First Apartment Checklist: Everything You Will Need Before Moving
Self-efficacy is the ability to achieve one’s goals. Getting your first apartment is a huge milestone — it is self-efficacy in action.
We need self-efficacy to achieve success. Getting your own space requires overcoming obstacles, which builds new skills and helps you gain confidence in the process. It’s a huge achievement toward your independence.
If you’re ready to move forward, check out the essential first apartment checklist below.
Items for the Bedroom
The bedroom is the sanctuary of the home. To achieve both comfort and function, you will need:
- Pillows
- A mattress
- A bed set
- Hangers
- Storage
Ideally, the pillows, mattress, and bed set should be brand new. Among this list, the mattress is the most expensive item. It’s wise to invest in a good mattress to protect your back and quality of sleep.
There’s no need to buy multiples of every item. One to two pillows should suffice. Additionally, one to two sets of sheets should meet your initial needs.
Items for the Kitchen
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. There are quite a few items you will need for a functional kitchen, including:
- Knives
- A strainer
- Oven mitts
- A large bowl
- A drying rack
- A garbage can
- A cutting board
- Baking dishes
- Pots and pans
- Eating utensils
- Cooking utensils
- Food containers
- Cups, bowls, and plates
Consignment shops likely stock most of these items for a low price. You can wait until later to upgrade.
Items for the Bathroom
The bathroom needs to be functional, but comfortable. Some essential items necessary to achieve this include:
- Towels
- Bathmat
- Plunger
- Trash can
- Toilet brush
- Toilet paper
- Shower liner
- Shower curtain
- Toothbrush holder
Again, any local consignment store should stock most of these items. The only item on this list you may want to spend a little extra on is high-quality, soft towels.
Essential Furniture
Purchasing furniture is the most expensive part of any new apartment checklist. There isn’t too much you need starting out — stick with a couch, dining table and chairs, coffee table, additional lighting, and bed. If you’re on a tight budget, just choose one or two of those items that you envision needing immediately.
Your furniture needs also depend on the space you’re working with. Check out libertyproperties.info for an idea of the different kinds of floor plans you may be furnishing.
Cleaning Supplies
No apartment checklist is complete without a full array of cleaning supplies. Some of these are:
- Broom
- Dustpan
- Sponges
- Hand soap
- Dish soap
- Paper towels
- Garbage bags
- Cleaning spray
- Laundry detergent
- Antibacterial wipes
You may need a few additional items depending on your apartment, like dishwasher detergent or wood spray cleaner.
Shopping for a First Apartment Checklist
When shopping for this first apartment checklist, check in with friends and family first to see if they have anything extra lying around. Make sure to hit up local social media community groups and apps like Freecycle for great deals. Don’t be afraid to stop by consignment shops for cheap supplies.
If you found this guide helpful, take a moment to check out the other interesting articles on our page.
