What do I need for my first apartment?

Start with bed, bedding, towels, toilet paper, trash bags, basic cookware, dish soap, and a shower curtain. These cover Day 1 survival. Then add furniture, kitchen tools, and decor over the first month.

How much does it cost to furnish a first apartment?

Budget $1,500–$3,500 for essentials. You can cut this to $800–1,200 by buying secondhand furniture, using IKEA basics, and skipping non-essentials. Don't buy everything at once — build over time.

What should I buy first for my apartment?

Day 1 must-haves: bed/mattress, pillow, sheets, towels, toilet paper, soap, trash bags, and a phone charger. Everything else can wait a few days.

What kitchen essentials do I need for an apartment?

A pot, a pan, a spatula, a knife, a cutting board, plates, bowls, cups, utensils, dish soap, sponge, and a can opener. Add a baking sheet and mixing bowl when ready.

Do I need renters insurance?

Yes. It costs $15–25/month and covers theft, fire, water damage to your belongings, and liability. Most landlords require it. Get it before you move in.

What cleaning supplies do I need for an apartment?

All-purpose cleaner, dish soap, sponges, paper towels, trash bags, broom + dustpan, toilet brush, and a vacuum or Swiffer. That covers 90% of cleaning needs.

How do I save money on first apartment essentials?

Buy secondhand furniture on Facebook Marketplace, use IKEA for basics, ask family for hand-me-downs, check Dollar Tree for cleaning and kitchen supplies, and skip decorating until month 2–3.

What furniture do I need for a first apartment?

Bare minimum: bed, nightstand, couch/futon, small table (dining or desk), and a lamp. That's it for month 1. Add a TV stand, bookshelf, and dresser as budget allows.

Should I get a furnished or unfurnished apartment?

Furnished costs $200–500 more per month but saves the upfront furniture cost. Good for short-term (under 1 year). Unfurnished is cheaper long-term and lets you choose your own style.

What do I need for my first apartment bathroom?

Shower curtain + rings, bath towels (2), hand towels (2), bath mat, toilet brush, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, toothbrush holder, and a small trash can.

First Apartment Checklist — 80+ Essentials (2026)

📦 What You'll Get

A room-by-room shopping list for your first apartment. Includes:

Quick copy-paste version for your shopping trip
80+ item interactive checklist organized by room
6 variations: college, studio, couples, budget, furnished, and pet-friendly
10 pro tips, 10 mistakes to avoid, 10 FAQs
Printable PDF and Google Sheets

⚡ Quick Printable (Copy/Paste)

🛏️ Bedroom [ ] Mattress + bed frame [ ] Pillows (2) [ ] Sheets + pillowcases [ ] Comforter / duvet [ ] Lamp / nightstand [ ] Hangers (20+) 🍳 Kitchen [ ] Pot + pan [ ] Spatula, spoon, tongs [ ] Knife + cutting board [ ] Plates, bowls, cups (4 each) [ ] Utensils (forks, knives, spoons) [ ] Dish soap + sponge [ ] Can opener [ ] Baking sheet [ ] Trash can + bags 🚿 Bathroom [ ] Shower curtain + rings [ ] Towels (2 bath, 2 hand) [ ] Bath mat [ ] Toilet brush [ ] Toilet paper (12-pack) [ ] Soap + shampoo [ ] Small trash can 🧹 Cleaning [ ] All-purpose cleaner [ ] Broom + dustpan [ ] Paper towels [ ] Vacuum or Swiffer [ ] Trash bags 📋 Admin [ ] Renters insurance [ ] Utilities set up [ ] Internet set up [ ] Spare key made

🛋️ Living Room (8 items)

Couch or futon

Coffee table or side table

Floor lamp or table lamp

TV + streaming device (if needed)

TV stand / shelf

Throw blanket

Throw pillows (2)

Bookshelf or storage shelves

🔧 Tools & Safety (8 items)

Basic toolkit (hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, tape measure)

Step stool

Batteries (AA, AAA)

Light bulbs (check your fixtures' type)

Smoke detector batteries (test existing ones)

Fire extinguisher (small, kitchen-rated)

Power strip / surge protector (2)

Extension cord

📋 Admin & Setup (8 items)

Renters insurance ($15–25/month)

Set up electric / gas / water

Set up internet / Wi-Fi

Make spare key

Add name to mailbox

Change address (USPS, bank, employer)

Document existing damage (photos + email to landlord)

Test all locks, windows, smoke detectors

💡 Pro Tips

Don't buy everything on Day 1. Get Day 1 survival items, then add things over 4–8 weeks. You'll learn what you actually need vs. what seems cool.
Facebook Marketplace is your best friend. Furniture, kitchen items, and decor are 50–80% cheaper secondhand. Check daily.
Dollar Tree for consumables. Cleaning supplies, trash bags, dish soap, sponges, and paper towels are identical quality for $1.25 each.
Buy a plunger before you need one. Trust me. Buy it on move-in day.
Get renters insurance immediately. $15–25/month and most landlords require it. Covers theft, fire, water damage, and liability.
Take photos of everything on move-in day. Document every scratch, stain, and damage. Email photos to landlord and yourself. Protects your deposit.
Two sets of sheets, two bath towels minimum. One set in use, one clean. No one wants to wait for laundry.
Ask family first. Parents, grandparents, and relatives often have spare kitchen items, towels, and furniture they'd happily give you.
Invest in a quality mattress. You spend 8 hours a day on it. A $300–500 bed-in-a-box is fine. Your back will thank you.
Command strips over nails. Most apartments charge for wall holes. 3M Command strips hold pictures and shelves without damage.

🚫 Common Mistakes

Buying everything new. You don't need a brand-new couch for your first apartment. Secondhand saves thousands.
Forgetting the shower curtain. It's never hung in an empty apartment. You'll discover this mid-shower. Buy it on Day 1.
No trash bags on Day 1. Unboxing generates massive amounts of trash. Bring trash bags to the apartment before anything else.
Skipping renters insurance. One stolen laptop or kitchen fire can cost you thousands. Insurance is $15–25/month.
Not documenting damage on move-in. Without photos, your landlord can blame you for pre-existing damage. Document everything.
Buying a big couch for a small space. Measure doorways AND the room before ordering furniture. Returns are expensive.
Only one set of sheets. When you wash them, you'll sleep on a bare mattress. Buy 2 sets minimum.
Ignoring basic tools. A $20 toolkit from Amazon handles 90% of apartment tasks: hanging pictures, tightening screws, assembling furniture.
No kitchen basics. Eating out every night gets expensive fast. A pot, pan, and basic utensils let you cook for $3–5/meal instead of $15.
Not testing smoke detectors. Press the test button. Replace batteries if dead. This saves your life.

🔀 Variations

🎓 College Apartment

Twin XL sheets (if dorm-size bed)
Desk + desk lamp + desk chair
Microwave (check if provided)
Mini fridge (check if provided)
Shower caddy (shared bathrooms)
Whiteboard for schedule/reminders

🏠 Studio Apartment

Room divider / bookshelf as partition
Foldable dining table (saves space)
Bed with storage drawers underneath
Wall-mounted shelves (floor space is premium)
Over-door hooks for coats/bags
Multi-purpose furniture (ottoman with storage)

💑 Moving in with a Partner

Split the checklist — each person buys specific rooms
Queen or king bed (discuss mattress firmness!)
Two nightstands with outlets
Agree on bathroom shelf/counter space
Shared streaming subscriptions
Extra hangers and closet organizers

💰 Budget / Under $1,000

All furniture from Facebook Marketplace
Dollar Tree for cleaning and kitchen consumables
IKEA for affordable new basics
Ask family for hand-me-downs
Skip decor for month 1–2
Use milk crates as nightstands / shelving

🏨 Furnished Apartment

Skip furniture sections of this list
Still need: bedding, towels, kitchen consumables
Bring your own pillow (comfort matters)
Check what's included vs. assumed
Document furnished items' condition on move-in

🐱 Pet-Friendly Apartment

Pet deposit / pet rent (check lease)
Food and water bowls
Litter box + litter (cats) / poop bags (dogs)
Pet bed
Lint roller (for furniture)
Pet-proof cleaning supplies (no toxic chemicals)

🖨️ How to Print or Save as PDF

Click "Print This Page" or Ctrl+P / Cmd+P.
Select "Save as PDF" for digital.
Letter, Portrait, narrow margins for best fit.
Non-essential elements hide automatically in print view.

First Apartment Checklist — 80+ Essentials

📑 Table of Contents

📦 What You'll Get

⚡ Quick Printable (Copy/Paste)

🛏️ Bedroom (12 items)

🍳 Kitchen (18 items)

🚿 Bathroom (12 items)

🛋️ Living Room (8 items)

🧹 Cleaning Supplies (10 items)

🔧 Tools & Safety (8 items)

📋 Admin & Setup (8 items)

📥 Download This Checklist

💡 Pro Tips

🚫 Common Mistakes

🔀 Variations

🎓 College Apartment

🏠 Studio Apartment

💑 Moving in with a Partner

💰 Budget / Under $1,000

🏨 Furnished Apartment

🐱 Pet-Friendly Apartment

🖨️ How to Print or Save as PDF

Frequently Asked Questions

First Apartment Checklist — 80+ Essentials

📑 Table of Contents

📦 What You'll Get

⚡ Quick Printable (Copy/Paste)

🛏️ Bedroom (12 items)

🍳 Kitchen (18 items)

🚿 Bathroom (12 items)

🛋️ Living Room (8 items)

🧹 Cleaning Supplies (10 items)

🔧 Tools & Safety (8 items)

📋 Admin & Setup (8 items)

📥 Download This Checklist

💡 Pro Tips

🚫 Common Mistakes

🔀 Variations

🎓 College Apartment

🏠 Studio Apartment

💑 Moving in with a Partner

💰 Budget / Under $1,000

🏨 Furnished Apartment

🐱 Pet-Friendly Apartment

🖨️ How to Print or Save as PDF

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions