Whether you’re starting a new job in your hometown of Nashville, TN or getting a fresh start living alone across the country in Portland, OR , moving into your first apartment is an exciting milestone in life. There’s something surreal about sitting in your new place for the first time and realizing that you finally have a place to call your own. However, knowing what exactly you’ll need can be overwhelming, especially if you’re starting from scratch. Even if you try to focus on the essential items, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos and excitement of filling your new home.
With this comprehensive first apartment checklist, you’ll learn what you need to survive in your first rental and what home goods you can put off buying – at least for now. We’ve sorted this first apartment checklist by room so you won’t miss a thing. It’s important to remember that while decorating your space is the fun part, be sure you have all the essentials and a few “nice-to-have” items to make your new house feel like home. The key is to find everything you need on the first apartment checklist while prioritizing the splurges that are most important to you. Let’s get started.
The living room is the first space we’re crossing off on our first apartment checklist. It’s usually the area where you’ll spend most of your free time – your main hangout zone for entertaining, watching TV, lounging, and even working from home. Opt for hand-me-down items from your parent’s basement or thrift store finds if they’re in good shape. Here’s what you’ll need to include on your first apartment checklist to make the living room your ideal hangout spot:
Many first-time renters are surprised at how many items they need to acquire to have a truly functional kitchen. And unless you’re planning to order takeout every night, we recommend purchasing some kitchen essentials. Here are some must-haves and the nice-to-haves to add on later to help make life in the kitchen run a little more smoothly:
Creating an ideal sleep environment is crucial to your health and well-being, so feel free to spend a little more on bedroom essentials for things like a high-quality mattress and cozy, durable high-thread-count sheets. Here’s what else you’ll need on your first apartment checklist:
Your bathroom is one of the areas where you can emphasize function over aesthetics, at least in the beginning. You can balance out what you spent on your bedroom by choosing less expensive yet durable products for your bathroom. Here’s what you need to complete the bathroom:
If you have a dining room and plan to have meals there, here are a few new apartment essentials you’ll want to buy. In many apartments, the dining room is not actually separate. Instead, it’s more likely to be space for a table and chairs adjacent to the kitchen. Some apartments have a nice countertop separating the main living space and dining area from the kitchen. With a few bar stools, you could forgo spending the extra cash on a whole dining set and still have a highly functional dining area.
You may need to make countless grocery trips for specific ingredients during your time as a renter, but you’ll want to stock your refrigerator and pantry with these basics. Here’s a starter list you can customize according to your preferences and cooking habits:
Moving is a dirty job. You may find that the bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom is not clean enough for your standards, so having a fully-stocked cleaning cabinet for a deep clean on move-in day can make all the difference. Be sure to have these on hand as you need to clean before moving in, and for weekly cleaning chores:
A starter toolbox is one of the “nice to have” items as you’re moving in. Whether you need to reassemble a bookshelf or hang some wall art, you’ll likely need a hammer and screwdriver on moving day. And if the ceilings in your apartment are high or the upper cabinets are out of reach, a step stool also comes in handy. Or, if your apartment isn’t equipped with A/C, you might consider investing in an A/C window unit. Here’s what else we recommend for your first apartment:
Accidents happen. Whether you cut a finger opening a box on move-in day or are feeling under the weather months from now, you’ll want a few first-aid supplies on hand:
There’s no need to go overboard on decorations and house plants right away. Especially after paying your security deposit, first month’s rent, and what you’ve spent on buying the essentials. If the budget is tight, plan to set aside funds over the next few months for those “nice-to-have” items at the top of your list.
Many property managers or landlords have a move-in checklist. This checklist should lead you to document the condition of each room and all of the fixtures. Before you move your belongings into your new home, take time to document the condition of every room and everything on the move-in checklist. Consider this step as part of a renter’s insurance policy – you don’t want to pay for damage done by the previous tenant.
Depending on the size of each room, you may have to scale back on the size of your furniture. If you have a smaller bedroom, the queen or king-size bed you wanted to buy might not fit. You may have difficulty fitting an oversized sofa or dresser through a doorway or down the hall. When you measure rooms and door openings in advance, you can ensure your furniture will fit in your apartment before you purchase furniture. You’ll also avoid damaging walls and door frames.
Moving can be stressful. That’s why the best way to move into your first apartment is to be as organized as possible. Label each box for its intended room to make things simple, and don’t overload your boxes. Boxes come in many sizes, but not so you can fit more into a larger box. The largest boxes are actually for the lightest and bulkiest items like pillows and blankets, which take up a lot of space but don’t weigh much. Use smaller boxes to pack heavier items. Most moving companies recommend that you pack boxes not to exceed 30 pounds, a weight relatively easy for most people to lift without injury.
Wrap bulky items like the couch or sofa in moving blankets secured by packing tape. This keeps edges from scratching the walls and prevents anything that sticks out from the wall from damaging your furniture. All wood furniture should be wrapped in blankets or packing paper. Mattresses can be packed in an oversized box that slides over each side and taped together for safety. If you don’t want to purchase boxes, a thick plastic wrap similar to painter plastic can protect your mattress.
The items in this first apartment checklist are recommendations from those who have moved in the past. But you can personalize the checklist to meet your needs, wants, and budget, regardless of whether you’re searching for your first apartment or becoming a first-time homebuyer .
If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines here.
Julia is a Marketing Program Manager at Redfin and has been writing for the Redfin blog for the past five years. She lives in Seattle, WA, and enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her dog. Julia dreams of a charming craftsman bungalow with sweeping views, a perfect spot to call home.
