Apartment Essentials: Must-Have Items for Your First Home

Moving into your first apartment is an exciting milestone; it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out what you actually need. If you are setting out from scratch, furnishing each room of the apartment can seem like a never-ending list of apartment essentials.
To help you get a cozy and functional first home without blowing up your budget, we'll explore the apartment essentials list for your first apartment below.
First Apartment Essentials
When setting up your first-ever apartment, having the essentials for each room in the first apartment is key before splurging on fancy decor and gadgets. Make sure you have these fundamental items checked off your apartment essentials checklist when moving in.
Kitchenware
Since one of the biggest necessities in an apartment is the kitchen, this is probably the most important room to outfit. Pots and pans, baking sheets, a set of sharp knives, mixing bowls, utensils, plates, cups and mugs, and the waste bin are the essential kitchen things.
Living Room
Your living room is an essential home component, meaning you relax in it, entertain guests in it, and also help give your open floor plan some polish. Seating like a sofa, armchair, or floor cushions, a coffee table, a rug, lamps for lighting, a small entertainment unit for storing/displaying items, and if you're able to afford it, a TV makes up some must-have living room items.
Bathroom
If your first apartment doesn't boast a huge bathroom, then get the essentials out and leave the rest (your shampoo bottle shouldn't be reaching the other end of the bathroom!) Towels, shower curtains, bath mats, waste bin, shower caddy, soap and shampoo, basic medicine cabinet for toiletries, and first aid are the apartment bathroom essentials.
Bedroom
Get a good night's sleep with these bedroom fundamentals. The first apartment bedroom must-haves begin with quality bedding: sheets, a duvet, and a cover, as well as lots of pillows, all for a mattress and bed frame. You'll also need a dresser, wardrobe, or shelving unit in which to store clothing.
Laundry Room
You're in luck if your first apartment comes with in-unit laundry! Find the cleaning tools and laundry room storage solutions you need to outfit your laundry space.
College Apartment Essentials
If you're a first-time college student living without family, then here are some extra apartment essentials that will spruce up your college dwelling:
Essential Furniture
College apartment furniture is best chosen based on versatility, durability, and budget. However, you should prioritize purchases like a second inflatable mattress for guests who stay over, sturdy wood furniture that can stand the occasional hit, or second-hand from thrift stores.
Study Desk and Chair
A designated study zone is one of the most important things to set up when renting a college apartment. Carve out a desk space to work on schoolwork in the comfort of your own home without distractions. Make sure you have a good amount of desktop surface with shelves, trays, and drawers to keep you organized.
Lounge Chair
While you want furnishings that can stand up to daily use, having one cozy lounge chair or beanbag in your college apartment provides a relaxing spot for reading, watching TV, or taking a nap between classes and activities.
Cookware and Utensils
Cooking in your college apartment allows you to save money on meal plans and eat healthier than typical fast food options around campus. Essential college kitchen tools include nonstick pans for quick weekday meals, baking sheets for chicken tenders and fries, a rice cooker or Instant Pot for hands-off grains and entrees, and a powerful blender for protein shakes and smoothies.
Storage Containers
One downside to dorm and college living is limited storage, so utilize space-saving containers wherever possible. Clear plastic bins let you see the contents at a glance. Storage cubes are organized inside drawers. Hanging shoe organizers mount to the back of closet doors. Storage ottomans hide items away and pull double duty as extra seating. Take advantage of vertical real estate with wall-mounted rail systems and floating shelves.
Towels and Toiletries
Showering in shared college dorm bathrooms means frequently forgetting necessities like towels and toiletries. Keep your own stash of bath towels, washcloths, shower shoes, and bathroom caddies equipped with shampoo, soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, etc., in your apartment at all times.
Other New Apartment Essentials
Beyond the basics, here are some other essentials that are nice to have when you move into a brand-new apartment.
Smart Home Devices
Technology makes apartment living more convenient than ever. Consider smart home devices part of modern essentials when moving into a new modern apartment.
Home Security Basics
While apartments tend to have building security, installing extra security essentials helps you feel more safe and secure in a new apartment, especially if you're living alone. A video doorbell or security camera lets you see who is outside before opening. An affordable home security system gets you motion sensors, entry sensors, smoke detectors, and panic buttons.
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Emergency Kit
Unfortunately, disasters and emergencies can happen anywhere. Recommended emergency kit items include flashlights, batteries, portable phone chargers, first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food, blankets, garbage bags, and cash.
Fire Extinguisher
Although apartment buildings have fire alarm systems and sprinklers, having your own multipurpose fire extinguisher handy is another security measure for your fire safety. Select a reasonably lightweight, reasonably operable extinguisher for the average person. Place it near the kitchen, and show everyone in the apartment how to use it for a stovetop, electrical, or grease fire.
Where to Buy Essentials for New Apartments
Furnishing an apartment from A to Z can be overwhelming. Here are the best places to shop for affordable apartment essentials:
- Department Stores: They carry a wide range of home basics, from bathroom accessories to laundry hampers for one-stop shopping. Sign up for their apps to get custom coupons and alerts on sales.
- Home Goods: Some Home Goods stores offer an always-changing inventory of reduced-price home furniture, kitchen gadgets, linens, and more apartment must-haves. Check back often for new items.
- Online: Amazon sets the gold standard for outfitting a home with pretty much every essential imaginable at your fingertips with 2-day Prime shipping.
- Thrift Stores: Never underestimate your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or consignment shops when it comes to finding lamps, small appliances like vacuums, and other apartment living essentials at huge discounts.
FAQs
How do I stock my first apartment?
The key to stocking a first apartment is sticking to the basic essentials. Limit non-necessities and decorative items until you settle in. Shop department stores and discount retailers for the best deals on fundamental furniture, linens, kitchen tools, cleaning supplies, bathroom items, and bedroom basics. Don't buy extras until you identify what's actually lacking.
What do you need to buy an apartment?
When you plan to rent an apartment, you may only have to pay the rent for the first month and a security deposit equal to a month's rent to sign the lease and gain possession of the unit. Existing kitchen appliances, flooring, and installed amenities have been passed on to the landlord.
What is a good budget for a first apartment?
When calculating your first apartment budget, there is a good rule of thumb to adhere to: the cost of your rent alone should not exceed 30% of your take-home income. Now add expected monthly costs for groceries, utilities, WiFi, renters insurance, transportation, and entertainment.
Conclusion
The essentials covered in this article should provide a comprehensive checklist with all the must-have items to turn your first-ever apartment into a fully functioning home. Prioritizing necessities over luxuries helps you furnish an apartment on a starter budget. Shop smart by comparing prices to find affordable options.
What are your best tips for stocking a starter apartment? What essentials do you find most useful in your first apartment? Share your thoughts below!
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