The First Apartment Essentials Checklist
What you need on day one, what can wait a month and what you can skip. Tick items off as you go, or print the list and take it shopping.
In this article
How to use this checklist
Buy in three rounds. Round one gets you sleeping, washing and eating on the first night. Round two fills in the first month, once you know how you use the place. Round three is everything that is nice to have. Spreading it out stops you paying for things you turn out not to need.
Before you buy furniture, measure the rooms, the doorways and the stairs or lift.
Before you move in
- Read the lease for rules on hanging things, painting and appliances
- Photograph every room, including existing marks and damage, and send the photos to your landlord
- Set up electricity, gas, water and internet in your name
- Find the fuse box (breaker panel), the water shut-off and the smoke alarms
- Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and report any that do not work
- Arrange contents (renters) insurance
Day one: sleep
- Mattress and a bed frame or base
- Two sets of sheets and pillowcases
- Pillows and a duvet or comforter
- Curtains or blinds that give you privacy
- A lamp you can reach from bed
Day one: bathroom
- Shower curtain and rings, if needed
- Two bath towels and a hand towel per person
- Toilet paper, hand soap and a toilet brush
- A bath mat
- A plunger
Day one: kitchen
- One frying pan and one saucepan with a lid
- A chef's knife and a chopping board
- A wooden spoon, a spatula and a can opener
- Plates, bowls, glasses and mugs for two more people than live there
- Cutlery
- Dish soap, a sponge and tea towels
- A bin and bin bags
Day one: cleaning and safety
- All-purpose cleaner and cloths
- A broom and dustpan, or a vacuum
- A basic first-aid kit
- A torch (flashlight) and spare batteries
- A small tool kit: screwdrivers, hammer, tape measure, pliers
First month
- A sofa or comfortable chairs
- A table to eat at, even a small folding one
- A baking tray, a colander and mixing bowls
- Food storage containers
- A laundry basket and a drying rack
- Hangers
- A mop and bucket
- An extension lead (power strip) with surge protection
- A doormat
- A full-length mirror
Storage and organization
- Under-bed storage boxes
- Adhesive hooks for coats, towels and keys
- A shoe rack or tray by the door
- Drawer dividers for the kitchen and bathroom
See 21 small apartment storage ideas before buying storage: measure first, then buy to fit.
Nice to have later
- A rug
- Extra lamps for the corners of the main room
- A bedside table
- Plants
- Art and a way to hang it that your lease allows
- A few smart plugs or bulbs. Smart home setup for a first apartment explains where to start
What you can skip
Single-use kitchen gadgets, a full matching furniture set, a large dining table "for guests" and anything bought only because it was on someone else's list. If you have not missed it after a month, you did not need it.
Once the basics are in, the small apartment living guide covers how to arrange and improve the space.
Frequently asked questions
What should I buy first for a new apartment?
Whatever lets you sleep, wash and eat on the first night: a bed and bedding, towels and toiletries, and a few pieces of cookware and tableware. Everything else can wait until you know how you use the space.
How much does it cost to furnish a first apartment?
It varies widely with where you live and whether you buy new or second-hand. Buying in rounds, starting with the essentials, keeps the first bill manageable and avoids waste.
What do people forget when moving into their first apartment?
A plunger, a shower curtain, light bulbs, a basic tool kit, an extension lead and cleaning supplies are the usual first-night surprises.