Unique housewarming gift ideas: Go beyond candles and wine

They have a new home, fresh keys, empty walls and approximately a thousand things still to buy. And then there's you, trying to find a housewarming gift that isn't another candle, plant or bottle of something.

The problem with buying gifts for someone's home is that you're buying for their taste, not yours. You might love that vase, but will they? Is that print their style? Do they even have anywhere to put it?

The best housewarming gifts feel personal without making too many assumptions about what someone else wants in their space. So if you're looking for unique housewarming gift ideas, something thoughtful for a first-time homeowner or a present for a couple moving in together, here's an idea worth considering.

Give them something to make their new place their own. Literally.

 

A housewarming gift they get to make

What if, instead of choosing artwork for someone's new home, you gave them everything they needed to make their own?

Our DIY framed canvas art kits arrive with everything needed to create an original piece of wall art at home. They build the frame, stretch the canvas, paint whatever they like and finish it with a wooden edge frame. It's a creative project, a few hours away from screens and a finished artwork for their new walls.

And the best part is you don't need to know their interior style. They decide what the artwork looks like, to fit their new space.

Bright colours or something neutral, minimalist or expressive, a tiny bit of paint or the whole canvas covered. It's completely up to them. And for someone who's just moved, that freedom makes a pretty good gift.

You can find our best sellers for gift giving here.

 

Why a DIY art kit makes such a good new home gift

A housewarming present doesn't necessarily need to be something practical. But it should feel worth having. And we reckon a gift that turns into something they've made themselves has a few things going for it.

It's personal without you having to guess. You're not choosing a colour scheme, style or finished piece of decor. You're giving them the freedom to make something that works in their home.

It's an experience as well as a present. Moving can be a lot. Having a project that involves clearing the table, putting some music on and making something with your hands is a pretty good excuse to switch off for an afternoon.

They get something to keep. It isn't a craft project destined for a drawer. The finished canvas comes with its own wooden edge frame, ready to become part of their home.

They don't need to be an artist either. Every kit includes access to our Digital Art Guide, with video tutorials, step-by-step painting ideas and inspiration if they're not sure where to start. They can follow a guide or completely do their own thing.

It's a particularly good option if you're looking for a thoughtful housewarming gift for someone who loves interiors, design or creative projects, but would never think to buy themselves an art kit.

 

Which housewarming art kit should you gift?

If you're not sure what colours they'll like, we would narrow it down to two.

For someone who loves colour: The Mix Kit

Our Mix Framed Canvas Art Kit gives them the most freedom. With primary colours + black and white, they can mix their own shades and create something that works with their new space. They might go for earthy greens, a bold abstract composition or something completely monochrome. You don't have to make that decision for them.

It's a great creative housewarming gift for someone who likes experimenting, has a strong eye for design or loves the idea of making something completely their own.

For someone who loves a more understated look: Monochrome Cotton

If their taste is a little more minimal, our Monochrome Cotton Framed Canvas Art Kit is a good place to start. A raw cotton canvas and a considered, versatile colour palette give them plenty of room to experiment without needing a huge range of colours. They can make something subtle and pared-back or go much bolder with contrast, texture and composition.

It's an easy choice for someone who loves neutral interiors, contemporary design or simple, considered artwork.

Both kits include the full canvas-making setup, paints, tools and Digital Art Guide. So whichever you choose, they have everything they need to get started.

 

Housewarming gifts for couples? Make it two.

If you're looking for a housewarming gift for a couple, particularly one moving into their first home together, our Double Art Kits are worth a look. They get two canvases and frames, with one shared set of tools and paints.

That means two people can make their own artwork, together, without needing to agree on what a single painting should look like. One might make something bold. The other might barely touch the canvas. Both get something they've made themselves.

It's part housewarming gift, part at-home date idea and part excuse to spend an evening doing something that isn't unpacking boxes or assembling furniture. And at the end, they've got two original artworks for their new home.

 

A first home gift they'll remember making

Buying someone's first home is a big deal. And if you're searching for a first home gift or a special present for new homeowners, it makes sense to want something a little more memorable than another household essential.

A Plan kit gives them something to do once the moving chaos has settled, and something to hang up afterwards.

There's a different kind of attachment to a piece of art you've made yourself. You remember the process, the decisions, the parts that didn't quite go as expected and the moment you finally got it up on the wall. And that's a pretty cool thing to give someone for their first home.

 

And yes, it absolutely works as a Christmas gift too

If someone on your Christmas list has recently moved house, consider this two occasions sorted with one present. A creative gift they can enjoy over the holidays, and an original piece of wall art for the new place once they're done. Whether you're shopping for a friend, a couple or someone who's impossible to buy for, the idea is the same.

Don't try to guess what their dream artwork looks like. Give them the chance to make it.

 

Emmi
Co-founder of Plan