18 Housewarming Gift Ideas Your Friends Will Love You For

Sofia RiveraLifestyle Editor, Special Projects
Sofia RiveraLifestyle Editor, Special Projects
Since joining Apartment Therapy in 2022, I’ve edited the Life section, covering wellness, money, career, small-space living, mental health, and all the items, habits, and pro tips that can help you level up your life at home. When I’m not editing a feature or chasing a lifestyle tip, you can find me rearranging my furniture, watching reality TV, or taking a veryyy long walk around the city.
updated Nov 19, 2025
Apartment Therapy received compensation for this post, which was written and edited independently by our editorial team.
Open-concept living room with pink sofa, wooden chairs, colorful rug, and kitchen island with bar stools under vaulted ceiling.

There’s no doubt that moving into a new home is overwhelming, but on the other side of the move, there are all kinds of fun things: decorating a new space, relishing in a fresh start, and of course, inviting friends into your space to give them the grand tour. 

Whether you’re attending a friend’s housewarming party or sending a gift from afar, you’re likely in the market for some housewarming gift ideas that will help your friend feel welcomed home. From candles that will make their space smell amazing to a salt pig that will space up their kitchen, here are 18 creative housewarming gift ideas Apartment Therapy editors can attest to. 

Credit: Sarah Crowley

Housewarming Gift Ideas They Can Eat and Entertain With

Dipping Oil Gift Set
$56

“A friend gave me and my husband this Williams Sonoma Dipping Oil Gift Set when we moved earlier this year, and we love it!” says Terri Pous, Apartment Therapy’s executive editor. “The oils are SO tasty, and it feels so fun and fancy to have sliced bread and a little tray for dipping with dinner.” If you’re delivering this gift in person, you could pair with a crusty loaf of bread, too!

$56 at Williams Sonoma
HS Stackable Glass Tumblers
$18

Despite curating a lovely collection of drinking vessels over the years, I still have yet to spring for a good set of rocks glasses. They can fly under the radar, which is precisely what makes them an excellent housewarming gift — a little luxury you might not have bought for yourself.

Try pairing it with a small bottle of their favorite spirit to complete the package. Apartment Therapy Lifestyle Editor Lizzy Francis is partial to her Toyo Sasaki stackable glasses, which were a gift from her mom. “They’re ultrathin and perfectly fit a big ice cube. Plus, they stack, which is great for small spaces!”

$18 at Little King
From our partner
My Way 3-Wick Candle
$80$40

There's nothing better than a giant candle. This candle from Aroma360 has top notes of leather, cardamom, and lemon, which is sophisticated but subtle enough to leave going for a while, which is also particularly nice because this candle has a 50 hour burn time.

$40 at Aroma360
Always Pan 2.0
$135$99

If you love your friend and your friend loves to cook, Our Place’s Always Pan is editor-loved and internet-famous for good reason. “A couple of years ago, I bought the Our Place Always Pan (in the color spice) as a housewarming gift for friends that just purchased their first home. It's so nice and practical,” says Apartment Therapy Lifestyle Director Stephanie Nguyen. “They still love to use it today!”

$99 at Our Place
Mikasa Loria 16-Piece Dinnerware Set
$114

If your friend is living alone for the first time or moving into their first home and you know they’re still shopping for the basics, a classic set of dishware is a lovely housewarming gift idea. “My aunt gifted us this dinnerware set from Mikasa,” says Savannah Daniels, our editor of cleaning & organizing. “I really like how simple yet really pretty they are!”

$114 at Amazon
Salt Crock
$42

Whenever I visit my parents, my mom has a ceramic salt pig perched on the counter, and not only does it bring so much character to the counter, it makes salting things while I cook so much simpler. I now have my own, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Chances are, they don’t have one yet, and even if they do, it's certainly not as beautiful as this bold Le Creuset option.

$42 at Le Creuset
The Duo
$89

Olive oil is one of those ingredients you can never have too much of — I use it at some point in my cooking every day, and I love Brightland’s oils. The Everyday Set comes with a pair of squeezable bottles (one for cooking and one for dressing salads), while The Duo is a set of gorgeous glass bottles that might look a tad more impressive as a gift (though they’re very similar in price).

Either way, your newly moved friend will love you for stocking their cabinets with quality olive oil.

$89 at Brightland
LifeStraw Home 7-Cup Glass Water Filter Pitcher
$65

Your giftee won’t have to buy plastic water bottles as they get settled in with this Lifestraw Water Filter Pitcher. It eliminates contaminants that could be lurking in your water (bacteria, PFAs, chlorine, and more) and looks good doing it! The sleek glass pitcher will look stylish on their table and come in handy when hosting.

$65 at Lifestraw

Housewarming Gift Ideas to Decorate (and Organize) Their New Space

Magnetic Key Rack
$30

A fun key chain is always a fitting housewarming gift idea, but what about somewhere clever to stash those keys? Apartment Therapy editors have tried and loved several Yamazaki organizers, and this magnetic key rack is one of them. It’s low-profile enough to blend in with almost any decor scheme, and you can adhere it to a door or wall with the magnets or screws. Bonus: Your giftee will be guaranteed to think of you each time they come home.

$30 at Yamazaki Home
Cherry Carafe
$40

A water carafe is one of those chic extras you seldom think to buy for yourself, but when you have it you use it all the time. I think this cherry-shaped version from Ban.do is adorable, but this glass amber version from AllModern is another chic option (I’ve gifted a carafe similar to this one, and it was a hit!).

$40 at Ban.do
Sun Shower Sunny
$45

When you’re moving into a new home, you might already have your bathroom decor picked out, but a shower liner is one of those basics that usually falls to the wayside. Why not treat your friend to a more colorful self-care routine with a Sun Shower from Quiet Town? You can use them as a stand-alone (see-through) shower curtain or as a joy-boosting liner.

$45 at Quiet Town
Credit: Sarah Crowley

Housewarming Gift Ideas to Upgrade Basic Home Essentials

L'AVANT Collective Dish & Hand Soap Duo
$70

If you’re stuck on housewarming gift ideas for your friend who already has everything, try using the “level-up” rule to elevate a home essential that they can use up. “I'm all for giving consumables and pantry staples — things you ALWAYS need more of at some point in life, but the luxe version you don't always treat yourself to, so it feels extra special for a new home or apartment,” says Danielle Blundell, Apartment Therapy’s executive home director.

“Some of my favorites to date: Graza's Drizzle & Sizzle Set, L'AVANT Hand Soap, and a Diptyque Baies candle.” (Hot tip: When you’re done with the candle vessel, you can use it for chic bathroom storage).

$70 at Amazon
Caramel N' Cream Blanket, Medium
$249

A quality throw blanket is always a must. Though a little splurge-y to be sure, a Lola blanket is well worth it, according to Apartment Therapy Editor-in-Chief Charli Penn. “The Lola blanket is the most well-rounded blanket ever. It’s a double-sided, faux fur dream that’s unbelievably soft and warm,” Penn writes in her review. “When I use it, I feel like I’m floating inside a cloud of pure goodness.” Who doesn’t want to come home to that?

$249 at Lola Blankets
P.F. Candle Ojai Lavender Room & Linen Spray
$22

A fresh start calls for an extra fresh, calming scent — and P.F. Candle Co.’s Ojai Lavender Room Spray is just the thing. It’s unlike any other lavender scent out there, featuring hints of eucalyptus, lily, and cedar (which explains why it had a 1,000-person wait list at one point). Plus, its soothing aroma will ensure your giftee has a restful night’s sleep in their new space.

$22 at P.F. Candle Co.
TINKR Home Essentials Kit
$30

Though my trusty IKEA tool kit has served me well over many years, it is hidden away on top of my fridge. If I were moving into a new home, I would love to receive a set of aesthetically pleasing tools, like these ones from Tinkr. They range in price from under $20 for a small DIY Essentials Kit to $25 for the Furniture Assembly Kit (very handy for putting together new apartment pieces) to $80 for a Full Modern Tool Box and Workstation.

$30 at Target
Signature Hand Towels, Set of 2
$78

Everyone needs a towel refresh now and again, which makes them one of the most reliably practical housewarming gift ideas. Help your pal level up their hand towel game — and self-care routine, honestly — by giving them a pair of Weezie’s Signature Hand Towels. They’re ridiculously plush, have tons of different cute piping options to personalize them, and if nothing else, it’ll be a gift to your future self when you visit your friend’s new place.

$78 at Weezie
Credit: Erin Derby

Housewarming Gift Ideas to Help Their Pets Feel at Home

Personalized Recycled WaterHog Grid Pet Placemat
$60

If you’re looking for housewarming gift ideas that include your friend’s pets, this personalized place mat is a stylish and super functional pick. “My mom got us a personalized mat for our dog Walter's food and water bowls when my husband and I moved to our first house in Wisconsin! We still have and love it,” says Apartment Therapy Home Projects Director Megan Baker Detloff.

$60 at Orvis
Smallserve
$52

A new home for a human is a new home for their pets, too — so why not help them feel pampered in their new place? I have tried several cat dishes, and this pedestal-style, two-toned option from Smalls is the best-looking I’ve seen. I love that it’s elevated to prevent whisker fatigue, and it’s so easy to clean, too.

$52 at Smalls

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