What would you buy first? Social housing

[Miratea]

You move into social housing, you need flooring, decoration and furniture, you already have curtains and light fittings but white goods need to be replaced within the next year. You can buy one thing a month, like a bed, the next an area rug and so on. What do you buy first and in what order?

I was very lucky when I got a council house that I had flooring money & my family helped out. I think if I didn't, I would work in this order, assuming you have nothing

Mattress
Sofa
Bed frame
Flooring
Paint

Replace white goods one by one

First thing I brought when I moved in my flat was a cooker and a fridge.

Already had a cot for dd and my mum let me take my bed from her spare room.

Next was painting

We was lucky when we viewed the flat the carpet hadn't been taken up and the housing officer asked me if we would like it to be left and I said yes.

I'd get flooring and a bed on interest free credit and pay off each month (only if interest free!)
Then I'd look on olio /fb marketplace for most other things

I sold my old bed to a girl who lined up a whole day of furniture buying she hired the van for the day with a friend and got it all (all cheap of freee) you have to really promise the people you will turn up to make it worth it

It's easier to get flooring in before they have lots of furniture

But where are they going to sleep ?

I have a mattress just need a frame

That's good . Mattress is fine for now

OP there are some charities who will help with basic furnishings. Might be worth going to Citizens Advice to see if you can get any help.

When I got mine just before Christmas, the first thing we did was flooring and then we did blinds, beds, washing machine, dryer, fridge, freezer, rug for living room and finally sofa.

We didn't actually move in until about a month ago as my son was in hospital and I lived with him in hospital until he was discharged.

If it was just me on my own, I would prioritise my bedroom first and live in that while slowly adding to the living room.

So basic carpet and decent bed first. You don't need to cook and can hand wash clothes.

I would also do one room at a time. Assuming kitchen and bathroom are decent and useable, I'd get my bedroom painted and carpeted (neutral so it's easier to coordinate with the rest of the rooms once money becomes more available) and basically live in there until I could work my way through the rest of the rooms. You'll need flooring if you've just hit a mattress and no frame, otherwise it'll get trashed on the floor.

Congratulations on getting your new home. I hope it will be the beginning of much better times.

probably stupid observation but are you getting all the benefits you are entitled to? If you are with a HA, they may be able to give you help with an emergency grant or getting hold of essentials. Same with your local council - ours has a section about emergency help in its housing section.

I’m not eligible for the grant because I’ve had it previously. I think paint and then flooring first. I don’t think I can get the grant again

1. A bed
2. Flooring
3. Paint

Sofa New appliances Table and chairs Bits like a large rug Coffee table Lamp shades etc

Flooring first. Most carpet places will deliver. If you can do what the girl mentioned upthread did, and plan a whole day of furniture collection, that would be ideal (but needs planning).

Beware of the shysters on Facebook Marketplace who say the bed /sofa / whatever is free, when it quite clearly isn't once you read the advert.

Ah that’s a pain you’ve had a grant.