Ultimate Apartment Essentials List For Your New Apartment

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.

This post is all about the apartment essentials you need.

Hey guys, let’s face it. Moving into your first apartment is not only scary but it’s also SUPER exciting. While yes, you could be focused on the move itself, it’s also important to make sure you have everything you need. Decorating your first apartment is special, yes, but also can be a lot of fun!

And trust me, I know exactly how you feel right now. Literally trying to pick out stuff for my first apartment was SO hard. It’s not even the same as decorating for a dorm room. With an apartment, you have so many more things to consider. How to decorate your bedroom. How to decorate your living room. What to put in your kitchen. I literally was so stressed out lol!

But guys, it doesn’t have to be that way. I’m here to show you that shopping for your first apartment doesn’t have to be scary at all. In fact, that’s why I made this post to go through everything you need for your first apartment so you can move in to a place that looks cute and works perfect for you! I hope you find all of these helpful and more!

This post shows you the apartment essentials you need.

LIVING ROOM ESSENTIALS

(This section covers all the living room essentials you need for your new apartment.)

1. Rug

Now, I don’t know what kind of apartment you have. Maybe you have carpet already. But if you have hardwood like me, then you will def want a rug. A rug is not only super stylish and cute but it will also make sure that you’re not freezing to death as soon as you walk on it.

I mean, just think about it. It can get SO cold in the winter, even just at night time. You will def want to make sure you have a nice warm rug that makes your place look cute and also feel nice and cozy.

And guys, this def not have to be expensive at all. They have super cheap ones on Amazon or at Target that look way more expensive than they actually are. I was so impressed.

2. Mini Couch

Okay, how could I not put this on here. Haha literally a couch is one of the first things you will want to get for your new apartment. 

You might think that couches are so huge that they have to be super expensive, right? But actually no. There’s tons of them now that are super affordable but still look nice and expensive.

It’s seriously so nice when you come from something to your apartment to just relax and chill on your couch. You could watch movies on there, read a nice book, take a nap lol. Literally the possibilities are endless. But you will def want to get a couch!

3. Throw Pillows

If you’re gonna have a nice couch in your apartment, then obviously you want the couch to look nice, too, right haha. And thats where you will want cute throw pillows to decorate that will make it look that much more put together.

I absolutely love throw pillows cause even tho it’s mostly for decoration, you can get ones that are super fuzzy and soft. And it’s so nice when you’re chilling on the couch to just reach over and UGH. I love throw pillows haha! (Def get these for your new apartment).

4. Throw Blanket

Okay, now this goes right along with the pillows. You can’t just have a couch. And just have throw pillows. You obviously need a blanket to go with those lol. And there’s no better blanket that goes with throw pillows than a throw blanket.

Throw blankets are kinda like normal blankets but they’re more decorative and when you’re not using them can mostly stay draped over your couch. It can def make a place that feels cold and boring suddenly feel a lot more warm and homey. 

Honestly, throw blankets are some of the first things I look for when shopping for an apartment cause they’re so important and make everything else feel more cozy. I get them for living rooms but also for bedrooms too!

5. Coffee Table

Coffee tables are great for a number of reasons. First, they’re great to put your coffee on lol. But also I just love them cause they make the whole space feel so much more elevated. 

I mean, think about it. When you walk into a room and you see a coffee table, doesn’t it feel a lot more decorated? You get the effect of having furniture without having to spend a ton of money on expensive furniture. 

Oh, and they’re so versatile too.

6. Ladder Shelf

So this is something you will absolutely want. Idk what kinda apartment you have. Maybe you’re lucky and it’s like super huge with lots of space. (Can’t relate lol.) But if you’re like the rest of us, you will need shelves to put stuff.

And these are not just great for storage. They are perfect for display as well! You can put books here, little trinkets from antique shops, picture frames, and just anything else you wanna display. I really feel like everyone should get these. And you can lean them up beside a tv or something so they create nice symmetry. (Your apartment will def look more put together with a ladder shelf)

7. Coat Rack

So this may or may not be something you need. It kinda depends on what weather you have. But even if you live somewhere where it’s not freezing all the time, having a coat rack can also just be a great design piece.

But for those of that do live in colder climates, a coat rack is super convenient and can make walking out the door way less stressful. Think about it. You’re rushing to get somewhere, already late, and you can just quickly grab your coat and head out. No fussing through a messy closet. Just quick simple convenience. I love coat racks!

8. Artwork

Guys, you can’t not have artwork in your apartment. If you look at any interior design videos on youtube, you will notice that literally all of them have pieces of art to decorate the walls. Maybe just a little piece hanging your bathroom, something in the hallway, above your bed, etc.

Having artwork will literally dress up your whole place and make it look way more elegant and put together. People will walk into your apartment be like WOW, cause it just looks so good. You never really notice how needed it is until it’s not there. 

9. Floor Lamp

Lamps are another thing that you will def want to put all around your apartment. Obviously don’t over do it but a floor lamp in your living room, maybe next to the couch, will look great!

Lamps provide a whole different type of lighting compared to normal lights and especially at night, they make your place feel so much more cozy and warm. Imagine literally laying on your coach with the nice warm lamp as you read a book. Total vibes lol.

10. Artificial Plant

Idk about you but I’m obsessed with plants. I think they look absolutely amazing and are super relaxing to look at. Sure you can have a real plant in your apartment too but what happens when it dies.. and starts rotting lol. Ew.

Yeah you will def instead want to get artificial plants that stay looking amazing forever. Artificial potted plants to go on your media console, artificial tall plant to go next to your tv, artificial flowers to put on your bedroom nightstand. So many options!

11. Electric candles

If you’re like me and the thought of scented candles makes you a little bit nervous (Who else is scared of starting random fires lol) but you still love the aesthetic, then you will want to try out electric candles. These are absolutely perfect and I’m so glad I discovered them.

You can pretty much put them anywhere, just like normal candles, and they will add so much design to your space. On a coffee table, in a bathroom, in your bedroom. And the best part is you don’t have to worry about lighting them. They even have some these days that smell good too which is perfect. 

12. Television

Now, not everyone watches TV these days. Honestly I don’t. But even still, you will want a nice TV to go in your apartment. You don’t even have to use it to watch boring tv channels. You can use it to watch movies or binge netflix.

Also, a TV is great if you have friends or guests come over. It’s a much bigger screen than just crowding around your laptop or whatever else you normally watch stuff on. These days TVs are super inexpensive too. It’s the perfect piece to put in your living room.

13. Media console cabinet

This is probably something you didn’t even know you needed. But if you have an apartment, you will realize just how useful this is. Basically a media console cabinet goes right under your tv and it’s great to store stuff that you don’t have room for anywhere else. (We need all the storage we can get lol).

And if you don’t have a tv that you mount to the wall, then your tv can just sit right on top of it and look great. They also have media cabinets in all different colors and themes. It’s just a great piece of furniture that’s also super functional. Oh and they’re super cheap!

14. Display books (vogue, chanel, tom ford, bazaar)

If you’ve been binging a bunch of apartment tours like me all over youtube lol, you will notice display books everywhere. Typically people put them on a coffee table, shelf, or in the bedroom on the dresser. 

But it’s really just a great piece that adds decoration and makes the room just look super classy and cute. There’s a few main ones people always get and I’ll link them here for you. These are the staples and like I said your place will look so much elevated with them on display.

Here’s the best display books you will want for your apartment:

• Vogue
• Chanel
• Tom Ford
• Bazaar

15. Acrylic table

This isn’t 100% necessary but I wanted to include because depending on your space, you might need another table to complete the look somewhere. Maybe in the living room section when you just walk in from the door. In a hallway. Or somewhere else.

And I specifically mentioned acrylic tables cause they’re see-through, which makes them absolutely perfect because they don’t take up eye space. You get the benefit of having an extra place to put stuff but it doesn’t look cluttered. If you can’t tell, I’m obsessed w/ acrylic tables so def check this out lol.

16. Glass shelving unit

Okay, just like the ladder shelves I mentioned earlier, glass shelving units will be your new best friend. These are absolutely perfect to put up in your apartment and give you so much space. You can put them pretty much anywhere in the living room and they look amazing.

They’re great for storing stuff and you can even put the display books I mentioned on here like a little mini bookshelf. I really feel like you can’t go wrong with a glass shelving unit so def add this to your list.

17. Mini printer

This is probably not the first thing you think about when it comes to shopping for an apartment but thats why I felt like I needed to put it on here. If you’re gonna be staying some place, obviously from time to time you’re gonna need to print stuff out.

And it’s not like when you’re at school that you can just go and print stuff from the library. YOu’re on your own so you’ll def want a printer handy. But it doesn’t need to be some clunky ugly one that ruins your aesthetic either. They have cute little mini ones that get the job done that also look great and are super affordable.

APARTMENT BEDROOM ESSENTIALS

(This section covers all the bedroom essentials you need for your new apartment.)

18. Mini nightstand

Okay so now we’re on to the bedroom and one of the first things you will want in your apartment bedroom is a nightstand! Like come on guys, this is so essential. They go right next to your bed and it’s prefect if you need to charge your phone or randomly grab some water in the middle of the night lol. Just everything.

I’m obsessed with nightstands but the mini ones they have these days are even better. They dont take up a bunch of space but still add that extra spark to your bedroom.

19. Dresser

Now obviously you need a dresser. Where else are you gonna throw all those cute clothes you buy and stuff? No lol but seriously dressers are great and it’s an easy way to look like you have a ton of furniture even if it’s just basic.

You can get big dressers or you can small dressers. It really just depends on how many clothes you have. But make sure you stick with a theme that goes with the rest of the room. You don’t wanna pick some random pink dresser that clashes with your wall color etc. 

20. Comfy mattress

Yes! This is the main deal when it comes to an apartment bedroom haha. You absolutely need a comfy mattress. Think about how nice it is when you come home from work and then hop on a nice soft, comfy bed. 

You don’t want some hard, broken mattress that makes you feel like you’re sleeping on rocks. (Ugh I could never). You def need a comfy mattress that you will enjoy chilling on just as much you’ll sleeping on it. Oh and they don’t have to be super expensive either as you’ll see w/ my links.

21. Bed frame w/ headboard

Now of course you can’t just buy a mattress and not have an actual bed frame to put it on right? You gotta get a good bed frame that the mattress will go on top of. But also one that looks great in your room and makes it look pretty.

You can get one with a headboard. Or one without. It doesn’t really matter. The real question is whether you want one with a box spring or just a platform bed. When you’re sleeping on it, you really won’t notice the difference but thats just something to think about.

(And when I was shopping for my first apartment, I was worried that these were gonna be super expensive, but guys there’s actually a lot of cheap ones out there.)

22. Duvet & bedsheets

And then of course once you get your bed frame and mattress together, you’re gonna want some cute duvet and bedsheets to go with. Duvets (or comforters as I like to call them) are really what’s gonna determine what your bed looks like.

Do you want one with neutral colors? Do you want one that’s extra thick? That’s the kinda think you need to think about. Personally I just love super thick fluffy ones and then it feels like you’re sleeping in a hotel room all the time. It’s the best feeling in the world to get under nice fluffy clean sheets so def pick some good ones.

23. Bed pillows

Oh and you’ll def want some bed pillows to go with all that other stuff. Imagine literally sleeping on the bed with your bedsheets and mattress but there’s no pillow haha. Yeah you’ll def wanna invest in some pillows.

But not just sleeping pillows. When you think about a made-up bed that looks good, of course you’ll wanna have some decorative pillows that you put on it too when you’re not sleeping. Preferably ones that match the duvet or at least complement the colors. I recommend playing with different textures too so it really pops.

24. Soft bed blanket

Haha and just to complete everything else, you might wanna get a soft throw blanket to go on top. Yes, I already told you earlier about getting a throw blanket for your couch but this one would be specific for your bed.

Think about when you see an expensive looking bed and then you always see a throw blanket draped across. It def helps to make it look that much pricier but also comfier. Wrapping yourself up in a soft blanket while chilling on your bed is one of the best feelings ever!

25. Candle tray

Alright this is another thing you will need. Say you got some cute, dope candles chilling around in your bedroom. Where are you gonna put them on? Sure you could try putting them right on the dresser. But if you don’t want stains or you just need another piece of decoration, a candle try is the way to go.

I had no idea about candle trays before but then I started seeing them in everyone’s apartments and became obsessed. And this not JUST for putting your candles on. You can put design pieces on there to to go with the candles. It goes right up in your dresser in your bedroom and looks fantastic.

26. Scented candles

Now of course since I mentioned the candle tray, you gotta have the candles to go with right lol? But seriously candles are the number one thing I recommend everyone to get in their apartment. Ugh candles just add a whole dimension to a room and I couldn’t live without them.

Yes, they look amazing and add that cool aesthetic vibe. But scented candles SMELL amazing too! Walking into your room and having it smell like summer or fall or whatever else you love, you just can’t beat that. Def get some scented candles for your bedroom.

27. Vase

Again, this is probably something else you maybe wouldn’t have that about. But if you get those artificial plants I mentioned earlier and put one in your bedroom, you might wanna get a vase to put it in. Vases are great cause they look really pretty but they’re also really functional.

You can put a vase right on your nightstand and have some nice pretty flowers to sniff any time you want. Or the vase can be put over on your dresser for a nice decorative effect. Either way vases so crucial and you will def want to get this.

28. Storage jar

Remember how I was talking about how storage can be such an issue in apartments? Lol yeah the struggle is real. But you can make it easier for yourself by getting a nice little storage jar where you can store all those little small things you need.

This is something else I saw when I was binging apartment tours on youtube but I was not disappointed. If you’re gonna get this, I recommend a glass one so you can see what’s in it and it also acts as another design piece for your dresser. (Maybe throw your hair ties in it or whatever else. Super useful!)

29. Floor mirror

If you’re the type of person that loves looking at yourself (no shame lol) and trying on outfits, then a floor mirror is a must-have item for your bedroom. I used to be all about hanging mirrors and ones that you would just put on the wall.

But I’ve been seeing a bunch of videos and I have to say, I’m converted. Floor length mirrors are great cause you can really see your whole outfit and you don’t have to stand back that much. With mirror that hang you probably can’t even see your shoes and it can throw off the whole look. Floor mirrors are a new obsession for me and they’re super cheap.

30. Jewelry box

So again, thinking about storage, where do you plan to put all your cute jewelry and watches and sunglasses etc. You’re obviously going to need a jewelry box and thats why I think it’s def a bedroom essential.

Jewelry boxes are a must, not just cause they keep your valuables safe and protected. But its also another piece of mini furniture to decorate your room. Throw this up on your dresser too with the candle tray and you have a look.

31. Door hanger

I feel like this is probably something you wouldn’t have thought of but these are actually super useful. Especially if you have a small basic apartment where space is an issue. You just throw the door hanger on your closet door or something. And then you have an easy access place to put your handbags, jacket, or whatever else you wanna hang from there.

It saves you valuable closet space but also doesn’t look huge and ugly.

32. Closet door shoe rack

This is another thing I discovered online but also I have brothers where I just saw how messy their shoes were. If you haven’t discovered closet door shoe racks, you’ve been missing out lol. Like y’all, you can put this up behind your closet door, open it and suddenly you have so much shoe space. 

No more cramming them on the floor in your closet (where you can put other more useful stuff there like storage baskets. You just hang this up behind your closet door and boom, so much extra shoes space. I love it!

33. Desk

Okay, so if you work from home a lot like me, then you will def want to have a dedicated work space in your apartment. Obviously the number one thing you need from that is a desk. But it doesn’t have to be some huge desk either. 

You can get a little mini one you put in the corner that will still get the job done. Or you can get a standing desk. Or an acrylic one that again doesn’t take up eye space. You have so many options but either way you will probably want a desk for your apartment.

34. Desk chair

If you’re gonna get a desk, then of course you need a chair to go with it. But make sure it’s comfortable! Thats the number one thing. Especially if you’re gonna spend a lot of time in it like I said working from home.

People get back issues and all sorts of other stuff from not picking a good desk chair. There’s a bunch of different options but here are some basic ones I love. (Some of them can even be comfier than a couch)

35. Bed lamp

If you plan to be burning the midnight oil and working through those late nights (for me, its binging netflix lol), then you might want to get a bed lamp to put on your nightstand. Honestly, its not even just cause its super useful but its also a great statement piece to complete the design.

Like I said earlier, lamps just look so elegant and refined. And a bed lamp especially is the perfect thing to your bedroom go from feeling like a dorm to a legit bedroom. Plus the ambient light at night can be so relaxing.

36. Picture frames

I kinda had a self discovery moment with picture frames the same way I did with the artwork. I had no idea how useful they were for decoration but also just to make everything feel more homey and personal.

If you’re worried about your new apartment feeling cold and distant, then adding up some cute picture frames with photos of you with friends or family might make you feel a lot better. I had these in my college dorm but they’re also great for any new bedroom.

37. Storage baskets

Alright, I confess. These are my new favorite things. Seriously, if you don’t have storage baskets, get them right now. I swear. These are so important and I really feel like everyone should have them.

We all know storage is an issue but especially when you’re getting an apartment. You don’t want everything cluttered everywhere but you also don’t have endless drawers to put stuff. Storage baskets solve that issue. They look so cute and decorative but they’re also really functional and work with pretty much anywhere.

You might keep these at the top of your closet for some extra clothes or in your laundry room to hold laundry equipment. In your living room to put spare blankets. I mean, the options are endless. They’re that useful.

38. House shoes

You know how annoying it is to walk on cold floors with bare feet? Yeah don’t put yourself in that struggle. Maybe you have socks but you an upgrade to a whole new level with comfy, fluffy house shoes.

Honestly, you will thank me for this. Comfy, fluffy house shoes are the way to go. You can wear them anywhere in your new apartment and your feet will never get cold. You don’t have to worry about getting your feet dirty either. They’re just perfect thing to slip on and ahhh… everything’s better. Trust me on this lol.

39. Charger holder

Ooh, these are something I recently discovered and you need to know about this! You know how when you’re charging something and then the cord falls off the nightstand or whatever table you’re on? So annoying right. And it’s never in the right place. 

Well, if you get a charger holder, it basically holds the cord in place at all times. No more reaching down to the floor or behind the bed trying to grab the charger cord. It will always be in the same position for you to easily plug in whenever you need it. It’s such an ingenious item and I’m so glad I found it. You’re welcome lol!

40. Storage drawers

Another thing that I absolutely can’t live without an in an apartment bedroom. Seriously storage drawers (especially alex drawers) are amazing and will give you so much storage space without looking ugly.

Don’t these just look pretty and like a nice piece of furniture? Idk I’m obsessed and you can put these right next to your dresser and add 10x the clothes you want. Maybe you can throw random trinkets in there. Make up supplies. Devices. Hair stuff. Think about it. These drawers can hold anything. 100% you will want to get this.

41. Hangers

Probably shoulda put this up earlier but hangers. Hangers, you need hangers! Imagine moving into your new apartment, opening your suitcase up, and realize you can’t even hang in any of your clothes lol.

Yeah no, you def wanna make sure you have hangers right away and be mindful about the clothes you put on them. Thats why I like to get velvet ones for some clothes so it doesn’t ruin the material. But plastic ones are also great and super cheap.

42. Oil diffuser

This is a device that I only discovered from watching apartment tours on youtube but I have to say, I’m not disappointed. I thought all you really needed for that apartment smell was some candles (which I swear by). But turns out, there’s a new kid on the block.

Oil diffusers are like this new age item that warms up oils in bottle and will make your room smell 10x better. Seriously I’m not kidding, you will be like wow once you smell this. Everyone says they’re so relaxing too.

43. Blackout curtains

If you’re like me and you need it to be pitch black in your room when you go to sleep at night, then you absolutely will want to get blackout curtains. Sure you can get normal curtains and they will nice and your apartment during the day. 

But a lot of times, they might be too thin and when it’s night time, the moon light will be shining in to your bedroom and you’ll be like wtf. Anyway lol speaking from personal experience, blackout curtains will change your life.

44. Tower fan

Ugh, speaking on sleep still, I’m the kinda person that I need it to be a certain temperature when I sleep. I love cold rooms with warm blankets. And sometimes apartment ACs do not do the job. I need it to be extra cold and I need to be able to control it when I want.

Also, I realize that I need that background white noise as well to help me fall asleep. The room just sounds too quiet without it. That’s I love tower fans! My aunt had one of these and showed me, and I was like seriously I need to get one. They’re SO good guys and they work way better than you would think.

The fresh air just blows on you and its like you’re at the beach with a nice breeze. Not even exaggerating I love them lol and its one of the first things I look for now.

APARTMENT CLEANING ESSENTIALS

(This section covers all the cleaning essentials you need for your new apartment.)

45. Vacuum

So we’re now onto the cleaning essentials you need for your apartment. And what better thing to clean your apartment than a good vacuum, right? Yes, vacuums are so important and you will def want to make sure you have one to clean up when someone comes to visit.

Also what happens if you spill crackers on the carpet or it just starts looking tattered and gross. A good vacuum will fix all of that. So you def will want this. They don’t even have to be expensive either.

46. Swifter

Swifter mops are also something I’ve come to love when it comes to cleaning supplies. While vacuums are good to clean your carpet, shifters are great to clean just abut everything else. Your bathroom tiles, hardwood floors, everything else.

You will certainly want to get one of these cause they make your life so much easier. Also I love the smell after you’ve just finished “swifting”. That clean polished smell lol.

47. Broom

If it’s not something that spilled or wet, then sometimes you will just need to sweep. And for that, a good old-fashioned broom does the trick. 

You can have brooms in all different sizes. Those long stick ones for cleaning up big messes. Or just those little handheld ones to clean up a little clutter in the bathroom. Either way, brooms are def a staple in an apartment for a reason.

48. Clorox wipes

Now that we’ve covered the big cleaning supplies, it’s important to remember that you can’t go wrong with little old clorox wipes either. You can get a bunch of them in just a little container and they’re perfect for wiping off counter tops from a little mess.

And also just to disinfect all the surfaces of your new apartment when you first move in. My mom brings these everywhere to hotels to get off all the germs. And they’re great for any cleaning purpose like that.

49. Febreeze

Let’s be real, sometimes when we go to the bathroom, it gets a little bit crunk. Gross I know lol but instead of complaining, we can make it smell fresh and nice again by using some good smelling febreeze. 

I almost wanted to put this in the bathroom essentials section but when you think about cleanliness, odor plays a huge role too. My favorite scent for Febreeze is the fresh linen scent. But you can also try coconut, ocean, and all sorts of others.

50. Fabric freshener

Kinda similar to Febreeze (and actually Febreeze makes some) but fabric fresheners are super important if you have furniture in your apartment. And come on, you will at least have a few. A couch. Your bed. A chair. 

Fabric freshener is the perfect thing to keep all your new furniture smelling new and fresh. Especially if you’re someone who spends a lot of time on the couch. Eventually it will start to hold some of those odors and grow a scent. If you spray some fabric freshener, suddenly it’s back to smelling good as new and really clean. Love this stuff!

51. Laundry basket

Now you may or may not have a laundry room. And you may or may not even have a washer/dryer in your apartment. (I know, the struggle lol). But regardless, you will def want a good laundry basket or hamper to store and transport your dirty clothes.

They have all different types of them depending on what you need it for. If you do have your own washer/dryer then maybe you just want a basic basket for the actual carrying for the clothes. But if you have to actually make the trip to a laundry room thats not in your apartment, maybe instead you will want a laundry bag with straps. It really just depends.

52. Detergent

So yeah, this only really applies if you have a laundry room. But idk I guess you could take this with you to laundromats. But either way you will want some laundry detergent to actually clean your clothes in the washing machine.

I know they have a bunch of fancy detergents but I really only use the same basic one. And its super inexpensive.

53. Dryer sheets

Again, kinda only applies if you have a washer/dryer in unit (and many of you probably do, congratulations). But anyway, when you’re going to dry your clothes, you will def want to make sure you have some dryer sheets handy.

54. Duster

Probably not something you thought of but the longer you stay in your apartment, the more chance there will be for dust to build up. You don’t wanna suddenly have your nice looking apartment turn into a gross looking spot with cobb webbs everywhere.

Thats why you will def want to make sure you have a duster handy so you can quickly sweep off the dust that collects. And even just from a few months, you will see dust build up on wooden furniture, on curtains, on window sills. Yeah just make sure you get a duster.

APARTMENT KITCHEN ESSENTIALS

(This section covers all the kitchen essentials you need for your new apartment.)

55. Kitchen stools

Whew! Okay, now we’re on to the kitchen stuff lol. And one of the first things you’ll want to get for your kitchen are some cute kitchen stools. Idk what your kitchen looks like. Maybe you have a kitchen island, in which case, you can just put the stools under there. Or maybe you have a classic high counter and then you throw the stool under there. 

Whatever you’re working with, kitchen stools are a must. Perfect for guests, perfect for visitors. Even if it’s just you, I love siting on kitchen stools!

56. Drink coasters

If you’ve ever put a drink on a table before, then you know it can leave that really annoying drink mark. It gets all wet and then suddenly your table doesn’t look as clean. Instead of worrying about this and spending a bunch of time wiping it off later, you can get cool drink coasters. 

Drink coasters are nice cause they look great. They have them in all different designs. And you will never have to worry about getting those wet stains on your table ever again. Personally I’ve been loving marble ones.

57. Hydroflask

So I don’t know how much water you drink, but if you wanna get on that health streak, you might wanna get a nice hydroflask. Maybe you’re a bottled water person and if so, more power to you. But I love having reusable bottles like a hydroflask that I can clean and take with me anywhere.

They look cute, have a little more personality and if you have multiple people over, you never have to wonder “whose water bottle is that” lol. Hydroflasks are a must for me.

58. Blender

Making smoothies is something I’ve really been getting into. And also shakes for dessert. I love combining fruits and adding in my toppings. And thats why it’s so crucial to have a good blender. 

Blenders are the best and you can do so much with them. Make a nice breakfast. Make a nice snack. Prepare a section of a meal that you cook. The possibilities are endless! Getting a good blender should def be a top priority for you when it comes to kitchen essentials.

59. Reusable straws

This one isn’t really necessary. I mean, you can just plastic straws that you throw away. But going off of what I said about the blender, it is def nice to have reusable straws that go with your cups so you don’t have to buy a bunch of new straws all the time. You can just wash them and boom, reuse. It’s great haha.

60. Dish soap

So maybe this should’ve been put up with the cleaning essentials, but since its a kitchen supply, I thought I’d put it here. Dish soap is so necessary when it comes to cleaning food in your kitchen. You’re gonna have dirty dishes. Everyone has dirty dishes. 

Maybe you might have a dishwasher but even if you do, you will need dish soap from time to time to clean your dishes.

61. Papertowel holder

Yep, if you got paper towels, you’ll need a paper towel holder. Pretty self explanatory lol. Again, another basic item that’s so obvious you may’ve forgot to think about it. To be honest, I used to feel like all this stuff would already be in the apartment when you move in. 

But actually no. Most come bare and you have to get all this stuff yourself. So def make sure you get a paper towel holder to hold your paper towels.

62. Knife holder

Now, of course, it’s a kitchen and you’re gonna have knives. But you don’t just wanna put them in drawers where it’s hard to access them. Especially if they look really nice as a lot of them do these days.

It makes much more sense to get a nice knife holder that you put on your kitchen counter for display AND easy access. I’ve been seeing these in a lot of people’s apartments recently and they just look so nice. It’s excellent for decoration and also so functional.

63. Fruit bowl

So, you got all that stuff taken care of, but what do you put on your dining table? Yeah, placemats and whatever. But also a fruit bowl! Fruit bowls are a great place to put some of your fresh fruit but also prefect for decoration. 

Not much to say about them other than that but if you have a mini dining table, you will want one to dress it up.

64. Cooking utensils holder

Similar to the knife holder pattern, you’ll probably want a nice easy access place to put all your common cooking utensils like mixing spoons, etc. Yes you can put them in drawers but these days like I said, more people are putting them on their counters for decoration. And it looks great!

65. Cooking utensils (spatula, spoons, etc)

Now obviously lol unless you plan to eat fast food all the time, you will probably need to get some cooking utensils. Just some basic stuff like a spatula, some mixing spoons, ice cream scooper, etc. 

You can put them in the cooking utensils holder I talked about earlier or your kitchen cabinet. And its just nice to have when you wanna do some cooking in your apartment. 

66. Plastic cups

Kinda like what I said about the hydro flask and not using plastic bottles all the time, what happens if you need to pour yourself some juice or milk? Yeah you can drink straight from the carton.. but thats gross lol. No you will probably want some nice plastic cups that look great in your cabinets.

And these don’t have to be super expensive at all. They have them super affordable.

67. Ceramic bowls & plates

Same with the cups, you will want to get some ceramic bowls & plates for when you wanna eat your home cooked meals. Or even if you just have leftovers from your take out order, you can heat up and eat it on a ceramic plate.

These also look way better on a dining table and are reusable unlike paper bowls and plates.

68. Oven mitts

If you plan to be in the kitchen cooking up those home-cooked meals, chances are you’ll be using the oven. And if so, you don’t wanna burn your hands off. No, you’ll want to get some nice oven mitts to stay safe lol.

69. Pots & pans

Pretty basic and obvious but of course if you’re doing cooking, ya can’t not have pots and pans. Now you don’t have to get a bunch. Especially if its just you staying at the apartment. Or if you don’t plan to be there very long. 

But a few pots and pans are def still great to have when you wanna cook.

70. Cutting board

Also a necessity if you’re cooking, a cutting board is what you need to cut up those vegetables and other ingredients. Wish I could say more but everyone knows what a cutting board is. Just get one lol.

71. Toaster

Wow, okay, so a toaster is also super basic and something I almost forgot. You definitely don’t wanna forget a toaster haha! Maybe you wanna make some waffles or some avocado toast in the morning. Or you wanna heat up a couple pop tarts. Whatever it is, you will def love using your toaster for nice snacks.

72. Wine glasses

Now, I don’t know how old you are. If you’re younger than 21, disregard this one lol but assuming you’re “of age” then you will certainly want some nice wine glasses to go in your cabinets. They’re great for when you have guests over but also just if you’re having a rough day, you pop open a bottle and relax. Wine glasses are classic and every elegant apartment should have some.

73. Trashcan

Finally, last but not least of the kitchen essentials, you’re gonna need a trash can lol. Yeah super obvious but most apartment don’t come with them already included. What happens if you move in and suddenly you have a bunch to throw away but you don’t have a trash can? Yeah don’t be that person. Make sure you get a trash can lol. (And also get trash bags to put in it!)

APARTMENT BATHROOM ESSENTIALS

(This section covers all the bathroom essentials you need for your new apartment.)

74. Air-freshener (that plugs into the wall)

And now we’re on to bathroom essentials. What better product to start us off than an air freshener that you plug into the wall. Guys, I love these!

Yes, you could also put some scented candles in there or spray some febreeze every once in a while but there’s nothing like having that air freshener already be plugged into your wall just always making it smell good and fresh. Okay I’ll shut up about it lol but def get it.

75. Toothbrush holder

Unless you wanna leave your toothbrush on the dirty counter or in some gross plastic bag all the time, then you will certainly wanna get a tooth brush holder. It’s a super basic item but not something you think about right away when it comes to bathroom essentials.

These obviously don’t cost a lot at all but look great and are really functional.

76. Soap dispenser

Another super basic thing that you probably need to have on day one when you move in. Like seriously. Don’t be one of those people that uses the bathroom all the time and doesn’t wash their hands. You need to wash your hands lol. And you need to use soap and water. A soap dispenser sits right on top of your sink and will make it easy for you to remember.

77. Hand towels

Right after you wash your hands, what do you need to do? Thats right, dry them. And hand towels are absolutely perfect for this. Yeah, you could use some paper towels and I totally recommend you get those as well. But hand towels are great even just for decoration. You can drape on the handlebar on the wall or wherever. And they make good back-up in case you run out of paper towels sometimes.

78. Bath towels

And then obviously if you take a shower, you need to dry off from that right? Hand towels won’t work for that but thats where bath towels come in. I recommend getting several of these. Not just for you but also for when you have guests come over. Also, the more bath towels you have, the less you have to do laundry right away.

79. Shower curtain

I’m someone who likes a lot of privacy when I take showers. I don’t just want random people looking in and seeing me naked. Shower curtains are an absolute necessity. But not just for taking showers. If you have the right shower curtain design, it can be one of the main things to decorate your bathroom too. It’s so big that it really can set the mood so you def wanna find the right one.

80. Paper towels

I mentioned earlier how you wanna get a hand towel but paper towels are still your best friend. Well, I wasn’t joking lol. Paper towels are still the GOAT when it comes to drying your hands after washing them. Super quick to just grab and go. 

And if you get a mess on the floor, you can easily wipe it up with a paper towel. You can’t do that with a hand towel (at least you shouldn’t bc ew lol). Also, you can use paper towels to eat snacks and whatever else. So bottom line, you need paper towels. 

81. Toilet paper

Alright now, since we’re talking bathroom essentials, you better make sure you got some toilet paper too lol. Can’t be getting crunk in the bathroom and then realize afterward you need some toilet paper. It’ll be too late. No, you need to make sure you have some ahead of time so you’re prepared and ready to go. It’s good to keep a couple rolls under the sink too so you don’t have to rush to the laundry room if you run out.

82. Kleenex tissues

Okay, so I’m someone who blows my nose all the time. And I get really bad spring allergies. Even if you don’t have those issues, you’ll probably a cold from time to time or experience a sad break up. It’s great to have nice soft tissues around to keep you company and make everything feel better.

I used to buy these in bulk for my college dorm but they’re actually really important for your apartment too. The bulk option is def the way to go cause you go through them faster than you think and it’s still cheap.

83. Bathroom rug

I bet you didn’t even think of this but you know how when you come out of the shower and your feet are soaking wet so you get water everywhere? Yeah you don’t want that. That’s why its so crucial to have a bathroom rug. 

Some people call them bath mats but basically it’s like a mini rug that can soak up the wetness that naturally happens in bathroom. And its soft and warm which is nice when you get up in the morning and your bathroom floor is cold af. 

84. Shower pole caddy

This is something that I recently found out about but I’m so glad I did. I was always the type of person that would perfectly position my shampoo bottles etc on the edge of the bathtub in that little corner thing and just hope they wouldn’t fall over. It was always a struggle when they’d inevitably fall off and I’d have to reach down with water in my eyes to try and pick it back up. 

But they actually have shower pole caddies that you can set up right along the corner of your bathtub or even just hang it from the faucet. And you can put all your shampoo and shower essentials on it without having to worry about them falling off. I wish I had known about this sooner cause I woulda bought one right away lol. But yeah you should probably get this.

85. Make-up mirror

You may already have this but in case you don’t, I wanna make sure you’re covered. Make-up mirrors are great because you can set them up on your bathroom sink and have two good mirrors to look at. You get that nice bathroom light but then also a lot of times make-up mirrors themselves will have their own lights built in. 

Even if you don’t wear a lot of make-up, they’re still nice to have for other reasons. Like a huge magnifying glass if you ever wanna see something close-up on your face. Oh and they’re really cheap.

86. Mini trash can

Okay and now finally for your bathroom, you will want to have a little mini trash can for when you need to throw stuff away. Yes, I already told you about getting a trash can for your kitchen. But for your bathroom  you need a dedicated one as well. 

Something small you can stick right next to your toilet or under your sink when you finish using a paper towel. Again, super cheap so no reason not to get this. It’s one of those things you only notice when it’s not there.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you need for your first apartment?

You basically just need more than you would need for a dorm but less than you would for a house. Think about it. With a dorm, you really only have one room. And yes, with an apartment, you may have a studio but a dorm is typically even smaller than that. With a dorm, you also don’t your own washer/dryer, you don’t have a kitchen. You don’t have a bathroom, you really don’t much of anything but a glorified bedroom and maybe a little closet space. 

With a house, you probably have way more space than you’re ever gonna take up. You may have a basement for random junk. A garage for other random junk. And maybe a huge years that you have to maintain as well. All those things will obviously lead to different essentials and stuff that you need. For your first apartment, like I said, you really just need the happy medium between those. 

And that’s why I really tried to list all of the things you actually need in this post and didn’t wanna go overboard. I even mentioned stuff that’s not a necessity vs stuff that is so you know exactly what you’ll need on day one for your first apartment.

What to do when you first move into an apartment?

The first thing you should do when you move into an apartment is unpack all of your stuff. You don’t wanna be living in boxes or out of suitcases. You wanna get everything unpacked and start arranging stuff the way you want it in your space.

I recommend that you already start getting furniture and supplies that you want to decorate before you actually step in the door or at least right after you drop off the stuff you brought with you. You wanna check to make sure all of the utilities are working (air conditioning, heating, etc). And if they aren’t working, you wanna let your landlord know right away so maintenance can fix it for you.

Also another you wanna do when you first move into an apartment is check to make sure there isn’t any obvious damage to stuff. You don’t wanna move in somewhere where stuff is already broken and then 6 months later when you’re looking to move out, your landlord charges you for a bunch of stuff you didn’t even break in the first place. That’s the worst. And you stay on top of that from day one.

Finally, you wanna give it a chance to feel like your home. When you first move in, it may feel a little strange and unfamiliar. That’s okay. As you spend more days in it and start to decorate more how you like it, it will start to feel more and more like yours. More like home. Just stick with it! And if it continues to suck, you can always move out lol.

How much should I save for my first apartment?

Now, this is something that’s really gonna depend on you and your personal budget. Obviously the common rule is that you should never spend more than 30% of your income on rent. But obviously rent is not the only expense when it comes to an apartment, especially your first apartment.

When it’s your first apartment, you obviously have to save in advance for decoration and getting basic apartment essentials you need. I would have at least 2,000 saved that you can specifically spend on things for your apartment. But 1,000 will still work if your budget is a little bit tighter.

With that money saved, you could then buy affordable stuff mentioned like a bed, a couch, a tv, rug, etc. It’s something you have to think about ahead of time because there can be more expenses than just rent.

What are necessities when moving into a new apartment?

Again, I kinda answered this earlier but basically you need general items for the various rooms that you have. An apartment is not like a dorm or a house. You will have multiple rooms typically or at least units. But it won’t be as big as a house.

You’ll need to get apartment essentials for your bathroom, bedroom, living room, kitchen, and more! I really tried to lay out everything in this post to help make that easier for you. I pretty much listed everything you will need. 

Yes you will want some non-essential things as well like decorations but pretty much everything listed in this post is just the necessities. At least for someone moving into their first apartment or a new apartment.

How to budget for an apartment?

Again, this kinda goes hand in hand with what I said earlier about budgeting. But basically you wanna plan in advance how much you’re willing to spend on rent. Once you’ve figured out rent then you wanna think about how much you’re willing to spend on decorating your apartment.

You need to think about monthly costs, related costs, pretty much everything that would possibly go into making your apartment your home. Make sure to think about living costs as well like paying for cable, paying for electricity etc.

You def don’t wanna make the mistake of not budgeting for your utilities. Utility costs are def something to think about with a new apartment and you don’t make the mistake of only planning for your rent. I would say it’s also a good idea to build in some cushion too. Plan to spend more money than you actually will. That way you won’t ever find yourself in a financial hole.

How do I decorate my first apartment on a budget?

Yes, decorating your first apartment can be a little stressful lol. Trust me I understand. And obviously it’s good to stick with a budget so you don’t go overboard. As far as how to decorate your first apartment, I would say just have fun with it. It’s your first apartment and you want it to feel special. You should make it feel like home. Especially if you plan to live there for a while. Maybe you even have roommates too. And that’s something you can share together.

But yes, it is good to have a budget. And when decorating your apartment, I would say it’s a good idea to look at a post like this that has everything you really need for your apartment. So you can see ahead of time what it’s gonna take. That way you can plan out what you need and know that you’ll be able to afford everything. 

Also you can take the time to search up cheaper alternatives for the things that aren’t in your budget. I really tried to make everything in this post budget-friendly though so I got y’all.

What should you not do when decorating an apartment?

As far as things you should not do when decorating an apartment, I would say def don’t do anything too expensive to the construction if you’re only just renting it. It would suck to pay hundreds of dollars “renovating” a place that you move out of in 6 months cause you got bored of it.

Save the big dollar renovations for something more permanent like a house or at least an apartment that you buy. Sure you can do a little something here and there. And these days they have cool constructions like pressure walls you can put up to create more rooms that can easily be taken down when you move.

But overall, def don’t spend too much on permanent stuff or a rental. Also you should check with your landlord ahead to get approval for this stuff anyway. The last thing you wanna do is reconfigure an apartment in a way that breaks your lease and then you get charged a bunch of money for it. You would probably already know that ahead of time though. Just make sure you check with your landlord first.

This post was all about the apartment essentials you need.