The Best First Apartment Checklist – You Need These Now
Estimated reading time: 16 minutes
Moving into your first apartment? This post shows you must create your first apartment checklist to make your move easier!
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Moving into your first apartment is an exciting step, but it can also be stressful. There are many things to think about, like finding the right place and deciding what to bring with you. In this blog post, we’ll give you a checklist of the first apartment essentials to make your move easier. Whether you’re moving far away or just nearby, this guide will help you feel at home in your new place.
How Do I Create A First Apartment Checklist?
STEP 1: FIRST APARTMENT CHECKLIST ESSENTIALS
When planning for what to buy for your first apartment checklist the key is to start with the essentials.
Here are some ideas for your first apartment essentials:
Essential Supplies
- First Aid Kit
- AC Unit or Fan – If your place doesn’t have window units or central cooling
- Essential Tools (for putting together furniture)
- Cleaning Supplies
- Laundry Supplies (detergent, hamper, etc.)
- Surface Cleaning(spray, wipes, paper towels)
- Dishwashing Supplies (dish soap, scrub brush, dishwashing liquid)
- Bathroom Cleaning Supplies (toilet brush, toilet cleaner, mirror spray)
- Floor Cleaning Supplies (vacuum, broom, brush, mop, floor cleaner)
- Trash Can + Bags
I highly recommend these reusable swiffer mop pads instead of buying disposable ones!
- More eco-friendly and more affordable!
Bedroom
- Bed Frame
- Mattress
- Bedding (sheets, pillow, comforter, blankets)
Bathroom
- Bathroom Essentials (hand soap + dispenser, towels, shower curtain + shower liner, curtain rod, curtain rings)
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, conditioner)
I really recommend making the “splurge” on an electric toothbrush – in the long run, it could potentially save you money on dental bills!
Kitchen
- Cooking Supplies (pots, pans, baking trays, dishes, stirring spoons, tongs, knives, spatula, colander)
- Eating Supplies (dishes, utensils, serving tools)
- Drinking Supplies (cups, mugs)
Living Room
- Seating (couch, chair)
- Lighting (lamp, string lights)
By starting with the essentials, you can ensure that you have everything you need to live comfortably in your new space.
STEP 2: FIRST APARTMENT CHECKLIST FURNITURE AND APPLIANCES
Adding furniture to your new place can make it feel more like home and add to your comfort level.
Bedroom Furniture and Appliances
- Nightstand(s)
- Lamp(s)
- Clothing storage (dresser, shelves)
Mid-Century modern is all the rage – and for good reason!
Bathroom Furniture and Appliances
- Additional Storage
Kitchen Furniture and Appliances
- Furniture (table, chairs, stools)
- Cooking appliances (Microwave, skillet, coffee maker, toaster, pressure cooker, kettle, crock pot)
- Basic Home Electronics (TV, speaker)
AS A SIDE NOTE LET ME PUT YOU ON THE BEST COFFEE BRAND COMBO (FIRST APARTMENT CHECKLIST)…
Step 1: THE BEST Coffee Brand
I exclusively drink this whole-bean coffee brand — it’s worth it trust me.
Step 2: This coffee grinder — works so well
Yes — You need this coffee grinder
Step 3: A Quality French Press
Love a vintage moment.
Living Room Furniture and Appliances
- Seating (Couch or sectional, chairs)
- Basic Living Room Items (coffee table, storage, lighting)
- TV supplies (remote, streaming device, sound system)
STEP 3: FIRST APARTMENT ITEMS
Now that you have the basics covered, you can think about adding decorative items or extras.
Bedroom Items
- Clothing Storage (under bed storage, curtains, hangers)
- Mirror
Bathroom Items
- Bath mat or rug
- Bathroom scale
- Shower shelves
- Bathroom trash can
If you have the space get the longer version of this mat — I love it in my BR.
Kitchen Items
- Hand/dish towels
- Food storage containers
- Basic ingredients (pantry items such as spices)
- Measuring Tools (measuring cups, measuring spoons, scale
A bit of a splurge, but I love how they fit together 🙂
Living Room Items
- Curtains
- Storage (shelves, stands, tables)
- Rug
- Pillows
- Coasters
- Blankets
- Living room decor (pictures, candles, artwork)
OTHER FIRST APARTMENT CHECKLIST ITEMS
- Workspace items (computer, desk, desk chair, monitor)
- Pet supplies (pet bedding, pet food, pet toys, pet meds, pet cleaning supplies, pet mess supplies, pet grooming supplies, pet walking or travel supplies)
- Security camera
- Plants (air purifying such as snake plants, decorative plants such as flowers or succulents, artificial plants, cooking herbs)
- Coat rack
- Iron + board
- Balcony set (outdoor seating and furniture)
- Doormat
- Smart items (Amazon Alexa, Echo Dot)
- Air purifier
- Bill or important paper organizer
- Clothing drying rack
- Safe
- Wall calendar
- Hobby items – (instruments, board games, puzzles)
First Apartment Checklist On A Budget
Although purchasing brand-new furniture or items can be appealing, it may not always be the most cost-effective option.
While buying brand-new furniture may seem like the most straightforward solution, it is important to weigh the various options available to make the most informed decision that is both financially and environmentally responsible.
Here are some ways to make buying household items more affordable:
- Look for deals — the Holiday Deals, Back Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day, Back To School, Summer Savings
- Use Discounted Stores vs. Name-Brand — Bob’s Discount Furniture
- I got our couch from Bob’s discount furniture and we absolutely love it!
- Find Thrifty Stores for used furniture — Goodwill, The Salvation Army Thrift Stores
- Ask Around — Ask your parents, friends, family, neighbors, work colleagues, etc. if they have any items they aren’t using anymore. I can’t tell you how many items I still use that were free and of great quality!
- Drive Around — You never know what you might be able to “trash pick” when you drive through neighborhoods. I have found some amazing items just left outside by the trash.
- Live Near A College? — Many colleges, particularly in large cities have students who leave their stuff like furniture outside for people to take after the spring semester ends because they are traveling home, don’t have a use for their items, or just don’t want them anymore.
- Amazon “Today’s Deals” — Amazon has daily deals they offer where you can find some greatly discounted items.
- Get The App! — Stores like Target and Walmart have great apps that showcase daily and weekly deals for all kinds of items. If you spend some time looking for discounted items on the apps you might be surprised how much money you can save!
All of these and more can be a great way to save money and build up your collection of furniture over time.
The Ultimate First Apartment Checklist
Now combine everything together to create your checklist!
ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES
- First Aid Kit
- AC Unit or Fan – If your place doesn’t have window units or central cooling
- Essential Tools (for putting together furniture)
- Cleaning Supplies
- Laundry Supplies (detergent, hamper, etc.)
- Surface Cleaning(spray, wipes, paper towels)
- Dishwashing Supplies (dish soap, scrub brush, dishwashing liquid)
- Bathroom Cleaning Supplies (toilet brush, toilet cleaner, mirror spray)
- Floor Cleaning Supplies (vacuum, broom, brush, mop, floor cleaner)
- Trash Can + Bags
BEDROOM
- Bed Frame
- Mattress
- Bedding (sheets, pillow, comforter, blankets)
- Nightstand(s)
- Lamp(s)
- Clothing storage (dresser, shelves)
- Clothing Storage (under bed storage, curtains, hangers)
- Mirror
BATHROOM
- Bathroom Essentials (hand soap + dispenser, towels, shower curtain + shower liner, curtain rod, curtain rings)
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, conditioner)
- Additional Storage
- Bath mat or rug
- Bathroom scale
- Shower shelves
- Bathroom trash can
KITCHEN
- Cooking Supplies (pots, pans, baking trays, dishes, stirring spoons, tongs, knives, spatula, colander)
- Eating Supplies (dishes, utensils, serving tools)
- Drinking Supplies (cups, mugs)
- Furniture (table, chairs, stools)
- Cooking appliances (Microwave, skillet, coffee maker, toaster, pressure cooker, kettle, crock pot)
- Basic Home Electronics (tv, speaker)
- Hand/dish towels
- Food storage containers
- Basic ingredients (pantry items such as spices)
- Measuring Tools (measuring cups, measuring spoons, scale)
LIVING ROOM
- Seating (couch, chair)
- Lighting (lamp, string lights)
- Seating (Couch or sectional, chairs)
- Basic Living Room Items (coffee table, storage, lighting)
- TV supplies (remote, streaming device, sound system)
- Curtains
- Storage (shelves, stands, tables)
- Rug
- Pillows
- Coasters
- Blankets
- Living room decor (pictures, candles, artwork)
OTHER FIRST APARTMENT CHECKLIST ITEMS
- Workspace items (computer, desk, desk chair, monitor)
- Pet supplies (pet bedding, pet food, pet toys, pet meds, pet cleaning supplies, pet mess supplies, pet grooming supplies, pet walking or travel supplies)
- Security camera
- Plants (air purifying such as snake plants, decorative plants such as flowers or succulents, artificial plants, cooking herbs)
- Coat rack
- Iron + board
- Balcony set (outdoor seating and furniture)
- Doormat
- Smart items (Amazon Alexa, Echo Dot)
- Air purifier
- Bill or important paper organizer
- Clothing drying rack
- Safe
- Wall calendar
- Hobby items – (instruments, board games, puzzles)
You need this first apartment checklist! It lists out everything a first-time apartment renter needs. It will help you determine the essentials, stay organized, and create a space that is not only practical, but personalized for you!
YES, PLEASE!
How Can I Make My Apartment Look AMAZING?!
Making your first apartment feel like home doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some tips on how to make your first apartment look amazing:
These live on our island and I adore them — my bf thought they were real!
- Add some greenery: Plants are a great way to add life to any space. Whether you opt for real plants or fake ones, they can make your apartment feel more cozy and inviting.
- Keep it simple and clean: Keep in mind that it’s important to keep your first apartment “look” simple and focus on the essentials to make your move less stressful.
- Hang some art: Blank walls can make a space feel empty and dull. Adding some art to your walls can instantly make your apartment look more put-together and sophisticated. Try hanging a gallery wall or a statement piece to add some personality to your space.
- Invest in good lighting: Good lighting can make all the difference in a space. Consider adding floor lamps, table lamps, or even string lights to add some warmth and ambiance to your apartment.
- Decorate with throw pillows and blankets: Adding some throw pillows and blankets to your couch or bed can make your apartment look more cozy and welcoming. Plus, they’re a great way to add some color and texture to a space.
- Organize your space: A cluttered apartment can make it hard to relax and enjoy your space. Take some time to organize your belongings and find creative storage solutions to help keep your apartment tidy and functional.
Apartment Decorating Ideas!!!
When it comes to decorating your first apartment, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you need to spend a lot of money on expensive items to fit a particular theme. However, this is not the case!
A theme can simply be a cohesive look that ties together the colors, materials, patterns, textures, and other elements of your space.
- For example, if you want a bohemian theme, you can achieve this by incorporating lots of plants, colorful tapestries, and patterned throw pillows, without necessarily having to buy expensive bohemian-style furniture.
- Similarly, if you want a minimalist theme, you can stick to a neutral color palette and choose furniture with clean lines, without having to spend a lot of money on high-end pieces.
The key is to think about the overall look and feel that you want to create in your space, and then make intentional choices about the items that you bring in.
By doing so, you can create a cohesive and stylish look that reflects your style, without breaking the bank.
Here are some popular theme ideas you can try to emulate when choosing colors, textures, patterns, artwork, materials, etc.!
IS BOHEMIAN (BOHO) STYLE FOR ME?
Bohemian style is all about free-spiritedness and creativity. If you love mixing patterns, colors, and textures and enjoy incorporating natural elements like plants and woven fabrics into your decor, then the boho style might be for you. It’s a great way to showcase your individuality and unique taste and can be achieved on a budget by finding second-hand or vintage pieces.
These are SO pretty 🙂
IS MINIMALIST / MINIMALISM STYLE FOR ME?
If you find yourself drawn to clean lines, neutral color palettes, and simplicity in design, then minimalist style might be a good fit for you. Additionally, if you value organization and clutter-free living space, a minimalist style can help you achieve that. It’s important to remember that minimalism is not just about having less, but also about being intentional with what you have and creating a sense of calm and order in your living space.
IS MODERN STYLE FOR ME?
If you appreciate clean lines, simple designs, and a focus on function over form, then modern style might be a good fit. Additionally, if you prefer neutral color palettes and minimalism in your decor, a modern style can help you achieve that.
It’s important to note that modern style often emphasizes technology and a futuristic aesthetic, so if that aligns with your taste, then modern style can be a great option for your first apartment.
IS RETRO OR VINTAGE MY STYLE?
Retro and vintage styles can add a lot of personality to your apartment, but it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.
If you love bright colors, bold patterns, and pop culture references from the 1950s to the 1980s, retro might be the way to go.
On the other hand, if you prefer more muted tones, natural materials, and antique finds from the early to mid-20th century, vintage might be more your style. Ultimately, the best way to determine your style is to experiment with different elements and see what speaks to you.
The perfect combo – classy and fun!
IS FARMHOUSE OR RUSTIC MY STYLE?
If you appreciate natural materials such as wood, stone, and metal, and enjoy incorporating vintage items and antiques into your decor, then rustic style might be a good fit.
If you prefer a more polished look with clean lines and neutral colors but still appreciate the warmth and coziness of natural materials, then farmhouse style might be the way to go.
By following these tips, you can make your first apartment look amazing without spending a lot of money. Remember, the key is to make your space feel like home and to create an environment that makes you happy and comfortable.
This post was all about how to create your first apartment checklist, without spending a fortune and still making it look amazing and reflect your style!
