Checklist: everything you need for an empty apartment
An empty apartment needs more than you'd think. It's not just the bed and sofa. It's the doormat, the toilet brush, the shower curtain and the thing you'll suddenly need at 10 pm: a corkscrew. Use this room-by-room checklist to make sure nothing is missing on day one.
Before you start
Tip: tick off what your apartment already has. In a gestoffeerd home, flooring and curtains are included. In a kaal home, they're usually not. Not sure what those terms mean? Read Kaal, gestoffeerd or gemeubileerd?
Bedroom
- Bed frame and slatted base, or a boxspring
- Mattress
- Duvet and pillows
- Duvet cover, pillowcases and fitted sheets (at least 2 sets)
- Mattress protector
- Wardrobe or clothes rail, and hangers
- Bedside table(s) and a reading lamp
- Curtains or blinds, if not included
- Laundry basket
Living room
- Sofa
- Coffee table
- TV and TV stand
- Rug
- Floor lamp and/or table lamp
- Bookcase or storage cabinet
- Desk and office chair, if you work from home
Dining
- Dining table
- Chairs
- Plates, bowls, mugs and glasses
- Cutlery set
- Serving bowls and a tray
Kitchen
- Pan set (check whether your hob is induction)
- Frying pan and saucepan
- Cooking utensils, cutting board and knives
- Colander, mixing bowl and oven dish
- Kettle and coffee machine
- Microwave
- Toaster
- Food containers
- Tea towels and oven gloves
- Waste bin with separate bags (the Dutch separate paper, plastic, glass and organic waste)
Bathroom
- Towels and bath mat
- Shower curtain, if needed
- Toilet brush and toilet paper holder
- Small bin
- Mirror, if not included
Laundry and cleaning
- Washing machine (check the connection first)
- Drying rack, or a tumble dryer
- Iron and ironing board
- Vacuum cleaner
- Broom, dustpan, mop and bucket
- Cleaning products, cloths and sponges
Practical extras
- Doormat
- Light bulbs
- Extension cords and power strips
- Basic toolkit and batteries
- First aid kit
- Smoke detector, if not installed
Don't forget the "invisible" setup
- Energy contract (electricity and gas)
- Internet
- Contents insurance and liability insurance (aansprakelijkheidsverzekering, very common in NL)
- Registration at the municipality
We can connect you with trusted partners for energy, internet, insurance and mobile.
The shortcut
Ticking all of this off one shop at a time takes days, and a car. With Welcome2Holland you choose everything in one place before you arrive. Start with our complete household pack and bedding pack, add the furniture and appliances you need, and we deliver and install it all.
Ready to furnish your new home?
See how our assembly service works, or tell us about your move through our contact form.
Ordering works with a personal access code from your employer, housing provider or relocation partner. No code yet? Contact us and we'll help you get started.
