It’s time to move into your new apartment! If this is your first solo place, your first apartment with friends, or you just needed a new space, moving into a new apartment is always such an exciting time. While decorating your new home and making it your own is essential, you won’t want to forget some of the less glamorous (but equally important) necessities for your new home.
When moving day is creeping up, it’s easy to forget things. Make sure you have what you need for every room in your new home:
General Necessities
Before anything else, make sure you have basic safety items, tools, and cleaning supplies.
First aid kit
The first and most important item you should have in your new space is a first-aid kit. You can make your own or buy one, but make sure it contains the following items:
- Absorbent compress dressings
- Gauze pads
- Various sizes of adhesive bandages
- A roll of medical tape
- Alcohol wipes
- Pain relief pills
- Thermal blanket
- CPR breathing barrier
- Instant ice packs
- Disposable gloves
- Anti-itch ointment
- Thermometer
- Tweezers
- First aid guide with instructions on how to administer any type of first aid
- Gauze pads
This guide was based off the Red Cross’ recommendations, but feel free to include anything else you feel is necessary and do some research on your area. If you live in a place prone to earthquakes or other types of natural disasters, consider getting a separate kit for those emergencies or add to the general kit.
Keep your first aid kit in an easily portable bag and placed in an obvious spot so it’s accessible to anyone who might enter your apartment.
Safety items
In addition to a first aid kit, make sure you keep basic safety items on hand:
- Personal medications
- Emergency contacts
- Flashlight
- Emergency radio
- Fire extinguisher
- Security system
In certain states, it’s required for a landlord to provide tenants with a fire extinguisher in either their personal unit or the apartment community common areas. Check your state laws and make sure you know if you need to buy a fire extinguisher before you move in.
Whether you buy a fire extinguisher or your landlord provides one, make sure it is labeled “ABC,” meaning that it will be able to extinguish class A, B, and C fires—fires caused by ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical equipment, respectively. Fire extinguishers ideally should be placed on each floor of your rental, but at the bare minimum have one in your kitchen. Extinguishers have a life span of 5-15 years, so be sure to check the pressure gauge on your extinguisher. If the arrow has fallen outside of the green zone, it’s time to buy a new one.
Installing a security system is another way to stay safe in your new place. Video doorbells and smart alarm systems are easy to install and give you peace of mind. You can also get plug-in light timers so you can give the appearance of being home while on vacation, or just so you don’t have to come home to a dark apartment.
Tool kit
As a renter, you likely have a maintenance team on your property, but sometimes you need to make an easy fix like tightening cabinet handles or chair legs. You can purchase a kit or create your own, but make sure it includes the following:
- Hammer
- Small nails
- Multi-bit screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Allen wrench
- Leveler
- Measuring tape
- Power strips
- Painters, masking, and duct tape
- Pliers
Cleaning supplies
Now let’s talk about a general list of cleaning supplies:
- Vacuum
- Broom and dustpan
- Mop
- Extendable duster
- Paper towels
- Rags
- Sponges
- Soft-bristled scrub brush
- Toilet brush
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Disinfecting wipes
- Multipurpose cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Cleaning agent with oxalic acid
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide
If you’re on a budget, it can be tempting to just buy the cheapest supplies you can find. However, splurging on a decent vacuum that will last years will save you money in the long run. Choose a vacuum that is suitable for the different flooring in your unit. If you have all carpet, be sure that the vacuum is powerful enough to properly clean dust and dirt out of the nooks and crannies. If you have a mix of flooring, purchase a vacuum with different settings for different flooring types.
When it comes to cleaning solutions, it’s important to know what you can and cannot mix. Bleach and ammonia are both effective cleaners, but they can create toxic gases when mixed with each other or with other cleaning agents. Research the best cleaners for around your apartment to keep your new place sparkling, and always double check before mixing cleaning supplies.
For the Kitchen
The next thing to add on your apartment list are kitchen supplies. For many of these items, secondhand stores or hand-me-downs work great and can save you money.
Dishware
Dishes are something you can find at a thrift store, but most major retailers sell dinnerware sets to keep you from hunting down plates and bowls that match. However you choose to get dishware, make sure you have the following:
- Plates
- Bowls
- Glasses
- Mugs
- Utensil set
- Serrated knives
If you use your microwave frequently and prefer not to wash dishes by hand, look for dishware that’s dishwasher and microwave safe.
Cookware
Even if you don’t like to cook, there are some basic cookware items you should keep on hand—you never know when you’ll start craving homemade chocolate chip cookies.
- Cookie sheets
- Knife set
- Heat-resistant spatulas and spoons
- Cutting boards
- Pots and pans
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Colander
- Cheese grater
- Oven mitts and potholders
- Whisks
- Can opener
- Food scissors
- Aluminum foil, cling wrap, and parchment paper
Appliances
While you can get by with thrifting things like dishware and mixing bowls, you’ll want to splurge on staples like kitchen appliances.
- Toaster
- Coffee maker
- Stand mixer
Good-quality kitchen appliances will last for a long time, keeping you from shelling out money for new equipment every year. Do your research to find the best appliances to fit your needs and your budget.
Food essentials
For your first grocery run, you’ll want to make a list of essential items. Your essentials should include shelf-stable items, foods you eat regularly, and ingredients for basic cooking:
- Eggs
- Milk
- Bread
- Sugar
- Flour
- Butter
- Salt and pepper
- Oil and vinegar
- Coffee and tea
- Pasta and rice
- Canned vegetables, beans, and soups
- Ketchup, mustard, barbeque sauce, and other condiments
- Spices
- Water bottles
Some of the above items might not be for you, so choose alternatives as needed.
Even if you have a stash of reusable water bottles, it’s a good idea to keep some store-bought water bottles stashed in your pantry or fridge. According to FEMA, a power outage can impact your clean water supply, and boiling water to purify it is not an option if the water supply is contaminated with toxic chemicals or if your stove runs off electricity.
Other kitchen essentials
Now that your pantry and cabinets are stocked, keep your kitchen clean with some basics:
- Hand towels
- Hand soap
- Dish soap
- Dishwasher detergent
- Trash can
- Trash bags
- Disinfecting wipes
For the Living and Dining Rooms
For choosing living and dining room furniture, it’s incredibly important to know the dimensions and layout of the space. If you can, waiting to buy common area furniture until after you move might be your best bet so you can get a feel for the room. While everyone’s space is going to have a different layout, you’ll more than likely need the following:
- Dining table and chairs
- Coffee table
- Side tables
- Sofa
- Armchairs
- Ottoman
- Coasters
- Blankets
- Lamps
- TV
- TV stand
Again, secondhand is your friend. You can get some great pieces from thrift stores, consignment shops, and online secondhand sellers. Make the space your own and have fun buying essentials and decorating. You don’t have to rush to get all these items at once; look around and find what works for you in your new home.
For the Bedroom
Depending on whether this is your first apartment, the list of what you need for your bedroom may differ. Either way, the following items are staples:
- Bedframe, box spring, and mattress
- Sheets and pillows
- Bedspread
- Bedside table
- Dresser
- Full-length mirror
- Lamps
It’s important to know the layout and size of your unit so you know how your items will fit in the space. For example, if you have a studio apartment, something like a trundle daybed might be a great choice so your bed can double as a couch and provide an extra place for a friend to sleep. If you need more storage, some bedframes have storage units built underneath. Take note of what has worked for you in the past and make sure to not crowd your room.
For the Bathroom
In addition to your personal care items like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, and toothpaste, you’ll want the following in your bathroom:
- Hand towels, bath towels, and washcloths
- Bathmats
- Hand soap
- Shower curtain and liner
- Toilet paper
- Tissues
- Small trash can
- Small trash bags
Things like a soap dispenser and toothbrush holder are other common items to have in your bathroom, but you can find those after you settle in.
For the Closet and Laundry Room
Keep your clothes clean and wrinkle-free with a stocked laundry room and closet:
- Hangers
- Shoe storage
- Laundry basket
- Laundry detergent
- Dryer sheets
- Laundry stain remover
Find a shoe storage solution that works for your space. An over-the-door shoe organizer might be your best bet if you have minimal closet space, while a walk-in closet may give you enough space for a shoe rack.
Roommate Sharing
If you’re living with roommates, talk with them about how you want to split the cost of shared items. If you’re worried about dividing the furniture when you move out, consider having each person buy different items that add up to the same cost. It’s important to have an apartment must-haves budget, so everyone is on the same page and there are no roommate disagreements.
You’ll also want to discuss sharing essentials like paper products and kitchen items with your roommates. It’s perfectly fine for each person to have their own food, but if you feel comfortable with it, discuss with your roommates about sharing kitchen essentials like spices, baking ingredients, and cookware. Keep a list of the items you agree to share and have a system for how you replenish the items. Plan for a regular shopping trip where you split costs evenly or rotate who buys each item.
Moving can be such a fun and exciting time, and making a list of what you need for your new apartment can help you be extra prepared for the big day. Find what makes you feel safe, prepared, and comfortable in your new home, and then get to decorating once you’re all moved in.
Your apartment might not feel like home, and that’s okay. Over time, you can curate your décor to reflect your personal style. For now, focus on getting the bare necessities and preparing for moving day. Good luck!
This article was originally published on Feb. 11, 2021, by Olivia O'Brien.
