Gifts for new homeowners that are actually useful
The things every first-time buyer discovers they need in their first month, and the gifts that save them a trip to the DIY shop.
More ideas: Housewarming gift ideas
Moving into your first home comes with a long list of surprises: the curtain pole that needs putting up, the shelf that needs a drill, the realisation that you own no tools at all. The most welcome housewarming gifts fill those gaps.
These ideas work for first-time buyers, new renters and anyone moving somewhere new.
Photos are illustrative. We may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. How we pick · How this works.
A household tool kit
££ Mid-range
Hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, tape measure and more, all in one case. The single most useful gift for someone starting from scratch.
Our pick
9.2/10
VonHaus 120-Piece Tool Kit
£37.99 RRP
Everything for flat-pack, picture hanging and small repairs in one sturdy case, so there’s no borrowing a screwdriver from next door.
- 120 pieces
- Hand tools and hex keys
- 3m tape and LED torch
- Sturdy carry case
What owners say: Good quality and value, with everything needed for most jobs around the house.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA cordless drill driver
£££ Treat
For shelves, curtain poles, flat-pack furniture and pictures. Every home needs one sooner or later.
Our pick
8.8/10
Ginour 21V Brushless Combi Drill (2 batteries)
£85.99 RRP
A brushless motor and hammer mode for brick and masonry, with two batteries so one is always charged.
- Brushless motor
- Hammer drill mode
- 50Nm torque
- 2 × 2.0Ah batteries
- Bits included
What owners say: A great budget drill with plenty of power, and two batteries so you’re never waiting.
Heads up: Great for home DIY; a tradesperson would want a pro brand.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA stud and cable detector
£ Budget
Checks for hidden pipes and cables before drilling into a wall. Cheap insurance against an expensive mistake.
See options on AmazonA heavy-duty coir doormat
££ Mid-range
A proper doormat keeps mud out of the new place. A small, practical welcome gift.
Our pick
8.8/10
FloorPro Living Heavy-Duty Coir Matting
££ £15–£40
Thick 17mm coconut bristles scrape off mud before it reaches the hallway, and it cuts to fit any doorway.
- 17mm natural coir
- Choose your size
- Cuts to fit
- Indoor or outdoor
What owners say: Sturdy, thick and good value, and it really scrapes mud off boots.
Heads up: Pop a non-slip underlay beneath it on smooth floors.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsSmart plugs
££ Mid-range
Turn lamps on remotely, set timers and see how much electricity appliances use.
Our pick
9.2/10
Tapo P110 Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (2-pack)
£23.99 RRP
Shows exactly what each appliance costs to run, and switches lamps on and off to a schedule while they’re away.
- Energy monitoring
- Works with Alexa and Google
- Schedules and timers
- Free Tapo app
- 2 plugs
What owners say: Easy to set up and really handy for seeing what costs money to run.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA fire blanket
£ Budget
A kitchen essential that most new homes lack. Small, cheap and could save the house.
Our pick
9.4/10
Firechief Kitemarked Fire Blanket (1m × 1m)
£ Under £15
BSI Kitemarked, from a UK fire safety maker. Hang it by the cooker and hope it’s never needed.
- BSI Kitemarked
- 1m × 1m
- Woven fibreglass
- Pull, unwrap and smother
- Soft storage case
What owners say: Good quality and well made. Owners say it put a pan fire out instantly.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA carbon monoxide alarm
££ Mid-range
Carbon monoxide is invisible and odourless. An alarm is essential in any home with a gas boiler, gas hob or wood burner.
Our pick
9.4/10
Kidde 5CO Carbon Monoxide Alarm
£18.95 RRP
A ten-year sensor from one of the biggest names in home safety. Every home with a boiler or gas hob needs one.
- 10-year sensor
- Battery powered
- Test button
- End-of-life warning
What owners say: Easy to install, loud with flashing lights, and reassuring to have.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA low-maintenance houseplant
££ Mid-range
Makes a new place feel like home. Snake plants and pothos survive low light and forgetful watering.
Our pick
9.0/10
Snake Plant ‘Golden Flame’ (12cm pot)
££ £15–£40
Almost impossible to kill, happy with a drink twice a month, and it makes a new place feel like home straight away.
- 30–40cm tall
- 12cm pot
- Water twice a month
- Likes bright, indirect light
What owners say: Healthy, strong and growing well, and it stands out in any room.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA laser level
££ Mid-range
Straight pictures and shelves first time. Surprisingly satisfying to use.
Our pick
8.8/10
Nikotek Self-Levelling Green Cross-Line Laser
£22.99 RRP
Levels itself and throws bright green lines across the wall, so shelves, pictures and tiles go up straight first time.
- Self-levelling
- Green cross lines
- Manual lock mode
- Bright, easy to see
What owners say: Great for home DIY: simple to use straight out of the box and accurate.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA label maker
££ Mid-range
For the fuse box, storage boxes and kitchen jars. Especially handy when unpacking and organising.
Our pick
9.2/10
Nelko P21 Bluetooth Label Maker
£19.99 RRP
Pocket-sized and wireless: design labels on your phone and finally find the Christmas decorations in the loft.
- Bluetooth, prints from your phone
- Pocket size
- Tape included
- Clear, sharp print
What owners say: Easy to learn in minutes, connects instantly and prints clearly, even tiny text.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA home first aid kit
££ Mid-range
Plasters and antiseptic for DIY mishaps. Something people only realise they need at the worst moment.
Our pick
9.6/10
General Medi 210-Piece First Aid Kit
£25.99 RRP
Properly stocked with 210 pieces, including a cold pack, in a compact bag that fits a kitchen drawer.
- 210 pieces
- Cold pack included
- Compact bag
- Reflective strip
What owners say: Comprehensive, compact and great value. Handy for the house or car.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsA long tape measure
££ Mid-range
For measuring rooms before buying furniture, which is what every new homeowner does constantly.
Our pick
9.4/10
STANLEY Tylon 8m Tape Measure
£15.21 RRP
From STANLEY, the brand tradespeople trust. A wide, clear blade that stays rigid, and accurate to half a millimetre per metre.
- 8m / 26ft
- 25mm wide blade
- TRU-ZERO hook
- Class II accuracy
What owners say: Classic Stanley quality: tough, accurate and easy to read.
Available at Amazon – check today’s price or compare other optionsHousewarming gift tips
- Ask if they already have a tool kit: many don’t, and it’s the most useful gift you can give.
- Safety kit (CO alarm, fire blanket) isn’t glamorous, but it’s genuinely appreciated.
- Avoid decor unless you know their taste. Let them make the place their own.
Not quite right? Tell us who it’s for and we’ll pick from all our lists.
Try the gift finderBudget guide: £ roughly under £15 · ££ roughly £15–£40 · £££ over £40. Prices vary between retailers and over time.
