, as you always have your mind thinking about the next thing you need to do or buy for the home.
Fridge
Cooker
Microwave
Freezer would be good but it's possible to live without one
Kettle
Somewhere to sit
Pots
Pans
Cleaning stuff
Don't bother with a dryer unless you've got nowhere at all to hang clothes to dry, much better to just purchase a clothes horse for a few quid and put it near a radiator.
If you'd have a way of moving them then you could try that as a cheap way to get some goods - and worth signing up to free-cycle in your area and posting looking for white goods there (if it's an option)
You can search by location on ebay, at least you could, so you can try searching for a freezer nearby and see what comes up.
One thing I'd really recommend is a bit of a survival kit - head down somewhere like Wilkinsons and grab a cheap hammer, some nails, some fuses, some screwdrivers, cellotape, some superglue, few things like that. It's surprising when you first move into your own place how many things are just tucked into draws at home that you didn't realise you'd need.
Oh and bear in mind how the telly might be set up, if you're near one of the digital only areas remember you might need a set top box to get any reception if the telly isn't digital ready - though lots of help available if you're in those locations.
I'll think a bit more, but good luck - it's great fun to get your own place for the first time, after you make it in
Thanks for that, yes I have got access to a van, my other half just bought one so I can use that. I didn't think of the free-cycle thing. Im getting really excited now and its not for 8 weeks lol
Pots and pans are also necessary.
A table and some chairs.
Towels like Mist said (I stole a few from mom though).
Mop or vacuum cleaner (depends on your budget/flooring which to get).
Apart from what you say you own these things are the ones I'd think are the most necessary as a start pack. When me and my bloke started renting it helped to have some money saved up as we bought stuff as we needed it. We're still buying stuff for our home most months but have moved to a stage where things aren't as essential but rather stuff we're collecting or renewing (in better quality, hehe).
I'm also looking for a fridge! I have just looked at my local freecycle thing and am amazed by what people are getting rid of lol
Yes, definitely!! My bloke has a cheap IKEA set with stuff like a hammer and a screwdriver and that has been a lifesaver, especially the screwdriver where you can swap the heads or whatever it's called to fit different screws. Tape measure as well, that's come in handy a lot of the time.
An electric heater for the all times when your heating stops working!
A land line phone
We got a toaster after about a month.
the rest... nah.
sieve - can do without
potato masher - smash
potato peeler - nah, scrape carrots, scrub most veg, or peel with a knife
spatula - that's what fingers are for
ladle - I still don't have a ladle
an egg whisk - fork
rolling pin - bottle -wine, or just a 2 litre coke bottle (full works better)
egg timer - mobile phone
egg cups - this is a joke?
apple corer - you what?
lemon squeezer - c'mon you're having a giraffe
funnels - my mind boggles.
jars - is this your grannies list?
sieve - can do without - What's gonna happen with pasta? At least you're going to need a colander.
potato masher - smash - Smash then eat? I think not.
potato peeler - nah, scrape carrots, scrub most veg, or peel with a knife - Prone to cuts.
spatula - that's what fingers are for - Still need it for scraping out tins. Also for anything flat.
ladle - I still don't have a ladle - I take it you don't make soup. It's time to learn, my friend. And you are 39 ffs :-)
an egg whisk - fork - Say bye bye to Angel Delight then :-D
rolling pin - bottle -wine, or just a 2 litre coke bottle (full works better) - I'll give you that one.
egg timer - mobile phone - I'll give you that one too, as long as the OP knows how to download mobile apps.
egg cups - this is a joke? - Boiled eggs? Doh!
apple corer - you what? - Obviously you haven't cooked with apples in your 39 years.
lemon squeezer - c'mon you're having a giraffe - Again, void statement. Fruit juices? Cocktails? Pancake Day?
funnels - my mind boggles. - E.g. for pouring 2L coke into small 500ml bottles. Saves buying 500ml coke bottles on trains for £1.80 a pop.
jars - is this your grannies list? - Sugar, flour, coffee, tea. Oh I take it you use instant coffee then?
For your post Big Gay, given your age:
Effort = D
:-)
Luckily, I was given a sofa, washing machine and microwave by friends / family.
My mum bought me kitchen utensils over the months before i moved - no apple corer though :eek:
Don't forget you'll need things like curtains or blinds if not already in, kettle, toaster, mugs, plates, cutlery, tv (and tv licence), bedding etc
No, you just use the saucepan lid.
I just use a wooden spoon.
Most phones come with a built-in stopwatch.
sieve - can do without - What's gonna happen with pasta? At least you're going to need a colander.I drain everything with the pan lid.
potato masher - smash - Smash then eat? I think not. No, instant mash. It's quicker, cheaper and keeps much longer. But then I'm not fan of mashed tatties. I have mashed them with a fork, on several occasions.
potato peeler - nah, scrape carrots, scrub most veg, or peel with a knife - Prone to cuts. I do have a peeler, but I prefer to scrape or scrub where possible.
spatula - that's what fingers are for - Still need it for scraping out tins. Also for anything flat.Never scraped a tin - I usually swill out with water or milk. Flat? as I said, that's what fingers are for.
ladle - I still don't have a ladle - I take it you don't make soup. It's time to learn, my friend. And you are 39 ffs :-) I make soup - not as often as I'd like, but I just pour from the pan.
an egg whisk - fork - Say bye bye to Angel Delight then :-DI have said goodbye to Angel delight, but I used to make it with a fork.
rolling pin - bottle -wine, or just a 2 litre coke bottle (full works better) - I'll give you that one.
egg timer - mobile phone - I'll give you that one too, as long as the OP knows how to download mobile apps. I don't know how to download apps, but I've always had a timer on my phones.
egg cups - this is a joke? - Boiled eggs? Doh! cut out the bit of the egg carton.
apple corer - you what? - Obviously you haven't cooked with apples in your 39 years.You don't need to do anything with the core ig you're just chopping apples, when slicing them I simply slice around the core, or when baking apples I just cut it out with a thin knife.
lemon squeezer - c'mon you're having a giraffe - Again, void statement. Fruit juices? Cocktails? Pancake Day? cut it in half, squeeze. Use a fork if you're trying to extract maximum juice.
funnels - my mind boggles. - E.g. for pouring 2L coke into small 500ml bottles. Saves buying 500ml coke bottles on trains for £1.80 a pop.I just fill bottles from the tap.
jars - is this your grannies list? - Sugar, flour, coffee, tea. Oh I take it you use instant coffee then?Tea comes in perfectly serviceable boxes, I keep my flour in the bags it comes in - and you didn't include anything for making fresh coffee in (but then that might account for why you need a sieve)
For an ex-student, marks for "living on a budget" 2/10
Most of the things on the list are useful items, but you don't need them when you first move in.
fridge
kettle
microwave
good vegetable knife
pyrex measuring jug
mug
plate
bowl
knife
fork
teaspoon
pillow
duvet
pillowcase
duvet cover
sheet
washing up brush
kitchen bin
bin bags
clockradio
nylon chopping board.
tin opener
towel
facecloth
toothbrush
things I'd get as a priority:
toaster
bed
sofa
another radio
paper bins
slow cooker (crock pot?)
good kitchen knife
cheese grater
more plates and bowls and mugs
teaspoons
slotted spoon
kitchen clock
washing up bowl
loo brush
clothes airer
Kitchen scissors
stuff that makes it a (basic) home
cooker
frying pan
saucepan
roasting tin
baking tray
casserole dish
bath sponge
freezer
mixing bowl
fish slice
bookshelves
dirty laundry hamper
veg peeler
tea/coffee/sugar jars
glasses
colander
some basic luxuries:
(hand) blender
mechanical whisk
rolling pin
pastry brush
a good cutlery set
a good kitchen knife set
a pan set
music system
clean laundry basket
egg cups
kitchen timer
butter dish
spreading knife
wine glasses
vacuum cleaner
stuff for once you're settled
washing machine
tumble dryer
coffee maker
computer
Kilmer jars
funnels
sieve