To furnish your first home, start by checking what’s already installed and working. Then, based on your needs, buy a fridge, a cooking appliance and, if you have no other practical way to do your laundry, a washing machine. The Caf recommends putting less urgent appliances on hold. Before placing an order, however, measurements, access routes and connections could change the order in which you buy. A compact model may suit a smaller space, while choosing between new, second-hand and refurbished means comparing the product’s condition, the information available and the terms of sale.
If your home doesn’t yet have what you need to keep food fresh, cook or do the laundry, work out what’s genuinely missing before buying less urgent appliances. The Caf recommends starting with the essentials.
A compact appliance can help when space is limited, as long as its dimensions, connections and capacity suit your needs. Remember to measure the access routes it will need to pass through during delivery.
If you’re comparing new, second-hand and refurbished appliances, check the condition of the item actually being sold, who the seller is, the sales documents and any applicable guarantees. Don’t forget to consider how much it costs to run.
Start with the everyday needs your home can’t yet meet, then rule out any appliances that won’t fit the available space or work with the connections you have. Next, compare the terms of sale and the features of the compatible models.
| What matters | What to check | What consumers say |
|---|---|---|
| Essential appliances | Make a list of the appliances already there and working; work out whether refrigeration, cooking or laundry is the biggest gap in your daily routine. | Without a way to keep food fresh or cook, I want to make the home liveable before adding the rest of the appliances. Around 31% of consumers would put this essential need first. |
| Space and connections | Measure the space and delivery routes; check that the sockets, water supply and drainage required for the model are available. | In a small home, I need to be able to get the appliance in and install it, while still having enough capacity for my needs. This would be the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Purchase and protection | For second-hand or refurbished appliances, check the stated condition, accessories, seller details and documents provided. | If I buy an appliance that’s already been used, I want to know what condition it’s in and who to contact if there’s a problem. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this protection when buying. |
| Long-term use | For relevant new appliances, compare the energy label, capacity and noise level; check the durability index where it applies to washing machines. | For an appliance I’ll use regularly, I’d rather check its energy consumption and how well it suits my needs than focus on capacity alone. Around 19% of consumers would prioritise how long it will be used and the demands of using it. |
An appliance may look suitable on paper but still be too large to get through your home’s access routes, or not fit the available space, sockets and connections.
Measure the space and access routes, then check the installation requirements for the exact model against the connections you have.
According to the DGCCRF, a refurbished product is a second-hand item whose functions have been tested and which has been restored to working order where necessary. The listing should describe the actual item being sold.
Ask for documented details of its condition, a list of accessories, the seller’s details and proof of purchase. Check the guarantee terms that apply to the sale.
A large drum won’t necessarily suit your usual laundry load. ADEME says that a 7 kg capacity is usually enough and recommends checking the energy label information too.
For a new washing machine, compare its capacity, energy use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle and noise level. Check the durability index where it applies to the model.
Terms vary between local Caf offices. The Caf in Paris says it considers quotes rather than reimbursing purchases that have already been made, while the Caf in Haute-Loire requires an application to be submitted before purchase for its relevant equipment loan.
If you’re thinking of applying for support, contact your Caf before ordering. Check which appliances are eligible, whether you qualify and when to submit your application and quote.
A brand worth looking at if you’re comparing fridges, washing machines and ovens, among other appliances.
A brand to consider when comparing different types of household appliances for your home.
A brand to consider when comparing hobs, fridges and washing machines, among other appliances.
Appliances that don’t meet an immediate need can wait. The Caf recommends prioritising a fridge, cooking facilities and a washing machine, depending on what’s already in your home and how you use it. You can then gradually add less urgent appliances.
First, choose a model that can get through the access routes, fits the space available and works with your water supply, drainage and socket. Then choose a capacity that suits your usual laundry load: ADEME says that 7 kg is usually enough. For a new model, compare its energy label information on consumption and noise too.
According to the DGCCRF, a refurbished appliance is a second-hand item that has been tested to check it works and, where necessary, restored before being resold. Check that the stated condition and features describe the exact appliance that will be delivered to you.
Yes. In France, it applies when a trader sells goods to an individual: the DGCCRF states that the legal guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. It also says that the period during which a fault is presumed to have existed at the time of sale is one year for second-hand goods, compared with two years for new goods. Keep your receipt and the description of the item sold.
Yes, if you’re thinking of applying for help with buying equipment. Terms depend on your local Caf, and some steps must be completed before you buy. For example, the Caf in Paris says it reviews quotes and does not reimburse purchases that have already been made. Check the terms that apply to your circumstances before ordering.