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Published on July 24, 2025 | Last Updated on September 20, 2025

Your Ultimate First Apartment Checklist

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First of all, congratulations on your first apartment! Moving into an apartment at any stage is a huge achievement, and you should be proud. While there are plenty of things that you can do to make your place your own, we wanted to help you find the right furniture, appliances, and overall apartment essentials for your new place. 

Of course, coming from experience, be very mindful of the amount of space you have in your new apartment before committing to that king-size bed and extra-large dining room table.

Let’s break this down room by room to help you find the right tools for your new apartment.

Table of Contents

1. Apartment Living Room/Shared Space Must-Haves

Before getting started, let’s check in and see what your roommate(s) are already doing. This is important because the living room can be a shared space if you are living with others. There may be a chance that they have already purchased some items or are bringing some with them.

If you checked with them, you are now ready for the next step of finding the right living room furnishings for your space. If you are planning on living alone, then you are already set and can design your space however you feel comfortable.

Styling your living room will ultimately depend on your preferences; however, there are a few key staples to consider purchasing. We have compiled a list of our favorite Amazon living room furniture finds if you are looking for a place to start your apartment living room shopping.

Here are a few must-have apartment essentials:

2. Apartment Bedroom Essentials

Moving on into the bedroom is where the fun begins. Whether you are living alone or have roommates, this is where you can create your space however you like. To really set the foundation for the bedroom, you should consider finding each of the following items.

3. Apartment Kitchen Fundamentals

Regardless of whether you are a seasoned chef or if you are just getting started in the cooking game, you’ll likely find yourself in your kitchen. That’s why finding the right kitchen tools is important. 

4. Apartment Bathroom Essentials

Next up, let’s help you find the right tools for the bathroom. This is where you’ll need to know exactly how much space you are dealing with. Some apartments have large bathrooms while others have smaller ones. Regardless, that’s why I always recommend prioritizing storage for bathrooms. It will also help you decide on the style of your bathroom. For instance, do you prefer a bath mat or a bath rug?

5. Apartment Outdoor Patio Essentials

Depending on your new apartment, you may have a new patio space to also call home. Of course, depending on what type of patio you may have, you may find yourself opting for different layouts. However, these are a few of our favorites.

6. Other Fun Apartment Finds

The way you decorate your space will ultimately depend on your own personal preferences. That being said, I have always believed that over time you will naturally gravitate towards other staples in your home. Here are a few of my favorites:

7. Apartment Cleaning & Freshness Supplies

Let’s be honest, you’ll want to live in a clean place when you are moving in. Below are a few items that you should consider to help you clean up your new apartment.

5 Tips For New Apartment Shopping

There’s plenty of items that you will eventually want to get in order to create a space of your own. Below are a few additional tips for new apartment shopping.

Tip #1: Don’t Worry About Getting Everything At Once

While you’re moving in, don’t be afraid to take your time buying everything you may want for your apartment. Over time, you can work on getting everything you need. Day one is going to be when you just need your base furniture.

Tip #2: Look At The Space Available Before Purchasing New Items

I made this mistake in my first apartment, so I feel obligated to say this. It’s best to measure your space or use Amazon’s virtual placement tool to estimate the size of furniture you are getting. In my case, I bought a standing desk and a kitchen table that took up most of my free space. For most online retailers, you can find the sizes of the different furniture pieces.

Tip #3: If You Have Roommates, Coordinate Budgets & See What They May Bring

This is an area that I highly recommend you do since it can help save some money. Depending on your roommate, you may be able to buy shared furniture or decide who is buying what materials. It’s always important to have these conversations with potential roommates beforehand.

Tip #4: Use Facebook Marketplace & Thrift Stores If Preferred

Not everyone is going to want to buy new, and that’s totally fine! I have purchased plenty of items from Facebook Marketplace personally. My most recent purchase was two nightstands that matched my Dresser. Thrift stores are also great since they can be an easy place to find clothes, plates, mugs, or other apartment essentials, depending on the store.

Tip #5: Get Creative

Depending on the stage of life you’re in, you may have different apartment must-haves. Regardless of that, there’s always some way to get creative. I’ve used my coffee table in place of my bookshelf or TV stand when I was in college. Over time, you will find what works best for you.

Remember, this is a big move and you don’t need to worry about having everything you want or need in the first week. Most people collect items over time. Regardless, congratulations on your new apartment!

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