Moving soon and need a first apartment checklist? Yay! You are in the right place, and I’m so excited to dive into ALL things apartment.
This post covers IN DEPTH all the first apartment essentials you’ll need when you first move in PLUS the things that are nice to buy *over time*.
Why buy over time?
Because moving into a new apartment, especially for the the first time, is SO expensive! Even when you are just moving from one place to the next, it still gets pricey.
Therefore, I have broken up this post into two main sections: the first apartment essentials you *really* need when you first move in, and second, all the things you'll definitely want to have but can wait some time to buy!
This post is all about the only first apartment checklist you will ever need!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
First Apartment Checklist
First Apartment Checklist PDF
What do I need for my first apartment checklist? Glad you asked! This printable first apartment checklist pdf has everything you need + the things that are nice to buy over time once you have settled in!
FREE FIRST APARTMENT CHECKLIST PDF
First Apartment Tips
How do I prepare for my first apartment?
If this is your first time renting then there are various things to think about when moving! Maybe you are moving from a dorm to an apartment, or moving out of your parent's house for the first time to an apartment.
As far as logistics go, there are various things you can do to prepare for a smooth transition!
How much should I save for my first apartment?
This is a great question! It also depends where you live because cost of living varies widely between cities.
For example, when I moved into my apartment for grad school I had to save $2,000 to cover the cost of the initial deposit plus rent (the Bay Area is expensive!).
Alternatively, when I moved from the Bay Area to San Diego I was moving into a friend's place and didn't have to pay a deposit. I only had to pay $800 for the first months rent.
So if you already have a job and will be keeping that job after moving, you could just save for your deposit + first month's rent.
If you are moving to a new city and will be job hunting (AKA no pay) for a couple weeks, then plan to save for deposit + first month's rent + money to cover 3 weeks of daily expenses.
What groceries should I buy for my first apartment?
On move in day, it would be a great idea to go grocery shopping so your not eating out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a week straight.
That would add up real quick! An easy way to save lots of money is to plan ahead so you can have some basic meals at your new place.
This is what you can eat for the first few days while half of your stuff is still in boxes and you may or may not have a way to cook real food yet!
Once you get settled in and need to stock up the pantry for some real cooking, you can get the following:
First Apartment Checklist on a Budget (only the essentials you *really* need)
So, like the heading implies we are going to break this up into two sections.
There are some things that are pretty essential to live comfortably, and some things that are nice, but can definitely wait!
When I moved into my apartment in the Bay Area I was on a TIGHT budget and could only buy the bare necessities when I moved in.
If you are in the same boat, then the first section below is a list of exactly that! The bare necessities for your first apartment + some great tips and tricks to getting it all at a super affordable price!
First Apartment Essentials For The Living Room
These are the only things you *really* need for your new apartment living room when you first move in. If you are like me, you will be very gung ho about all things decorating, but if you have a tight budget things like a TV, rug, and decorations can wait!
If you are wondering how much to budget for these apartment essentials, then decide first whether you will be buying things brand new or second hand. We had a mix of both and our total came to $110.
Couch: free from a friend,
Coffee table: $25 at a thrift store
Curtains: $60 because I splurged on my favorite brand
Floor lamp: $25
Couch
Sadly couches are SO dang expensive! A huge tip is to check out Craigslist (just don't go alone to pick it up), OfferUp, Facebook Market, and thrift stores!
We actually got our couch (the we adore because it is so BIG and cozy) for free! My boyfriend happened to notice on one of our friend's IG stories that she was giving away a bunch of furniture.
She had the money to buy some brand new stuff, and we got to benefit because we got to pick up her current couch for free!!
That was a bit of luck though and you can't really go too long without having somewhere to sit in your living room! Luckily, Amazon has the MOST affordable couches I have personally found (that are brand new). The tan couch is under $300 and the grey is under $400.
Not too shabby, and I'm a huge fan of the L-shaped couches!
Coffee Table
And once you have a place to sit, you need a place to set some stuff down (or eat dinner every night lol)! Our rental house is so small that our coffee table is our substitute for a dining room table .
We can't wait until one day we can eat at a real table again! Until then, a coffee table is essential for us and there is a good chance it will be for you too!
Once again, we got a great deal and found ours at a thrift store for 25 bucks!
Below are a couple great options for under $100.
Curtains
Next up, we need some basic curtains so our neighbors can't peep in whenever they so please. You will definitely want the peace of mind that no one can look inside you place so buy these in advance if you know you need some!
Hopefully, there will already be the necessary hardware to hang them up, otherwise you will have to buy that as well.
The ones on the right by the way are the ones I splurged on and I LOVE. Hearth & Hand at Magnolia is my weakness when I go to target!
If you're looking for the best deal though, the white curtains from Amazon are super affordable! Plus white is great to make a tiny apartment look bigger!
Floor Lamp
Majority of the places I have rented have not had lighting in the living room! It drives me crazy, but oh well!
The Room Essentials brand from Walmart is by far your best bet for the cheapest option. If you want affordable, but a little cuter then once again Target is a great place to head!
First Apartment Essentials For The Bedroom
Alright, we have covered the living room essentials and now we are on to the bedroom! Here, we have some more furniture pieces to buy that are ALSO expensive!
Ugh, who ever said adulting is fun?
Just kidding, just use the same tips as above and you will find some great deals! Here are the only bedroom essentials you *really* need when you are just moving in:
When I first moved into my apartment in San Diego I was able to get a cheap bedframe for $60, a mattress on Craigslist for $200, a floor lamp from Walmart for $20, and I already had hangers.
Therefore, you could budget around $300 for the bedroom essentials if you are willing to hunt for the good deals!
Bed Frame
A great cheap option is the basic bed frames from Amazon, which are not cute or decorative by any means but it is a nice upgrade from simply having your mattress straight on the floor! (yes that was me for about a year lol)
They still have some affordable options that are a bit nicer looking if you want to splurge a little bit.
Considering your bedroom is a place you will be spending a lot of time, it would definitely be worth splurging on a nicer bed frame though! It just depends on your own budget and how much you want to spend vs. how nice you want your room to look!
Cheapest
Middle
Splurge
Mattress
Although I have done it (and actually got a really nice one) a mattress is probably one of those things that I wouldn't blame you for not getting secondhand. If you do, just make sure before you even show up that it is from a smoke and pet free home.
Pro Tip: You can also ask the seller to send you a picture of the tags (all mattresses have them apparently, I learned this when I sold mine on OfferUp).
Once you have that, you can 1) see when it was sold so you know how old it is and 2) look up the model number so you know how much the original price was!
Bedding
For your bed you'll need a sheet set, duvet and duvet cover (or comforter), and pillows! Amazon Basics or Target are great places to get some good deals.
The duvet cover below is my favorite because the buttons are such a cute touch and it is really cheap!
Hangers or Dresser
If your apartment has a nice roomy closet, then all you need is some hangers! If the closet is tiny and will in no way fit all your clothes, then you might need a dresser as well.
And of course, you may have no closet at all! In which case you'll definitely need a dresser OR simply some cheap drawers until you can splurge on a nice dresser.
When I moved into my apartment for grad school, I went to Target and the CHEAP plastic drawers below that are a great substitute for a dresser!
There was no way I would have afforded one at the time and at least the dark brown color makes it look pretty decent IMO!
First Apartment Essentials For The Kitchen
Next up is the kitchen essentials! In the beginning all you really need are basics so you can eat, heat up your food, and do a little cooking. Once you are settled in you can buy more kitchen gadgets like a Keurig and nice mixer!
You might need to buy a microwave although most of the places I have rented had one already. I was quite shocked when we moved into our rental house this year and there was no microwave!
I was being so cheap and stingy already because the deposit was so expensive, I was so mad we had to buy one!
Believe it or not, you can get your MAIN cooking essentials for just under $250! That is without the hassle of searching through Facebook Market and OfferUp for hours on end!
Read More: The Ultimate List of Affordable Kitchen Essentials
The blog post linked breaks down in detail how much you would spend on the basic kitchen essentials with a tight budget vs. a slightly more lenient budget. Check it out!
Here are some of my top (SUPER affrodable) picks to stock up your apartment's kitchen:
First Apartment Essentials For The Bathroom
The only thing your really *need* for the bathroom is toilet paper (don't forget this!! lol), towels, a shower curtain, and a rug. Having a rug in the bathroom is more than just decoration. It helps prevent the floor from getting wet and messing up hardwood floors or creating problems!
First Apartment Essentials For The Laundry Room
Our current rental house isn't even big enough for a whole laundry room! Haha, but regardless of whether you have one or not you will definitely need these laundry essentials for your new apartment!
Cleaning Essentials For Your First Apartment
Fun Fact: Having your first apartment that you pay for with your own hard earned money will turn the biggest slob into at least a semi-neat freak!
My friend Brooke always had the MESSIEST dorm room. I'm talking half empty pizza boxes, bags from Taco Bell, clothes all over the floor, MESSY!
But now that she lives in a rental house she is actually fairly clean (so she says)! I do believe her though, because now she complains when her roommates do something messy or don't clean up after themselves.
It is quite hilarious, and I myself am MUCH cleaner than in high school. My mom always yelled at me for not cleaning my room and I always thought she was psycho for cleaning the whole house before guests came over.
Well now I GET IT! And you will too once you live in your first place, I bet on it! Anyway, even if you think you don't plan to be a clean freak, these are essentials!
Not to mention, you'll end up not getting your full deposit back when you move out if you are too messy!
Miscellaneous Necessities When Moving Into A New Apartment
I have had the same amazing toolbox for SIX years now! I'm not kidding when I say this is ESSENTIAL! My mom bought it for me when I moved into my first apartment and I have lugged it around the country ever since.
I have used it a million times and will never throw it away, it is SO good to have! Also, a full length mirror is something I personally think is "essential". It is just my pet peeve to have to walk out the door and not having a full length mirror to see what the heck my outfit looks like!
Tips To Save Money and Stick to Your First Apartment Budget
Are you overwhelmed after looking through all the things you need for your first apartment? Don't be! There are plenty of ways you can save lots of money and stick to your first apartment budget.
New Apartment Checklist (things you don't need right away & can buy over time)
Alright, so these are all the things that are *really* nice to have, but not essential if you are sticking to a tight budget!
Once you have everything above, you can start with one room at a time to accumulate all the things you really want.
I personally like to start with the bedroom because I like decorating that room the most and making it super cute. Whatever you prefer, just know you don't need to buy all these things at once!
Living Room
What else can you get for your new apartment living room? A TV duh! Don't fret if you don't have any roommates to split this splurge with.
Surprisingly, TVs are not that expensive these days! While you may not mind using your laptop to watch Netflix for a while, this will probably be an item you'll be wanting soon after moving in.
Other things like a TV stand, Roku, decorations, etc. are also additions you can add over time and find some great deals on!
Bedroom
My favorite place to make look nice! Unlike TVs, nightstands are for some reason SO expensive! I love how they look and how you can decorate your room with them, but jeez! How can something so small and not really that functional be so much?! Luckily, Amazon has some decent prices!
Another thing we love having in the room is an Echo Show! Not necessary, but very nice to have for music, news, setting alarms, etc.
Kitchen
There is a million things you could buy for your kitchen once you are settled in! Like a cool veggie chopper isn't a necessity, but it makes your life SO much easier. Same with having a crockpot and air fryer to cook with.
There are so many cool kitchen gadgets that make cooking 10x more fun. I suggest adding a few over time and asking for the more expensive ones for birthday or Christmas!
Bathroom
We don't have much cabinet space or shelves to work with in our bathroom (shocker!) lol but this white cart that I got from Target is an awesome solution! The white looks super cute with the colors we have, it is really affordable, AND the three tiers make it super functional!
I love it and highly suggest it!
Miscellaneous
Last but not least, below are some things I love having. These are great things to add to your new apartment over time so you can really make it feel like home!
Additionally, the clothes steamer is another thing my mom got me and it is amazing! It saves you from having to get an ironing board and iron (no room for that in a small space) and it works so well!
The images below are the perfect pins for your favorite Pinterest board!
Final Thoughts
I hope you found this first apartment checklist incredibly helpful! I personally get excited to find good deals, until I realize that finding those good deals takes hours on end! With this post, you have ALL the best deals on any first apartment essentials you might need! Happy shopping!