Basic Studio Equipment

I need some help in selecting some basic lighting for family portraits. I have never used anything other than a flash or available light to take portraits. Could someone tell me what basic equipment I would need to set up a simple home studio. I have seen some excellent portraits taken by some peope in this forum. Any help would be much appreciated.

What's your budget?

... and what space do you have available to use as your "studio"? Space dictates what power you may/may not need and what light modifiers might be usable.

[Edit: It might also help us if you listed your present gear?]

My suggestion find a good system that you can build on whither it be powerpack and strobes or Monolights and get a single light or head to start with and learn how to use it and then add additional lights depending on your needs.

To me starting out with 3-4 lights when you're just starting out just make for confusion. Instead start simple learn to see what each light is doing and how each additional light interacts with the other lights.

Mike