A household that needs to equip its home one function at a time
If your home has few appliances, start by deciding how you’ll store food, cook and do the laundry. Add cleaning appliances to suit your needs rather than buying everything at once.
Who is this guide for?
Someone whose home limits their options
In a small kitchen or a laundry area with limited space, the dimensions, installation type and connections may determine your choice before you even consider extra features.
A household looking to keep its appliances for a long time
When comparing a new, second-hand or refurbished appliance, check the condition of the specific model, how it has been maintained, which parts are compatible and what guarantees are offered. The ADEME recommends asking what checks or refurbishment work have been carried out.
What should you prioritise before buying?
Start by taking stock of your home and your needs, then check that the appliance can be delivered and installed where you plan to put it. The ADEME–EDF R&D study of households in mainland France found that refrigerators, hobs and washing machines were among the most widely owned appliances in 2023. However, it doesn’t set an order for what you should buy when moving in.
| Priority | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday essentials | Make a note of the appliances that are already working and how often you cook, do the laundry and clean. | I want to be able to store food and prepare meals as soon as I move in, without buying an appliance I already have. Around 29% of consumers prioritise these immediate essentials. |
| Installation and delivery | Measure the space and access route; check the model’s instructions against the connections it requires. | If an alcove, staircase or connections create limitations, I need to know whether the appliance will fit and work in my home. For around 29% of consumers, compatibility comes before extra features. |
| Space and use | Compare capacities to suit your household and, for relevant appliance types, check the reference-cycle information on the energy label. | If space is limited, I could consider a washer-dryer, as long as it fits in with my laundry routine. Space and how an appliance will be used are the top priorities for around 24% of consumers. |
| Maintenance and lifespan | Check the applicable rating for the appliance type, the care instructions and which parts are compatible with the exact model number. | I’d rather know how to maintain an appliance and what repair options are available before choosing a model. Around 18% of consumers put lifespan first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Ordering before measuring the delivery route
An appliance may suit your needs but still not fit through a doorway or staircase, or into the space where it needs to be installed.
Measure the space and access route, then check the model’s documentation for its installation type and connections. Also confirm the delivery and installation options available.
If installation or set-up is offered at an extra cost, check exactly what’s included before placing your order.
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Focusing only on the energy rating
A letter doesn’t tell you whether the capacity suits your household, or how long the reference cycle takes, how much water it uses or how noisy it is. The European Commission provides details of this information on washer-dryer energy labels, for example.
Compare appliances of the same type and a suitable capacity, then check the figures and conditions on their labels.
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Choosing a two-in-one appliance just to save space
A washer-dryer takes up the space of one appliance, but it also needs to suit how often you do the laundry and how much drying you need.
Check the model’s washing and drying capacities separately, along with the figures for its wash-and-dry cycle.
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Assuming all refurbished appliances are the same
Check the condition, work carried out, accessories and guarantees offered for each appliance. In France, the Ministry responsible for the ecological transition states that second-hand, reused or refurbished appliances do not have to display a repairability rating.
Ask for a written description of the appliance’s condition and any refurbishment work, then check the model number, accessories and the seller’s terms.
Brands to compare by appliance type
These brands offer several appliance types that can help you equip your home. Compare specific models rather than assuming their features based on the brand alone.
Bosch
Bosch offers appliances for laundry, refrigeration and cooking, making it possible to compare several categories as you equip your home.
- The brand offers genuine spare parts and a “Second Life” range.
- Check the dimensions, compatible parts and guarantee terms for the model you’re considering.
Electrolux
Electrolux offers appliances for cooking, refrigeration, laundry and floorcare.
- Its French website provides manuals, support and genuine parts.
- Check the exact model number and the support terms that apply to the appliance you’re considering.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool offers appliances for refrigeration, cooking and laundry, including washer-dryers to consider if space is limited.
- The brand provides documentation, a parts shop and repair services for some appliances.
- Check which parts are compatible and which services are available using the model’s full reference number.
Miele
Miele offers freestanding and built-in kitchen appliances, as well as appliances for laundry and home care.
- The range of formats makes it easier to compare models for the space you have available.
- Check the capacity, dimensions and installation type of the model you choose. Features highlighted by the brand may not be available across its entire range.
Appliances to furnish your home in stages
These Joybuy products cover food storage, cooking and laundry, as well as a washer-dryer and a compact countertop dishwasher. Choose the function your home needs now, then check the installation requirements and capacity of each model.
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Bosch WGE02407FR front-loading washing machine, 7 kg
An option for handling your household laundry if your home has a suitable space and the right connections.
The product title lists a 7 kg capacity, a 1,400 rpm spin speed and an A energy rating. The ADEME says 7 kg is enough in most cases, but it’s still worth checking that this capacity suits your usual laundry load.
Before ordering, confirm the dimensions, connections and the durability rating that applies to this model.
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CHiQ JR227LSE fridge freezer, 227 L, silver
Worth considering if you need to refrigerate and freeze food in a single appliance.
The title lists a 153 L fridge and a 74 L freezer, a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and an E energy rating.
Also measure the height and depth, check the door clearance and delivery route, and consult the model’s label to compare its annual energy consumption.
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CIARRA CABBIH4-A induction hob, 4 zones
This built-in hob could meet your cooking needs if your kitchen has a suitable space and compatible electrical installation.
The title lists four zones and nine power levels.
Before choosing it, check the cut-out dimensions, power supply requirements and installation conditions. Also make sure your cookware is suitable for induction.
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Comfee' CFP03ED100W-HR washer-dryer, 10 kg/7 kg
Worth considering if you want to wash and dry your laundry in one appliance and this suits your routine.
The title lists a 10 kg washing capacity and a 7 kg drying capacity, with a stated width of 60 cm. This means a full washing load is larger than the listed drying capacity.
Check the full dimensions, connections and energy figures for the wash-and-dry cycle before comparing it with other models.
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AIRMSEN countertop dishwasher, 5 L water tank
An extra appliance to consider if you’d like to wash dishes on a worktop rather than in a built-in space.
The title mentions a built-in 5 L water tank and 5 + 1 wash cycles.
Measure the available worktop space and check where the drain hose will go when using the tank. If you’re comparing dishwashers, also check the model’s energy information.
Frequently asked questions
Which appliances should you buy first for a home you’ll be living in long term?
Start with what’s missing for your immediate needs, after checking which appliances are already there: food storage, cooking, laundry and cleaning. The ADEME–EDF R&D study found that refrigerators, hobs and washing machines were common in households in mainland France in 2023. However, your habits and the appliances already in your home will determine what you should buy first.
What should you check before ordering a large appliance?
Measure the space and the route to it, as well as the alcove if the appliance is built in, then check the connections required by the model. For deliveries in France, the DGCCRF states that before the contract is signed, the seller must tell you the date or timeframe they commit to for delivery. Also check what installation services are available.
How do you compare energy labels for laundry appliances?
Compare appliances of the same type and a suitable capacity, checking the figures for the reference cycle rather than focusing on the rating alone. The European Commission says washer-dryer labels include information such as energy use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, cycle duration and noise. Compare the figures that match how you plan to use the appliance.
Do all washing machines have a repairability rating?
No. In France, the durability rating replaced the repairability rating for washing machines on 8 April 2025, according to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition. Check which rating applies to the appliance type and specific model. The requirement to display a repairability rating does not automatically apply to second-hand or refurbished appliances.
Could a second-hand or refurbished appliance be suitable for your first home?
Yes, as long as its condition and features suit your needs and the requirements of your home. Before buying, ask what checks or refurbishment work have been carried out, which accessories are included and what guarantees the seller offers, as recommended by the ADEME.