First Apartment Checklist: Essentials for Your New Place

It’s time to move into your first apartment and you need all the essentials. Stocking up for every room can be overwhelming. We’ve taken the liberty of creating a first apartment checklist by room to help you shop for everything necessary for a functional apartment.

Are you searching for a new apartment? Click here to read valuable tips to find the apartment of your dreams.

This checklist includes the bare minimum for each room. If you’re on a budget, shop for decor items after you’ve fully stocked up.  

Don’t forget to bookmark this site or pin the image at the end of this post to Pinterest so you’ll have access to this first apartment checklist when you move in.

Kitchen

If you are fortunate enough to have a stand-up bar with stools, you can hold off on purchasing a kitchen table.   

Here’s a list of must-have items for your kitchen:

Appliances:

• Microwave
• Toaster
• Indoor grill
• Blender
• Air fryer
• Coffee pot

Dishes (Service for 4):

• Dinner plates
• Salad plates
• Dessert plate
• Bowls
• Drinking glasses
• Food storage containers for leftovers

Utensils:

• Silverware
• Serving spoons
• Whisk
• Can opener
• Corkscrew
• Pizza cutter

Cooking Tools:

• Measuring cups & spoons
• Cutting board
• Potholders
• Pizza cutter
• Tongs
• Spatula
• Serving spoons
• All-purpose knife set
• Spice rack
• Baking sheets

Pots and Pans:

• Skillets
• Saucepans
• Stockpot
• Casserole dish

Miscellaneous:

• Trash can
• Paper towel holder
• Dish rack
• Dishtowels
• Potholders

Bathroom

Fortunately, you will not need any bathroom furniture unless you have space for a vanity with a chair.  

• Shower curtain, hooks, and curtain liner
• Towels (2 sets): Bath, hand, face towels
• Bathmat
• First aid kit: Band-Aids, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, Neosporin
• Toilet bowl brush
• Plunger
• Shower caddy to hold toiletries
• Miscellaneous: Trash can, Clothes hamper, scale

Living Room and Dining Room

You’ll spend most of your budget on your living and dining room. You can find affordable furniture on Amazon, IKEA, Target, and discount stores such as Ross and TJ Maxx. If you don’t mind used furniture, check out thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace.

Furniture:

• Sofa
• Coffee table
• End tables
• Floor lamps
• Extra seating
• Table
• Dining chairs

Electronics:

• TV
• Streaming devices

Bedroom

A mattress and bed frame will be sufficient if you cannot purchase a headboard right away. Invest in a quality mattress. Your back will thank you for it. A cheap, uncomfortable mattress will prevent you from getting a good night’s rest.  

Shop furniture stores and department stores for mattress bargains. You can also purchase a mattress on Amazon. Best of all, if you’re a Prime member, you’ll receive fast and free delivery.

Here are items you’ll need in your bedroom:

Furniture:

• Mattress
• Nightstand
• Chest of drawers
• Lamps
• Full-length mirror

Bedding:

• Comforter
• Pillows (2)
• Pillowcases (2)
• Flat sheets (2)
• Fitted sheets (2)

Miscellaneous:

• Hangers
• Shoe rack
• Storage containers

Cleaning Products

No list would be complete without cleaning products. Here’s a basic list for every room.

Cleaning Tools:

• Broom
• Swiffer
• Dustpan
• Duster
• Gloves
• Bucket
• Sponges
• Cleaning rags
• Furniture polish
• Cleaning wipes
• Glass cleaner
• Shower cleaner
• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Bleach
• Multi-purpose cleaner
• Dust cleaner (Comet or Ajax)
• Air fresheners: Lysol, Febreeze

Appliances:

• Vacuum
• Iron
• Miscellaneous
• Laundry basket
• Ironing board
• Laundry detergent
• Dryer sheets

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