The Ultimate First Apartment Essentials List

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So you’ve finally decided that you’re ready to move out for the very first time into your own place.

You’ve on the way to figuring out (or have already) where you’re going to live. And now, amongst many other things, you’re figuring out what’s on your first apartment essentials list to fully furnish your new place.

If you feel a little overwhelmed, I don’t blame you!

Must haves For Your First Apartment

Moving out on your own can be expensive because you’re buying everything you need for the first time and you aren’t sharing the costs with anyone.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget just how pricey it costs to set up a new home and all of it can start to add up real quick. Be sure to budget your money wisely and save up well before the big move.

In today’s post, I’ll be talking about all of the things you’ll need so you can be ready to take on this new chapter of your life.

Before we get onto the list, you’ll want to check out my checklist for moving into your first apartment. This checklist includes a printable list of furniture and essentials for every room in your home, all in one easy package. You’ll even get a bonus shopping list so you’ll easily be able to keep track of what you still need to purchase.

Kitchen Essentials

First and foremost, we’re going to need to get some essentials for the kitchen.

Like the taste of clean filtered water and don’t like to drink tap water, a Brita water pitcher is a must if you don’t or can’t install a full-blown water filter system in your home.

If you cook at home often, Pyrex and Glasslock glass food storage containers will be necessary to store away leftover food that you can’t finish. You can also use them to bring lunches to work or school to help you to save money.

For those times when you just want to toast a slice of bread in the morning or bake something small, a toaster oven is extremely useful.

An electric water kettle is such a useful tool and a total time saver if you’re an avid tea or coffee drinker. You definitely won’t regret getting one if you like hot beverages and hate waiting for water to boil on the stove.

A variety of cups, bowls, plates, and cutlery are a must, especially if you like to host parties and have guests over often.

Want the rest of the list? Check out my post on the 35 must-have kitchen essentials for your first apartment.

Living Room Essentials

A bean bag chair is such a fun addition and a great alternative to a couch because it doesn’t take up as much space. It can be easily shaped to your liking too and it’s super comfortable – so much that you might even fall asleep on it.

A must-have item in every living room that can transform your home is a comfy couch.

A TV Stand can help hide any visible TV cords running down from the TV and it can also be extra storage space for you if you’re lacking storage room in your apartment.

A large area rug stationed under the coffee table and partly under the couches will bring all of the living room furniture pieces together. It’ll also feel nice and cozy if you have hardwood floors.

Want the rest of the list? Check out my post on the 17 must-have living room furniture essentials.

Bedroom Essentials

Your bed is the center of attention in your bedroom so choose a bed frame that you like. This elegant bed frame is absolutely beautiful and eye-catching.

If you have a lot of books, CDs, or movies, a bookshelf is a definite asset in your bedroom or living room.

Need a place to keep your phone, alarm clock, and nightstand lamp when you go to bed? A nightstand (or two) is a must to keep your necessities close to you at night.

A nightstand lamp is a perfect addition to your nightstand table at the end of the night to help you relax and unwind.

Want the rest of the list? Check out my post on the 30 must-have bedroom essentials.

Bathroom Essentials

A shower curtain is a must-have item for your tub and it’s also a great way to decorate your bathroom and inject a little bit of personality into the room.

A toilet scrub brush is a definite must if you want to keep your toilet nice and clean.

A bath rug with a non-skid rubber bottom is great to have when you’re coming out of the shower and don’t want to wet the floor. I recommend getting a rug made of water-resistant material so that the rug will dry more quickly.

Don’t like cluttering your shower tub rim with dozens of bottles? A shower caddy to hang on your shower head or installed on the wall will solve that problem.

Want the rest of the list? Check out my post on the 20 must-have bathroom essentials.

Cleaning Essentials

A good quality vacuum cleaner/roomba is important if you want to keep your place clean from dust and hair. It’s even more important if you have pets.

If your apartment has hardwood floors, a vacuum cleaner won’t be enough to get all the dirt off the ground. Keep your floors in pristine condition and smudge-free with a mop.

A toilet plunger is such a useful tool that comes in handy when you experience a clogged toilet or sink. You definitely want to have this on hand when you’re dealing with a messy clog so you can avoid paying a hefty price for a handyman or plumber to come to fix the problem.

For any spills that happen where you can’t vacuum up the pieces (such as when you break something made of glass), a dust pan always comes in handy.

Want the rest of the list? Check out my post on the 35 cleaning essentials for your first home.

Miscellaneous Essentials

If you have dozens of shoes and want to organize your space near the front door, a shoe rack is an absolute essential.

A doormat is a great piece that is both functional and decorative and it’s also a great way to also add some color to your home. If you live in a snowy or wet climate, a doormat is especially useful to keep your front hallway clean of water and snow.

For homes that lack space, large plastic storage boxes will be helpful to store extra stuff that you don’t use often and to keep dust out. You can put these under your bed (if possible) to save space, in your closets, or an external storage room.

If you have multiple electronics and appliances that need to be used at the same time but not enough electrical outlets, an electric power outlet strip in each room is a must.

For those rare times when you hurt yourself and need bandages or gauze, a first aid kit is a definite essential that you need to add to your home just in case of emergencies.

For those times when you need multiple tools such as a hammer, screwdriver, or screws, a toolbox kit is always handy to have to help you fix anything around the house.

Want the rest of the list? Check out my post on the 35 must-have safety, tools, and miscellaneous essentials.

Apartment Essentials Checklist

Have you snagged your printable first apartment essentials list yet? If not, get yours now.

I hope this list gives you a general idea of the necessities for your first apartment.

This list is absolutely in no way complete.

In this post, I only listed a few items from each room so be sure to check out each of the more dedicated posts for a more comprehensive list. Don’t forget to also switch some of the items out or add to them if you feel that some are not exactly appropriate for your living situation.

Lastly, remember that you can always incorporate some home decor pieces that are unique to you to make it feel more homier to you.

If you’re still unsure of whether or not you’re ready to move out on your own yet, head on over to my post about how to move out on your own for the first time.

And if you live in a tiny apartment or loft, I recommend you check out my post on awesome furniture ideas you’ll want to have in your home to maximize your living space.

More First Apartment Advice

• 10 Signs It’s Time To Move Out Of Your Parents’ House
• A Beginner’s Guide: How To Move Out For The First Time On Your Own
• How To Find The Perfect Roommate & 6 Tips On How To Avoid Conflict
• Moving 101: The Essential Guide To A Successful Move
• 8 Lessons You Learn Once You Move Out On Your Own
• Should I Move In With My Boyfriend? 8 Questions You Need To Ask Yourself
• 6 Lessons You Learn When You Move In With Your Boyfriend

What is on your first home essentials list you’ll be buying? Feel free to share in the comments!