Your first apartment is a flagstone, much like your first car, your first kiss, or your first day of school.
Like any monumental adventure, shopping for a first apartment can be both exciting and intimidating.
No need to overwhelm yourself with pressure – this may be your first apartment, but it won’t be your last. The choices you make here aren’t permanent.
That said, there’s enough to learn when you’re rolling out on your own for the first time–why waste time and money figuring it out all by yourself?
Whether you’re moving out with roommates, as a college student, or journeying into a domestic partnership, our first apartment checklist has everything you need to start your adventure.
Download the checklist below, and read on for a more detailed, room-by-room guide of apartment essentials. We’ll also offer pro shopping tips and a few tricks on handling this first apartment checklist on a budget. Then, we’ll show you how to use our SpareFoot search tool to find the best deals on moving vehicle and storage unit rentals in your area.
Our Sparefoot First Apartment Checklist has everything your new pad needs.
Just click the button above to download our first-time apartment checklist and then read on for details.
Apartment Essentials For the Kitchen
Stocking your kitchen with essential items may seem like an expensive place to start, but we suggest knocking it out first. Kitchen essentials are the first stop on our apartment checklist because cooking and eating at home is a great way to save money in the long run.
Every kitchen is different. For starters, not all apartments have the same kitchen table or appliances. In fact, some don’t even come with a table at all. Tall bar stools may work in a kitchen with an elevated bar, but if your kitchen has a small, low table, those same tall stools are useless.
Our first apartment checklist is aimed at stocking you with the essential items that every kitchen needs. Familiarizing yourself with the kitchen you’re moving into before you start shopping can help you select items you know will work with your new apartment’s kitchen. Don’t forget to consider what you’ll need to prepare your favorite foods and what you’ll need to learn to cook new things!
First Apartment Kitchen Essentials:
- Kitchen Table (if needed) and Chairs or Barstools
- Dishware Set
- Large Plates
- Bowls
- Small Plates
- Set of Glasses
- Silverware Set
- Silverware Holder
- Mugs
- Dish Towels
- Kitchen Trash Can
- Storage Container Set
- Pots & Pans
- Medium/Large Pot
- Small/Medium/Large Skillet
- Serving Utensils
- Chef’s Knife
- Bread Knife
- Tongs
- Spatula Set
- Wooden Spoons
- Measuring Cup
- Measuring Set
- Can Opener
- Bottle Opener
- Wine Opener
- Cutting Board
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Sheets
- Cleaning Supplies
- Sponges
- Wine Glasses
- Paper Towel Holder
- Strainer
- Coffee Maker
- Chip Clips
- Small Appliances
- Toaster/Toaster Oven
- Blender
- Microwave (If it does not come with one)
Apartment Essentials For the Bedroom
Whether moving from a college dorm into your first apartment or moving out of a family’s house for the first time, you likely have at least some basic bedroom essentials.
For young couples moving in for the first time, you’ll have to blend items from each of your solo bedroom collections in a cohesive way.
Regardless of the situation, the first step is to make sure you have a mattress to crash on after your first day of moving. Having a mattress in the bedroom takes some urgency out of the move-in timeline. We suggest starting with at least two sets of sheets and pillowcases, so you can use set B while set A is in the laundry.
The next step on the bedroom portion of our first apartment checklist, as you’ll see below, is the bed frame and bedside table, followed by curtains and blinds. We suggest investing in clothes hangers and a dresser before you start moving and unpacking your clothes so you can organize your wardrobe as you go.
First Apartment Bedroom Essentials:
- Mattress
- Bed Frame
- Sheets and Pillow Cases (x2 sets)
- Blanket/Comforter
- Pillows
- Nightstands
- Dresser
- Full-Length Mirror
- Hangers
- Clothes Hamper
- Organizer for Under the Bed
- Seasonal clothing can be stored here
- Wall/Door Hooks
- Can be used for purses, towels, hats, etc..
- Lamps
- Desk
- Desk Lamp
Apartment Essentials For the Bathroom
Style may be the door that leads us to cultivating a cozy bathroom, but organization is the key.
Coordinating our towels and soap dishes with our shower curtains won’t distract us from the makeup and toothpaste tubes littered across the counter. We suggest investing in cabinet and drawer organizers for self-care and beauty products, and storage for your plungers and toilet brushes.
The bathroom section of our first apartment checklist also includes everything you’ll need for hygiene, including the products required for a shower. Just like a place to sleep is an essential early step, so is securing everything you need to wash yourself and go to the bathroom.
First Apartment Bathroom Essentials:
- Matching Towel Set
- Bath Mat
- Trash Can
- Shower Curtain with Liner and Hooks
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body Wash/Bar of Soap
- Loofah/Face Cloth
- Toilet Plunger and Toilet Brush
- Soap Dispenser
- Cabinet & Drawer Organizers
- Toothbrush Holder
- Toilet Paper
- First aid kit
Apartment Essentials For the Living Room
Once you’ve secured everything you need for sleeping, eating, and maintaining your personal hygiene routine, it’s time to move down the first apartment checklist to the living room section.
Depending on the apartment layout, a portion of the living room may be used for storage. We suggest planning out your apartment storage ideas before you start buying items.
Stocking your new apartment with living room essentials requires some high-dollar items – couches, TVs, entertainment centers, etc. If you’re running down this first apartment checklist on a budget, you can try cutting costs elsewhere in the moving process to compensate. Another pro tip is to shop for second-hand living room furniture.
Apartment Living Room Essentials:
- Comfy Couch
- Additional Seating (If the space allows for it)
- Accent Chairs
- Ottomans
- Rocking Chairs
- Coffee Table
- Side Tables
- TV
- TV Stand or Mount
- Coasters
- Floor Lamp
Apartment Essentials For Cleaning
New apartment cleaning essentials include not only the products you’ll need for basic apartment upkeep but also essentials for cleaning up after the move-in/move process.
We suggest cleaning the new apartment before and after you move in. A few items on the cleaning portion of our first apartment checklist will also help to tidy up the bedroom you’re moving out of.
If you’re opposed to chemical surface cleaners, white vinegar and lemon juice are great alternatives to harsh cleaning products. Keep plenty of trashbags on deck, both for daily trash clean up and for organizing and removing all the moving tape, plastic wrap, and other miscellaneous move-in trash.
We also recommend keeping a stack of extra sponges under the sink, as you may go through them at least once during the initial cleaning session.
Apartment Cleaning Essentials
- Vacuum
- Multi-purpose surface cleaner (or a homemade white vinegar-based substitute)
- Dish Soap
- Trash Bags
- Broom and Dust Pan
- Laundry Detergent
- Mop or a Swiffer with Wet and Dry Pads
- Toilet Cleaner
- Cleaning Rags
- Soft Rags and Microfiber Rags
- Anti-Bacterial Wipes
- Cleaning Gloves
Apartment Essentials For Home Improvement
Many modern apartment complexes have resident maintenance workers who take care of any repair issues. That said, a basic home tool kit is still a first apartment essential for tasks like constructing bookshelves and hanging picture frames.
Having the home improvement essentials listed on our first apartment checklist on deck streamlines the whole deal. On the moving-in side, having a stepstool, wall hooks, screwdrivers, a hammer, and some nails in reach means you can set up your new apartment as you unpack.
Apartment Home Improvement Essentials:
- Screwdriver Set
- Step Stool
- Adjustable Wrench
- Duct Tape
- Painters Tape
- Batteries
- Measuring Tape
- Extension Cord/Power Strips
- Nails/Wall Hooks
- Hammer
- Drill
- Box Cutter
- Scissors
- Flashlight
- Light Bulbs
- Fire Extinguisher
- Smoke Detector
Essential Miscellaneous Items and Nice-to-Haves
Feel free to skip this last little miscellaneous section if you’re doing your first apartment checklist on a budget. While these last few nice-to-have items aren’t critical, they’re great for staying organized.
- Coat Rack
- Doormat
- Dust Rags/Duster
- Key Hook
- Ironing Board and Iron
- Drying Rack
- Steamer
How To Shop for Your First Apartment
So you’ve read through the first apartment checklist and familiarized yourself with what we’re shopping for. The next step? Create a moving budget, shop around for the best pricing, check the used market, and split the costs with your roommates or living partners. And don’t rush the process!
The next step? Create a moving budget, shop around for the best pricing, check the used market, and split the costs with your roommates or living partners.
1. Create a Budget
The expenses add up quick when you’re moving into your first apartment. You’ve got security deposits to pay and, in some cases, the first and the last month’s rent. And that’s not counting the cost of the moving van or truck. We suggest you write out a budget ahead of time. You can split it up room by room or prioritize the items on your list – it’s up to you. The important part is knowing how much money you have to spend before you start browsing.
2. Check Multiple Stores Before Buying
We get it – there’s a lot to juggle when moving, especially for the first time. The time crunch can tempt us to go to the closest mattress store or buy the first vacuum we see on Amazon. Whether you’re shopping online or in person, we suggest you check a few places to get the best price before you seal the deal.
3. Buy Used Furniture
We mentioned this a few times already, but we can’t stress this step enough. One sure-fire way to save big while crossing items off your new apartment checklist on a budget is to buy your furniture second hand. Buying used furniture instead of new can not only save money on the furniture itself. Some people are so desperate to get rid of furniture items they’ll bring it to you for free, saving money on moving expenses as well!
A few of our favorite used-furniture sources include:
- FB Marketplace
- Friends/Family
- Craigslist
- OfferUp
4. Split Costs with Roommates (If Applicable)
If you’re moving into a new apartment with a roommate or two, you can save a ton of money by communicating with your roommates beforehand. Coordinating your respective processes can save on moving expenses. When it comes to the first apartment checklist, deciding who’s buying what ahead of time can prevent you from having two vacuums but no blender.
5. Take Your Time
The further ahead you’re able to plan it all out, the better. Moving into your first apartment is a significant life step that can’t be conquered in a single afternoon. Slow down, make a list of everything you have and everything you still need, and then prioritize those needs based on what can wait and what needs to happen immediately to create a sense of stability in your new living space.
For example, a mattress without a bed frame is way more functional than a bed frame without a mattress. You can work through our first apartment checklist for as long as it takes, piece by piece, until your new apartment is cozy, comfy, and fully stocked!
Don’t Let Moving and Storage Costs Eat Your First Apartment Checklist Budget: Sparefoot Can Help!
Whether you’re moving out for college, getting an apartment with some roomies, or taking a relationship to the next level, crafting a first apartment checklist can save you time. And building a budget for yourself can save money.
Keep in mind that despite all the pressure we put on ourselves to have it all figured out, these choices arne’t permanent. Your needs are always changing – apartment essentials can change at the various stages of life.
Remember to take it as slow as you can so you don’t buy chairs that don’t fit your table or a couch that doesn’t fit in your new place. Even if it means finding a cheap storage unit for a month or two while you move in and get organized, it’s better to take your time and see what fits in the new apartment before you rush everything through the door.
Our SpareFoot search tool helps you find the best deals on storage facilities in your area. We’ve got the largest marketplace for storage out there. Our website lets you compare the most storage options nationwide. Simply insert your zip code, and we’ll compare and contrast all of your area’s most reputable storage facilities.
Our convenient listings will outline all the features and benefits, allowing you to pick the best solution for your new apartment’s storage needs. Scroll through Sparefoot’s storage deals now to get your first month of storage free!
Michael Ta’Nous
Michael Ta’Nous is a full-time writer who works and lives with his wife in Taos, New Mexico. “Mikey” spent his early twenties living either out of a van as a touring musician or out of a backpack on motorcycle trips writing from cafes–these rigorous adventure years polished him into a master packer. In addition to managing storage units full of catering supplies and outdoor gear professionally, Michael has used storage units as a band rehearsal space and a motorcycle garage.
