First Apartment Checklist
First Apartment Checklist
Moving into your first apartment is an exciting step into adulthood and independence. Before you start dreaming about all the cool ways, you’ll make the space your own, it’s important to get organized and create a first apartment checklist.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro at moving or it’s your first time, it can be stressful. There’s so much to do! This is where planning and preparation come in handy.
By using this guide as a roadmap for your apartment essentials, you’ll be able to furnish your home and stay on top of your cleaning.
From the kitchen to the bedroom, we’ll have everything you need to feel at home. Let’s get started!
First Apartment Shopping Tips
Before you begin, there are two important steps you’ll need to complete. Create your budget and write your apartment essentials list.
A realistic budget will give you a good idea of what you can afford when it comes to buying all your home essentials. Understanding what your budget constraints are also helps you when you’re creating your list. It’s a good idea to buy your essentials before you get into the fun part of home décor.Create a detailed list of new home essentials for every room to avoid the stress of not having an item at home – such as toilet paper and paper towels. Here are some apartment essentials you’ll need:
Cleaning Essentials
Now that you’ve moved in, you’ll want to keep your place clean. Before you set up you might want to give your place an initial clean if your landlord hasn’t already. Stock up on these items to get every part of your home sparkling clean.
- Trash Bags
- Vacuum
- Broom
- Dustpan
- Dish Soap
- Cleaning Sponges
- Laundry Detergent
- Scott® Paper Towels
- Multi-Purpose Cleaning Detergent
- Mop
Bedroom Essentials
One of the places you’ll be spending the most time in your new apartment is your bedroom. This room is meant to be your sanctuary of rest and relaxation, so it's important to make sure that your list includes essentials that are functional and practical.
- A Bed. This includes your mattress, the base, and the headboard or frame. Pro tip: measure your room before you purchase your bed so that you can pick the correct sizing.
- Bedding. Start with two sets of bedding, which serves as your fun décor and practical pieces that will keep you warm and cozy. This includes a bed sheet, duvet, pillow covers, and a blanket.
- Storage. You’ll need a range of storage options for your apartment. This includes shelves for your books and a dresser for your clothes.
- Bedside Table. This functional piece is great for everyday items such as your phone, clock, book, and/or journal. It’s also a handy space for water.
- Lamp. This can be placed on your bedside table and/or where you feel the need for additional lighting.
- Laundry Bag. This essential is a necessity for your dirty clothes.
Living Space Essentials
As the entertainment center of your home, a cozy living room is essential. Whether you’re bingeing your favorite series or entertaining your friends, these apartment essentials are a must to help create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere.
- Couch. You don’t have to pay a lot of money for your first couch! Check out online resellers or vintage store where you’ll be able to get a second-hand couch for half the price. You can also ask around and see if anyone is willing to donate or pass along their old couch to you.
- Chairs. This is for those nights when you’re entertaining friends or if you just want a different view of your apartment. A cozy chair for a reading nook is also a great addition to your apartment.
- Coffee Table. This practical piece is great for placing remotes, magazines, and coffee table books.
- TV along with a TV stand or Console. This is a great alternative if you’re not mounting your TV on your wall.
Kitchen Essentials
Now that you’re going to be cooking your own meals, having a kitchen fully stocked with the essentials will only make that easier. Your apartment will probably come with the essential appliances like a stove, fridge, and maybe even the microwave and kettle. If your apartment doesn’t come stocked with some of these kitchen essentials add them to the list below.
- Kitchen Table and Chairs. Get a small table and chair set that includes two to four chairs. If your kitchen comes with an island, opt for a few chairs to get started.
- Microwave. A much-needed essential for warming up your meals.
- Coffee Maker and/or a Kettle. Start your day with these kitchen essentials, which are also perfect for entertaining.
- Toaster or Toaster Oven.
- Cookware. This includes a range of pots and pans. Find a budget-friendly set with multiple sizes to get you started.
- Dinnerware. This includes a range of bowls and plates. Just like with the cookware, find inclusive sets that are stylish, fun, and budget friendly.
- Drinkware. This includes mugs, cups, and glasses.
- Baking Tray. This essential is great for baking and heating food up. Find a range of 2-3 sizes to start.
- Oven Gloves/Mittens. These essentials are great to protect your hands for grabbing hot pots and pans.
- Blender. This kitchen essential is perfect for smoothies, dips, soups, and more.
- Cutlery. This includes all your cooking and eating utensils such as forks, knives, and spoons.
- Cutting Board. This go-to kitchen item is ideal for both chopping and dicing and protecting your counter tops.
- Kitchen Items. Start with a range of essentials for cooking such as can opener, spatula, bottle opener, measuring cups, and a whisk, to name a few.
- Storage Containers. Get a set of containers to house your leftovers.
- Trash Can. A sturdy trash can is a must to throw away your garbage.
- Scott® Fast Absorbing Paper Towels. Stock up on these paper towels for all your quick spills. Providing an easy clean-up, these paper towels provide a trusted combination of value, strength, and absorbency.
Bonus tip: create a meal plan to stay organized with your weekly meals. This will save you money when your grocery shopping, keeping you from wasting food. Stick the menu on your fridge for a reminder, too!
Bathroom Essentials
Unless your bathroom doesn’t have storage, you probably won't need to buy any expensive furniture or storage options. At most, you’ll need a small caddy or stand for your toilet paper.
- Small Trash Can. This staple is great for bathroom garbage.
- Towels. This includes your body and hand towels as well as facecloth.
- Shower Curtain. Get a fun one to show-off your style as well as a plastic and/or washable one.
- Plunger. A must-have for all bathrooms.
- Toilet Brush. A cleaning essential that will help you with staining.
- Body Care Essentials. This includes face wash, moisturizers, lotions, hand soap, and shampoo/conditioner, to name a few.
- Shower Caddy. If you don’t have a ledge to place your products on and your shower doesn’t have a built-in shelf, then using a caddy is a great way to have your products within reach.
- Toilet Paper like Scott® ComfortPlus™. Designed with your comfort in mind, the ComfortPlus line is here to give you a soft and superior clean with 3x* stronger and 4x* thicker toilet paper.
*vs leading 1-ply premium toilet paper
Stock Up Your First Apartment with Scott®
Scott® products can help keep your new apartment spotless and clean. Whether you’re looking for toilet paper such as Scott® ComfortPlus™ or paper towels such as Scott® Fast Absorbing Paper Towels to ensure your space is fully clean before setting up your new space. Scott® Paper Towels are a trusted combination of value, strength, and absorbency.
Ready to make your first apartment feel like home? Get our paper towels, toilet paper, and more here.
