What you actually need to buy for a new home in Pakistan
The mistake almost everyone makes when setting up a home is buying in the wrong order — furniture before a working kitchen, decoration before a water motor. Here is the list in the order the house actually needs it.
Written for Pakistan · Prices in PKR · Updated August 2026
Buy in three waves, not one trip
A home does not need everything on the first day, and trying to buy everything at once is how people end up with an empty savings account and no washing machine. Split it:
- Wave one — the first night. You cannot sleep, cook, wash or lock up without these.
- Wave two — the first month. The things that turn a house you are camping in into a house you are living in.
- Wave three — when the money recovers. Everything that is genuinely nice but that nobody has ever needed on a Tuesday.
Wave one: the first night
| Item | Rough cost |
|---|---|
| Bed and mattress (or a good foam mattress to start) | Rs 18,000–70,000 |
| Bedding — sheets, pillows, a quilt | Rs 6,000–18,000 |
| Ceiling fan or pedestal fan per room | Rs 6,000–16,000 each |
| Gas cylinder or stove connection, plus a two-burner stove | Rs 6,000–20,000 |
| One pressure cooker, one deep pot, one frying pan | Rs 7,000–18,000 |
| Basic utensils, plates, glasses, one good knife, chopping board | Rs 5,000–14,000 |
| Bucket, mug, lota, cleaning basics, dustbin | Rs 2,500–6,000 |
| Curtains or temporary blinds for the front rooms | Rs 5,000–20,000 |
| Locks, keys, an extension board, bulbs, a torch | Rs 3,000–8,000 |
| Water motor or pump if the building does not provide one | Rs 9,000–25,000 |
Wave one realistically lands between Rs 70,000 and Rs 200,000 depending on how much you already own and how much came from home.
Wave two: the first month
| Item | Rough cost |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Rs 75,000–220,000 |
| Washing machine (twin-tub is the budget option) | Rs 22,000–95,000 |
| Geyser — electric or gas | Rs 18,000–60,000 |
| Air conditioner, inverter if you can stretch to it | Rs 110,000–250,000 |
| Sofa or floor seating, and a dining setup | Rs 25,000–150,000 |
| Almari or wardrobe, and basic storage | Rs 20,000–90,000 |
| Iron, ironing board, drying stand | Rs 5,000–14,000 |
| Full masala and dry goods stock for the kitchen | Rs 12,000–25,000 |
| Water filter or a standing bottled-water arrangement | Rs 3,000–30,000 |
| Microwave, kettle, toaster | Rs 15,000–45,000 |
Wave three: things that can wait
Television, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, microwave upgrades, guest-room furniture, decoration, and anything described as a set. None of these change whether the house works. Buy them when the month has room, not on the day you move in.
The costs that catch people out
The furniture is the part everyone plans for. These are the parts they do not:
| Cost | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Security deposit | Commonly two to three months of rent, paid up front. |
| Advance rent | Often one month in addition to the deposit. |
| Agent commission | Typically around one month of rent. |
| Meter and connection charges | Electricity, gas and internet transfers or new connections. |
| Movers and transport | Rs 8,000–35,000 depending on distance and how much you own. |
| Repairs before moving in | Paint, seepage, taps, switchboards — almost always something. |
| Building maintenance | A recurring monthly charge in most apartments, separate from rent. |
Between deposit, advance and commission alone, moving into a rented place usually costs three to five months of rent before a single item of furniture. Budget for that first; it is the part that most often forces people to buy the rest on credit.
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Build my plan — freeQuestions people actually ask
How much does it cost to set up a new home in Pakistan?
A basic but complete setup usually runs Rs 250,000 to Rs 500,000 spread over the first few months. A comfortable one with a fridge, washing machine, geyser, AC and proper furniture is more commonly Rs 700,000 to Rs 1,500,000. On top of that, expect three to five months of rent in deposit, advance and commission before you buy anything.
What should I buy first when moving into a new house?
Sleeping, cooking, washing and security, in that order — bed and bedding, fans, a stove and a few pots, bucket and cleaning basics, curtains for the front rooms, and locks. Furniture and appliances can follow once the house is livable.
What kitchen items do I need for a new home?
A pressure cooker, one deep pot, one frying pan, a good knife, a chopping board, a set of serving and eating utensils, plates and glasses cover almost all daily cooking. Everything else is convenience you can add later.
How much rent deposit is normal in Pakistan?
Two to three months of rent is standard, frequently with one month of advance rent and around one month of agent commission on top.
Should I buy an inverter AC or a normal one?
An inverter, if you can afford the higher purchase price. Running two non-inverter units eight hours a day costs roughly Rs 8,700 a month more than inverters, averaged over the year, so the difference typically pays for itself within two to three summers.