How to Create a Home Inventory (With Downloadable Template)

It’s important to be prepared for an emergency that may devastate your home and belongings - such as a hurricane or fire - which can include safety procedures and first aid kits. But do you know how much it will cost to replace all of your possessions if you were to lose them in a disaster? This is where a home inventory comes in. A home inventory will help you in the insurance claims process and help ensure you have the proper amount of coverage.

It’s best to go room by room jotting down all your possessions. From there, you can determine their original cost, when they were purchased, their serial number (if applicable), and you can take a photo of higher priced items for further proof. Below is a sample list of items you may have in your house.

Living Room

• Carpeting and rugs
• Sofas and Chairs
• Coffee and end tables
• Media center and bookshelves
• Curtains and blinds
• Art or other wall decor

Bathrooms

• Cabinets
• Mirrors
• Bath towels
• Medicine cabinet items
• Hairdryers
• Electric toothbrushes and shavers

Kitchen and Laundry Room

• Cabinets and shelving
• Table and chairs
• Dishware, flatware, and glassware
• Pots and pans
• Refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishwasher, and toaster
• Washer and dryer
• Ironing board
• Vacuum cleaner

Electronics and Home Office Supplies

• All televisions and smart tv boxes
• Game consoles
• Cell phones and laptops
• Computer accessories, such as printers and external hard drives
• Speakers and stereo system
• File cabinets

Dining Room

• Rug
• Table and chairs
• China cabinet and buffet
• Curtains and blinds
• Silverware, glassware, and china
• Tablecloths and napkins

Bedrooms

• Bedframe and mattress
• Linens
• Nightstand and dresser
• Jewelry
• Clothes and shoes
• Closet accessories

Garage and Patio

• Sporting equipment
• Yard equipment
• Power tools
• Ladders
• Grill and barbecue equipment
• Patio furniture

Attic and Miscellaneous Items

• Exercise equipment
• Toys and games
• Trunks and luggage

As you can see most of us have a lot to keep track of! This is why it’s great to keep a spreadsheet that you can update a few times a year to keep things organized. To help get things started, we’ve created a spreadsheet template. Make a copy of our Google Sheet!