Most people don't have a home inventory. The ones who do usually started one after something went wrong — a burglary, a house fire, a failed insurance claim where they couldn't prove what they owned.
The good news: creating a home inventory in 2026 is dramatically easier than it used to be. You don't need a spreadsheet, a clipboard, or an entire weekend. Here's how to do it right.
Why bother with a home inventory?
Insurance claims. This is the big one. After a disaster, your insurance company will ask you to list everything you lost, along with approximate values. People without inventories routinely underestimate their losses by 30-50%. That's thousands of dollars left on the table.
Warranty tracking. When your dishwasher starts making that noise, wouldn't it be nice to know instantly whether it's still under warranty?
Replacement shopping. Your dryer dies. Do you remember the exact dimensions? The capacity? Whether it was gas or electric? An inventory eliminates the guesswork.
Estate planning. Nobody wants to think about it, but having a clear record of your belongings makes things significantly easier for your family.
What to include
Start with high-value items and work your way down. For each item, capture:
- What it is — brand, model, product name
- Where it is — which room or space
- What it cost — purchase price and date
- Proof of ownership — receipt photo, credit card statement
- Serial number — especially for electronics and appliances
- Warranty info — expiration date, coverage details
- A photo — showing the item in your home
Room-by-room approach
The easiest way to avoid overwhelm is to go room by room. Start with the rooms that have the most valuable items:
- Kitchen — Appliances are expensive. Your refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, and microwave alone could be $5,000-15,000 to replace.
- Living room — TV, sound system, furniture, gaming consoles.
- Home office — Computers, monitors, printers, desk.
- Bedroom — Furniture, mattress, any electronics.
- Garage/utility — Tools, lawn equipment, water heater, HVAC.
- Bathroom — Usually lower value, but don't skip it entirely.
How long does it take?
Most people can document 10-15 items in about 15 minutes using a product library like HomeIndex. A typical home has 100-300 items worth tracking.
The key insight: you don't have to do it all at once. Start with one room. Add a few items when you think of them. Within a few weeks, you'll have a comprehensive inventory without it ever feeling like a chore.
Keep it updated
An inventory is only useful if it's current. Make it a habit to add new purchases when you bring them home — it takes 30 seconds when the product is right in front of you.
The bottom line
A home inventory is one of those things that feels optional until the moment you desperately need it. The best time to start was years ago. The second best time is today.