A guide to stocking your first apartment

But now that the euphoria of independence has settled in, you might be wondering, “What do I need for my first apartment?” To help make this transition easier, turn to this handy first-apartment checklist for a room-by-room breakdown of what you’ll need.

As the heart of the home, the kitchen typically serves as the gathering place for friends and family. Even if you’ll be eating solo, you need first-apartment essentials to prepare meals. While you might not be a gourmet chef, you still need kitchen tools (like a colander, cutting board, and mixing bowl) and utensils (think spatula, slotted spoon, and knives). For cooking, you need pots, pans, and oven-safe casserole dishes of various sizes—along with oven mitts so you don’t burn your hands. A few small kitchen appliances can help, too–including a coffee maker if you rely on your daily caffeine boost.

Ready to eat? Get a small kitchen table and chairs to accommodate a few guests. You don’t need fancy china, but you should have service for four that includes dishware, drinking glasses, and cutlery. Clean-up time involves putting away leftovers, so make sure you’ve got various food storage containers (plastic is cheaper, but glass is eco-friendly). At-home bar supplies can help when entertaining, too.

Studies show that you spend roughly one-third of your life sleeping, so it makes sense that your first apartment essentials include the best bed you can afford right now. While a supportive mattress helps you get a good night’s sleep, you also need cozy comforts such as quality bedding (pillows, sheets, pillowcases, and comforter). Don’t forget to use a mattress protector, especially if you have allergies. Part of getting adequate shuteye includes a darkened room, so make sure you cover your windows with blinds or shades. 

You might have a small closet to hang some clothes, but you’ll also want a dresser to store the rest of your attire. A full-length mirror gives you a head-to-toe view of what you look like before you head out the door. And now that you’re adulting, you need a hamper to store those dirty clothes until you’re ready to do laundry.

Buy a nightstand to put items (like an alarm clock) within arm’s reach. A table lamp adds a cozy glow to your bedroom while a plant and framed photos help personalize your space.

To maintain your self-care routine, stock your bathroom with first-apartment essentials like multiple bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths. Add a shower curtain and liner to contain the water and an absorbent bath mat to avoid slipping on a wet floor. Round out your essentials with a small trash can, window coverings for privacy, and your personal stash of cosmetics, personal care products, and beauty tools.

Depending on the size of your apartment, your living room might also serve as your remote office and entertainment center. Start with first-apartment essentials that will help you relax and enjoy the space, like comfy furniture (think sofa and chairs) and a coffee table. If you’ll be binge-watching your favorite shows, get a good quality TV. Add some shelves, too—perfect for storing your books, displaying framed photos, or showcasing your vintage CD collection. If you’re one of the many people working from home these days, your remote workspace should include a desk, chair, desk lamp, computer, and printer.  

You’ll also need to stock first-apartment essentials that help you keep your new place clean.At a minimum, you should have supplies such as a broom, dustpan, vacuum cleaner, bucket, sponges, microfiber cloths, and various products for scrubbing, washing, and polishing.

Don’t forget some of the practical must-haves for your first apartment. For starters, make sure you buy renter's insurance to cover your belongings in case of fire, theft, water damage, or natural disaster. You’ll also want to equip your apartment with tech necessities like HDMI cables and surge protectors. And even if you’re not very handy, keep some basic tools in a drawer, like a screwdriver, hammer, and wrench — just in case. 

While you’ll need some first-apartment essentials right away, other items can wait. Spreading out your purchases over time allows you to spend your money wisely on those need-right-now essentials. Once you’re settled in with the basics, you can slowly add in nice-to-have items left on your first-apartment checklist, such as home décor, additional lighting, furniture, area rugs, receiver/stereo system, and speakers.

And don't forget, it's not just buying the essentials that you need to think about, there are several other necessary steps to take after moving. So, before you settle in to your new home, check out our checklist of things to do after moving to make the move as seamless as it can be.

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