12 Gift Ideas for First-Time Home Buyers To Help Transform Their Space

Help Your Friends Make Their New House a Home With These Practical and Fun Gifts

Buying a home for the first time is a major milestone, one that comes with a mix of excitement, stress, and a whole lot of unpacking. If you have friends or family members taking the plunge into homeownership, why not celebrate their achievement with a thoughtful gift? The key is to find something that’s both practical and enjoyable, ensuring they’ll appreciate and actually use it as they settle into their new place.

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of ten great gift ideas that strike the perfect balance between fun and functional. Whether you’re looking for something that adds a personal touch to their décor or a practical tool that makes moving in a little easier, we’ve got you covered.

Stay tuned for our home gift ideas, including:

  • Personalized items that add a unique touch to their new home
  • Practical gifts that make the settling-in process smoother
  • Fun gadgets and tools to make their homeownership journey more enjoyable

1. Customized Welcome Mat

Add a Personal Touch to Their Entryway

Text a Shutterfly gift card

Consider grabbing these cheeky Welcome mat moving announcement cards to match – or text them a gift card so they can pick up a set after they’ve settled in. Image courtesy Shutterfly.

A personalized welcome mat is a simple yet thoughtful gift that can make a big impact. It’s one of the first things guests will see, and it helps make the new house feel like a home from the moment they step through the door. You can customize it with their last name, a fun greeting, or even a cute design that matches their personality.

Etsy offers a variety of customizable welcome mats that range from elegant and understated to bright and whimsical. Just choose one that matches your friend’s style, and you’re good to go. A high-quality, durable mat will not only serve as a warm welcome for visitors but also protect their floors from dirt and debris, making it a practical gift as well.

Text a Shutterfly gift card

2. Home Tool Kit

Essential Tools for the New Homeowner

Buy a Home Depot gift card

Dewalt tools are a must-have for new homeowners. Image courtesy DEWALT.

Every new homeowner needs a reliable set of tools to handle minor repairs and DIY projects. A comprehensive home tool kit is an invaluable gift that will serve them well for years to come. Look for kits that include basics like a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, a tape measure, and a level. For a more extensive kit, you might include items such as a cordless drill, adjustable wrench, utility knife, and stud finder.

Brands like Stanley and DEWALT offer high-quality useful tool kits that are perfect for new homeowners. This gift ensures that your friends are prepared for any small home improvement tasks that come their way. Additionally, a well-stocked tool kit can empower them to take on new projects with confidence, whether they’re hanging pictures, assembling furniture, or making small repairs.

Buy a Home Depot gift card

3. Smart Home Devices

Modern Convenience for the Tech-Savvy Homeowner

Buy an Apple gift card

The ecobee smart thermostat allows you to optimize energy use to cut your bill and help the environment, not to mention stay comfortable all day and night long. Image courtesy Apple.

In today’s tech-driven world, smart home devices are all the rage. From smart speakers like the Amazon Echo or Google Nest to smart thermostats like the Nest Learning Thermostat, these gadgets can make home life more convenient and efficient. They offer a blend of practicality and modern flair that can greatly enhance the living experience.

Consider gifting a smart home hub that controls lights, locks, and thermostats, or a video doorbell that enhances security. These devices not only add a touch of modernity to their new home but also provide practical benefits that they’ll appreciate every day. For example, smart lights can be programmed to turn on and off at specific times, reducing energy consumption and adding convenience.

Buy an Apple gift card

4. Houseplant Subscription Box

Greenery That Grows With Their New Home

A common or not so common house plant subscription is the perfect (and most convenient!) way to add a little bit of greenery to their new abode. Image courtesy Lively Root.

Houseplants are a great way to liven up a new home, adding both aesthetic appeal and a touch of nature. A houseplant subscription box is a unique gift that keeps on giving, delivering new plants and care instructions to their doorstep every month. This is a fantastic way for new homeowners to gradually build their indoor garden.

Companies like The Sill and Bloomscape offer subscription services that cater to all levels of plant enthusiasts, from beginners to seasoned green thumbs. This gift is perfect for adding a bit of greenery and joy to their living space. Plants not only improve air quality but also have been shown to boost mood and productivity, making them a valuable addition to any home.

Plus, it’s a step up from apartment gardening, so you might as well help them celebrate!

5. Personalized Cutting Board

A Unique Addition to Their Kitchen

This stunning double walnut cutting board will be the centerpiece of any kitchen. Image courtesy GrainWoods on Etsy.

A customized cutting board is both a practical kitchen tool and a beautiful piece of décor. You can have it engraved with their names, a special date, or a meaningful phrase. This gift is especially great for those who love to cook and entertain.

Etsy is a fantastic place to find a variety of personalized cutting boards made from different types of wood, ensuring you’ll find one that suits their taste and kitchen style perfectly. A high-quality cutting board can also serve as a cheese or charcuterie board when they have guests over, adding versatility to this thoughtful gift.

6. Cozy Throw Blankets

Comfort and Style for Their Living Room

Buy a Target gift card

This Casalura Chunky Knit Bed Blanket is a cozy addition to any first time homebuyer’s new house. Image courtesy Target

A cozy throw blanket is a gift that combines comfort with style, perfect for snuggling up on the couch during movie nights or adding a decorative touch to their living room. Look for blankets made from high-quality materials like wool, cotton, or fleece. Choose a neutral color or a pattern that complements their home décor.

Brands like Barefoot Dreams and Pottery Barn offer luxurious throw blankets that are both soft and stylish. Choose a color and pattern that matches their home’s décor for a gift they’ll love to use. A well-chosen throw can also serve as a focal point in their living room, adding warmth and character to their space.

Buy a Target gift card

7. Gift Cards to Home Improvement Stores

Practical Help for Home Projects

Buy a Lowe’s gift card

Sometimes the best gift is the one that lets them choose exactly what they need. A gift card to a home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowe’s is a practical and appreciated gift for any new homeowner. They can use it to buy paint, tools, gardening supplies, or anything else they need to personalize and maintain their new home.

You can also consider gift cards to furniture stores like IKEA or West Elm, allowing them to pick out new pieces to furnish their space. This way, they can select items that perfectly fit their style and needs, making your gift both flexible and thoughtful.

Buy a Lowe’s gift card

8. Kitchen Gadget Set

Essential Tools for the Foodie

Send an Amazon gift card 

This kitchen gadget set has a little bit of everything. Image courtesy of Amazon.

For friends who love to cook, a set of high-quality kitchen gadgets can be an ideal gift. Consider items like a good chef’s knife, a versatile blender, or a set of stainless steel mixing bowls. A set of high-quality measuring cups and spoons, a digital kitchen scale, or a sous-vide precision cooker can also be excellent additions.

Brands like Cuisinart and KitchenAid offer a range of kitchen tools and gadgets that are both durable and stylish. Choose items that will help them whip up delicious meals in their new kitchen with ease. High-quality kitchen gadgets can make cooking more enjoyable and efficient, encouraging them to explore new recipes and techniques.

Send an Amazon gift card 

9. Personalized Address Stamp

A Touch of Elegance for Their Correspondence

Make mail easier with a personalized address stamp that is uniquely their own. Image courtesy LetsMakeFunStuff on Etsy.

A personalized address stamp is a small but thoughtful gift that can add a touch of elegance to their mail. It’s perfect for sending out holiday cards, thank you notes, and other correspondence from their new address. This is particularly useful for new homeowners who will likely be sending out change of address notifications.

Etsy offers a wide variety of customizable address stamps, allowing you to choose from different designs, fonts, and sizes. It’s a practical and stylish gift that they’ll use frequently. An address stamp can also add a personal touch to their stationery, making their correspondence stand out.

10. Subscription to a Meal Kit Service

Easy and Delicious Meals for Busy New Homeowners

Hello Fresh delivers everything you need to  make unique and delicious meals right to the door of their brand new house. Image courtesy Hello Fresh.

Moving into a new home is a busy time, often leaving little energy for meal planning and grocery shopping. A subscription to a meal kit service like HelloFresh or Blue Apron can be a lifesaver, providing them with all the ingredients and recipes they need to cook delicious meals without the hassle.

Meal kit subscriptions are a thoughtful way to help them enjoy home-cooked dinners as they settle into their new kitchen, making dinnertime one less thing to worry about. These services also introduce them to new recipes and cooking techniques, broadening their culinary horizons.

11. High-Quality Coffee Maker

Start Their Mornings Right

The sunny orange Vertuo Pop + Iced Coffee bundle has everything they need to make soda and cold coffee right out of the gate. Image courtesy Nespresso USA.

For many, a good cup of coffee is essential to starting the day off right. A high-quality coffee maker, such as a French press, espresso machine, or a single-serve pod brewer, can be a wonderful gift for new homeowners. Look for brands like Keurig, Nespresso, or Chemex, which are known for their reliability and ease of use.

Pair the coffee maker with a selection of gourmet coffee beans or pods to get them started. This gift will be especially appreciated during those early mornings after late nights of unpacking and organizing their new home.

12. Artwork or Wall Décor

Personalize Their Space with Cool Art

This Frome canvas print pictures a glimpse of every scene in Interstellar. Image courtesy Frome.

Help your friends personalize their new home with beautiful artwork or wall décor. Whether it’s a framed print of their favorite artist, a custom-made piece, or a stylish wall hanging, art can add character and warmth to their living space. Consider their taste and the overall aesthetic of their previous space – be it apartment, dorm room, or their room back at home with their parents.

Frome.co has beautiful movie still canvas prints that capture each second of their favorite film and turn it into a modern piece of decor. They have everything from Twilight to Jurassic Park, Star Wars to The Waterboy to Barbie to The Departed.

Shopping for that special someone who is buying their first home? Consider getting them a custom star map of what the sky looked like on the night you met or are moving into your first place together. For the love of your life becoming a homeowner, Positive Prints also has an adorable Where We Met Map option.

That’s the end of our gift ideas for first time home buyers. 

We hope something sounded like the perfect gift! If not, head over to the GiftYa catalog to see what else we have to offer.

Trae Bodge

Trae Bodge is the shopping expert here at GiftYa. Trae helps people find the best deals and ideas on popular new items to purchase.

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