OK, I'm getting carried away planning for our new house in England, trying to work out what we'll need! We won't be able to bring anything back from Japan so we're pretty much starting from scratch.

So it's going to be me, my OH and Milo, then from the beginning of July our new baby will be joining us!

OK, so in the kitchen we'll need white goods (depending on what the house comes with), my mum's giving us a microwave, TV and freewview box, ..we'll have some bedroom furniture, bedding, towels, and various other small bits. We'll obviously need to get a lot of stuff for the kids, a bed for Milo, a cot/moses basket for the new baby, bouncy chair, some bigger toys etc as we can't bring Milo's big toys with us

Is there anything that you couldn't live without in your house or anything that is really useful? I'm trying to think if what I'm going to need, obviously we can't afford to go overboard, so just useful basics. Also, what's the best places to look for toddler beds and cots etc? Anything cheap but reliable will be fine!

i really like john lewis for furniture for elijah - not that cheap (but not actually as pricey as you think) and the quality is great - plus they are the only place i have found that actually turn up when they say they will! their sheets etc are great quality too.

dont forget washing up sponges, binbags and cutlery!!! and at least one bin

I think one trip to Ikea and you will find nearly everything on a budget (but not tacky stuff)

They do kitchen stuff's, storage, beds, wordrobes, furniture..the list is endless.

You can browse online if you fancy

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/#

Aw hun if you lived closer I would bring you all of harrys old things for the new babba like bouncy chair etc I got his cotbed from an ebay shop with mattress for 100 and its great. Also charity shops and car boot sales are great for toys for milo and babba when hes bigger xx

Deffo as Zee said if you can get to an Ikea then its genius...I love love love it. Also if your just after a cot rather than a cotbed, they do cots too.....

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/00115751

and mattresses too....

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/80152853

xx

umm kiddiecare are good for beds n what not

dont forget stuff like ironing boards n what not lol.

Don't forget I've got a dining table and 6 chairs here for you if you need it (I remember you said if your place was big enough you'd let me know) I've still not taken it down LOL. If you need a single bed for Milo I also have one of those you can have too (also free) (you'll need to buy a new mattress as the one that is on it at the mo is knackered, jumping kids lol lol).

If you look on Gumtree some people are selling some 2nd hand bits which will do until you are settled. Argos are reasonable for sofa's etc but I agree Ikea is good but things like beds from Ikea need an Ikea mattress and Ikea sheets as I think their sizes are different to English sizes. xxxxxx

Have a look on freecycle in your local are. Loads of people giving stuff away for free!! It will just get you started until you can replace with new stuff.

You can get everything from tv's, beds to cutlery etc! All you need to do is go get them. You will seriously find just about everything you need on there for free.

http://www.freecycle.org/group/uk

I am another Ikea fan

I wouldn't bother with a toddler bed just get Milo a normal single bed that will last him years

Mari, I've heard good things about them lately! I'll check out their website later on

Zee, Siobhan - ooh Ikea! I've missed Ikea! I'm scared I might get stuck on the website forever though, too tempting!

happy, I'll make sure to check out Kiddiecare too!

Dilly, you're too kind! I think we'll be back middle of April and looking at getting our own place in May, so I'll keep you updated. But if you get another offer, please give it to them! I don't want to keep you waiting!

mara - oh that's a great idea, I'll have a browse through, and probably get carried away and end up with a house full of stuff

Oooh Gil, where's our closest Ikea? Do they deliver these days?? Good point about the single bed actually, at the moment he's gone from a cot to a queen size futon, so I'm sure he won't find a single bed to big!

Thanks again everyone, it's kind of overwhelming to work out what we'll need, especially with having to restock with new baby things. No idea how we're going to afford everything but I'll panic about that when i have to!

Sod all that and move to Canada! xxx

to help spread the cost a bit hun could you start ordering now and get it delivered to family x