10 Things You Need Before Moving House in Nepal

Introduction

Starting at a new place is always an adventurous thing, but you will require preparing a lot before settling down. No matter whether you are shifting to a new rental room, an apartment, or even an independent house, having the right things ready is going to make it easier for you.

Right from cooking apparel to bedsheets and storage solutions, there are lots of things that you will require to organize before you start.

There is no need for you to have everything at a cost that you cannot afford. So here are ten essentials and their alternatives in Nepal.

1. Packing Supplies

For starters, you will need something to store your things in before moving them somewhere else. It can be anything from clothes and books to kitchenware and gadgets.

It can be:

• Cardboard boxes - for books, kitchenware, and other similar stuff. Cardboards can be reused from some local stores.
• Plastic bags - cheap and handy to keep clothes, blankets and other soft things in.
• Reusable bags and suitcases - utilize your bags and suitcases that you already have.
• Newspapers and bubble wrap - helpful to wrap fragile things like glasses, plates, and other things.
• Blankets and towels - helpful to move TV sets and mirrors.

Do not forget to buy packing tape and markers to label your boxes too.

2. Cooking Gas and a Stove

The next step in organizing your kitchen would be to decide how to cook food at home. It is not cheap to eat out every day, so it is best if you organize some sort of cooking arrangements.

You can choose from the following:

• LPG gas stove and cylinder - a regular cooking system in Nepal. You will have to find out whether there is a cylinder given by the landlord or you have to get it organized.
• Induction cook top - a good electric replacement, if there is proper supply of electricity at your place. In addition, you will require some special utensils.

You will have to decide depending upon your budget and cooking needs. Do not forget to use a proper LPG regulator and check the safety tips for handling such matter.

3. Cooking Utensils

A stove is not all it takes. One will have to provide themselves with tools used in cooking and serving the meals.

The essential kitchen items include:

• Pots and pans for preparing your daily meals.
• Pressure cooker, especially when preparing dal, rice, and beans.
• Dishes, plates, and glasses for as many as there are people in the house.
• Knives and cutting boards for slicing up your ingredients.
• Spoons and spatulas for cooking.
• Containers for storing spices and ingredients.

It’s not necessary that you buy everything at once. Start with the bare minimum and then build up on it as you become familiar with cooking.

4. Bedding and Sleeping Essentials

After an exhausting day of shifting, the last thing you would want is to find out that there isn't any comfortable place to sleep.

Depending on your budget and space, you can choose from:

• Bed frame: You could get wooden or metallic bed frames for a more permanent sleeping place.
• Foam mattress: It is quite inexpensive and comes in various sizes and thicknesses.
• Floor mattress: This is an inexpensive option, especially for students and people living in rented houses.

Bedsheets, pillows, and blankets are all necessities as well. Based on your location and weather conditions, you will be able to choose either heavy or light blankets.

5. Wardrobe and Clothing Storage

You will have to store your clothes and other belongings somewhere. The use of a wardrobe will help organize your room. However, buying a big cupboard is not always the most suitable choice.

There are some alternatives that you could consider:

• Wooden Wardrobes: A more long lasting solution offering good storage capacity.
• Steel Cupboards: Useful for storing clothes, papers, and other stuff.
• Plastic Wardrobes: Lightweight and fairly easy to shift around.
• Clothes Racks: A basic solution for hanging up daily clothes.
• Plastic drawers and storage bags: Useful for clothes and other belongings of smaller size.

For tenants, portable solutions become even more convenient since they are easier to shift around when moving again.

6. Table and Chair

No matter whether you are a student, professional worker, or a person who sometimes works at home, you will feel more comfortable with the help of an adequate table and chair.

You may find it useful to consider:

• Simple table for studying: Sufficient place for your laptop, books, and stationery.
• Foldable table: Useful if you have small space.
• Desk for a computer: More space for those who have monitors and other accessories.
• Plastic or wooden chairs: They are not very expensive.
• Ergonomic chairs: If you work for several hours.

You may also try looking for used furniture instead of buying new one.

7. Curtains, Carpets, and Floor Coverings

In addition to being aesthetically appealing, curtains and carpets offer various other advantages. These add to the comfort of your home while performing specific functions. For example, curtains provide privacy, manage sunlight, and can make rooms cozy. Ready-made curtains, stitched-to-order curtains, or even simply using fabric can be done.

Other alternatives can be:

• Area rugs for bedrooms and sitting rooms.
• Doormats to prevent dust from coming inside your house.
• Floor mats for kitchen and bathroom areas.

It is not necessary that every part of the floor should be covered. Only the frequently used areas should be focused on.

8. Toiletries and Bathroom Essentials

Don't overlook the bathroom too. Stocking up on basic bathroom needs will ensure that you don't need to run to the store unnecessarily.

The basic needs for the bathroom are:

• Towels and toothbrushes.
• Toothpaste, soap, and shampoo.
• Buckets and mugs, especially where there are no showers.
• Slippers for the bathroom.
• Toilet paper and tissues.
• Hampers for laundry.
• Hygiene products.

However, before buying more bathroom items, find out what is available in the house you rent. For instance, see if there is a shower, geyser, or adequate storage space.

9. Cleaning Supplies

The one item that is frequently missed during the process of relocation is the cleaning equipment. Even if your new rental apartment seems clean, you still will want to clean it one more time prior to moving in the furniture.

Here are some items that you should have:

• Broom and mop to clean the floors.
• Microfiber cloths and old cotton clothes can do the job.
• Detergent for dishes and washing powder.
• Garbage containers and garbage bags.
• Gloves to handle cleaning solutions.

It is not necessary to buy expensive cleaning equipment. A broom, bucket, some cloth, detergents and floor mopper are sufficient.

Pro Tip: Before unpacking, make sure that you clean your new home. It is much easier to clean an empty room than a cluttered one.

10. Decorations and Personal Touches

And here's the exciting bit! You’ve got your kitchen sorted out, your bedding in order, and your wardrobe organized. But there could be something else missing from your living space.

And that’s because not all houses with furniture and appliances are considered a home. What makes a place a home is personal touches.

Some examples are:

• Indoor plants: To inject some life and color to your room.
• Photographs and paintings: Useful to personalize the otherwise boring walls of your rooms.
• Decorative lights: Table lamps can give new ambiance to your room.
• Cushions and throws: Good for coloring up your room as well as being comfortable.
• Mirrors and shelves: Both are practical as well as ornamental.

You do not have to spend too much on decorating the room. The most useful additions could already be at your disposal.

For the renters who are unable to make permanent additions to their rented houses, removable hooks and freestanding shelves can work well.

Conclusion: Prepare Before You Move

Settling into a new house entails more than just moving your stuff from one place to another. Rather, you have to create a comfortable place where you can rest, work, eat, and sleep.

The ten items will provide you with a good starting point when packing for the move in Nepal. But do not forget that you do not have to buy all of them right away. Focus on the basics and slowly start investing in more furniture and other amenities.

Moreover, spare some time to inspect your new rental unit first before buying the bigger pieces of furniture or any other house equipment. You should know what is provided by the landlord and what you really need.

After all, the purpose of moving is not to fill your new home with all kinds of stuff but to make it comfortable for you to live in.

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