Your First Apartment Checklist — Everything You Need to Buy

While you dream up how to decorate your new home, we’re here to bring you the ultimate first apartment checklist. With this comprehensive list in hand, you’ll be sure to have everything you need for your first apartment. Get excited, because we’re going shopping!
What You Should Buy Before You Move:
What You Should Buy After (or Before) Your Move:
Ready to get started now checking items off your First Apartment Checklist?

First Apartment Checklist: What You Should Buy Before You Move
Think of this section as a condensed version of your first apartment checklist: everything listed here is a must-have. Period. Make sure that you’ve checked off all these items before you move – whether purchased, commandeered from your parent’s basement, or found for cheap at your local thrift store. Then, keep everything on this list close by when you move. After all, who wants to be rifling through boxes for a shower curtain when you should be out the door and on your way to work or class?
Bedroom Essentials
A mattress should be one of the first items you buy after signing your apartment lease. Yes, you would be fine sleeping on the floor, but life gets crazy busy, and that first night on the floor could easily turn into a month before you find the time to purchase a mattress. Check out some tips for picking your new mattress. And don’t forget all of the stuff you need to make your bed cozy—sheets, duvet or comforter, mattress topper, pillows, etc.
Your bed, dresser and nightstand can be bought as part of a match set, or you can mix and match to suit your preferences. Your bedroom can take a whole new look depending on what styles you choose – so start browsing early.
If you know what you need for curtains or shades, grab them ahead of time – it’s no fun to get stuck without anything to cover your bedroom windows (privacy, anyone?). If not, make sure you have an extra sheet or blanket to tack up temporarily.
Finally, invest in some hangers before the move. The sooner you can get your clothing unpacked and put away, the sooner your first apartment will feel like home.
Mattress
Bed, dresser, nightstand
Sheet set
Duvet, comforter or quilt
Mattress topper or mattress pad
Pillows
Window treatments
Clothes hangers/coat hangers
Not sure where to start? Check out some of our bedding favorites from Target:
Living Space Essentials
Whether you want to host movie nights or classy cocktail parties, you’re going to need seating that matches your style, while being functional at the same time. Bonus points for a sleeper sofa or futon – it can double as a place for your guests to crash. Oh, and there’s no shame in snagging something used from a friend or family member.
A coffee table is also essential for your first apartment. It’s a great place to put drinks when hosting a party, but also provides a way to express your personality in your home.
And whether you’re paying for cable or not, getting a television is a great investment. It’s not absolutely essential, but it is necessary for throwing awesome movie nights! If you’re a film buff, you could consider skipping a TV and getting an awesome projector setup instead. If you already have a television, follow these tips for moving electronics.
If you haven’t set up your internet or TV service yet, check out what providers service your new address.
Comfy couch
Coffee table
Television
Bathroom Essentials
Bathroom items might not need as much consideration as some of your larger first apartment purchases, but you still may want to consider the style of your bathroom. It’s easy to find coordinating shower curtains, towels and more – so that these bathroom essentials all look great together.
After a long day of moving, you’ll probably be dying for a hot shower. Pack your toiletry items (soap, shampoo, etc.) with the other items in this section of your first apartment checklist, and you’ll be ready for some much-needed self care. See what else you might want to pack in this “open-first” box.
Shower curtain
Bath towels
Hand towels
Toilet paper
Soap
Shower curtain liner
Shower curtain hooks
Check out some of these simple and chic shower curtains from Target that will look great in your new bathroom!
Kitchen Essentials
Every apartment is different, so whether you need a full kitchen table and chairs or just bar stools is up to you to decide. But you will eventually want somewhere to sit other than your couch to eat dinner.
You could stick with paper plates and cups until you buy a full dish set, but we recommend going ahead and purchasing a few of these items before you move in. That way, if it takes you a few weeks to pick out kitchenware you love, you’ll at least have the essentials on hand. Using real dishware is also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.
Table and chairs or barstools
Plate
Cereal bowl
Water glass
Mug
Fork, knife, spoon
Dish towels
Kitchen trash can
Sandwich bags or food storage containers
Home Toolkit and Essentials
Whether it’s to take apart a bookshelf or put it back together, you won’t regret having tools like a screwdriver and a hammer on moving day. Once you start unpacking, you’ll also want to have wall hooks and nails on hand. There’s nothing as frustrating as being in an unpacking and decorating groove, only to find you have to stop and buy these items. And whether you’re short or your new apartment has high ceilings, a step stool will be extremely valuable during the early phases of unpacking and is a must-have for your first apartment.
Plus, who can’t find a use for duct tape?
Screwdrivers (Phillips and flat head)
Hammer
Nails and wall hooks
Step stool
Power strips and extension cords
Batteries
Light bulbs
Measuring tape
Duct tape
Cleaning Essentials
You’ll want to consider cleaning the day before you move in – it’s just too much work to clean and move on the same day. Then make sure your cleaning supplies are in easy reach on moving day to catch anything you missed.
As a substitute for surface cleaners, white vinegar is also a decent option and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals. Get plenty of sponges to replace often. No one likes a stinky sponge!
Dustpan and broom or vacuum
A Swiffer with both dry and wet pads
Multi-purpose liquid cleaner like Lysol or Mr. Clean
Paper towels
Trash bags
Toilet scrubber
Toilet bowl cleaning solution
Dish soap
Sponges
First-Aid Kit Essentials
Unfortunately, accidents do happen when moving. Whether you cut a finger opening boxes or on a broken water glass, you’ll want band-aids and ointment on hand. And you just might find yourself a little achy by the end of moving day.
Band-Aids
Antibiotic ointment
Anti-inflammatory such as Advil
Thermometer
Check out this compact and convenient first aid kit that will have you prepared for all small emergencies.
Safety Essentials
Your apartment probably already has smoke detectors, but if it’s an older building, you may want to add one or two for extra coverage. Make sure you also have a carbon monoxide detector, and add a small fire extinguisher to your safety essentials list to keep on hand near the kitchen.
Smoke detectors
Carbon monoxide detector
Fire extinguisher
First Apartment Checklist: What You Should Buy After (or Before) Your Move

Bedroom Space
All you need in a bedroom is a bed, right? Nope! These items will start to make your first apartment bedroom a cozy, restful place to fall asleep at night.
You could technically sleep on the floor with just your mattress, but you’re probably going to want a bed frame if you didn’t already purchase a bed. There are many options for bed frames, so make sure to shop around, consider the size of your apartment, and choose what best fits your needs. And unless you went with a platform style bed, you’ll need a box spring or foundation to support your mattress on your frame.
Don’t forget to buy and install some window treatments if you’re still sleeping with a sheet tacked over the window.
Bed frame
Box spring or foundation
Vanity or desk
Comfy chair
Bedside/reading lamp
Laundry hamper
Closet storage solutions like a hanging closet organizer or shoe rack
Full-length mirror
Decor items such as decorative pillows, cozy blanket, rug, wall art


Living Space
You’ve got the couch and coffee table, but there are a few more items you’ll want for a more functional first living space.
No one likes living in a cave – and not every apartment comes with overhead lighting. Add both class and functionality to your space by picking out a cool lamp or two. And once your belongings are unpacked, you’re going to need somewhere to put everything. Whether that’s a bookshelf or a TV cabinet, make sure you take into account all your belongings (including the ones on this first apartment checklist), and then find the best storage for your needs.
Extra lighting such as floor and table lamps
Side tables
Storage solutions
Extra seating
Window treatments
Decorative pillows
Throw blanket
Decor items such as wall art, picture frames, coffee table books, houseplants, candles, vases


Bathroom Space
We’re here to make sure you don’t get so excited about choosing the scent of your hand lotion that you forget to purchase a bath mat. Double check to make sure you have everything you need for a functional first bathroom.
Like your bedroom, it’s good to have some privacy in your bathroom. If there’s a window, you probably want to cover it. It’s also helpful to have a bathmat and/or bathroom rug to keep water off your floors. Consider matching your window coverings and bathmats to the shower curtain and towels you already picked out.
Window treatments
Bathmat and/or bathroom rug
Bathroom wastebasket
Toilet paper holder
Plunger
Storage solutions for your toiletries
Tissues
Hand soap and lotion
Small vanity mirror
Air freshening spray

Kitchen Space
For this section of our first apartment checklist, we break down what you need in your new home to cook like a boss, host awesome parties, and store your leftovers. It’s a lengthy section, so buckle up.
Don’t forget that you may have already purchased some of these essentials before the move. Now’s the time to grab a few more items to round out your collections and place settings.
Dishware and Utensils
You can purchase a boxed set of dishes from a retail or department store. Or have some fun by mixing and matching the pieces you like best. It’s a good idea to start with at least four full sets of dishware – but you can always buy more if you think you’ll be hosting larger parties.
Dinner plates
Salad plates
Cereal bowls
Mugs
Water glasses
Serving platters
Silverware
Serving utensils
Other cooking utensils you think you’ll use. Consider stocking your first apartment with a spatula, spoon, and slotted spoon.
Pots and Pans
For your first apartment, we recommend keeping it simple and getting a kitchen starter kit from a department or retail store. However, if you’re more of the DIY type, these are a few basic pots and pans you should have in your first kitchen.
Large stock pot
2-quart saucepan
10-inch frying pan
Rimmed baking sheet
Cookie sheet
Large baking/casserole dish

Appliances
While you don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets at your first apartment, there are a few key appliances you’re likely to use frequently. You’ll definitely want a toaster and microwave (if your apartment doesn’t include one). And if you crave your morning cup of java, you won’t want to go long without some sort of coffee maker. There are plenty of options out there, from single-serve Keurigs to traditional drip coffee makers to fancy French presses – add one of them to your first apartment checklist.
Coffee pot and/or kettle
Toaster or toaster oven
Microwave
Hand mixer
Blender
Crockpot or instant pot
Tools and supplies
You need more than just pots and pans to prepare and store your food. From opening a beer to draining your pasta, these kitchen tools will round out your first apartment. As for your knives, a few basics like a paring knife, chef knife and something serrated will cover most of your needs. Grab a few pieces of Tupperware or Gladware to keep your food fresh (if you haven’t already).
Cutting knives
Cutting board
Measuring cups and spoons
Mixing bowl
Colander
Bottle, can opener, corkscrew
Aluminum foil and cling wrap
Food storage containers
Spices and pantry
Even if you’re not a budding chef, you’ll still want to stock your pantry with these basics. Choose spices and condiments according to your own preferences and cooking habits. You can always add to your collection later – here’s a complete list to pick up more groceries after you’re all settled into your first apartment.
Salt
Pepper
Spices you cook with often
Oil (vegetable, olive, coconut, etc.)
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Flour
Baking powder
Baking soda
Vanilla extract
Vinegar (white wine, balsamic, etc.)
Soy sauce
Teriyaki sauce
Ketchup
Mustard
Miscellaneous kitchen items
Don’t forget to check these miscellaneous kitchen items off your first apartment checklist soon after your move. It’s no fun to fish a hot pan out of the oven sans oven mitt.
Water filter
Recycling bin
Silverware organizer
Dish drying rack
Paper towel holder
Oven mitts
Cleaning
You don’t want to go too long without taking care of your laundry! It’s time to grab any additional cleaning items you still need.
Laundry basket
Laundry detergent
Stain remover
Dishwasher detergent

Miscellaneous Items
From reducing plastic water bottle waste to repairing loose buttons, these first apartment checklist items cover the miscellaneous stuff that will make life in your new place a little easier.
Command hooks are useful for so many purposes. Whether you want to hang bags, baseball caps, or keys, command hooks are a cheap and easy solution. Plus, since you’re likely renting your first apartment, the hooks are a great way to ensure you don’t damage the walls and ensure you’re able to get your security deposit back in full.
Consider investing in a space heater and/or window AC if your apartment’s HVAC isn’t quite up to snuff – but make sure you choose one of the safest space heater options.
Reusable water bottle
Sewing kit
Iron and ironing board
Command hooks
Space heater
Window AC
Light bulbs
Umbrella
Broom and dustpan
Scissors
Scotch tape
Chip clips
Ready to cross everything you need for your first apartment off the list? Take this checklist with you when you start shopping, and you’ll be all set. Get the downloadable PDF!
So that’s your ultimate first apartment checklist – save this list and our Epic Moving Checklist, and you’ll be ready for a stress-free transition to your new home. Still need some additional help moving? Check out our Free Moving Tools page.

Comments ( 35 )
Truly an epic moving check list.
Additions:
Move Clutter Free by removing unnecessary items
Label your boxes for an easy identification
Thanks
Hmm, quite an alluring topic. Gives valuable information about different modes of auto transport including car transport and various other vehicle transport. Useful for many people. You see I have also been a part of this auto shipping industry. I dealt with all sorts of vehicle shipping including some luxury car shipping. We should all play our part in spreading awareness.
I’m 6months our from my move, and this is great! Going to slowly clear out the house & hopefully have only a lightly stressed move. This page has been bookmarked!
Jeff...you are so funny. Thanks for the laugh!
Okay. Great list, but...
This is NOT how the move really goes. I would edit this to say:
Three weeks before move: Decide to move. Figure out where to move to. Scramble to find a new apartment/home. Start praying that you have enough money to find a place you can afford.
Two weeks before: Start reassessing why you are keeping half of the things you've held on to for 20 years. Don't even think about boxes or packing.
One week before: Find free boxes on Craigslist or pilfer from Trader Joe's. Start feeling stressed. Pull your hair out while trying to get your kids to throw away old fast food toys, meanwhile, don't even think of packing yet. Maybe pack a little. Have a strong drink. Go to sleep. Start over with the stress. Start throwing everything in boxes and hope for something to break now so you don't have to move it. Start eating everything in fridge even if it means making a sandwich with nothing but condiments.
Week of move: More prayers. More yelling. Have a few more drinks. Finish packing or just give away stuff.
Move out/Move in: Get 'er dun. Go to new place. Order takeout. Drink a bottle of wine and pass out. Wake up and say "I will NEVER move again. Let's stay in this place forever."
2 best tips I got
1: have an "open first" box with things like water bottles (just in case the water isn't on yet), toilet paper, hand soap, etc. Keep this box with you and open it as soon as you get to your new place!
2: Set up internet last! Especially if you have people that are less motivated to help move.
This is truly a fantastic resource.
It's Step #65 - Transfer your utilities including water, electric, and natural gas.
I love these tips. Thank you for sharing.
Robert Whittet
Great list! I would also recommend checking smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on move-in day!
the timeline makes me feel inadequate.
Dont forget to update your address for Be The Match, Red Cross etc
WOW!!!!
Thanks for all the info1
awesome sauce!!!! so very thorough, comprehensive and useable.
Your checklist is super helpful. Thank you so much.
Wow this is an excellent list, but you left something out.
Some people use local banks or credit unions which lack a support area in the place which they will be moving to. If this is the case, switching to a local bank for checking and savings accounts is a good idea. Alternatively online banking is also an option. Switching banks is a process which could use another article itself though, so I understand why it isn't addressed here.
Whoa an amazing stuff with sizzling Images, this is what I was looking for.
Your blog is very help for movers. While moving, we have to work with great responsibility. I read your blog and i get the some valuable information on moving. There are so many developers working on this part but this is one of the best innovative post ever. Thanks for such post.
Thank you for this excellent list! I will be moving a very short distance, but I have quite a few house plants and some are large. I have a rubber tree that is taller than me! Any suggestions for how to help my green friends survive their move?
This is the checklist I'm looking for! Thanks!
I always make sure the internet is hooked up too! it is probably the single most important aspect of moving for me.
I am a business owner of moving company, and in my daily business I usually get and provide relocation services to average 5 clients each day. And, I know how important it is to manage the things before relocation from one place to other place.
But I really appreciate your efforts to share this useful knowledge so that general people and business owners as well can take the benefit from these tips. It will be really helpful. Thanks for sharing.
So, while this is a good list, a MAJOR thing that I don't see in ANY of these is setting up utilities, which I think is FAR more important than setting up a yard sale. Will your current services transfer to the new location? If not, what new companies will be in your area? Not only that, but depending on when you move, you need to put this stuff in motion long before you actually move to ensure someone shows up.
For instance, my lease has been up twice during the holidays and needing to make sure that I had internet service so I could continue working was critical. And with most Internet companies, there's the two weeks during christmas where NO ONE is either working or is completely booked, so I needed to make appointments at least a month in advance.
One of the reasons I'm looking for a checklist is to make sure I'm not missing any utilities, but it seems like every checklist is missing these important facts.
There are a lot of different things we can do to ensure that we have a successful move. By preparing ahead of time and creating a good moving checklist, we should be able to do everything that we need to do to ensure that our move is as successful as possible.
Awesome list! Also remember to notify your credit card company(ies). If they see a lot of big expenses, or expenses in an area where you don't live, they can block your card to prevent what they think is fraudulent use.
Wow!! I really appreciate your moving checklist. i got inspired by these tips and really enjoyed reading this tips. Thanks for sharing these tips.
However if you must fly and ship the car rather than drive - Don't leave a single thing in the car: When my folks shipped their car back from Europe, the jack and spare tire were stolen out of the trunk!
Thanks for posting this. Got "inspired" by some points while making my moving checklist for UK. Great work!
Wow .. this is thorough. Should have made them 99 just to bug people.
Wow! This is indeed the mother of all moving checklists I have ever come across! I think this would require at least 3 months to get completed so it really needs patience and hard work. I would however add an additional pointer into the list which is the loading/unloading in a self storage if ever you require this additional step.
This is a really detailed moving checklist! I'd think that even if you're going to follow it before house removals, don't expect it to be a solve all! Everyone's scenario is different from someone else's so just make sure that you do your own checks after you follow this template!
Wow, this list is awesome! I think it's also important to pre-screen and prepare a list of service technicians, such as plumbers, electricians, and mechanics. It's much better to have a good company lined up before an emergency happens. Getting stuck with the first person to answer his or her phone on the day of the emergency can lead you down a rabbit hole to disaster.
Thank you for all of this detailed information. It helps to keep everything organized. Moving is already overwhelming, it's hard to remember every little detail.
WOW So big list. I am so glad that I have found it. I am traveling to Greece next month. I am going to use it. Best regards!
Change address for Social Security benefits within 10 days of moving.