First apartment essentials

First apartment essentials: kitchen and bathroom checklists

When moving into your first apartment, you need pots, pans, knives, a cutting board, and spoons for your kitchen. You also need food containers, ziplock bags, a spice rack, and cleaning supplies (like dish soap and a sponge). Likewise, you need toilet paper, towels, soap, shampoo, and a toothbrush in the bathroom.

Acquiring everything you need for your first apartment at once is expensive, so you need a well-thought-out plan. This is why we created this checklist for each room in your home: to cover the essentials and cut out what you don’t really need. When your budget allows, you can purchase those fun non-essentials like decor or extra gadgets. Let’s get into the checklist.

Apartment move in checklist

Moving into your first apartment can be exciting but overwhelming. Breaking it down into a checklist like this can make it much easier, starting with ensuring you have the proper supplies to pack and protect your belongings.

• Moving boxes (small, medium, large, wardrobe boxes)

• Packing tape and dispenser

• Packing paper

• Moving blankets

• Furniture pads

• Plastic wrap (for wrapping items like mattresses or sofas)

• Markers for labeling boxes

• Labeling stickers

• Box cutters

• Moving straps

• Furniture sliders or dollies

• Tie-down straps or rope (to secure items in the moving truck)

• Stretch wrap and film (to wrap furniture and prevent scratches)

• Plastic bins

• Mattress bags (to protect your mattress during transport)

• Heavy-duty trash bags 

• Gloves to protect your hands during lifting and carrying

• Moving services (for moving large and delicate items)

• Packing foam sheets and bubble wraps

Use this checklist to deep clean your apartment before moving in.

Essentials for first apartment kitchen

Eating out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily is expensive and unhealthy. You need to make sure your new apartment kitchen is set up for cooking and is easy to keep organized.

Most people make the common mistake of thinking they need to buy fancy gadgets for their first apartment kitchen. Instead, focus on the basics, as we have outlined in this checklist, which will make cooking, cleaning, and organizing your apartment kitchen as easy as possible.

• Pots and pans: a small pot, a larger pot, a medium or large frying pan (preferably non-stick).

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Knives: a chef’s knife, a serrated or paring knife

• Cutting boards: one for raw meat and one for vegetables

• Serving utensils: 2 to 3 serving spoons, a ladle, and maybe a pasta server

• Food: rice, pasta, canned tomatoes, beans, tuna,  all-purpose flour and sugar, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla extract, and a small container of cocoa powder.

• Cleaning supplies: dish soap, sponges or dishcloths, vinegar, dish towels, trash bags, all-purpose cleaner, scrub brush, and paper towel

• Plates: a set of dinner plates and smaller salad plates

• Mixing bowls (at least 2 different sizes)

• Bowls

• Glasses

• Mugs: for coffee, tea, and hot beverages

• Colander

• Wooden spoon and spatula

• Baking sheets

• Casserole dish

• Tongs

• Can opener

• Vegetable peeler

• Airtight food storage containers

• Ziplock bags

• A small collection of basic spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.)

• Drawer organizers and shelf liner

• Blender

• Electric kettle

• Trivet and oven mitts

• Dish rack

Optional but nice to have: salad spinner, grater, ice cube trays, coffee maker (if you drink coffee), aluminum foil and plastic wrap, microwave, toaster

Use our kitchen cleaning checklist to keep your kitchen tidy.​​

Bathroom essentials for first apartment

When setting up your first apartment, the bathroom might not be the first thing on your mind, but it’s just as important as any other room. Having the right items will make your bathroom feel like a relaxing space rather than just a functional one. 

• Toiletries: toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, razor, shaving cream or other grooming products, feminine hygiene products, skincare or hair care products.

• Cleaning supplies: all-purpose cleaner, toilet cleaner, microfiber cloth, or sponge.

• Shower curtain and hooks

• Bath towels: at least 2 or 3

• Hand and face towels: at least 2

• Washcloths or body sponges

• A towel rack or hoo

• Bath mat

• Toilet brush and holder

• Toilet plunge

• Soap dispenser or soap dish

• Trash can

Optional but nice to have: mirror, air freshener or scented candles, extra toilet paper storage, laundry basket, towel warmer, shower rug, shower cap, cabinet, and extra storage bins.

Check out our bathroom cleaning checklist put together by our in-house cleaners.

Cleaning essentials for a new apartment

While cleaning your new apartment may not be the glamorous part of moving in, it’s necessary to make your space feel fresh, tidy, and welcoming. The good news is that you don’t need to go overboard with fancy products. These cleaning essentials will keep your new apartment sparkling

• All-purpose cleaner

• Disinfectant

• Glass cleaner

• Garbage bags

• Microfiber cloths

• Sponges or scrub brushes

• Dish soap

• Trash bags

• Toilet bowl cleaner and brush

• Broom and dustpan

• Mop (and a bucket)

• Vacuum cleaner

• Laundry detergent and fabric softener

• Air freshener or odor eliminator

• Cleaning gloves

• Floor cleaner

• Extendable duster

• Paper towels or cleaning wipes

• Baking soda and vinegar

Bedroom and living room essentials for your first apartment

You will spend a lot of time in the bedroom and living room, so making them comfortable and functional is essential. For starters, you need to invest in a quality mattress. After all, we spend about a third of our life sleeping, so it’s worth spending a bit more on something that will give you the support and comfort you need.

Here are the other bedroom and living room essentials for your first apartment.

• Bed frame and mattress

• Pillows (at least 1 or 2)

• Bed linens: sheets, pillowcases, blankets, comforter

• Lamp or bedside light

• Closet hangers

• Full-length mirror

• Laundry basket or hamper

Some common living room basics include:

• Sofa or couch

• Area rug

• Side tables or end tables

• Lamps or lighting (floor or table)

Optional but nice to have: dresser or storage drawers, coffee table, bookshelves or storage shelves, under-bed storage (if needed), gaming console, speakers, wall art or decorative items (vases, candles, plants), TV and TV stand, media player, throw pillows.

Check out our bedroom and living room cleaning checklist put together by our in-house cleaners.

What are the essentials for a first apartment?

When setting up your first apartment, the key is to focus on essentials: items that allow you to live, cook, clean, and sleep without stressing over every little detail. Don't forget the administrative paperwork with our change of address checklist.

A pro tip is to search for stores that offer budget-friendly options. Remember that you don’t need to spend a fortune to furnish your new space. Look for discounts, sales, or coupons to save on cleaning supplies and other essentials. You can also buy secondhand from thrift stores, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace to stretch your budget.