First Apartment Checklist: Everything You Need

February 09, 2026 · EPM Labs

Moving into your first apartment is one of those milestone moments — exciting, a little scary, and surprisingly expensive if you’re not careful. You’ll walk into a completely empty space and realize you need… everything.

But here’s the secret experienced adults won’t tell you: you don’t need everything at once. In fact, buying everything on day one is one of the most common (and costly) mistakes first-time renters make.

This checklist is organized by priority. Start with the essentials, add the important stuff in your first month, and fill in the nice-to-haves as your budget allows.

Day One Essentials (Buy Before Move-In)

These are the things you need to sleep, eat, and function from night one:

Bedroom

  • Bed and bedding — At minimum: mattress, fitted sheet, pillow, and a blanket. A bed frame can wait a week if budget is tight.
  • Towels — At least 2 bath towels and 2 hand towels
  • Curtains or blinds — If your windows don’t have them, you’ll want privacy immediately

Bathroom

  • Toilet paper — The most forgotten essential of all time
  • Shower curtain + rings (if needed)
  • Hand soap
  • Basic toiletries — Shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant

Kitchen

  • Dish soap and a sponge
  • One pot, one pan
  • A few plates, bowls, cups, and utensils
  • Paper towels
  • Trash bags + a trash can (or a bag hung on a cabinet handle works temporarily)

General

  • Cleaning supplies — All-purpose cleaner, broom or vacuum (even a cheap one)
  • Toilet plunger — Buy this BEFORE you need it. Trust us.
  • Basic toolkit — Screwdriver, hammer, measuring tape. You’ll need these on day one.
  • Phone charger (obviously, but people forget to unpack it first)
  • Flashlight or headlamp — In case you’re setting up before utilities are fully on

First Week Additions

Things you can live without for a couple days but should get soon:

Kitchen

  • Cutting board and a decent knife
  • Can opener
  • Measuring cups/spoons
  • Baking sheet
  • Food storage containers
  • Dish drying rack or mat
  • Coffee maker or kettle (depending on your religion)

Living Area

  • Seating — Couch, futon, or even a couple of comfortable chairs
  • Lamp — Overhead lighting in apartments is often terrible
  • Extension cords and power strips
  • WiFi setup — Schedule installation before move-in if possible

Bedroom

  • Hangers (you’ll need more than you think)
  • Laundry basket

Bathroom

  • Bath mat
  • Wastebasket
  • Medicine cabinet basics — Pain reliever, bandaids, cold medicine, thermometer

First Month

These make your apartment actually livable and comfortable:

Kitchen

  • More cookware — A second pot, a baking dish, a colander
  • Mixing bowls
  • Spice basics — Salt, pepper, garlic powder, olive oil, butter
  • Aluminum foil and plastic wrap
  • Kitchen towels

Living Area

  • Coffee table or side table
  • TV or monitor (if that’s your thing)
  • Bookshelf or storage unit — Apartments have less storage than you expect
  • Rug — Especially if you have hard floors. It makes a huge difference in warmth and noise.

Bedroom

  • Proper bed frame (if you skipped it earlier)
  • Nightstand — Even a small stool works
  • Extra set of sheets
  • Alarm clock (or commit to your phone)

General

  • Door mat
  • Hooks — Command hooks are a renter’s best friend. Use them everywhere.
  • Full-length mirror
  • Iron or steamer (if your job requires non-wrinkled clothes)

Utility Setup

  • Renter’s insurance — Seriously, get this. It’s $15-30/month and covers thousands in potential losses. (Here’s why you need it.)
  • Utilities transferred to your name — Electric, gas, water, internet
  • Mail forwarding set up with USPS

Nice-to-Haves (Month 2+)

These make your place feel like your place:

  • Artwork or wall décor
  • Plants (even fake ones add life to a space)
  • Throw pillows and blankets
  • Upgraded cookware (cast iron skillet, good chef’s knife)
  • Desk (if you work from home or study)
  • Speakers or sound system
  • Bar cart or coffee station
  • Guest bedding (for when friends visit)
  • Slow cooker or Instant Pot (game-changer for easy meals)

Money-Saving Tips

Don’t Buy Everything New

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, thrift stores, and estate sales are gold mines for apartment furniture. You can furnish a living room for under $200 if you’re willing to look.

Ask Family and Friends

People are constantly getting rid of perfectly good kitchen items, furniture, and décor. Put the word out that you’re moving into your first place. You’ll be surprised what shows up.

Skip the Sets

You don’t need a matching 16-piece dinnerware set. Four plates, four bowls, four cups — that’s plenty to start. Mix and match from thrift stores and it’ll look intentionally eclectic.

Wait on the Big Stuff

Live in your apartment for a couple weeks before buying a couch or dining table. You’ll have a much better sense of what size works, what you actually need, and what you can skip.

Use What You Have

That desk from your childhood bedroom? It works. Those mismatched mugs from college? They hold coffee just fine. Upgrade over time, not all at once.

The Financial Side

Before you start shopping, know your budget. Moving into a first apartment typically costs:

  • First month’s rent + security deposit: 2x monthly rent
  • Utility deposits: $100-300
  • Essential furnishings and supplies: $500-1,500 (if you’re smart about it)
  • Renter’s insurance: $15-30/month

Budget $2,000-4,000 total for move-in costs, depending on your area and how much furniture you need.

If that feels overwhelming, remember: you can spread the non-essential purchases over several months. The only things you truly need on day one fit in a few shopping bags.

Get the Complete Kit

Want all of this in a printable, organized format with budget tracking built in? Our First Apartment Kit includes the complete checklist, a move-in budget planner, a utility setup guide, and a first-month meal plan to keep your grocery spending in check.

It’s everything we wish we’d had when we moved into our first place.

The Big Picture

Your first apartment won’t be Pinterest-perfect, and it shouldn’t be. It’s a starting point. Focus on being comfortable, staying within budget, and making it functional. The personality and style come over time, as you figure out what you actually like and need.

The most important thing isn’t what’s in your apartment — it’s that you can afford to stay in it. Start with the essentials, add thoughtfully, and enjoy the independence. You’ve earned it.

📦 Want the complete toolkit? The First Apartment Starter Kit ($9.99) gives you checklists, budget templates, and a complete guide to setting up your first place. One download, everything you need.

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