Preparing For Your First Apartment

Congratulations on moving into your first apartment! Being on your own is an exciting time with many new challenges ahead. We’ve put together this list of things to get for your new apartment, so you don’t run into unnecessary surprises on your new journey!

Welcome Mat

Your front door is the first impression that you can make on people who come to visit your home. Choose a welcome mat that makes you smile every time you get home and it will be the first step to making your new apartment feel like home.

Furniture

Getting your own place for the first time means you get to choose furniture that fits your personality and lifestyle. Whether you like secondhand Craigslist purchases or prefer to pick out your furniture from a store, there are some essential pieces that you will need for your new home. In your living room you’ll want to have seating, such as a couch or loveseat, and a coffee table. If you plan on having a TV in your living room, you’ll also want a TV stand or table on which to set it.

If you have a dining area, you’ll want to get a table and chairs. Some apartments have a breakfast bar for eating space, so you’ll want to get barstools for those! If you don’t have either and want something to eat off of, think about getting some TV trays!

For your bedroom you’ll want somewhere to sleep, like a bed or futon. If you opt for a bed, you’ll also need to get a mattress, boxspring, and bedding. You’ll also want a dresser for clothing.  Finally, if you didn’t get the walk-in closet of your dreams, you might consider getting a wardrobe for some extra hanging space!

Cookware

Unless you’re planning on eating out every meal, you’ll probably want to get some basic kitchen supplies so you can make meals at home. Stock your kitchen with a pot, a pan, a skillet, measuring cups & spoons, a can opener, a chef’s knife, a paring knife, mixing bowls, and oven mitts. If you like to entertain it’s also wise to have a bottle opener and corkscrew at home for opening beverages.

Dishes & Utensils

To eat the tasty homemade meals you’ve made with your cookware, you’ll want to have some dishes and utensils. You’ll want to have plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, and flatware available for yourself and guests.

Bathroom Supplies

You’ll want to make sure you also stock your bathroom after you move. You’ll want to ensure that you have towels and washcloths, a shower curtain and rings if necessary, hand soap, shower supplies, toilet paper, and a plunger. You don’t want to find yourself with a clogged toilet and no way to take care of it

Cleaning Supplies

There are some essential cleaning supplies that you’ll want to use in your new apartment. This list includes dish soap, paper towels, trash bags, a vacuum, a broom and dustpan, a toilet brush, glass cleaner, and an all purpose cleaner.

Trashcan

You’ll probably want to have at least 2 trash cans in your apartment: one in your kitchen and one in your bathroom.

Emergency Supplies

In case of emergency, it’s good to be prepared with supplies on hand. If there’s a power outage, you’ll want to have a couple flashlights and extra batteries prepped where you know you can find them when you need them. You never know when accidents might happen so it’s also wise to have a first aid kit on hand.

There are so many things to turn an apartment into a home, but hopefully, this list will be a good guide to get you started. If you have any suggestions for things we have missed, leave a comment on our Facebook Page!