First Apartment Checklist 2022: Everything You Need To Move In

Moving into your first apartment is an exciting time! But it can also be a little daunting, especially if you’re not sure what to bring with you.

That’s why we’ve put together this helpful first apartment checklist. This list will help you make sure that you have everything you need when moving in.

Keep reading for more information on what to bring with you when moving into your first apartment!

Why do you need a first apartment checklist?

When you’re moving into your first apartment, it’s easy to forget things that you need. A first apartment checklist can help you make sure that you have everything you need for your new home.

Complete first apartment checklist

Moving into a first apartment can be overwhelming. There are so many things to think about and plan for. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

This first apartment checklist will help make sure you have everything you need to move into your first apartment and start your new life!

Room by room first apartment checklist

We are going to break down the items you will need room by room. This first apartment checklist is comprehensive, but it is also a great starting point.

Living room:

Couch – You will need a place to sit and relax. If you are on a budget, look for couches at yard sales or thrift stores. You can also find affordable couches online.

TV stand – You will need a place to put your television. Again, you can find stands at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your TV!

Coffee table – You will need a place to put your coffee cups and TV remote. Once again, yard sales and thrift stores are great places to find affordable coffee tables.

End tables – You will need a place to put your lamps. Once again, yard sales and thrift stores are great places to find affordable end tables.

Shelf – You will need a place to put your books, movies, and knick-knacks. You can find shelves at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your TV!

Entertainment center – You will need a place to put your television, DVD player, and video game console. You can find entertainment centers at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your TV!

Rug – You will need a place to put your feet when you are watching TV. You can find rugs at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your living room!

Curtains – You will need curtains for your windows. You can find curtains at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that they are the right size for your first apartment!

Area rug – You will need an area rug for your living room or bedroom. You can find area rugs at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your first apartment!

Bedroom:

Bed – You will need a place to sleep! If you are on a budget, look for beds at yard sales or thrift stores. You can also find affordable beds online.

Dresser – You will need a place to put your clothes.

Nightstand – You will need a place to put your lamp and alarm clock.

Desk – You will need a place to put your laptop and books. You can find desks at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your bedroom!

Chair – You will need a place to sit when you are working at your desk. You can find chairs at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your desk!

Bookshelf – You might need a place to put your books. You can find bookshelves at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your bedroom!

Bedding (sheets, blankets, pillows) – You will need bedding for your bed. You can find bedding at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your first apartment!

Mattress – You will need a mattress for your bed. Please buy a new one if you can. Mattresses are very important for your health, and you want to make sure that you are getting a good one. You can find mattresses online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your bed!

Box spring – You will need a box spring for your bed. If you are on a budget, look for box springs at yard sales or thrift stores. You can also find affordable box springs online.

Bed frame – You will need a bed frame for your bed. If you are on a budget, look for bed frames at yard sales or thrift stores. You can also find affordable bed frames online.

Headboard – You will need a headboard for your bed. If you are on a budget, look for headboards at yard sales or thrift stores. You can also find affordable headboards online.

Kitchen:

Dishes – You will need dishes for your kitchen. You can find dishes at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that they are the right size for your first apartment!

Silverware – You will need forks, knives, and spoons. You can find silverware at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that you get enough for your first apartment!

Pots and pans – You will need pots and pans for cooking. You can buy a medium frying pan, one large pot, and a small pot. You can find pots and pans at yard sales, thrift stores, or online.

Cooking utensils – You will need spatulas, wooden spoons, measuring cups and spoons, and a can opener. You can find cooking utensils at yard sales, thrift stores, or online.

Dish towels and pot holders – You will need dish towels for drying dishes and pot holders for cooking. You can find dish towels and pot holders at yard sales, thrift stores, or online.

Dish soap – You will need dish soap for washing dishes. You can find dish soap at the grocery store.

Trash can – You will need a trash can for your kitchen garbage. You can find trash cans at the hardware store or online.

Recycling bin – You will need a recycling bin for recyclable materials. You can find recycling bins at the hardware store or online.

Paper towels – You will need paper towels for cleaning up spills. You can find paper towels at the grocery store.

Cleaning supplies:

A clean place to live is a happy place to live. You will need cleaning supplies for cleaning your apartment. You can find cleaning supplies at the hardware store or online.

#1. Vacuum cleaner

You will need a vacuum cleaner for vacuuming your floors. You can find vacuum cleaners at the hardware store or online.

#2. Mop

You will need a mop for mopping your floors. You can find mops at the hardware store or online.

#3. Broom

You will need a broom for sweeping your floors. You can find brooms at the hardware store or online.

#4. Trash bags

You will need trash bags for your garbage can. You can find trash bags at the grocery store or online.

#5. Laundry detergent

Doing laundry? You will need laundry detergent for your first apartment. You can find laundry detergent at the grocery store or online.

#6. Fabric softener

You will need fabric softener for your first apartment.

#7. Hangers

You will need hangers for your first apartment. You can find hangers at the hardware store, grocery store, or online.

#8. Iron and ironing board

You might need an iron and ironing board for your first apartment.

Furniture:

First apartment checklist Item #1. Couch

You will need a place to sit and relax. You can find couches at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your first apartment!

First apartment checklist Item #2. Coffee table

You will need a place to put your coffee mug and TV remote. You can find coffee tables at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your first apartment!

First apartment checklist Item #3. TV

You will need a TV for entertainment. You can find TVs at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your first apartment!

First apartment checklist Item #4. DVD player

You will need a DVD player for entertainment. You can find DVD players at yard sales, thrift stores, or online.

First apartment checklist Item #5. Desk

You will need a place to study or work from home. You can find desks at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your first apartment!

First apartment checklist Item #6. Chair

You will need a place to sit while you are working at your desk. You can find chairs at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your first apartment!

First apartment checklist Item #7. Dresser

You will need a place to store your clothes. You can find dressers at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your first apartment!

First apartment checklist Item #8. Nightstand

You will need a place to put your alarm clock and lamp. You can find nightstands at yard sales, thrift stores, or online. Just make sure that it is the right size for your first apartment!

First apartment checklist Item #9. Lamp

You will need a lamp for reading or relaxing in bed. You can find lamps at yard sales, thrift stores, or online.

Bathroom:

Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your first apartment. You will need to have a few key items in order to be prepared.

Towels
Shower curtain
Toilet paper
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Soap
Shampoo
Bathmat
Mirror
Toilet cleaner – You will need toilet cleaner for your bathroom. You can find toilet cleaner at the grocery store or online.

Food :

Of course, you will need food for your first apartment. You can find food at the grocery store or online. Stock your pantry and fridge with items that you will need.

Pantry food items

Canned goods
Dry goods – rice, pasta, cereal, etc. Snacks – chips, crackers
Spices
Baking supplies, Snacks, Drinks
Salt and pepper

Refrigerator food items

Eggs
Cheese
Milk Butter
Yogurt
Vegetables – lettuce, carrots, celery, etc.
Fruit – apples, bananas, oranges, etc.

Freezer food items

Meat – chicken, beef, pork, etc.
Frozen vegetables – peas, corn, carrots, etc.
Fruit – berries, grapes, etc.
Ice cream
Frozen dinners

First aid essentials

In case of an accident, you will need to have first aid supplies in your first apartment.

Bandages
Antibiotic ointment,
Pain relievers, etc.

Emergency supply items:

In case of an emergency, you will need to have a few key items on hand.

Flashlight
Batteries
Candles
Matches
Non-perishable food items – canned goods, dry goods, etc.
Water bottles

DIY supplies:

In case you need to do fixes around your first apartment, it is good to have some supplies on hand.

Tape – duct tape, painter’s tape, etc.
Tool kit – screwdriver, hammer, nails, screws
Light bulbs
Extension cords

Places to buy your first apartment checklist items from:

You always what to have a budget when stocking your first apartment. Look for discounts and sales when purchasing items for your first apartment checklist.

Grocery store – canned goods, dry goods, snacks, drinks, spices, etc.
Hardware store – light bulbs, extension cords, tape, etc.
Target – first aid essentials, emergency supply items, etc.
IKEA – furniture, kitchen items, etc.
Amazon – anything and everything for your first apartment checklist!
Yard sales – great for finding furniture, décor, and kitchen items on a budget.
Thrift stores – Places like Dollar stores, Five Below, Goodwill or even the Salvation Army can have items on our list for cheap.
Online retailers – eBay, Etsy, Craigslist, etc. can be great places to find first apartment checklist items.

Now that you have your first apartment checklist, you are ready to move into your first apartment! Be sure to double-check that you have everything on the list before moving day. Congrats on taking this big step! Enjoy your first apartment!

Final word: First apartment checklist

There you have it! This first apartment checklist should help you make sure that you have everything you need when moving into your first place. Of course, every situation is different, so be sure to tailor this list to your specific needs.

Now that you know what to bring with you when moving into your first apartment, it’s time to get packing! So, start packing up your things and get ready for your big move! We can’t wait to see what you do with your new space.

And don’t forget to have fun decorating your first apartment! After all, it’s your first place and it should reflect your unique style. Happy moving!

Over to you

Did we forget anything on our first apartment checklist? Let us know in the comments below! And be sure to share this article with anyone who is looking for a first apartment checklist.

Moving into a first apartment can be a daunting task, but with a little preparation, it can be a smooth and enjoyable experience. Good luck!

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About the Author

Don Smith

Don is a father, real estate investor, self-directed investor and a personal finance enthusiast. He also holds an MBA and loves to share his financial Journey with others.

First apartment checklist 2022: Everything you need to move in

Why do you need a first apartment checklist?

Complete first apartment checklist