As you plan how to decorate your new place, we’ve put together a simple first apartment checklist to help you get started. With this list, you’ll know exactly what you need to buy for your new apartment. Let’s get ready to shop!

First Apartment Checklist – What to Get Before You Move

Here’s a short and simple list of the must-have items for your first apartment. Make sure you’ve got everything before moving—whether you buy them, borrow from your parents or grab some deals at a thrift store. Keep these essentials easy to reach when you move in. You don’t want to be digging through boxes for a shower curtain when it’s time to head to work or class.

Bedroom Essentials

Once you’ve got your first apartment, getting a mattress should be your top priority. Life doesn’t pause just because you’ve moved, so you’ll need a cozy spot to rest each night. Don’t forget the basics to make your bed—like sheets, pillows and a comforter.

You might find a good deal on a bed frame, dresser and nightstand if you buy them as a set, or check out thrift stores for something more unique. Starts shopping early to find furniture that fits your style and makes your bedroom feel like home.

If you can check the window sizes before moving in, try to buy some curtains or blinds early — you won’t want to be stuck with uncovered windows (hello, privacy!). If not, keep an extra sheet or blanket handy to hang up for now.

Also, grab some hangers before moving day. The faster you unpack your clothes and get them hung up, the quicker your new place will start to feel like home.

  • Mattress
  • Bed, dresser & nightstand
  • Sheet set
  • Comforter or blanket
  • Mattress topper or pad
  • Pillows
  • Curtains or blinds
  • Clothes hangers or coat hangers

Living Space Essentials

You’ll want some comfortable seating that fits your style—whether you’re planning movie nights or just having friends over. A futon or sleeper sofa is a smart buy since it can also be used as a bed for guests. And don’t worry about getting something secondhand from friends or family—it works just fine.

A coffee table is also a must. It’s handy for setting down drinks when you have company and helps add a personal touch to your space.

A TV isn’t a must-have but it might be something you want to buy before moving. If you love movie nights, you could even go for a projector and screen. Already have a TV? Be sure to move it carefully.

Also, if you haven’t arranged internet or TV service yet, look into which providers are available at your new place.

Bathroom Essentials

While bathroom items might not seem as important as big furniture, it’s still nice to make your space look good. You can easily find matching shower curtains, towels and other items to give your bathroom a nice, put-together feel.

After a busy moving day, you’ll definitely want a hot shower. Keep your toiletries like soap and shampoo packed with your bathroom stuff so you can find them quickly. This way, you’ll have what you need for a bit of self-care right away.

  • Shower curtain
  • Bath towels
  • Hand towels
  • Toilet paper
  • Soap
  • Shower curtain liner
  • Shower curtain hooks

Kitchen Essentials

Every apartment is different, so you might need a small table, a few bar stools or a full dining set. Choose something that fits your space well and gives you a spot to eat or host guests—other than your go-to couch.

You can use paper plates at first but it’s a good idea to get a few real dishes before you move in. That way, even if it takes time to buy a full set, you’ll still have the basics. Real dishware also helps cut down on waste.

  • Table & chairs or barstools
  • Plate
  • Cereal bowl
  • Water glass
  • Mug
  • Fork, knife, spoon
  • Dish towels
  • Kitchen trash can
  • Sandwich bags or food containers

Home Toolkit & Essentials

On moving day, having basic tools like a screwdriver and hammer will really come in handy—whether you’re taking apart furniture or setting it up again. As you start unpacking, things like nails and wall hooks will save you an extra trip to the hardware store. A step stool is also super useful especially if you can’t reach high places or your ceilings are tall.

And let’s be honest—duct tape always comes in handy for something!

  • Screwdrivers (Phillips & flathead)
  • Hammer
  • Nails & wall hooks
  • Step stool
  • Power strips & extension cords
  • Batteries
  • Light bulbs
  • Measuring tape
  • Duct tape

Cleaning Essentials

It’s a good idea to clean your new place a day before you move in—trying to clean and move on the same day can be overwhelming. Keep your cleaning supplies easy to access on moving day in case you need to touch up anything you missed.

White vinegar works as a simple, chemical-free alternative to regular surface cleaners. And be sure to stock up on sponges so you can swap them out often—no one wants to deal with a smelly one!

  • Dustpan & broom or vacuum
  • Swiffer with dry & wet pads
  • All-purpose cleaner like Lysol or Mr. Clean
  • Paper towels
  • Trash bags
  • Toilet brush
  • Toilet bowl cleaner
  • Dish soap
  • Sponges

First-Aid Kit Essentials

Moving can come with a few minor accidents. You might get a small cut from unpacking boxes or feel sore after a long day. It’s smart to keep a few first-aid basics nearby just in case.

  • Band-Aids
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Pain reliever like Advil
  • Thermometer

A small, ready-to-go first aid kit can help you stay prepared for any little mishaps.

Safety Essentials

Most apartments come with smoke detectors but if it’s an older place, it’s a good idea to add one or two more. You should also have a carbon monoxide detector and a small fire extinguisher especially to keep near the kitchen, just to be safe.

  • Smoke detectors
  • Carbon monoxide detector
  • Fire extinguisher

First Apartment Checklist – What to Buy Before or After You Move

Bedroom Space

You can sleep on just a mattress at first but getting a proper bed frame will make your place feel more like home. There are lots of bed frame styles out there, so take your time, check your space and pick what works best for you. If your bed isn’t a platform type, you’ll also need a box spring or base to support the mattress.

And if you’re still using a sheet for window coverage, don’t forget to get proper curtains and hang them up.

  • Bed frame
  • Box spring or foundation
  • Vanity or desk
  • Comfortable chair
  • Bedside or reading lamp
  • Laundry hamper
  • Closet organizers like hanging shelves or shoe racks
  • Full-length mirror
  • Bedroom décor like pillows, cozy blankets, rugs or wall art

Living Space

You might already have a couch and coffee table but adding a few more items can make your living area more useful and cozy.

Some apartments don’t have great overhead lights—or any at all. Adding soft lighting can make the space more comfortable and brighter lamps can help with video calls. Look for a couple of nice floor or table lamps to brighten things up.

Next, think about storage. You can use a bookshelf, storage bins or a TV stand to keep things organized. Look at everything you own (including what’s on this checklist) and choose storage that works for you.

  • Floor or table lamps
  • Side tables
  • Storage (like bookshelves, cabinets or bins)
  • Extra seating
  • Curtains or blinds
  • Throw pillows
  • Throw blanket
  • Decorations like wall art, picture frames, coffee table books, plants, candles or vases

Pick Up Some Gadgets

Don’t forget to add a few smart devices to make your new place more fun and convenient. You could go for something like the Amazon Echo Show 10 or Google Nest Hub Max—they let you manage and control different parts of your home with ease.

Bathroom Space

It’s easy to get caught up in picking things like scented hand lotion and forget the basics—like a bath mat. Make sure you’ve got everything you need for a practical and complete bathroom setup.

If your bathroom has a window, be sure to cover it with a curtain or blinds for privacy. A bath mat or rug is also useful to keep your floors dry. Try to match these items with your shower curtain and towels for a nice, put-together look.

  • Curtains or blinds for bathroom windows
  • Bath mat or bathroom rug
  • Small bathroom trash can
  • Toilet paper holder
  • Plunger
  • Storage for toiletries
  • Tissues
  • Hand soap & lotion
  • Small vanity mirror
  • Air freshener spray

Kitchen Space

This part of the first apartment checklist covers everything you’ll need to cook great meals, host friends and store leftovers. It’s a long list—so get ready!

You might’ve already picked up a few things before moving in, but go through the list to see if there’s anything else that could make your kitchen even better.

Dishware & Utensils

You can either buy a matching dish set or mix different pieces you like. It’s smart to start with at least four full sets and you can always add more later—especially if you plan to have guests over often.

  • Dinner plates
  • Salad plates
  • Cereal bowls
  • Mugs
  • Water glasses
  • Serving platters
  • Silverware
  • Serving utensils
  • Basic cooking tools like a spatula, regular spoon and slotted spoon

Pots & Pans

If you’re moving into your first apartment, a kitchen starter set from a store can make things easy. But if you prefer picking things yourself, here are the basic pots and pans you’ll want to have:

  • Large stock pot
  • 2-quart saucepan
  • 10-inch frying pan
  • Rimmed baking sheet
  • Cookie sheet
  • Large baking or casserole dish

Appliances

You don’t need a bunch of fancy gadgets in your first apartment but there are a few small appliances you’ll probably use a lot. If your place doesn’t come with a microwave, that’s a good one to get. A toaster or toaster oven is also super handy. And if you rely on coffee to start your day, grab a Keurig, drip coffee maker or French press right away.

  • Coffee maker and/or kettle
  • Toaster or toaster oven
  • Microwave
  • Hand mixer
  • Blender
  • Slow cooker or Instant Pot

Tools & Supplies

You’ll need more than just pots and pans to get things done in the kitchen. From opening drinks to draining pasta, these tools will help complete your setup. For knives, a few basics like a chef’s knife, paring knife and a serrated one should cover most tasks. Also, make sure you have some reusable containers to keep your leftovers fresh.

  • Kitchen knives
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Mixing bowl
  • Colander
  • Bottle opener, can opener, corkscrew
  • Aluminum foil & plastic wrap
  • Food storage containers

Spices & Pantry

If you enjoy cooking, you probably already know which spices you like. But even if you usually order takeout, it’s still smart to keep a few basics around—you never know when you’ll feel like making something at home. Pick your spices and condiments based on what you like to cook and you can always add more later.

  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Your go-to spices
  • Cooking oil (vegetable, olive, coconut, etc.)
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Vanilla extract
  • Vinegar (like white, balsamic or wine vinegar)
  • Soy sauce
  • Teriyaki sauce
  • Ketchup
  • Mustard

Miscellaneous Kitchen Items

Make sure to grab these extra kitchen essentials shortly after moving in. Trust us—grabbing a hot pan without oven mitts isn’t something you want to deal with.

  • Water filter
  • Recycling bin
  • Silverware tray
  • Dish drying rack
  • Paper towel holder
  • Oven mitts

Cleaning

Don’t wait too long to tackle your laundry. Make sure you’ve picked up the last few cleaning supplies you need.

  • Laundry basket
  • Laundry detergent
  • Stain remover
  • Dishwasher detergent

Miscellaneous Items

These extra items can make life in your new apartment easier. From saving on plastic bottles to fixing a loose button, they’ll come in handy more than you think.

Command hooks are great for hanging things like bags, hats or keys without damaging the walls—perfect for renters who want to keep their security deposit.

If your heating or cooling isn’t the best, think about getting a safe space heater or a window AC unit to stay comfortable.

  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sewing kit
  • Iron & ironing board
  • Command hooks
  • Space heater
  • Window AC
  • Light bulbs
  • Umbrella
  • Broom & dustpan
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Chip clips

Ready to check off everything for your first apartment? You’re almost there.

This is your complete first apartment checklist—keep it handy, and you’ll be set for a smooth and easy move into your new place. With all the essentials covered, settling into your new home will be much less stressful.