Moving into your very own place for the first time is an exciting event in anyone’s life. However, if you don’t go into it prepared, it can turn into a pretty stressful ordeal. There are some first apartment essentials that you should buy before moving cross country to make sure your adjustment to the new place goes smoothly. Of course, every person, home, and interstate moving process is different, so this list might end up varying a little. Still, it is a good place to start when relocating into your first apartment.
First Apartment Essentials Checklist: Create It Before Moving
If you’re wondering, What do I need to buy for my first apartment, know that the first thing to do before you go shopping for your future place is to create a checklist. You will want to divide the checklist by rooms in the flat and list the things you should buy. The checklist will help you stay on track, make sure you do not forget to take anything important to your new place, and prevent possible fear of moving.
Living Room Essentials
For most people, the living room is the place where they spend their leisure time. This means that not many things in the living room are really essential. However, you will want to get at least some basic furniture in the near future. This includes a sofa, a coffee table, a TV, and a stand, while any other pieces of furniture or other items can come later: a rug, paintings, decorative pillows, etc.
A couch, sofa, small table, and a TV are enough for the beginning
Bedroom Necessities
Unlike the living room, your bedroom will definitely need certain stuff for the very first night, so remember to put them on your checklist. Of course, this mainly includes a bed or a mattress if you can’t afford a bed frame right away. Bed linen and pillows are essential as well. After all, you don’t want to be sleeping on a mattress that just got loaded off a moving truck. Stuff you will want to buy for the bedroom as soon as possible also includes a bedside table and a lamp. Drawers for clothes and, depending on your lifestyle, a desk, a bookshelf, and a wardrobe will also prove to be essential.
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One of the First Apartment Necessities – A Mattress
Unless you already have the mattress, it should be one of the priorities after you move in. If you’re planning to buy one, make sure to do that before you cross the threshold of your new place, because sleeping on the floor after three nights loses its charm. That’s why it should be among the top-five on your new apartment shopping list. You can purchase a bed frame in several weeks or even a month, but you need something comfy for sleeping.
A comfortable mattress is the main factor for good sleep
Bathroom and Toilet Supplies
Much like your bedroom, certain items for your bathroom should be on your checklist as well. For example, you will want to get some towels – at least two for starters, but we recommend buying more later. Every bathroom should have a plunger and a toilet brush, an air freshener, a smaller trash can, and holders for soap and toothbrushes. Glasses or cups can come in handy as holders for toothbrushes.
Cleaning Supplies and Toiletries
Of course, unpacking and furnishing your flat won’t make much sense if you don’t clean it first. This is why you should also get some basic cleaning products. These can include sponges, brushes, rags, all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, and so on. Make sure all the floors are clean before you bring boxes and furniture in.
Set aside a necessity bag that will contain all the toiletries you will want to have in the first few days for your bathroom routines, such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, a comb, a shaving kit, cotton swabs, and wet wipes. Don’t get carried away, though, as some of these products can take too much space. They can even get ruined during transport due to inadequate temperature, for instance.
Toilet Paper
For some reason, we often forget about expendable things such as toilet paper until we need them. Make sure to stock up on such items enough that you don’t have to think about them for a few days.
Toilet paper is a must, but it's usually overlooked
Kitchen Essentials
Your kitchen will also require some things added to your checklist. These include items for preparing food such as pots and pans, oven-safe dishes, as well as plates and utensils, glasses and mugs, a trash can, and towels. If you’ve ever wondered how to pack pots and pans for moving, or how to pack kitchen items for relocation in general, this will be an excellent moment to learn all the steps and methods. As far as white goods go, a fridge, a freezer, and a stove and oven are pretty crucial. Of course, you can buy everything else you deem necessary, including cleaning products.
Stock Up the Kitchen
As we’ve already mentioned, you most likely won’t have time to cook in the first few days after the move. On the other hand, ordering delivery for every meal could prove to be expensive, especially with all the moving expenses you have to take care of. That’s why it would be good to stock up on instant meals that you can simply heat and eat right away.
Of course, there are probably many good eateries where you can grab a bite, but it’s advisable to have some food in your house before you get the time to explore the area and find the right places to eat.
Instant noodles or canned soup are ideal meals for the first few days
Other Apartment Necessities
Of course, this is hardly everything you should have in your first home. There is a long list of other essentials that don’t always belong to the same category, for the simple reason that every apartment is different. For example, if your flat has a laundry room, you will want to buy a washer and dryer, detergent, softener, and dryer sheets. If there is no laundry in your flat, these objects could take up too much space in your bathroom or kitchen. Here are some other things you should include in your checklist.
Boxes and Other Storage Solutions
Unless you are relocating into a fully furnished place, you will likely need some temporary storage for the first few weeks. You can store your belongings in boxes, but there are also cheap build-it-yourself wardrobes you can use until your actual wardrobe arrives.
In case you’d like professional state-to-state movers to give you a hand with your move, they can provide you with useful storage space for your place.
A First-Aid Kit Should Be Among Your First Apartment Essentials
Cars are not the only places where you want to have a first-aid kit. A large portion of accidents happens at home, which is why it would be wise to add a box with essential first-aid things such as bandaids, sanitizers, and so on to the moving checklist.
When you’re moving across the country and don’t know how to find a new doctor when you move even with the smallest cut, the safest course of action would be to have a first-aid kit of your own. You might injure yourself during unpacking or doing something in the backyard. Bring some first-aid items just to be on the safe side.
Think About the Needs of Your Little Ones
If you are moving with kids, there are additional things you should think about. If your kid is still a baby or a toddler, you will want to child-proof the house right away. Besides, essentials for their daily routine, such as a bed, a changing table, and their toys, should be at the top of your list.
Even if you’re not relocating with a baby or a toddler, you’re still the one to think about your child’s things that might be necessary or help your kid get used to the new space.
If you are moving with pets, there are some things you should bring for them too. First and foremost, their food and water bowls. It would also be a good idea to bring their beds and/or blankets, as these familiar objects could help the pet adjust to the unfamiliar surroundings.
Toolkit and Sewing Kit
Every home should have a basic tool kit containing a hammer, nails, screwdrivers, screws with nuts, pliers, etc. How to unpack after a move is a question that requires not only a skilled person but a necessary toolkit. Even if you leave this part to expert long distance movers, something could break during your first days in the new house. Of course, you don’t want to think about that possibility, but it could happen. Always be prepared for any potential situation so that you don’t have to look for a handyman as soon as you move in.
For all those small clothing mishaps, a sewing kit will come in handy. And of course, if you don’t know how to use it, it might be a good idea to learn a couple of ways to sew.
Electronics
Nowadays, homes have electronic devices in practically every room. That is why you should stock up on extension cords, power strips, batteries, and light bulbs.
Security Measures
A fire alarm, carbon monoxide detector, and a door security system are a must for every home, especially if you live alone. No matter how safe your neighborhood is, do bring these, too. It will help you feel even safer and completely at peace in your new place, so make sure to add this to your ultimate checklist for moving to a new state.
A Heater or a Fan
If your future flat doesn’t have air conditioning yet, you will likely want a portable heater or a fan, depending on the time of the year, to get you through the first couple of days.
Kids' and pets' necessities should be your priorities
What a Girl Needs for Her First Apartment
We mentioned things needed for the first apartment, including all essentials for your regular daily routine. Have you ever wondered if there is any difference between a place where a woman lives and where a guy settles down? Essentially, there isn’t. We all need a bed, table, dishes, utensils, toiletries, etc. But when it comes to details and decorative things, there certainly are some differences.
The truth is, women are more often shopaholics and like to accumulate things that they don’t actually need. So, besides a bottle of Poo-Pourri spray with citrus or lavender scent and trendy coasters, which are more likely to be found in a girl’s place, there are some decorative elements women like to have as apartment necessities:
- Shower storage filled with all possible beauty products
- A chic utensil holder
- A plant or flower (yes, real and living)
- Paintings for walls
- Desk lamps for extra lighting or cute string lights
Women like to have romantic lamps in the living room or bedroom
Make Your First Place Feel Like Home With Apartment Essentials
Everyone likes to feel cozy and comfortable in their own space. That’s why people love to be surrounded by beautiful things. Sometimes, a fresh start means the next phase in your life, and you might feel like everything needs to be new, including furniture, electronics, decoration, etc. Still, with so many wishes, keep in mind that your priority should be how to move successfully. After that, you should start thinking about other moving hacks, such as how to dispose of unwanted appliances and how to move your favorite belongings.
First, consider hiring long-distance movers, and choose their moving and packing services. Don’t forget about moving insurance if something breaks during transportation, and if you have a car, auto transport might come in handy. After establishing a budget, you can outfit your place for comfortable living and think about questions such as What essentials do you need for a new home? or What are the first things to buy for a new house?
