Home inventory checklist: room by room

Use this checklist to make sure your home inventory covers everything an insurance claim might need. Work one room at a time. For each item, note the brand and model where you can see them, the quantity, and roughly what it would cost to replace new today. Print this page (Ctrl+P or Share, Print) and tick as you go.

Living room

• TV, soundbar, speakers, streaming boxes, game consoles and controllers
• Sofa, armchairs, coffee table, side tables, TV stand, bookshelves
• Rugs, curtains, lamps, mirrors, framed art, decor
• Books, records, board games, plants and planters

Kitchen

• Fridge, range or cooktop, oven, microwave, dishwasher (freestanding appliances are usually contents; built-ins may be dwelling)
• Small appliances: coffee machine, blender, stand mixer, toaster, air fryer, kettle
• Cookware, knives, dishes, glassware, cutlery, storage containers
• Pantry food and drinks (often claimable after a loss, and easy to forget)

Dining room

• Dining table and chairs (count them), sideboard, bar cart
• China, serving ware, table linens, wine and spirits

Bedrooms

• Bed frames, mattresses, nightstands, dressers, wardrobes
• Bedding, pillows, throws
• Clothing and shoes: count by type ("jeans, 8") rather than skipping them
• Handbags, watches, jewelry (check your policy's special limits for jewelry)
• Kids' rooms: toys, cribs, strollers, car seats, school gear

Bathrooms

• Towels, bath mats, shower curtains, storage units
• Hair dryers, straighteners, electric toothbrushes, shavers, scales
• Cosmetics, skincare and fragrances (they add up quickly)

Home office

• Laptops, desktops, monitors, printer, router, phones, tablets (serial numbers)
• Desk, office chair, filing cabinets, shelving
• Cameras, headphones, chargers, external drives

Laundry and utility

• Washer, dryer, vacuum, steam mop, ironing board, dehumidifier, space heaters
• Cleaning supplies and storage

Garage, shed and outdoors

• Power tools, hand tools, tool chests, ladders
• Bikes, e-bikes, scooters, sports and camping gear
• Lawn mower, trimmer, leaf blower, pressure washer, grill, patio furniture
• Second fridge or freezer and its contents

Attic, basement and closets

• Holiday decorations, luggage, stored furniture
• Boxes of keepsakes, spare bedding, out-of-season clothing

Items people forget

• Inside every drawer and cabinet
• Musical instruments, collectibles, art (consider an appraisal and a scheduled item)
• Pet supplies, medical equipment, eyeglasses, hearing aids
• Items stored away from home (storage unit, office, a child's dorm): check your off-premises limit

The shortcut

Typing all of this into a spreadsheet takes most people a weekend. A faster way: walk this checklist with your phone camera running, opening closets and drawers as you go. That video is evidence on its own, and it can be turned into the list. See 12 filming tips and what adjusters want to see.

Keep it safe and current

Store a copy off-site (cloud storage or email to yourself) and redo it once a year or after a big purchase.

General information, not insurance advice. Your policy wording decides what's covered and any special limits.