Have you recently moved into a new apartment or thinking about it? There are a few first apartment essential items you must have to be comfortable in your new home. I have created a list of all the apartment essentials you need for your first apartment.
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Now listen, before we get started, I just want you to know that when I think of essential items I think of all the items you need FIRST. We all want our space to look like our cute board on Pinterest, haha!
I am with you!
Just keep in mind that getting all of these first apartment essential items take time and can be VERY expensive, but planning definitely helps, so I’m glad you’re here! You can get your first apartment essentials on a budget. I did!
Let’s get into it!
This post is all about first apartment essential items
First Apartment Essential Items
Living Room | First Apartment Essential Items
The living room is often the first room your guests see. I’d make sure this room looked presentable. The costs of things that go into a living room can be expensive.
This isn’t going to scare us though. All we need is a plan!
If you are moving into a small apartment then maybe these Small Apartment Living Room Ideas may be what you need.
Read on: Small Apartment Living Room Ideas You Should Try
Here’s what you need:
1. Couch or Sofa
Recreate this look with this couch here.
You have to think about where you and/or your guests are going to sit. This item may very well be one of the more expensive items in the living room. I suggest getting a convertible couch. It gives you extra seating options AND a place for you to nap or guests to sleep on.
Perhaps you should search the internet for sales or discounts on this furniture item. I got mine from Amazon and it was EASY!
There are usually sales happening all year.
There are several stores where you can go shopping for furniture in person as well. Try looking into Ashley’s, Overstock, or Wayfair.
If you can’t afford to spend a ton on a couch just yet, you can try shopping at Rooms To Go where you can rent-to-own furniture. It can be a GREAT way to save money initially.
In the realm of first apartment essential items, a place to sit is a priority!
Here’s the exact couch I bought from Amazon. It’s not a convertible, but I also have an ottoman that can serve the same purpose.
2. TV
Need a TV? Get an inexpensive one from Amazon or Walmart.
We all need some source of entertainment! Make sure you have a TV in your living room.
Depending on where you want your TV to go will determine the next item on the list.
3. TV Stand or TV Wall Mount
A TV stand can be expensive if you let it. Decide on what works best for you and your budget and go from there. Between you and me, I purchased my TV stand from Walmart. It was about $75.
I’ve linked a similar one from Amazon below for your convenience.
4. Coffee Table
Recreate this setup with this coffee table.
This item isn’t something you need immediately but is nice to have and will help make your living room look nice and comfy!
Those are the vibes that I want my apartment to portray, personally.
But as I said, this item isn’t something that you need IMMEDIATELY. This is a piece you can function without.
5. Technology
Get the top technology if you are a fan of Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc by using a Fire TV Stick.
If you don’t have a smart TV, you may have to purchase extra accessories for certain things like Netflix or Hulu.
I have a Roku that I purchased from Walmart YEARS ago. It has lasted me through several moves that I made while in college. Recently, however, I received an email saying my Roku is now out of date and will no longer update like the latest versions.
This is perf! It’s the best time for me to get a new device- although I really liked my Roku.
Last Christmas, I purchased a Fire Stick and it is now a new addition to my living room. I love it even more than the Roku in my bedroom that now needs to be replaced.
There are other great options as well. You decide.
- You may need a laptop or computer
- Speaker (Listen, I probably listen to music every hour of the day. I seriously wonder if my neighbors can hear it. lol)
- Also! I opted for a BlueTooth speaker.
- Lastly, don’t forget about your Wifi Router. (It may or may not be delivered to you when you install the internet at your place)
Related Post: Moving Checklist | The Best Checklist for Moving Out of State
Kitchen Items | First Apartment Essential Items
The good thing about living in an apartment first is most of the expensive kitchen appliances come with the apartment (Yay!).
Cool! So you hopefully already have your refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave (actually some apartments do not come with microwaves), and dishwasher.
If you don’t have a dishwasher, it’s not the end of the world.
5. Pots & Pans
These are ESSENTIAL items you need if you want to have a way to cook food… duh.
You can also get these items from Target or Bed Bath & Beyond (they usually have great sales for top-quality products).
6. Utensils
Don’t wait until you need the utensils to go out and get them, haha! That would be terrible!
Prepare because depending on your preferred utensil set will determine how expensive they’ll be. Make sure you plan ahead!
7. Plates & Bowls
You can easily buy a set of plates and bowls at Target or Walmart as well. These are available pretty much anywhere.
This is something your kitchen NEEDS. A kitchen doesn’t really function without these first apartment essential items.
8. Set of Knives
I feel like people forget about this a lot! I know I did. Having knives are just as important as having utensils to cook with, in my opinion.
I went a while without having knives in my apartment at first. It was an item I completely forgot about. Don’t make this mistake! Having a nice set of knives is also extremely important because having dull knives leads to more cuts and accidents. It’s the opposite of what you may think.
9. Cooking Tools
You can get an awesome pair of spatulas and spoons from Target or order them online at Amazon.com.
Here is a list of cooking tools you may need:
- Spatulas
- Spoons
- Tongs
- Egg Whisk
- Basting Brush
- Pasta Server
These are items people tend to forget about when shopping for their first apartment essential items.
10. Cups, Mugs, Wine Glasses
These items each serve different purposes, but for obvious reasons, you absolutely need cups or something to hold liquid beverages.
Even if you don’t drink wine, the glasses are nice to have for parties and get-togethers in case someone brings wine to the party.
Do you drink coffee or tea? Grab yourself these aesthetically pleasing coffee mugs from Amazon!
11. Baking Pans
Everyone needs a set of baking pans. Make sure you get several different sizes. These are a must! If you don’t want to buy a set, you can get individual pans from several stores like Walmart, Target, or Bed Bath & Beyond.
12. Other Essential Cooking Items
The kitchen can end up being quite expensive! It’s not because of any item in particular but because you need SEVERAL items to complete your kitchen- which adds up monetarily.
Here are a few more items you’ll need to complete your kitchen:
- Strainer
- Can-opener
- Bottle opener (corkscrew & glass bottles)
- Measuring Cups
- Cutting Board
- Coffee Pot
- Keurig, Espresso Machine, French Press
- Toaster
- Water Filter
- Paper Towel Holder
13. Cleaning Supplies
The kitchen can get messy REAL QUICK. All it takes is cooking one meal to see how much goes into cleaning after eating.
- Trash Bags
- Trash Can
- Paper Towels
- Dish Sponges
- Towels
- Dish Soap & Dish Pods (Dishwasher)
Bedroom | First Apartment Essential Items
Your bedroom should be nice and comfortable for your liking, but purchasing the perfect bed can be difficult.
Depending on what kind of bed you buy will determine all of the other accessories you need for the bed.
14. Bed Frame
Recreate this style with your own bedframe.
Now, depending on what kind of bed frame you get will determine if you also need to buy a box frame.
15. Mattress
So turns out, Amazon has pretty comfortable mattresses! Who knew?! I’d look there!
Getting a mattress like this one will be A LOT more comfortable than buying a simple mattress only because of the memory foam material inside.
16. Pillows, Sheets, & Blankets
You must have pillows, sheets, and blankets to sleep comfortably in your new home. You can purchase these items from Amazon as well as Target or Bed Bath & Beyond.
17. Dressers
Depending on the number of clothes you have will determine how big of a dresser you need.
Buying a dresser was one of the last items I purchased. I hang most of my clothes.
Any other clothes that I didn’t hang were put in my new dresser from Amazon. TBH, I didn’t even know they sold dressers. I guess they really do have EVERYTHING!
18. Nightstands
Get this nightstand for yourself.
This item can be pretty useful; however, it is not high on the list of priorities.
Don’t be in a rush to buy this item. Wait until you have your entire bed setup (pillows, and blankets). Having this item will make your bedroom feel nice and homey though.
19. Desk & Desk Chair
Add this desk to your bedroom or office.
As a person who started working from home when COVID hit, I needed a pretty sturdy and reliable desk. This desk is an adjustable standing desk and super useful to get you up when working for long hours.
I bought my desk chair from Office Depot.
20. Mirror
This item is self-explanatory and you can purchase this item from anywhere!
I have so many mirrors everywhere. There is one in my closet, bedroom, and living room. Get yourself a mirror! It can make a small apartment look larger than it actually is.
21. Random Bedroom Essentials
These items are things that are not needed right away but can be a useful addition to your bedroom.
- TV
- Curtain Rod & Curtains
- Small Trash Can
- Alarm Clock
- Small Bedside lamps
- Lamp for your desk?
Closet | Apartment Essentials
Typically a closet is not only used to hang clothes but is often used as a storage space.
22. Hangers
You can buy a huge pack of hangers from Target, Walmart, or order them from Amazon.
23. Storage
How would you like to store your shoes?
You can order cute shoe dividers/storage from Amazon as well.
Laundry Room | Apartment Essentials
This room just requires your standard things needed to wash clothes effectively. These things are self-explanatory.
I typically buy these items from either Walmart or Target.
- Laundry Detergent
- Fabric Softener
- Dryer Sheets
- Shout! (Stain Remover)
- Laundry Basket/Hamper
- Iron
Bathroom | Apartment Essentials
I love going to Target and shopping in this section!
Here is a list of all of the essential things you need for your bathroom.
24. Shower Rod & Curtain
Either order a cute shower curtain from Amazon OR go to target! They have really cute options as well.
25. Bathroom Rug/Mat
For some reason, many people forget bathroom mats. They are really important!
You’ll remember it after your first shower though, Haha!
26. Bathroom Towels
Get you a set of luxury hotel towels for yourself.
You need towels! You can buy some from Amazon, Walmart, Target, or Bed Bath & Beyond.
- Face towels
- Bathing Towels
- Hand Towels
27. Bathroom Maintenance
It’s important to clean your bathroom weekly.
Here is a list of apartment essential items you need to clean your bathroom:
- Toilet Bowl Brush
- Plunger
- Mini Trash Can
28. Soap
Don’t forget the soap! You can either use bar soap or body wash.
Dove seems to be the most popular because it helps with sensitive skin as there aren’t as many fragrant chemicals in it.
Cleaning Supplies | Apartment Esssentials
It’s important to buy cleaning supplies early on! One of the first things you should do when moving to a new place is to clean it!
So, what do you need?
29. Cleaning Supplies
- Clorox Wipes
- All-Purpose Cleaner
- Window Cleaner
- Pine-Sol (or equivalent) -Fabuloso smells WONDERFUL!
- Shower Cleaner
- Mop
- Bucket
- Broom & Dust Pan
- Vacuum Machine
Miscellaneous Items | Apartment Essentials
A home needs a lot of things! As I said earlier, I would suggest taking your time when buying things. Try to prioritize what you need right away vs. what can wait.
Ready for another list of essential items you need to buy for your first apartment?
Here is a list of essential miscellaneous things you need to buy:
30. Important Random Items
- Door Mat (For Outside)
- Curtains & Curtain Rods
- Rugs/Carpet
- Coasters
- Some sort of fragrance thing
- Candles are my go-to! Target has the best candles with the wooden wicks that crackle as it burns.
- Flashlight
- First-Aid Kit
- Scissors
- Lamps
I hope this helps you narrow down all of the first apartment essential items you need to buy for your first place!
Other Posts You May Like:
7 Pros and Cons of Apartment Living You Need To Know Before Moving
Moving Checklist | A Checklist For Moving Out of State
