Moving out

juliapenguin

I second Freecycle - I gave away loads of stuff last year to a girl just moving out of her parents' house into her first home.

I do think that a couple of decent quality pans are a good investment and 100% recommend Lakeland Limited - keep the receipt and they give a LIFETIME guarantee - so if your non-stick pan loses its non-stick coating they replace it for free.

As others have said, don't get buying too early, as once people know you're looking for household items you may well get lots of things for free. It's definitely a great idea to make a list of essentials and keep an eye on Freecycle while the word gets round that you're needing things.

Good luck!

hilstep2000

I work in our local hospice shop and we have loads of stuff like dinner services that are gorgeous for a fraction of the cost of new. Other things including electrical bits are really cheap and are all tested before sale.
Also don't forget silly things, when my daughter left home I gave her a box with a sewing kit, selloptape, scissors, rubber bands, stapler,some cleaning cloths and string in it. Little things that you forget because Mum always has them!
Hope it all goes well for you!

timefortea

I just made this move two months ago. For a few years I've sort of 'collected' blankets, especially crocheted blankets, and I've found that they've come in so handy for throwing over grotty things that you want to hide (in my case, the brown sofa). So if you're into the shabby chic look you could start looking around charity shops and car boot sales now, they often have blankets and decorative things (especially mirrors) and kitchen stuff that you'll need. If you start looking early you'll be able to pick up a few bargains, then anything that's left that you really do need you can buy when you move in.

RAS

I collected stuff towards going to univeristy from about 2 years beforehand. In the second year, between us mum and I bought stuff in sales and auctions.

Today, I would start with www.freegle.org.uk to freecycle. Top that up with charity shops and auctions. Even if you only get bedding, towels and curtains, it is worth it.

Consider getting some sort of table top cooker - possibly one of the new halogen ones, so you have a cheap to run cooking facility. Learn to use it now at home. Iron? Kettle?

Also, if you are likely to be moving over the years, start to collect plastic bowls for food preparation. The sort of thing Christmas puds come in work fine for years and are lightweight. IKEA sometime do funky stuff that could double a a fruit bowl or for serving rice or salads. Also collapsible sieves and steamers.

Pick a colour and go for stuff in that colour even if it mis-matches. My day to day table ware is cream seconds, which I combine with some extremely decorative creamware serving dishes bought in a sale and a few cream items from second hand sales (some possibly antique by now).

A couple of good tablecloths in the same colour as a couple of cushion covers do wonders for a rented room.

And look for collapsible furniture; folding chairs, a folding bookcase etc, which do not wreck the LLs decor but allow you to put things out.

Rummer

Maybe you would be better putting what money you can away so you can buy what you need at the time depending on what the home you move into does or does not have the the colour schemes you are provided with (if you are renting).

Then on top of that you could have a box for things you see that are a real bargain or that you really fall in love with.

When we moved into our flat everyone we knew and even quite a lot of people we didn't offered us everything from cutlery to sofas so you may come by a lot of things at the time.

Also as I am sure it has been mentioned join your local freecycle site and look on gumtree to pick up freebies that you can store away.

Diana_Prince

Wow thanks for all your replies!!! I like the idea of making lists for each room and keeping an eye in charity shops! I know a lot of 'retro' china is coming back into fashion so might see if I can find bits and bobs! And the idea of a box of stuff that I fall in love with is perfect for me!!

I'm hoping to be very OS when I move and make things from scratch!! Very exciting!!! Thank you again! Its soo helpful, there should be this sort of list for everyone moving out!!

lushlifesaver

I'm in a somewhat similar boat, albeit I am currently planning to move out again in two years (I lived out for two years of uni and moved back for my final year - now planning to stay with the parents until a year after I complete an MSc!). I have a 'bottom drawer' which my mum/nan started for me which includes a family heirloom tea service and other odds and ends.
I love vintage tea sets so have bought a couple of those over the years - their not identical but the patterns compliment each other
I also plan to get a 'hope chest' (I'd love a real wooden chest but I may end up settling for plastic I think) which I will start to collect house-y bits in. I love cooking so a lot of kitchen stuff will end up in there and then probably basic linens and towels.

I've been no help but I'm looking forward to following this thread a bit!

Diana_Prince

I too would love a real wooden chest that I hope one day will sit at the bottom of my bed! Am going to definitely keep an eye out for that!

I look forward to hearing about your finds and journey too!

My_Feet_Hurt

Hi,
I have two quilt storage bags I bought from Ikea and have used these to store little home items that I have been buying for my children ready for when they leave home (DD 18 and I think she will want to leave soon/DS 17 and I`m not sure he will ever need to use HIS bag lol).

The things in them are...cheap cutlery sets about £1.50 from Ikea/a dinner service about £3 from Asda/salt and pepper pots .30p each/saucepans £3.00-ish from Ikea/teatowels .19p from Ikea. There are LOTS of things in them and these are just a representation. The idea is that they have cheap, basic living essentials that will `do` for a few months - or longer if needs be - when they leave home. In fact I think there is everything in there for the kitchen except a microwave - which will be a moving-in prezzie lol.

The only other things I want to buy for the bags are a double quilt and some pillows for each-doesn`t matter if they only have a single bed when they move-the bigger quilt will be fine.

I carry a list of the items in the bags with me at all times, then if I see a bargain...like the .39p cutlery drawer inserts from Ikea...I can look at the list to see if I`ve already got one.

I hope they will be grateful of these items - I kno I would have been when I was starting out 30 years ago.

And no - I`m not associated with Ikea at all....just lurve the place lol.

M
x

Diana_Prince

Awww my feet hurt that sounds lovely!! So thoughtful, I am sure your kids will appreciate it!