Moving into a new home and not sure what to purchase for your bathroom? Buying essentials for a new place can be a daunting task. To make the process easier, I created an ultimate list of bathroom essentials for your house or apartment.
In this post, I listed only basic items every bathroom needs and should have. Within each item, I also included some of the my best recommended budget bathroom essential products.
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The Ultimate List Of Bathroom Essentials For A New Home
This list of bathroom essentials only includes basic bathroom accessories for a new home. Whether you are moving into a small college apartment or a new house, these items are perfect for both small and master-sized bathrooms.
If you have a limited budget, I recommend purchasing these bathroom essentials before branching out to other bathroom accessories!
Let’s get started!
1. Toilet Paper
What is something every bathroom needs? Toilet paper!
If you don’t already, I recommend purchasing your toilet paper in bulk to save extra cash every month. Buying toilet paper in bulk costs less money per roll. As long as you have the space to store extra toilet, it never hurts to have several extra rolls.
Toilet paper is an item you should always have available in your bathroom. You can purchase bulk toilet paper in some stores like Costco. I find it easier to purchase bulk toilet paper online on sites like Amazon.
Did you know you can buy 123 rolls of toilet paper of Charmin Ultra Soft for a great deal on Amazon?
2. Hand Soap
Hand soap, of course, is another essential item you should have in any bathroom.
You can use either liquid hand soap or bar soap for your bathroom. In my experience, bar soap lasts SO MUCH longer. For people on a budget, I highly recommend using a bar soap of your choice (any bar soap will work).
I personally find liquid hand soaps less messy and easier to use. One of my best bathroom hand soap essentials are Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day liquid hand soap in honeysuckle scent. You can get a pack of three for an inexpensive price! This is my all time favorite hand soap (I also use the same scent for my dish soap!).
To save money on liquid soaps when they run out (also to reduce less plastic waste), I highly recommend purchasing liquid hand soap refills (like these ones), instead of new hand soaps.
3. Shower Curtain + Shower Curtain Liner
For people who have exposed showers, shower curtains and shower curtain liners are one of the top items to add to your list of bathroom essentials. Not only will they protect your new home’s bathroom from water damage, but they will also add a pop of color and personality in any apartment or house.
If you need shower curtains for your bathroom, you’ll also need a shower curtain liner to keep the water from dripping down onto your floors. You can find beautiful shower curtains for a great price like this pretty flower and tropical leaves themed one. Since your shower curtains are the main attraction, I recommend saving money and going for a simple budget shower curtain liner like this clear heavy duty waterproof shower curtain liner.
4. Small Trash Can
No doubt, what every bathroom needs and should have is a small trash can. Not only is it a convenient place to throw away trash in your bathroom, but it’ll also allow guests and housemates to discreetly dispose hygiene products.
For this reason, I highly recommend purchasing a small trash can with a lid to hide thrown out bathroom items. Since most small trash cans don’t take up a lot of space, you can easily add this essential into any small bathroom.
Of course, trash cans with lids are more expensive than ones without. If you plan to use this small trash can longterm, I highly recommend splurging on a higher quality, better looking trash can like this stainless steel slim step trash can. Not only will it help make your bathroom look polished, but it’ll also give some privacy for you and your bathroom guests.
5. Towels (Bath Towels, Hand Towels, Washcloths)
Of course, towels are a basic bathroom essential I had to add into this bathroom items list. If you don’t already have towels for your new home, I highly recommend purchasing your towels in an easy set that includes bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths.
Not only will you save money on each individual item from a bundle, but you’ll also get matching colored towels to make your new bathroom look more visually put together. Towels are an easy way to “decorate” your bathroom with your favorite color and pattern.
For people looking for a quality and reasonably priced towel set, I recommend this Turkish Cotton 6 piece towel set from American Soft Linen Store. Not only are these the softest towel you’ll ever touch, but they also come in beautiful colors and patterns. This is one of the best bathroom essential products to try out.
6. Bath Mat
To prevent dangerous slips after taking a shower, what every bathroom needs and absolutely should have is a bath mat. In place of a bath mat, I know some people who just place a towel down on the bathroom floor (which totally also works too).
Since bath mats are regularly used items, I highly recommend just purchasing a basic bath mat for your new home. You easily can find ones under ten dollars in most stores or online.
My recommended budget bath mat is this affordable memory foam bath mat from Amazon (under ten bucks!). Not only is it super soft on your feet, but it is also machine washable and super durable!
For people who are willing to splurge a little more money, you can get ones in cute designs and shapes like this super adorable “peachy clean” peach shaped bath mat! Not only are bath mats practical bathroom essentials, but they also awesome products to personalize a bathroom.
7. Plunger
Even though plungers aren’t regularly used bathroom necessities, you absolutely need one in case of emergencies. Plungers are top on the list of bathroom essentials for your new home.
Rather than focusing on purchasing a “pretty” plunger for your apartment or house bathroom. Go for a quality plunger that will actually get the job done.
For people on a budget, I recommend getting a professional plunger like this affordable toilet plunger by JS Jackson Supplies. Not only is this product inexpensive, but it also has excellent suction power to easily get rid of any toilet or sink clogs.
Plungers aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing item to place in your bath, but they are definitely an absolute bathroom essential!
8. Toilet Brush
Toilet brushes are what every bathroom needs to keep a toilet bowl looking clean and fresh. It’s a basic bathroom item that every bathroom should have. Most toilet brushes are inexpensive, so I recommend purchasing one that is durable and fits the aesthetic of your home’s bathroom.
I recommend this toilet brush from BOOMJOY. Not only is this toilet brush is sturdy and gets the job done, but it also has such a clean and sleek design. It is the perfect budget, compact toilet brush option for any small bathroom.
9. Toilet Paper Holder / Stand
What every small bathroom needs and should have is a dedicated place to store extra toilet paper. If your bathroom doesn’t already have a toilet paper holder, try getting a dual toilet paper holder and storage like this one from the Simple Houseware.
Toilet paper stands are perfect for both small bathrooms and homes that frequently have house guests. When the roll runs out, you and guests can conveniently grab an extra roll out of your toilet paper stand instead of needing to search through your bathroom storage.
10. Toothbrush Holder
Unless you have an electric toothbrush (which comes with a charging station), you’ll need a toothbrush holder stand for any regular toothbrush. A toothbrush holder will keep your bathroom sink tidy looking and prevent your toothbrush from accidentally falling into the sink or floor (yuck!).
Toothbrush holders are one of the best bathroom essentials to buy for a new home and to keep your bathroom sink uncluttered.
For people who share bathrooms with multiple people, I recommend using a cheap eco friendly bamboo toothbrush holder like one. It can hold up to four toothbrushes, as well as, one toothpaste tube (it’s also great for the environment!). If you love eco friendly products, you might also be interested in my best affordable eco friendly home products post.
For people who live alone or with a partner, try using a mini ceramic toothbrush stand like this one. This listing comes in a pack of two. It’s the perfect minimalist tooth brush holder that barely takes up any space!
11. Storage Baskets
In this list of bathroom essentials, storage baskets are a must have for a new home. For people who have multiple bath and cleaning products in their bathroom, storage baskets are the perfect item to keep your bathroom tidy and organized.
To save money on bathroom storage baskets, I recommend purchasing them in a set. As long as the bins are waterproof, you can use any type of storage basket for your bathroom.
If you need to store multiple small items in your bins, I recommend purchasing clear plastic storage bins like these ones from Amazon, so you can easily see what’s in each bin. Since they have such a sleek design, they will look adorable in any bathroom!
12. Hanging Shower Head Caddy
If you have a small bathroom, finding a place for all your bath products can be a challenge. What every small bathroom needs is a hanging shower head caddy! Handing shower head caddies are awesome because they are so easy to install (just hang them over a shower head!) and they add extra storage inside your shower without taking up much space.
I recommend purchasing a spacious hanging shower head caddy like this one from the Simple Houseware to fit all your bath products. This caddy also includes a place for bar soap! Some hanging caddies can be pretty expensive, but for small bathrooms they are well worth the price.
13. Bar Soap Tray
For people who use bar soap, bar soap trays are a must have bathroom essential. Bar soap trays preserve your bar soaps, helping them lasting longer by keeping them dry. Bar soap trays are generally inexpensive and come in multiple styles to match your bathroom space.
For a unique look, try buying a wooden dish soap tray like this affordable pinewood one. Depending on your style and preference, you can get a bar soap tray in multiple designs, materials, and colors.
To prolong the life of your bar soap trays, clean them up as soon as they get dirty. Some soap trays don’t have much drainage so make sure to empty out the tray regularly to keep your soap dry!
Bar soap trays are one of the best bathroom essentials you should have in any bathroom!
What Every Bathroom Needs (My Recommended Basic Bathroom Essentials And Products)
This bathroom essentials list contains all items listed above, as well as, links to recommend products I mentioned throughout this post.
- Toilet Paper
- Hand Soap + Hand Soap Refill
- Shower Curtain + Shower Curtain Liner
- Small Trash Can
- Towels (Bath Towels, Hand Towels, Washcloths)
- Bath Mat
- Plunger
- Toilet Brush
- Toilet Paper Holder
- Toothbrush Holder
- Storage Baskets
- Hanging Shower Head Caddy
- Bar Soap Tray
Conclusion
I hope this list of bathroom essentials for your new home was helpful! When you move into a new place, it can be difficult to remember exactly what you’ll need. Thankfully, you can use this list of bathroom items to help narrow down on products to buy.
In this post, I only included basic items every bathroom needs in a new apartment or house. Below each item, I also recommended some of the best bathroom essential products I’ve found! Good luck!