Practical Advice for people moving into their first own home

Everyone once moves into their own apartment for the first time and face many small decisions that, in total, have a big impact on daily life, finances, and well-being. These are some of my personal opiniated learnings from the first 10 years in my own home.

Everything you own is a liability

Everything you buy and own will require attention throughout your life. It must be maintained, moved during your next relocation, and eventually disposed of. To travel through life with light baggage, avoid things you don’t truly need. Be mindful of YAGNI gadgets (“You ain't gonna need it”). When buying something new, ask yourself: which item you already own can you sell, donate, or throw away in exchange?

Caution with your first furniture purchases – take your time…

At first, only buy the furniture that is absolutely essential (especially bedroom, kitchen, dining table) and leave all “extra furniture” for later. Once the first pieces are assembled, you’ll get a better sense of how much space you actually have. After one to two years in the apartment, you’ll naturally notice what is really missing — or that nothing else is needed at all.

..but do not delay what you may get used to..

There are tasks that, if not done immediately after moving in, you get used ot them and they quickly become permanent. You lose the motivation to fix them later. Handle these right away: minor repairs, painting walls, replacing faulty light switches, changing dirty toilet seats, replacing scribbled mailbox labels, etc.

Buy in Systems

When furnishing, think in systems, not isolated items. If you find a nice set of plates, are there matching cups? A bright red shelf may look cool, but can you later find furniture that matches it? Neutral colors and classic designs are easier to expand and combine. But most importantly, pick a style of colors/materials/shapes and stick to it. Choose one that is not hard to find.

Tip: Items that are part of a system are easier to repair, refill, resell; odd single pieces often stay with you forever.

Think ahead about maintenance

A stylish sofa or fancy mattress is great — but can the cover be removed and washed? A cool kitchen gadget — but how much cleaning does it require after each use? A beautiful set of coffee cups — but is it dishwasher-safe?

Keep the floor clear

Avoid furniture that sits directly on the floor. Prefer furniture with legs so you can easily vacuum underneath. Also, use proper furniture gliders from the start — protects ears and floors, and makes moving furniture easier when cleaning.

The most underestimated furnishing element is lighting

Get yourself good, bright lighting — ideally dimmable, even better with adjustable color temperature (cool in the morning, warm in the evening). Especially in countries with short winter days, good lighting has a big impact on comfort and mood.

Every household needs a basic tool set

Don’t buy drills or saws — borrow those from friends or family. But you should always have a basic toolkit, ideally something like the IKEA Fixa kit plus a small cordless screwdriver, a folding ruler, and a small set of nails.

Out of sight, out of mind

Everything should be visible. What you don’t see, you forget — and may even buy twice. If things are so piled up that they hide each other, you own too much: time to declutter and let go.

Use open shelves, transparent boxes, or at least consistent labeling. Create fixed “homes” for items you use regularly, and avoid deep cabinets where things can disappear into the back. If you notice you haven’t touched something in months, ask yourself whether you really need it.

Manage your documents and receipts from day 1

Set up a simple digital structure for your home documents right from the start. In your personal cloud, dedicate a folder for everything related to your home: rental agreement, electricity contract, appliance manuals, receipts for furniture, maintenance tasks, warranty documents, etc.

Save receipts digitally and name files clearly (ideally with purchase dates). Set reminders for warranty expiration and check for defects before it’s too late to claim. When something needs to be replaced or reordered later (cutlery, paint, filters, spare parts), your digital archive makes it quick and stress-free to find the exact same item again — especially helpful when life gets busy.

There are many ways to save money

Consider buying second-hand (e.g., on eBay Kleinanzeigen)
IKEA is great, but be careful — many YAGNI items look very tempting
For custom items like curtains, flooring, or blinds, compare offers from Polish or Eastern European online shops
DIY can save money, but sometimes hiring professionals is actually cheaper
Watch heating costs, ventilate and heat efficiently (look it up)
Switching electricity providers every two years usually saves money

P.S.: Cleanliness and order are both very important in your life and for your home. But remember: you don’t achieve cleanliness and order through systems, tools, or reminders. In real life, having a clean and tidy houe is a habit, a way to behave. Make both part of your personality.