First, check which appliances are already there. Then make sure you have what you need to store food and cook; add a washing machine if you don’t have a suitable way to do your laundry. You can wait until you know what you’ll use regularly before buying small appliances. Before choosing between new, refurbished and second-hand, check the available space, connections, services on offer and the seller’s status.
Before you buy anything, check what’s included and make sure it works. The French Family Allowance Fund recommends doing this when moving into your first home. Your needs for storing food, cooking and doing laundry will help you decide what to buy first.
Measure the available space and leave enough room to open appliance doors. A small kitchen appliance is worth choosing if you expect to use it and it doesn’t duplicate a function you already have.
Find out whether the seller is a business or a private individual, and check the stated condition and included accessories. In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that the legal guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual, but not sales between private individuals.
Start with the functions your home is missing, then make sure each appliance you’re considering can be installed and used in your space.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday needs | Check which appliances are included and whether they work. Think about how you’ll store food, cook and do your laundry. | I need to be able to prepare meals as soon as I move in; I can put off buying a washing machine if another laundry option works for me. |
| Space and connections | Measure the space and the delivery route. Check which way doors open, the sockets and, if needed, the water supply and drainage. | In a small kitchen, I need an appliance that fits in its allotted space and has a door I can still open easily. |
| Capacity and use | Choose fridge and freezer space and washing capacity to suit your habits. For washing machines, ADEME says that 7 kg is enough for most people, but you should base your choice on how much laundry you actually wash. | I want to avoid an appliance that takes up too much room, while still having enough capacity for my usual needs. |
| Additional appliances | Consider how often you expect to use each appliance and whether you already have one that does the same job. Check that you have somewhere to store it, too. | I’d consider a small rice cooker or an extra hob if I’d use it regularly, not just because I have a spare spot. |
| Energy label and durability | Compare energy, water and noise information across models in the same category. Check the durability index where applicable; ADEME says it applies to washing machines placed on the market since April 2025. | For an appliance I’ll use often, I want to compare its performance and maintenance options, not just its capacity. |
| Seller and services | Check the seller’s status and, for a second-hand appliance, its condition and accessories. Confirm separately whether delivery, installation and removal are included in your chosen offer. | If I buy refurbished or second-hand, I want to know what I can check before using the appliance and what services come with it. |
You might buy an appliance that duplicates one already there, or find that it won’t fit in the space provided.
Check what’s included, measure the space and access route, then check door clearance, sockets and any connections required.
Services vary depending on the offer and the appliance. Darty, for example, distinguishes between installing certain appliances and installing built-in models.
Before placing your order, check separately where the appliance will be delivered, whether setup and installation are included, and whether your old appliance will be taken away.
A large capacity won’t necessarily suit the amount of laundry you need to wash. ADEME says that 7 kg is enough for most people when choosing a washing machine.
Estimate how much laundry you usually wash and compare the label information for appliances in the same category.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual, but not to sales between private individuals.
Check who the seller is, and confirm the stated condition and accessories. If you’re buying from a private individual, ask to see the appliance working before you decide.
These models cover food storage, laundry and two ways to cook. Start by choosing the function your home is missing, then compare the options: a portable hob and a mini cooker may not suit the same cooking habits.
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A good option if your home doesn’t have an appliance for keeping food fresh. This model combines 153 L of fridge space with 74 L of freezer space. It’s listed as 54 cm wide and has a reversible door; also check the height, depth and clearance needed for your chosen spot.
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Consider this if you don’t have a suitable way to do your laundry. This model is listed with a 1,400 rpm spin speed and an A energy rating. Check the space required, delivery access and connections before choosing it.
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This single-zone hob could be your main cooking solution or a handy extra, depending on how you cook. It’s listed as suitable for cookware measuring 12 to 26 cm. Check that your pans work with induction, and that the space and power supply are suitable.
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Its 82 L capacity may suit you if you don’t need much fridge space. This model is listed with an E energy rating. If you also want to freeze food, check its configuration, then check the dimensions before deciding where to put it.
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This 1 L cooker is worth considering for dishes you make regularly, rather than assuming it can replace a hob. It has two listed settings of 300 W and 600 W. Check its dimensions and power connection to make sure it suits your space.
Start with what you need to store food and cook; consider a washing machine if you don’t have another suitable way to do your laundry. First, check which appliances are included and whether they work, as the French Family Allowance Fund recommends when moving into your first home.
Measure the space, allow room for the door to open and check that it can be delivered to the right place. Then check the water and electricity connections. ADEME says that 7 kg is enough for most people, but choose a capacity to suit the amount of laundry you wash.
Not always. Services depend on the offer and the type of appliance. Darty notes, for example, that installation of its built-in appliances isn’t included with some delivery services. Before ordering, check what’s included for the product you’ve chosen.
Yes. In France, when a private individual buys a refurbished appliance from a business, the legal guarantee of conformity applies, according to the Ministry of the Economy. It doesn’t apply to sales between private individuals, so check who the seller is and keep your proof of purchase.
Check its durability index and compare it with other washing machines, while also considering capacity and installation requirements. ADEME says this index must be displayed on washing machines placed on the market since April 2025.