Moving into your first apartment is a monumental event that undoubtedly comes with excitement. However, the matter of outfitting your apartment with all of the comforts of home requires your attention.
After all, your apartment won’t be a comfortable home without things like a couch, pots and pans, and other items. To ensure you don’t overlook anything important, check out this comprehensive list of first apartment essentials.
Importance of Having the Right Essentials to Make the Space Comfortable and Functional
From the moment you wake up on your first day in your new apartment, you’ll immediately feel inconvenienced when you don’t have a coffeemaker and mugs, a shower curtain, and towels. These inconveniences extend throughout the day. You’ll feel more like you’re camping out rather than relaxing in a homey space.
The essentials do more than help you feel comfortable and relaxed. Many of these items are functional. After all, you can’t do as little as make a bowl of soup or cereal without kitchen essentials. What essentials do you need for your new apartment?
Kitchen Essentials
Every kitchen should be stocked with a set of dishes, utensils, pots, and pans. Include glasses, mugs, and cooking utensils as well. Dish towels, potholders, and oven mitts add functionality.
If your kitchen doesn’t have a pantry and adequate cabinet space for cans, boxes of food, spices, and other food prep essentials, invest in a free-standing cabinet or pantry. Based on the foods and beverages you enjoy, you might also include a coffeemaker, a blender, a toaster, and other small appliances.
Bedroom Essentials
The most important item to have in your bedroom is a bed. This includes the mattress, pillows, comforter, sheets, and bedframe. You’ll also need a dresser and closet hangers for your clothes.
A bedside table for your phone, a glass of water, glasses, and more add functionality. Don’t forget the importance of curtains. While most apartments come with basic blinds, the added benefits of privacy, light control, and decor make even a cheap set of sheers a beneficial addition.
Bathroom Essentials
Things like toilet paper and daily hygiene items are essential, but other items also need to be in place from day one. Towels, a shower curtain, and bathmats are also crucial for functionality.
In addition, think about storage space. Does your new apartment have enough storage space to house your extra towels, daily routine and hygiene items, and medications?
If not, investing in a organizational system makes sense. Bathrooms are also a place where cleaning supplies may be kept, so make sure that your cleaning supplies have a place of their own as well.
Living Area Essentials
The living room is a place to relax and watch TV, entertain guests, and simply relax with your phone or a good book. In this room, you need a couch, a TV with a stand or wall mount, a side table and coffee table, and a lamp.
A storage feature is also beneficial in this space. Space is often a concern in a smaller apartment, so consider finding a coffee table, side table, and TV stand with storage spaces in them.
Cleaning & Organization Essentials
Keeping your apartment clean and organized is critical for your personal well-being, stress level, and even mental health. Plan ahead for routine cleaning by investing in cleaning supplies or ingredients for DIY cleaning products, such as vinegar and baking soda.
Think about things like laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dishwasher detergent. You’ll also need a broom, mop, and vacuum cleaner. Paper towels and cleaning rags are equally important.
For enhanced organization, consider cabinet shelves, hanging shelves, a bookcase with storage baskets, a behind-the-door shoe organizer, and under-the-bed storage bins.
Safety & Maintenance Essentials
Your new apartment should come with a bare minimum of safety features, such as a fire extinguisher and smoke detectors. Also consider purchasing a basic tool kit to make small repairs and a first aid kit for minor injuries.
A folding step stool is also handy for doing things like changing light bulbs and cleaning elevated areas of your apartment.
Miscellaneous Essentials
While these items cover the basics, other items are beneficial for improving your convenience and comfort at home. Some of these are:
- Waste baskets in the kitchen and bathroom
- A microwave
- A toilet plunger
- An extra blanket or throw
- Candles and matches
- Lamps
- Rugs
- Paper towels and tissues
- An iron and ironing board
- A laundry hamper and a basket
- A shower mat
While you need to purchase all of the essentials for your first apartment, don’t overlook the importance of cleaning. Moving is a messy task, and the last thing you want to do after moving is spend a few more hours cleaning your apartment from top to bottom. With move in cleaning service from TidyHere, you can settle into a perfectly clean apartment without hassle. Schedule your first cleaning service with us today.
