The process of stocking your first apartment is different for everyone because it all depends on what you already have going into the lease. If you’re a college student packing up your room from home, you may arrive with a matching bedroom set in tow, but nothing else to work with. Regardless of what you start with, there are certain new apartment essentials you absolutely must have. An apartment moving guide can help you make sure you have everything you need. So whether you’re moving into a studio in San Francisco, CA or a two-bedroom apartment in Austin, TX, use this list of apartment essentials to make sure you have everything you need.
What are some essentials for a new apartment checklist?
Some of the items necessary for a new apartment are pretty obvious. After all, you won’t get very far without a bed, couch and basic kitchen items. Here, we’ve broken out items for your ultimate first apartment checklist by room to make move-in day as easy as possible.
New apartment essentials: bedroom
The room where you fall asleep at night definitely tops the list of new apartment essentials. It’ll be hard to sleep if you’re not comfortable in your apartment bedroom, after all. Be sure to have these items on hand for your apartment bedroom before moving in, or very soon thereafter:
- Bed frame
- Mattress and box springs to fit your bed frame
- Bedding (mattress pad, sheets, pillowcases, comforter/quilt/duvet)
- Nightstand
- Dresser
- Small trash can
- Table lamps
- Throw blankets
- TV stand (optional)
- Clothes hangers
- Hanging closet organizer
- Clothes hamper
- Shoe rack
- A small safe to store valuables like jewelry
Once you get settled in the new apartment and start to decorate the space it’s time to look into the extras, like window treatments, wall art, decorative pillows and shelving.
Also, consider packing a box labeled “Important bedroom items,” or something like that, so you’ll be able to have sheets and other necessities for the first night in the new apartment. It doesn’t have to hold absolutely everything, you’ll be fine sleeping on some basic sheets with a cozy blanket and pillow for a night or two.
Bathroom essentials
No first apartment essentials checklist is complete without an exhaustive list of bathroom necessities. If you’re lucky enough to have more than one bathroom, remember to pick up supplies for both.
- Shower curtains (decorative shower curtain and shower curtain liner)
- Shower curtain rings
- Bath mat, toilet mat, toilet lid cover (if desired)
- Non-slip bathtub mat
- Bath towel(s) and washcloths
- Toilet paper. Lots of toilet paper!
- Toilet brush
- Cleaning supplies, like toilet bowl cleaner, shower cleaner and paper towels
- Wall hooks to hang things like hand towels
- Toothbrush holder
- Bathroom soap dispenser and hand soap
- Basic toiletries
- Facial tissues
- Plunger
- Small trash can
Once everything’s acquired, all that’s left to do is enjoy a nice, hot shower in your very own “new to you” bathroom! It’s the little things that make an apartment feel like home.
Kitchen essentials for your new apartment
Unless you’re 100 percent devoted to dining out or hitting the local coffee shop, the kitchen is an ultra-important room on the apartment checklist. Fortunately for your budget, most people are happy to donate hand-me-downs, like dishes and small appliances.
Make sure to have all of these absolutely essential items on hand before moving into your new apartment. Consider packing a box filled with things you’ll need immediately (paper plates, coffee maker, etc.).
- Kitchen table and chairs
- Paper towels
- Food storage containers
- Paper plates, plastic cups and plastic cutlery (to use until you unpack)
- Coffee maker
- Dish set, including plates and bowls
- Drinking glasses and coffee mugs
- Napkins
- Dish towels and washcloths
- Oven mitts
- Dish soap (to hand wash)
- Dishwashing detergent (for the machine)
- Hand soap and dispenser
- Trash bags
- Trash cans (one for recycling, one for regular trash)
Here are some kitchen tools that are less urgent, but still important to a fully-functioning kitchen.
- Dish drying rack
- Knife block, including at least one chef’s knife
- Microwave oven
- Spice rack
- Pots and pans (another great hand-me-down opportunity)
- Wine glasses
- Corkscrew
- Blender
- Cooking utensils, like mixing spoons, spatulas, etc.
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Can opener and bottle opener
- Handheld or countertop mixer
- Cookie sheets
- Muffin tins
- Cake tins
- Placemats
Many apartments don’t have a ton of kitchen cabinets or counter space, so wait until you’re settled to buy optional, cumbersome items, like an air fryer, slow cooker, rice cooker, toaster oven, toaster and so on. Unless you’re a really big foodie, you can probably get by without these appliances.
New apartment essentials for the living room
Next on the first apartment essentials checklist is the all-important living room. This is where most renters like to relax after a long day or host movie nights and other events for family and friends. Don’t forget to pick up these pieces before moving in:
- A couch and other seating
- Coffee table
- Area rugs
- TV cabinet
- Television
- Throw pillows
- Extra lighting
Laundry room essentials
The laundry room is small but mighty, especially if you’re fortunate enough to have an in-unit washer and dryer. Don’t forget to pick up these items.
- Washing machine and dryer (if not provided by the property) and any necessary attachment hoses
- Laundry detergent that works with your machine (for example, high-efficiency machines require HE detergent)
- Dryer sheets
- Stain removal spray
- Bleach
Even if your unit doesn’t have a laundry room, you’ll still need many of these items to use at the property’s facility.
Other new apartment essentials
Some essential items will service the entire apartment, so they’re definite must-haves on the first apartment checklist.
- Toolbox containing basic tools and supplies, like a flat head screwdriver, hammer, nails and duct tape
- Extension cords
- Power strips
- First-aid kit filled with band-aids, antiseptic and other basic supplies
- Step stool
- Vacuum
- Broom and dustpan
- Mop
- Cleaning supplies, like window cleaner, carpet cleaner, furniture polish, odor eliminator, multi-purpose cleaner, etc.
- Small garbage can for every room
- Light bulbs
Don’t forget to check the apartment for the proper safety equipment, too. Most apartments have smoke detectors and carbon dioxide detectors, but if yours doesn’t, you should contact the property owner immediately to get some installed. This shouldn’t have an extra cost, as the law requires property managers to outfit rental properties with these protective devices.
Speaking of safety, it’s also a good idea to buy at least one fire extinguisher to keep in your home. Store it in the kitchen, under the sink. Prioritizing these safety essentials ensures that your first apartment is a haven where you can feel secure and confident in your daily life.
The importance of apartment essentials
Your new apartment checklist probably seems overwhelming, especially during the hectic moving experience. Take it one room at a time and don’t fret too much if you forget anything. Chances are there’s a big-box home supply store just around the corner that’ll have anything you may have overlooked and help you save money on your new apartment essentials.
Still looking for a place to live and store all your new stuff? Take a look at our available apartments here.
