Start by checking the appliances, dimensions and connections already available, then buy the appliances that cover any missing everyday functions: refrigeration, cooking, laundry and floor care. New products are suitable when you want clearly established product information and a warranty; second-hand, refurbished, compact or temporary options require you to check their condition, installation requirements and suitability for your home.
Review which functions are already covered before choosing what you need to keep food fresh, cook, do the laundry and care for your floors. The ADEME / EDF R&D study distinguishes between many appliances according to the type of home.
Measure the space, access routes and functions you genuinely need before choosing a compact, multifunctional or temporary appliance. The energy label and the information associated with the model can help complete these checks.
Second-hand, refurbished, borrowed or rented appliances may be worth considering, provided you distinguish between these options and check the product's condition, the sales information and any applicable warranties.
Work through each function in turn: take stock of the home, check the installation, then compare models suited to the available space and the way you intend to use them.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Essential functions | Make a note of the appliances left in the property. Identify refrigeration, cooking, laundry and floor care separately. | I want to make the home usable day to day without buying an appliance that duplicates one already installed. |
| Space and installation | Measure the space, passageways and access points. Check the connections, intended installation method and dimensions of the model you choose. | My appliance must be able to enter the home and be installed without blocking a walkway, cupboard or useful access point. |
| Use and lifespan | Compare appliances in the same category using the energy-label data. For a washing machine, the European Commission highlights energy use, water consumption per cycle and the duration of the standardised programme. | I want to compare real-world use rather than choosing solely according to the energy class or purchase price. |
| Second-hand and refurbished | Check the exact status, stated condition, accessories and sales documents. The DGCCRF specifies that the information must describe the refurbished product being sold. | I can consider a non-new option if I know the condition in which the appliance is being sold and the professional seller provides the applicable warranties. |
An appliance may be unnecessary or fail to fit the available space and access points. The model information can help, but it does not replace checking the property itself.
Take stock of the appliances, measure the space and passageways, then check who will carry out the installation and what is included with the order.
The specifications, cosmetic condition and accessories of a refurbished product may differ from those of a new product or another unit of the same model.
Before buying, check the product status and condition, accessories, functional testing, invoice and seller's identity.
The label also includes indicators specific to each category. For a washing machine, water consumption per cycle and the duration of the standardised programme also matter when deciding whether it suits your needs.
Compare the pictograms and standardised data for appliances in the same category, then consider them alongside how often you will use the appliance and the capacity you need.
Joybuy options to cover food storage, compact cooking and floor care when setting up a home.
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For regular care of floors, furniture and awkward corners in a newly occupied home.
Advertised runtime of up to 65 minutes, 700 mL dust container, anti-tangle brush and convertible handheld format.
Check the runtime with the motorised brush and high-power modes, as well as the storage footprint and consumables.
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To provide both refrigeration and freezing when the home is not already equipped.
Advertised capacity of 153 L for refrigeration and 74 L for freezing, 54 cm width, reversible door and adjustable feet.
Check the height, depth, ventilation clearances and delivery route before ordering.
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A compact cooking solution for a kitchen without a built-in hob or for temporary use.
22 cm cooking zone, adjustable power from 200 to 2,000 W, advertised dimensions of 37 × 29 × 4.5 cm and a timer of up to 180 minutes.
It requires cookware with a ferromagnetic base, an earthed 220–240 V socket and a stable, ventilated surface.
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For cleaning floors, furniture and hard-to-reach areas while you get settled in.
4-in-1 format, display and LED lighting, advertised suction power of 18 kPa and advertised runtime of up to 40 minutes.
Check the duration according to the mode used, along with the dust-container capacity, filtration, weight and included accessories.
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For crumbs, fabrics, awkward corners and targeted cleaning in a studio flat, car or around furniture.
500 mL dust container, two suction levels, washable filtration, 2-in-1 nozzles and an advertised runtime of 13 to 25 minutes.
This format is best suited as a supplementary appliance; check the accessories, charging time and suitability for the surface you need to clean.
First check what is included in the property, then prioritise the everyday functions that are genuinely missing: food storage, cooking, laundry and floor care. The ADEME / EDF R&D study on household appliances provides useful context, but it is not a mandatory checklist for every move.
Only compare appliances in the same category. For the categories covered, the energy label and its QR code provide model-specific information; for a washing machine, the European Commission highlights energy use, water consumption per cycle and the duration of the standardised programme. Also check the dimensions and functions before buying.
No. The DGCCRF states that a refurbished product must have undergone tests guaranteeing that it is in good working order before being offered for sale. The technical and cosmetic information must describe the refurbished appliance being offered, not the corresponding new product.
In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity is mandatory for new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy. It may cover the product, assembly instructions and, subject to certain conditions, installation; keep the invoice, listing and installation documents.
It may be suitable for occasional use or before a permanent installation. ADEME lists local options for borrowing, renting, repairing and buying second-hand; check the appliance's availability, delivery, installation, minimum rental period, insurance and return conditions directly.