Moving out of home: your first-home checklist

Your first place of your own is a mix of freedom and a long list of things you suddenly have to remember yourself. Here's an overview in the order it makes sense to tackle things, from the practical stuff to what makes the home truly yours.

You don't need to have everything ready on day one. Start with what you use most, and build up the rest as you work out what your new everyday life looks like.

The short answer: how to prioritise

Start with the essentials. That means paperwork and practicalities, plus the things you use every single day in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. This is where it pays to choose quality, for example in cups and towels, because you'll have them in your hands so often.

Decorations, art and the smaller touches, on the other hand, can wait. Let the living room take shape at your own pace, so you only invest in the finer decorative pieces once you know what the room actually needs.

Paperwork and practicalities: what to sort out first

Before you start filling cupboards and shelves, there are a few practical things to sort out. You need to report your move to the national register via borger.dk, and you should check the deadline there so it doesn't get lost among everything else. It's also worth considering contents insurance and reading through your landlord's rules, so you know what's expected of you in your new home.

• Report your move to the national register at borger.dk
• Sort out internet and electricity, so it's working when you move in
• Consider contents insurance
• Read through your landlord's rules

The kitchen: what you use every day

The kitchen is where you use things the most, so it's worth choosing carefully here. You'll need plates, glasses, cups, cutlery, a chopping board, pots and some storage, so food and washing-up don't end up scattered across the cupboards.

For your morning coffee, a good-quality cup is something you'll appreciate every day. It could be a Mor cup in ceramic or a Far cup in ceramic from Bloomingville, or an Amalia cup in blue stoneware from Bloomingville, if you like a bit of colour in the cupboard. For dinner, Citron plates in stoneware from &Klevering or Appelsin plates in porcelain from &Klevering can make the table feel more personal, and a Citron dish in ceramic from &Klevering is handy when you're serving several people.

The bedroom and bathroom: bedding, towels and light

In the bedroom and bathroom, it's all about what makes the day good to start and end. You'll need bedding and towels, and a lamp with soft light makes it nice to read or drift off to sleep.

A good-quality towel makes a difference every day. In the shop, you'll find several Naram bath towels from Bongusta, including in tropical and creme, soft fuchsia, sea foam and deep teal, or pure white and grass, depending on what suits your bathroom.

The living room: making it your own

The living room is where you sit in the evening, and where it really shows whether your home feels like your own. A throw for the sofa, a bit of lighting, a vase and something on the wall is often enough to make the room feel personal, without requiring any big decisions.

You'll find throws, candle holders and vases in the shop, all hand-picked by Dinna, so you can put your stamp on the living room from day one.

What can wait: decorations and the things you're unsure about

It's tempting to want everything in place straight away, but some things can easily wait. Decorations, art and anything you're not quite sure about can be decided later, once everyday life has settled and you know what the room actually needs.

Let the first few weeks be about what you use every day, and save decisions about wall art and finer details for later, once you know the room better.

Summary

Moving out of your parents' home is about prioritising. Start with the paperwork and what you use every day in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, and let the living room and decorations follow at your own pace.

Read also

• Housewarming gift: 7 great ideas for the new home
• Decorating a small flat: how to make room for personality
• Kitchen design: personality at the heart of the home
• Cosiness in the home: the Danish tradition of homely warmth