First Apartment Checklist: What to Buy First to Complete Your Home

Whether you’re starting a new job in your hometown of Nashville, TN or getting a fresh start 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.

First Apartment Checklist: A Room-by-Room Guide

Living room essentials and nice-to-haves

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:

Living room essentials checklist:

Couch or 1-2 chairs
TV stand or mount
Couch pillows
Throw blanket
Coasters
Wall decor
TV
Speakers or soundbar
Lamp
Window treatments

Living room nice-to-haves checklist:

Both couch and chairs for entertaining
Coffee table
End tables
Plants
Area rug
Speakers or soundbar

Kitchen essentials and desirables

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:

Kitchen essentials checklist:

Pots and pans
Salt and pepper shakers
Basic knife set
Dish drying rack
Baking tray
Oven mitts
Measuring cups and measuring spoons
Cutting boards
Mixing bowls
Basic cooking utensils
Aluminum foil
Plastic wrap
Wax paper
Reusable water bottle
Recycling bin
Microwave
Hand-mixer
Colander
Bottle opener
Can opener
Tea kettle
Blender
Coffee maker
Toaster/Toaster oven
Dish soap
Dishtowels
Sponges
Dishwasher pods
Paper towels
Ziploc bags
At least one plate, bowl, fork, knife, spoon, and mug
Food storage containers
Fire extinguisher

Kitchen nice-to-haves checklist:

Bag clips
Fruit basket
Full set of dishware, 4 place settings
Full set of glassware, 8 glasses
Full silverware set
Silverware organizer
Clock
Wall decor
Timer
Wine opener
Crockpot
Instapot
Water filter
Paper towel holder

Bedroom essentials and nice-to-haves

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:

Bedroom essentials checklist:

Mattress
Bed frame
Sheets
Bed pillows
Pillowcases
Bedspread/comforter
Blankets
Dresser
Desk
Nightstand
Fan
Clock
Additional storage/boxes
Trash bin
Hangers
Shoe rack
Mirror
Curtains
Desk lamp
Laundry hamper

Bedroom nice-to-haves checklist:

Wall decor
Area rug
Vanity
Chair
Space heater, if necessary
Portable AC unit
TV stand

Bathroom essentials and nice-to-haves

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:

Bathroom essentials checklist:

Shower curtain, liner, and hooks
Bath towels
Hand towels
Toilet paper
Soap
Toilet brush
Toiletries/personal care items
Hand soap
Plunger
Shower mat/bath mat
Shampoo and conditioner
Body wash
Small trash bin
Bathroom cleaning supplies
Toothbrush holder
Air freshener
Window treatment

Bathroom nice-to-haves checklist:

Hair towel/shower cap
Candle
Febreeze
Potpourri
Extra storage bins or baskets
Wall decor
Clock

Dining room essentials and desirables

If you have a dining room and plan to have meals there, here are a few 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.

Dining room essentials checklist:

Dining table and chairs
Trivet/hot pad
Barstools if you have a countertop

Dining room nice-to-haves checklist:

Placemats
Wall decor
Centerpiece

Fridge and pantry essentials

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:

Fridge and pantry essentials checklist:

Produce (fruits and vegetables)
Frozen and fresh meat
Frozen and fresh seafood
Meat alternatives
Dairy
Bread
Rice
Breakfast pastry (bagels, muffins)
Dessert
Pasta
Flour
Sugar
Baking soda
Baking powder
Yeast
Shortening
Vanilla
Chocolate chips
Salt and pepper
Spices
Oil (vegetable oil, olive oil, etc.)
Mayonnaise
Brown sugar
Honey
Maple syrup
Sauces of your liking (BBQ, soy, etc.)
Ketchup and mustard
Frozen items (frozen berries, pizza, etc.)
Cereal
Canned fruits and vegetables
Soup/broth
Snacks
Beverages
Peanut butter or nut butter
Jelly or jam

Cleaning equipment and supplies

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:

Cleaning equipment and supplies checklist:

Vacuum
Swiffer with both wet and dry pads
Multi-purpose liquid cleaners like Lysol or Mr. Clean
Paper towels
Trash bags
Toilet bowl cleaner
Dish soap
Dishwasher detergent
Laundry detergent
Stain remover
Sponges
Glass cleaner

Miscellaneous items for your first apartment

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:

Toolkit checklist:

Screwdrivers (Phillips and flat head)
Hammer
Nails and wall hooks
Step stool
Power strips and extension cords
Batteries
Light bulbs
Measuring tape
Duct tape

“Extras” checklist:

Sewing kit
Iron and ironing board
Window A/C
Umbrella
Scissors
Scotch tape

First-aid essentials

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:

First-aid essentials checklist:

Band-Aids
Antibiotic ointment
Anti-inflammatory (Advil, Motrin, or other)
Thermometer
All-in-one first aid kit

Contact the local utilities to service your apartment before move-in day

Internet: If you have a Wi-Fi router, you’ll need service, especially if you’re working remotely or want to stream your favorite shows. If you don’t have a router, you’ll want to add that to your checklist.
Electricity: Call the electric company as soon as you sign your lease to ensure they switch the account over to you.
Water: The same applies to the water company unless your property manager sets this up automatically.
Gas: If your stove or heat run on gas, contact the gas utility to put the account in your name.
Cable: If you want cable in addition to the internet, call the cable company in advance as it may take a while to get on their schedule.

Items you don’t need to buy right away

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.

What to do on move-in day

Document your apartment’s condition

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.

Measure each room

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.

Move your belongings safely and efficiently

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.

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