Things You Need on Your New Apartment Checklist

What Do I Need to Do When Moving Into a New Apartment?

If you finally have enough reasons to move and this is your first time relocating, you might be feeling overwhelmed with many responsibilities that are coming your way. Have you thought about the relocation budget and learned all of the house-hunting trips? Are you uncertain about moving in with your significant other and experiencing anxiety about moving out? What are the things you should put on your relocation to-do list and how to save money for everything that you have to get to decorate your new flat? 

All of these questions might come up at some point, so you can’t help but wonder what exactly needs to be done to have a stress-free relocation? One of the great moving hacks is hiring a professional long-distance moving company. With their convenient cross-country moving services, you can relocate efficiently and enjoy the whole experience. But, apart from this, there is still some stuff you have to consider doing on your own, and that’s why our apartment move-in checklist is here.

What Does a New Apartment Need?

This depends on a couple of major factors. First of all, is your flat furnished or completely empty? If you have to start from scratch, that is a much more serious task than adding some details that will turn this space into your personal comfort zone. For example, if it’s not furnished, and you weren’t able to bring your old furniture, you should start with the basics. 

Once you get the essential pieces of furniture, you can continue with smaller details and appliances. The goal is to ensure your home is fully functional as soon as you move and continue making it more and more comfortable with every passing day. In this article, we’ll go through every category of items you have to get in order to make your place a true dream home.

Furniture Comes First, No Matter the Room

In the time of coronavirus, we had to accept the fact that quarantine was a new reality. This is the period when most of the people in the world spend the majority of their time at home, no matter how social and outgoing they actually are. This is probably the moment when some of these people realized that they have to optimize their homes in a way that it becomes more comfortable and overall a better place for living. 

In case you’re relocating from a house to a condo, you can use some creative small flat ideas that will help you use most of the space you have. So what is the first thing you’ll want to get for an apartment? When it comes to furniture, some of the first flat essentials you should put on your list of things to buy are:

• Bed,
• Dresser,
• Dining table,
• Chairs,
• Desk,
• Sofa,
• Shelves.

In case you’re relocating some old furniture pieces from your previous house, this might be a good opportunity to give them a little makeover. For example, you could change padding and cushioning on your sofa or repaint some old shelves.

You’ll Have to Buy Some Kitchen Appliances

Once you move to another city and finally get to your kitchen, you might be surprised how under-equipped it actually is. Don’t get disappointed, this is a very common thing for an unused kitchen. You have to start with the basics, especially if you don’t spend much time cooking. For starters, you should put the following items on your list:

• Set of plates and glasses,
• Mugs
• Cutlery,
• Pots and pans,
• Bowls,
• Cleaning supplies and a sponge,
• Paper towels.

Essentials You’ll Eventually Want in Your Kitchen Storage

Sure, you can survive a day or a week in your flat with the previously mentioned essentials, but unfortunately, for full comfort, you’ll need more than that. Here is some other stuff you’ll eventually have to get:

• Drying rack for dishes,
• Kitchen towels,
• Cutlery tray,
• Oven mitt,
• Can opener,
• Cutting board,
• Various cooking utensils,
• Wine glasses,
• Knife set,
• Kettle,
• Toaster,
• Microwave,
• Coffee maker,
• Aluminum foil,
• Garbage bags.
• Food storage containers.

For the End, Add Some Food to Your Kitchen Cabinets and Fridge

Apart from stocking your kitchen with all the dishes and appliances, don’t forget the most important thing – food. Since you probably have a lot of stuff at your previous home, and you used to refill your cabinets regularly, it might be hard to remember all of the things you should get. Depending on your taste and personal diet, you should put some of the following basics on your list:

• Sugar,
• Salt,
• Peper,
• Spices you frequently use,
• All-purpose flour,
• Coffee and tea,
• Rice,
• Bread,
• Cooking oil,
• Cereals,
• Vinegar,
• Pasta,
• Snacks.

For the fridge, you should get milk, butter, eggs, cheese, and some fresh fruit or vegetables. Perishable food is among the things movers won’t move, so you shouldn’t reallocate some of these items even if you have leftovers in your previous flat. Instead of taking them with you, consider donating them to a local charity center.

Your New Apartment Checklist Should Also Include Bathroom Supplies

If you want to feel comfortable around your place, it is essential that you keep it clean, and what is a better place to begin with than your bathroom. People are sometimes unaware of the amount of time they spend in their bathrooms and what they actually use there. Just a quick reminder, if you want to make your showering area a little more than that, you should get:

• Towels,
• Shower curtain,
• Toilet seat,
• Toothbrush holder,
• Soap bar tray,
• Trash bin,
• Toilet paper,
• Wet wipes,
• Toilet brush,
• Cleaning supplies.

Add Some Furniture and Appliances to Your Bathroom

Apart from some of these basic supplies, you’ll probably have to install some shelves where you can keep your towels and other stuff. Another cool option is a mirror cabinet. Even if you don’t put makeup in your bathroom or don’t use it at all, it would be awkward not to have a mirror inside your bathroom. If you want to invest in one with a cabinet behind it, congratulations – you just got yourself some hidden storage place, ideal for keeping medicines and toiletries. You will probably need a bath mat as well, so you can avoid stepping on cold tiles.

Living Room Is Another Area You Should Furnish Properly

The living room is an area where you definitely want to feel comfortable and spend your days chilling around in a cozy environment. Most people suggest that you have to get a sofa, a coffee table, and a TV, for starters. If you don’t watch TV often and like to use your phone or laptop for watching Netflix instead, TV doesn’t have to be first on the new apartment shopping list. Some other stuff you can add to optimize this area are:

• Bookshelves,
• Lamps,
• Cushions and blankets,
• Beanbags or armchairs,
• Rugs,
• Candles, vases, and other decorative items.

Here’s a video showing how to make your living room more comfortable while staying on a budget. 

After Getting a Bed, Your Bedroom Will Require Other Essentials

As we mentioned earlier, the bed is one of the new apartment essentials – you’ll, without a doubt, need something to sleep on the very first night at your place. Apart from bed frames and a mattress you can move from your old bedroom, you are also going to need bed sheets, pillows, blankets, and anything else you can add on top of it to make it even more cozy and comfortable

Other Bedroom Accessories You Should Get at Some Point

Sure, you’ll get a bed, but you know this won’t be enough to fulfill all your needs. You’ll have to add some accessories that will maximize the comfort in your sleeping area. Some other stuff you can add later on include:

• Nightstand,
• Bedside lamp,
• Alarm clock,
• Mirror,
• Curtains,
• Under-bed storage containers.

You Should Consider Getting Some Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning supplies are something you will use as soon as you get to your flat, for example, for cleaning before moving in. Apart from changing the toilet seat and shower curtain, you’ll probably like to clean your kitchen counters and cabinets before you start unpacking – as well as any other part of your flat before you set up all the furniture. Proper cleaning isn’t possible without these supplies:

• Garbage bags,
• Broom, 
• Vacuum cleaner, 
• Sponges,
• Paper towels,
• Mop and a bucket,
• Cleaning spay – preferably antibacterial,
• Wood cleaner,
• Soap,
• Rubber gloves.

Additional Cleaning Supplies

Later on, you can buy some other stuff, such as a microfiber cloth and furniture polish. Also, consider getting baking soda and vinegar – this combination is great for making a homemade mixture that is good for removing some persistent stains, plus it is environmentally friendly. 

Instead of buying one, you should consider relocating your vacuum cleaner, especially if it’s a high-quality one. If you don’t know how to pack it properly, getting packing services from long-distance movers is always a good option. If you are relocating with children, it is good to consider baby-proofing your home and keeping these supplies out of their reach and sight. 

Now That You Know All the Things You Need for New Apartment, It’s Time to Move

Congratulations, now that you have come to the end of this article, you officially know all the things you need for an apartment! This should definitely lower your anxiety level and help you organize your move like a pro. When it comes to relocating inventory from your previous condo, you can always count on professional long-distance movers and keep everything on track. 

Furnishing your place can be a true delight after you move everything without any worries. Just keep focused on your priorities and stick to your budget. Get the essentials first and use all the time in the world to play with details and additional decorations. Once you actually start living there, it will be easier for you to recognize all the stuff you require, so you’ll definitely get them at some point – don’t put additional pressure on yourself, you’ll have your dream home eventually.