If your new home doesn’t come with appliances, start by checking what’s already there and in working order. Then choose what you need to store food, cook and do the laundry. Before choosing each appliance, check that there’s room for it, that it can be brought into your home and that the right connections are available. If space is limited, buying gradually or choosing a compact model may be more practical than buying several appliances at once.
The order in which you buy appliances depends first on what’s already in your home and what your household needs from day one.
Make a list of the appliances provided before choosing what else you need to store food, cook and do the laundry. The CAF recommends checking which appliances are there and whether they work before buying anything.
A tight space, existing sockets or connections can influence the size and type of appliance you choose. The CAF recommends measuring the available spaces and checking the connections. If separate appliances won’t work in your home, consider a compact or multifunctional option.
Start with the functions you need every day, then look at the energy label, repair options and delivery arrangements before choosing your next appliances. The CAF recommends prioritising the essentials; the National Consumer Institute also advises considering how long you’ll use an appliance and whether it can be repaired before you buy.
The CAF recommends starting with the appliances already in your home and prioritising the essentials for your household. For each function you’re missing, check that the appliance you choose can actually be installed and used in your home.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Essential functions | List and test the appliances provided. Identify what’s missing for refrigeration, cooking and laundry before planning your purchases. | I want to be able to store food and prepare meals as soon as I move in. Laundry is a priority if I don’t already have a washing option that suits me. |
| Space and connections | Measure the width, height and depth, as well as the delivery route. Check sockets, connections and clearance for doors before choosing a freestanding, built-in or bulky appliance, as recommended by the CAF. | An appliance needs to fit in the kitchen or utility room, but it also needs to get through the doors and connect up where you plan to put it. |
| Energy use and capacity | Compare the energy labels for the relevant appliance categories and check the details of the specific model. Consider capacity and size too: ADEME explains that the label is a guide to energy performance, not a substitute for choosing the right size. | For storing food or doing the laundry, I’m looking for a capacity that suits how I’ll use the appliance, rather than choosing on energy rating alone. |
| How long you’ll use it | Check the repairability and durability information available for the appliance category, along with the warranty terms and availability of spare parts. According to the ministry responsible for ecological transition, the durability index has been gradually replacing the repairability index for washing machines since April 2025. | If I’m equipping my home for several years, I want to look at repair options before choosing—particularly for a washing machine or vacuum cleaner. |
An appliance that’s provided and in working order may make your planned purchase unnecessary. The CAF recommends checking what your home comes with before making a list.
Compare the appliances already there with your home inventory and test them if you can. Then buy only what’s missing.
Your choice of appliance also affects how much it costs to run and whether you can keep or repair it. ADEME recommends using the available energy and repairability information to compare relevant models.
Before deciding, check the applicable energy label, relevant repairability or durability information, and the delivery and installation terms.
An appliance might fit the space on paper but be too large to get through a door or connect up. The CAF recommends checking measurements, sockets and connections before buying.
Measure the space and delivery route, then compare them with the dimensions and installation requirements of the model you’re considering.
Without checking that it works and reviewing the available paperwork, it’s harder to assess the condition of a second-hand appliance and what support may be available.
Ask for any available documents, check the appliance’s condition and that it works, and find out about the warranty terms before buying.
These models are for storing food, one of the things to plan for when moving in. Start by choosing a model that suits your available space and storage needs. Appliances for cooking, laundry and cleaning are separate decisions.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’d like refrigeration and freezing in one three-door appliance. The model name lists a 360 L capacity, Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the full dimensions, delivery route and clearance required before deciding where to put it.
Image unavailable
This fridge freezer provides space for both fresh and frozen food. The model name lists a 252 L fridge, a 103 L freezer, a width of 60 cm, a reversible door and an E energy rating. Also check its height and depth, and which way the door can open in your kitchen.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re looking for a four-door appliance to help organise food storage. The model name lists a 474 L capacity, a three-temperature crisper drawer and an E energy rating. Measure the space and delivery route before choosing this size.
Image unavailable
This model is worth considering if you need food storage and a stated total capacity of 444 L. The model name mentions frost-free cooling and an E energy rating. Before choosing it, check the full dimensions, door-opening clearance and how the capacity is divided between compartments.
Image unavailable
This compact model may suit a smaller space, provided 92 L is enough for your storage needs. The model name lists a compact freezer compartment, a footprint of 0,22 m² and an E energy rating. Check the full dimensions and the freezer compartment specifications if you plan to store frozen food.
First, check which appliances are already provided, then buy what you need to fill the gaps from the day you move in. The CAF lists a fridge, hob and washing machine among the appliances to prioritise according to your needs. You can wait on laundry appliances if you have another option that works for you.
Measure the space where you plan to put it and the entire delivery route, then check the sockets and connections required for the model. The CAF recommends making these checks before buying. For a washing machine, the available space may also influence whether you choose a top-loading model or a front-loader.
No. As ADEME explains, the energy label helps you compare the energy performance of relevant appliances, but it won’t tell you whether their capacity or dimensions suit your household and home. Once you’ve worked out what you need, compare the information for the specific model.
The index depends on the appliance category. According to the ministry responsible for ecological transition, the durability index has been gradually replacing the repairability index for washing machines since April 2025. The Ministry of the Economy says the repairability index applies to appliances including dishwashers and vacuum cleaners. Check which indicator applies to the model you’re interested in, along with information about its spare parts.