First Apartment Checklist

Before you begin, create a first apartment checklist for yourself, making sure to include these essentials:

• Bed: Unless you’re prepared to sleep on the floor, a bed is a must! Opt for a full-size bed to maximize space. A bed with deep drawers for storing clothes or bed linens is a great choice for those with limited closet space. If you select a platform bed or a bed with good-quality slats, you can skip purchasing a box spring to go under your mattress.
• Mattress: Whether you go for foam or spring, make sure you select the right mattress firmness for your sleep style to get a good night’s rest. As noted above, check and see if your bed requires a box spring. Don’t forget the mattress pad, pillows and bedding.
• Nightstand: Even if you don’t want a traditional nightstand, you’ll need a place to put a reading lamp, glass of water and the book you’re currently reading. On a budget? Opt for a simple stool, repurposed as a side table.
• Dresser: You’ll need a place to store your clothes, so make sure you invest in a dresser. If you’ve got huge closets, or if you end up choosing a bed with drawers, you can get away with skipping this item.
• Lamp: Whether it’s a table lamp you place on your nightstand or your dresser, or a floor lamp for somewhere else in the room, it’s nice to have a lighting option that’s less aggressive than most apartment’s overhead lighting – especially for your bedroom. Don’t forget the light bulbs!
• Closet Organizers: Set yourself up for tidiness with closet organizers and storage solutions. Baskets or cloth storage cubes are great for storing things like sheets, towels or even odds and ends you’re not sure what to do with. A shoe rack will save you from searching through a giant shoe pile at the bottom of your closet.
• Desk and Chair: If you plan to do any work in your room, and the space allows, consider adding a small desk and office chair. If you don’t want to splurge for the chair, find a simple stool or folding chair, which will do the trick.

Other apartment essentials include:

• A set of basic tools with nails and wall hooks
• Step stool
• Shower curtain
• Toilet paper
• First aid kit
• Kitchenware (more details in the section below)
• Clothes hangers
• Batteries
• Power strips
• Extension cords
• Light bulbs

Don’t forget the cleaning supplies!

• Trash bags
• Paper towels
• Vacuum
• Broom with dust pan
• Trash can
• Laundry detergent
• Toilet brush
• Plunger
• Multipurpose cleaner
• Hand soap
• Dish soap
• Sponges/cleaning cloths

• Sofa: The centerpiece of any comfy living room, a sofa is an essential. For bigger spaces, consider an L-shape sectional or a couch with a chaise on one side. For smaller spaces, a love seat or less bulky “apartment-style” couch with feet is still every bit as cozy.
• Coffee Table: A coffee table makes hanging out on the couch a lot more convenient. Think about the space before you decide on a shape – large square or round coffee tables are great for sectionals, while rectangles work well for smaller couches. If you want a multi-functional option, consider getting an ottoman in the same fabric as your couch; you can use it as extra seating when the occasion requires, and can add a large butler tray when you want to use it for eating or resting glasses.
• Side Tables: It can be nice to add a side table on either side of the couch, for placing drinks or even for lamps.
• Additional Seating: Space and budget allowing, you may want to add additional seating besides just the couch. Think accent chairs, ottomans, poufs, rocking chairs or armchairs. Arrange them opposite the couch if you like to entertain.
• Television: Even if you don’t plan on getting cable, it’s nice to have a TV for streaming movies and television shows. Small space? Consider using a bracket to install the TV on the wall, rather than purchasing a whole media table setup.
• Plants: An easy way to make any apartment feel like a home, plants will add a personal touch and improve air quality in your space. Whether you opt for hanging plants, small trees or tiny succulents, don’t forget a planter and potting soil.
• Lightbulbs: Make sure you have enough for all your lamps, and the correct kind of any overhead lights if they aren’t already provided.

• Towels: An easy thing to forget, it’s nice to have a set of at least two or three towels – that way you won’t be out of luck when it’s in the laundry.
• Bath Mat: Sure, you can use an extra towel in a pinch, but it’s much nicer to have a bath mat (or two) which are extra-absorbent and feel great under dripping-wet feet.
• Toilet Brush and Plunger: Easy to overlook, these are two things you don’t want to be without!
• Cleaning Supplies: A broom, mop, paper towels, glass cleaner, disinfectant wipes, multi-purpose cleaner and toilet bowl cleaner are all great things to have around the house, as are rubber gloves.

Other first apartment bathroom essentials include:

• Shower curtain
• Hand soap
• Toilet plunger
• Toilet cleaner
• Toilet paper
• Toilet paper holder
• Storage solutions for toiletries
• Countertop storage for toothbrushes, cotton swabs, etc.
• Additional lighting

More so than any other room in the house, the kitchen requires quite a lot of tools to get set up properly. To help you check all the boxes on your first apartment checklist, we’ve made a category-by-category breakdown of all our top kitchen must-haves.

One thing to note before you make your shopping list: We’ve divided this list up by “kitchen essentials” – the things you’ll need to literally get cooking – and those items that are nice to have, but not necessarily essential. Start with group one and expand to the second category if your budget allows (or when you’re ready for an upgrade).

• 10-inch frying pan
• Small sauce pan (1-2 quart)
• Large (at least 5-quart) Dutch oven
• At least 2 aluminum half-sheet pans
• At least 2-3 wooden spoons
• Wide spatula or turner (choose nylon or silicon if you have nonstick)
• Silicone spatula
• 9 x 13 baking dish
• 2 round 8-inch cake pans
• Loaf pan
• Rolling pin
• 7 or 8-inch chef’s knife
• Paring knife
• Vegetable peeler
• Can opener
• Mixing/prep bowl set
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Colander
• Large cutting board
• Microwave
• Blender or immersion blender
• Toaster
• Plates
• Bowls
• Flatware
• Drinking glasses
• Mugs
• Kettle
• French press
• Small electric coffee grinder

Nice to have, but not essential:

• Muffin tin
• Springform pan
• Cookie cutters
• Waffle maker
• Stock pot
• Multiple sizes of saucepans; consider a full pan set from one brand
• Nonstick frying pan or frying pan set
• Small frying pan for single servings
• Spoon rest
• Salad spinner
• Mixing bowl with spout
• Zester
• 4 kitchen towels/tea towels
• Box grater
• Bread knife
• Mesh strainer
• Pressure cooker or electric multi-cooker
• Food processor and/or mini-prep processor
• Air fryer
• Pitcher (or multiple)
• Cocktail shaker set
• Wine glasses
• Bar glasses (4-6 highball glasses, 4-6 rocks glasses)
• Platters (2x - large and small)
• Salad bowl
• Cloth napkins
• Electric coffee maker

Food Essentials:

• Spices
• Basic seasonings
• Sugar
• Flour
• Cooking oils
• Condiments

• Mattress
• Box Springs
• Bed frame
• Headboard
• Closet storage solutions
• Full length mirror
• Window treatments
• Laundry hamper
• Trash can
• Wall and home decor
• Bedroom furniture (nightstand, dresser, vanity, desk, etc.)

• Washer
• Dryer (if apartment doesn't include)
• Laundry detergent
• Fabric softener
• Stain remover
• Dryer sheets
• Laundry basket
• Iron
• Ironing board

• Kitchen table and chairs
• Butcher block cart or island
• Trash can
• Kitchen mats
• Area rug
• Dish drying rack
• Canister for cooking utensils
• Drawer organizers for utensils/junk drawer
• Hand tool sets
• Nails and anchors
• Welcome mat
• Window treatments
• Flashlight
• Batteries