The Top Apartment Essentials You Need: A Full Checklist

Moving into a new apartment can be exciting, overwhelming, and memorable all at once. You don’t realize how much it matters where you live until you pick a new place and walk in the door. To help ensure that this experience is positive, we have compiled an ultimate list of apartment essentials you’ll need from day one to make the most out of your new apartment. We’ll also give you a few ideas of where to find all of these essentials and what to prioritize. Let’s dive in.

Apartment Essentials Checklist

• Cleaning Essentials: Before you get anything else, make sure you have everything you need to keep your apartment clean! It will make your home experience a lot more enjoyable.

  • Broom and dustpan (or Roomba if you want to splurge)

  • Paper towels 

  • Garbage bags 

  • Multi-purpose spray (great for messes)

  • Mop & Bucket (if you’re mopping anything)

  • Sponges: One for dishes and another general for other cleaning

  • Anti-bacterial wipes (get some for your car too if needed)

  • Dish soap 

  • Laundry detergent

  • Dishwasher detergent (if you have a dishwasher)

  • Baking soda

  • Wood cleaning spray (if you have a lot of wood surfaces)

  • Rubber gloves (to avoid harmful cleaning chemicals)

  • Hand soap (one for the kitchen and one for the bathroom, we recommend the charcoal kind, which is the latest trend)

  • Bathroom cleaning spray (don’t miss)

  • Small vacuum cleaner (useful even if you have a Roomba)

• Kitchen Essentials: You’ll save a lot of money by using your kitchen a lot. You can find most of these second-hand or online to save a lot of money over brand new ones. 

  • Cooking utensils: a few types of spatulas and serving spoons

  • Knives: one that is a chef’s knife, one that is a paring knife, and one that is serrated

  • Utensils: multiple spoons, forks, knives (maybe a sharper knife if needed)

  • Pots: a few different sizes 

  • Pans: a few different sizes 

  • Casserole dish you can use in the oven (for when you need something in between a pot and pan)

  • Plates: a few different sizes (make sure microwave-safe)

  • Bowls: a few different sizes (make sure you microwave-safe)

  • Drinking Glasses: For water or any other beverage

  • Optional: Specific beer or wine glasses (can always use regular glasses)

  • Coffee/Tea Mug

  • Salad Bowl

  • Scissors (super handy)

  • Coffee/Tea Setup: Either a coffee pot or Keurig or something similar if you need your caffeine fix

  • Napkins (cloth or paper)

  • Strainers: A few different sizes (for pasta, vegetables, etc…)

  • Ice cube tray (if your fridge doesn’t have an ice function)

  • Cutting board: A few different materials

  • Measuring spoons and cups

  • Bottle opener 

  • Dish rack and towels for drying

  • Garbage and recycling can

  • Tupperware (for leftovers)

  • Microwave (key for getting the most money out of your cooking and leftovers)

  • Toaster (if needed)

  • Optional: Serving dishes (if you plan on hosting)

• Bedroom Essentials: You’ll spend a lot of time in your life sleeping so make sure you have what you need.

  • Pillows (at least one or two)

  • Sheets (one or two sets are great)

  • Comforter/Duvet with cover

  • Bedside lamp (at least one or two)

  • Curtains (unless you like waking up at dawn only)

  • Storage Containers (dresser for example)

  • Closet hangers

• Bathroom Essentials: Small things matter here. 

  • Bath towels (at least two or three)

  • Small towels  (at least two or three)

  • Shower curtain (don’t forget this one)

  • Toothbrush holder

  • Toilet paper

  • Toilet brush

  • Plunger

  • Bathmat

  • Small trash can

• Furniture: Major things, but some optional ones too.

  • Sofa

  • Dining table and a few chairs

  • Coffee table (if desired)

  • Lighting (a few lamps of different sizes)

  • Work from home setup (desk and chair if needed)

• Emergency Essentials: Always good to be prepared.

  • Medicine including pain medications

  • Bandages

  • Neosporin

  • Fire extinguisher

  • Thermometer

  • Power source

Where to Buy Apartment Essentials

We hope our list helps you with your new apartment. To purchase new items, think about Target, Walmart, and related stores. To save even more money, think about purchasing items second-hand through Goodwill, Facebook Marketplace, garage sales, and other websites for used goods. 

If you’re deciding on where to live still, try Alcove’s shared living options that are cheaper than a normal studio apartment and offer features that help make moving in a breeze.