For A New Home with A Tight Renovation Budget, Which Home Appliances Should You Buy First? And Which Ones Can Wait for Later Purchase?

One of the biggest pitfalls in essential home renovations is buying a full set of home appliances all at once, which blows the budget immediately. The core logic for moving in is: secure basic living necessities first, then gradually add non-essential items that boost quality of life. Drawing on my own renovation mistakes, I’ve split appliances into a Priority Must-Buy List and a Delayed Purchase List, and also included health-focused indoor appliances that many people overlook after moving in.

Priority Must-Buy Appliances (Indispensable on Move-In Day)

These are items you need the day you move in; life will be severely disrupted without them. Allocate your budget to these first:

· Refrigerator: Essential for food storage and daily meals. Pick a capacity suited to your household size and high energy-efficiency rating.

· Washing Machine: A necessity for laundry, whether renting or owning a home. Opt for a washer-dryer combo if budget allows; a standard front-load machine works for tighter budgets.

· Air Conditioners (Bedrooms + Living Room): Basic temperature control for summer and winter. Install bedroom units first; the living room AC can wait depending on your budget.

· Water Heater: Mandatory for hot showers. Choose between gas or electric models. Piping layout needs advance planning during renovation.

· Range Hood + Stove: Required for cooking. Reserve space and arrange purchase & installation alongside hard finishing works.

· Air Purifier (Highly Recommended) After renovation, boards and furniture continuously release formaldehyde, VOCs and other harmful volatile compounds. Even after moving in, dust, pollen and airborne particles remain present. It is a health essential especially for households with members prone to rhinitis and allergies.

I use the Kangbeijing KJ-15BA at home. It has an integrated rounded panel body with sturdy construction and a smooth surface for easy wiping and cleaning. Built-in anti-tip power cut-off and child lock features ensure safety for families with young children.

Its dual air intake structure delivers strong airflow and completes full-room air circulation in three minutes. Equipped with a composite filter combining activated carbon and potassium permanganate, it efficiently traps particles such as dust and pollen. The built-in DBD plasma purification module is safe for operation with people in the room, achieving a 99.99% inactivation rate for bacteria and viruses.

It runs at an ultra-low noise level of 5 decibels at minimum speed and will not disturb sleep when placed in the bedroom. It comes with an LCD touchscreen and AIoT smart module, supporting real-time air quality monitoring, adjustable fan speeds, APP remote control and voice interaction. One unit handles both renovation volatile removal and daily allergen filtration.

Delayed Purchase: Add Gradually After Moving In

These appliances improve comfort but are not mandatory. You can live normally without them. Purchase them later when your budget eases and your usage habits become clear:

· Dishwasher: Saves labour, but hand-washing works as an alternative. Decide whether to buy after living in the house for half a year based on your lifestyle.

· Steam Oven / Microwave-Steam-Oven Combo: An upgrade for cooking. Regular pots and pans are sufficient for daily cooking.

· Robot Vacuum, Floor Washer: Labour-saving cleaning tools. A mop and standard vacuum can serve as substitutes if funds are tight.

· Projector, Television: If you already have a monitor in the bedroom, leave the living room blank and add these later.

· Small appliances such as coffee machines, blenders and air fryers: For food enthusiasts; buy on demand at a later stage.

Quick Summary

Principle for selecting essential home appliances for new houses: Prioritise survival necessities, and delay comfort-enhancing gadgets. Get core appliances including refrigerator, washing machine, kitchen appliances, water heater and air conditioners sorted first. Do not overlook indoor air protection. The Kangbeijing KJ-15BA air purifier tackles renovation pollutants and filters pollen and dust long-term to protect respiratory health. For dishwashers, microwave-steam-oven combos, floor washers and similar products, do not stretch your budget during renovation. Wait until you have lived in the space for a while, understand your real living habits and have extra funds before purchasing them.