First College Apartment Checklist (Everything You Need!)
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This post is all about your first college apartment checklist.
Hey guys, we all know how exciting it can be moving into your first college apartment. Suddenly you get your own place and can have all that freedom. But it can also be scary and stressful if you don’t know what to get and need help finding everything you need.
And trust me, I get it. Moving into my first college apartment was so stressful. I felt like I had no idea what I was doing at first and it’s so different than just moving into a dorm.
With a dorm, you only have one room you have to worry about. It’s basically like a bedroom. But with a college apartment, you have a kitchen, a bathroom, and all this other stuff you have to fill up. It can be a lot!
But guys, trust me it doesn’t have to be that hard. You can def find everything you need at super affordable prices too. That’s why I made this post to go through the first college apartment checklist to make it easy for you to find everything you need so you can enjoy your new apartment. I hope you find all of these helpful and more!
This post shows you everything you need for your college apartment packing list.
College Apartment Checklist: Living Room Essentials
This section will show you all the stuff you need for the living room in your first college apartment.
1. Round chair
A round chair is def something you will want for your first college apartment. They’re small, convenient, portable and you can put them pretty much anywhere.
Especially if you have a small apartment, it can be just what you need to complete the look. They come in all different sorts of designs. Also, its great just to sit in!
2. Standing lamp
This is also something you will probably want in your first college apartment. Standing lamps can be great to put in your living room and will def bring in more light. You can just be reading on the couch, then turn on your standing lamp for some nice ambience.
They’re really not even that expensive either. And they will make your college apartment look so much more put together and mature.
3. Storage shelving unit
If you wanna display a bunch of stuff in your college apartment, then you will def want to have a storage shelving unit. Everyone’s getting these now cause they make your apartment look so expensive.
You can put whatever on there. Cute decor items. Pictures of your family and friends. Design pieces. Just get creative and make it your own. Storage shelving units are something everyone should have in your first college apartment.
4. Display books
This is also something you will def want to have. If you’ve been watching any apartment tours on youtube, you will notice that they all have chic display books sitting around as decoration. Maybe on a coffee table. A media cabinet. On a dresser.
Displays books are really great cause they make everything look so much more expensive. The best ones that everyone uses are usually Tom Ford, Vogue, Bazaar, Architectural Digest, Vanity Fair, etc. But honestly you can put anything there and it will still look amazing.
5. Picture frame
If this is your first time getting a college apartment, you’re probably gonna miss all your family and friends. You might even get a little homesick. Even if some of your friends are gonna be living with you as roommates, its still nice to see the people you love up on display.
Picture frames are great cause they can let you display a photo in your apartment that really showcases what matters to you. A pic of you and a significant other. A pic of you with your family during a special moment. Picture frames literally make art out of your life.
Also this is something great that you can put on your storage shelving unit that I talked about it earlier. They have them in all different colors so you can pick that that matches your apartment theme. Personally I like black, gray, and white!
6. Scented candles
I’m sure you’ve seen these everywhere already. Scented candles are one of the best ways to make your apartment feel elegant and homey. Not only do they look great but they also make your apartment smell amazing.
Imagine coming home to your new apartment, lighting a few candles, and taking a warm bath. Or relaxing in your round chair in the living room with some scented candles going. What a mood! You will def want to get some scented candles for your apartment.
You can put them in the living room. In your bathroom. On your bedroom dresser. Really anywhere. They go with anything and instantly make it look way more expensive.
7. Oil diffuser
If you’re not a fan of scented candles or if you just want way more smells pumped into your college apartment, you could also try getting an oil diffusers. Oil diffusers are great cause they’re way better at circulating smells around a room.
You basically just put oils into it. Maybe an essential oil that smells like lavender, vanilla, a fresh citrus scent. Then turn it on, and the oil diffuser will literally heat that up so it smells amazing and then pump it out so your whole apartment smells like it.
With a candle you can pretty much only smell it in the particular area. And sure they look nice, but an oil diffuser will really bring that power to make your whole place smell great! Also they’re super affordable.
8. Tower fan
If you’re someone who gets really hot like me and hate sleeping in a hot room, then you will def want to get a tower fan. These are kinda new on the market but they’re so effective at cooling down a room. If your apartment doesn’t have AC, this will be all you need.
Unlike normal fans, they can really cover an entire room like air conditioning cause they’re super tall. If you stand in front of it, you will literally feel like you’re standing in front of a huge windmill. That’s how effective they are. And you can control it with a simple remote.
You can put the remote on your nightstand. And if you get hot in the middle of the night, just boom turn it on. And if you get too cold, easily turn it back off. It’s so convenient and affordable! This should def be on your first college apartment checklist.
9. TV
Of course, we couldn’t not add a TV into this college apartment checklist. If you’re looking for a way to make your college apartment living room stand out, a nice TV could be exactly what you need.
And it doesn’t have to be a super expensive one either. These days TVs don’t even cost that much. Especially since people barely even watch TV these days. We watch youtube, netflix, etc. And you can just watch that on your phone.
But it’s nice to have a TV cause its a bigger screen. And when people come over, you can all sit on the couch and watch something together. Have a fun movie night. And you can set it up so all your favorite shows show on there too!
10. Media console
If you’re getting a TV, you might as well get a nice media console to go with it too. Sure you could hang it up on the wall. But if you’re just renting this college apartment, you may wanna avoid putting any damage on it. You can easily rest your TV on a media console instead and it will look way better.
Media consoles are also great to give you more storage in your college apartment. You can use it as a second display case. And put all sorts of little design items in there. Maybe more display books. And extra photo you like.
Media consoles are great cause you can do so much with them. They can act functional but also just be an amazing design piece. Even if you don’t have a TV, this can still be great to put in your first college apartment.
11. Desk (Foldable)
If you plan to get any work done in your new college apartment (even just homework), then you will def also want to get a foldable desk. It could just be a normal desk too. But a foldable desk will be super convenient and a lot cheaper!
You can get them in all different colors so it will match the rest of your theme. But honestly I recommend white cause it looks classy and clean. Foldable desks are not just great for doing work but you can also use them to display stuff as well. Desk decorations, etc. Not just your computer equipment.
Getting a foldable desk will also be much more convenient for eventually when you wanna move out of your apartment. Instead of having to break down a traditional desk, unscrew everything, and try to pack it away. You can just easily fold it and boom, be ready to move to your next place.
12. Desk chair
Of course, if you’re gonna get that foldable desk, you’re also gonna want a nice foldable chair to go with it. Sure you could also get something more comfortable like a professional comfy desk chair. But a foldable chair can also be just as useful and it will be way cheaper!
Now if you’re gonna be at this desk all the time doing work. Maybe you’re working from home or something or doing online class from your desk all the time. Then you will probably want to go ahead and invest in something more stable and comfortable.
But if this just like a casual spot for you to do your homework sometimes. Or whenever you need to type something up on the computer once every few weeks, then you can easily get by with a plastic foldable chair. Just like with the foldable desk, it will be way easier when you have to eventually move out.
13. Mini couch
If you’re just trying to relax in your new apartment though, you will def want to get a cool mini couch. It’s the perfect thing to go in your living room and it will make your place feel so much more homey. Mini couches are great too cause they can fit in small apartments.
You may be used to seeing the expensive brand name couches all over youtube. Like restoration hardware etc. And those are amazing. But you can still find great affordable options that will work for your first college apartment as well! A mini couch
Mini couches are great for resting on, laying on, napping on. And they can even act as a great extra bed if you ever have guests over who wanna stay the night!
14. Coffee table
Of course, if you do get that couch, you’re gonna complete the look and get a nice coffee table to place in front of it. Coffee tables are like the staple piece that everyone thinks of when it comes to decorating a living room.
You can use them to show off your display books, act as a footrest (if you don’t care about getting a dirty). Or you can also of course use it to put your coffee on haha. Whatever you decide, you have so many options with a good coffee table.
Just make sure you choose one that goes with your apartment them. Because they are a such a statement piece, the wrong color will make the whole room feel off. Personally I like neutral colors like marble, white, gray, glass, or black.
15. Food tray
This one’s great if you don’t wanna eat in the kitchen all the time and would maybe like to bring a few meals into the living room. With a food tray, you can prop it up right in front of the TV. Maybe on your new mini couch we talked about and enjoy a nice meal watching your fav show.
As long as you’re not a super messy eater that gets crumbs everywhere, this can def work for you. Also, if you pick the right color, it’s another statement piece that can add to your look. Of course, you can also fold it up when you want and put it back in the pantry too.
16. Mini potted plant
If you’re looking for something to add a touch of color to your college apartment, or just something to make it feel more warm and cozy, you should probably get a mini potted plant. Potted plants are great to have in your apartment cause it will feel more natural. Especially if you live in a city and don’t have much greenery.
Also it’s perfect decoration to put in your living room. Maybe on your coffee table. Next to your standing lamp. On your kitchen counter. On a display shelf. So many good places to put them and they go great with any theme.
It doesn’t have to be huge or anything. Even if its just some potted flowers or a little mini green plant. It will still add so much character and make your college apartment look way more put together.
17. House shoes
Had to put this one on here as well. If you’re gonna be spending a lot of time in your apartment, you’re probably gonna want to feel comfortable. You may not always be wearing socks and even if you are, your floors can be super cold. Even if you have carpet, that can still be rough and not the best to always walk on.
House shoes are great cause suddenly you can walk anywhere and feel super cozy. Also because you only use them in the house, they won’t get dirt all over your floor. You can have socks on while wearing them or just be barefoot and put them on when you go to another room.
You can literally be sitting at your desk doing work. Even with normal professional clothes on. But have secretly have house shoes on and you will feel super comfortable! This is def something you will want for your first college apartment.
College Apartment Checklist: Bathroom Essentials
This section will show you all the stuff you need for the bathroom in your first college apartment.
18. Vanity tray
This would be great to put on your bathroom counter. Vanity trays are so helpful cause you can store all kinds of stuff on them. But they’re also great to show off jewelry or any special beauty stuff you like. They can be used to hold pretty scented candles.
You can get vanity trays in all sorts of colors. Marble, white, whatever matches your theme. Big ones. Smalls ones. Just choose one that fits with your bathroom. Maybe put it on the counter. Or on your toilet seat.
Get creative. You can really do with it whatever you like. But it will look so good and make your college apartment look so much more expensive!
19. Bath towels
Of course, you’re def gonna wanna get bath towels for your college apartment bathroom. Bath towels are obviously important when you take a shower. But it’s also just great decoration too. Imagine seeing fluffy white bath towels hanging as soon as you walk in.
You can get bath towels from all sorts of places. At all different prices. But honestly, you can’t go wrong with the basic selections they have at Target. As you keep them clean and fold them properly, they will look just as good as any expensive kind!
20. Hand towels
Hand towels are also super crucial if you’re someone who doesn’t wanna waste a bunch of paper towels. And think about expensive that would be. Paying for a whole new roll after just a week.
Hand towels are way more cost effective cause you can keep using them over and over. As long as you keep them clean. Also just like the bath towels, if they match the rest of your bathroom, it can be great decoration too. You will def want to get some for your college apartment checklist.
21. Shower curtain (w/ shower liner)
If you’re gonna be moving into a new apartment, you will def also want to have a shower curtain. It is way more important than you realize but super easy to forget. As soon as you try to take a shower, you will think about it. And if you don’t have one, you’ll get water all over the floor.
You need to purchase this on day one. But not just the shower curtain itself. You also need a shower liner! It’s the thing that goes behind the shower curtain and keeps the water in the tub.
22. Curtain hooks
Had to put this one on here too but because it’s not always obvious. You can’t just get a shower curtain and shower liner and expect to hang up all on its own. You will need to make sure you get curtain hooks too so it can hang on the rod. (Some apartments don’t even come with a rod!)
They have all different kinds of curtain hooks too. But honestly you won’t really notice it when its hanging your curtain. Just make sure it’s a nice neutral color that goes with your bathroom.
23. Toilet paper
This one’s really important. You can’t really have a bathroom without toilet paper. Everyone knows how necessary this is but it’s easy to forget. Also, you can never really have enough toilet paper. It’s good to stock up so you’re always prepared just in case.
You can put a bunch of rolls in the bathroom cabinet or wherever. That way whenever you need a new role, all you have to do is reach over and grab it. Super easy. More is more when it comes to toilet paper!
24. Paper towels
Yes, we were just talking about how great hand towels are. And they are. But you can also never go wrong with good old fashioned paper towels too. While you can def save money sticking with hand towels.
There’s also a bunch of stuff you can only do with paper towels. Like pouring yourself some crackers on one to eat a snack. Grabbing one to quickly wipe up a spill. Using it as emergency toilet paper in case you run out of toilet paper rolls. You can’t really do that with a hand towel. (At least you shouldn’t.)
It’s def great to have paper towels for your college apartment checklist. Just use them wisely.
25. Paper towel holder
If you’re going to have paper towels, then you will obviously need to have a paper towel holder as well. I mean, technically you could just put the paper towel roll naked on the counter. But then it’s always gonna fall off. And it also gets wet whenever water splashes.
Paper towels holders are great because they make using paper towels so much easier. It’s also a great design decoration cause you can get ones that go perfect with your bathroom theme. White. Marble. Silver. Black. You have so many good choices!
26. Bathroom rug
This is one that’s super easy to forget. Just cause you take it for granted. (At least it was for me.) But it’s so important to have a bathroom rug for your college apartment. Bathroom rugs not only look amazing. But they also keep your floor from being wet when you take a shower.
You can of course also have one under your sink too to keep that area dry. I really didn’t even realize how necessary they were until I moved in and forgot to get one. Make sure you get one!
27. Shampoo
Unless you want your hair to be all greasy, then make sure you get some shampoo as well haha. This maybe shouldn’t even be on your college apartment checklist cause you should have this at all times anyway. But just in case you needed that reminder, here it is!
28. Bar soap
With this one, it’s not really super necessary that you get “bar” soap. But def make sure you have some kind of soap. I know some people like using body wash, gel, or other kinds of liquid soaps. Just make sure you have some kind of soap to bathe yourself.
Again, this one’s pretty basic like shampoo. Just thought you could use the extra reminder to make this college apartment checklist as helpful as possible!
29. Toothbrush holder
If you’re someone who brushes their teeth (hopefully all of you haha), you will def want to have a toothbrush holder as well. It’s that little thing you put on your counter that you can stick your toothbrush in when you’re not using it.
Seems obvious but it’s not the first thing you think of when getting stuff for a college apartment checklist. It’s really important too. After you finish brushing your teeth, you don’t wanna just leave it on the counter to get dirty. And you can’t just throw it in your cabinets. Toothbrush holders are def a college apartment essential.
30. Soap dispenser
Technically you don’t have to have this. (If you already have the bar soap.) But personally I like to separate the soap I use to take a shower and the soap I use to wash my hands. They have a different quality to them as well.
Also hand soap bottles are so satisfying and can be such an aesthetic. They come in all sorts of different colors and can really complete the theme for your look. If you’re getting this, you also may wanna get some liquid soap as well.
31. Mini trash can
Now this is def a college apartment must have. If you don’t have a mini trash can in your bathroom, you’re doing something wrong haha. But no really, it’s super important to have a trash can in your bathroom. Whenever you wash your hands or just need to throw something away, it’s always nice to have.
You can go all out with this and get fancy designed one. But personally I like just a good white plain one. Also make sure you get a trash bag to go with this. You don’t want your gross trash to stick to the can.
College Apartment Checklist: Bedroom Essentials
This section will show you all the stuff you need for the bedroom in your first college apartment.
32. Husband pillow
If you’re someone who likes to do anything else on your bed besides just sleeping, then you will def want to have a husband pillow. Husband pillows are great cause they let you sit up right in your bed but still feel really comfortable. They give you good back support and are super soft.
You can just be reading books on your bed. Watching some stuff on your phone or tablet. Chilling and relaxing listening to music. Anything. And you can still enjoy the nice comfort of your bed without feeling like you’re gonna doze off.
Then when you get ready to actually go to sleep, you can just toss it the floor or prop it up against your wall. I had this in my dorm as well but this is def a college apartment must have. Plus they’re really cheap.
33. Bed frame
This one’s really important if you care about getting a good night’s sleep. Sure the mattress is important but it all starts with the bed frame. You want a good sturdy bed frame that will give your back a lot of support. Can be with a headboard or not. That’s mainly style. (Unless you like to lean up against it and do stuff like reading).
And bed frames don’t have to be super expensive either. You can find affordable ones on Amazon like the ones I linked or places like Ikea.
The two main types of bed frames you’ll come across or platform vs boxspring bed frames. Depending on what mattress you choose, you’ll wanna make sure you have one or the other. Or just get a good boxspring for support.
34. Mattress
Besides the bed frame, you’ll obviously want to get a nice comfortable mattress. You know, the thing you’ll actually be sleeping on? Yep, a good mattress is def a college apartment necessity. Mattresses can be the difference between waking up in a good or bad mood. So you wanna take it seriously.
You need to figure out if you’re someone who likes sleeping on a firm mattress. Or medium-feel mattress. And then from there, you need to decide if you want memory foam or spring. Or even hybrid.
You should probably go to a mattress store and try it out for yourself if you’re not sure. It’s a huge purchase so you wanna make sure you choose right.
35. Bed sheets
Now when it comes to actually being in your bed, bedsheets are gonna make the biggest difference. If you have super rough bedsheets, you’re not gonna be comfortable. Or if you super thin bedsheets that don’t give you any warmth.
You want to find bedsheets in the middle that are gonna give you the best sleeping experience possible. Also depending on how you make your bed, bedsheets can be seen by other people as well. So you wanna make sure they match the look you’re going for too.
36. Duvet
Then of course on top of your bed, you’re going to want a nice duvet cover. The duvet is really the part that everyone sees on your bed. When you think of a nice bed in your head, you’re probably not even really thinking about the bed frame or the sheets underneath. You’re thinking about that big fluffy duvet that goes on top.
So you wanna make sure you get a duvet you’re gonna love. Then once you get that duvet, make sure to get a duvet insert as well if it doesn’t come with one. The duvet insert is basically the fluffy stuff that goes inside of it.
Comforters usually already have that sealed on. But a lot of times duvets will just be the cover itself and then you have to put the fluffy stuff inside. But a good duvet is def a college apartment essential.
37. Sleeping pillow
Even more important than the bed sheets though, when it comes to a good nights rest, your sleeping pillow is gonna have the biggest effect right. You def want to make sure you have a nice fluffy sleeping pillow to rest your head on.
So many different kinds. And of course it depends on what your personal preferences are. Whether you like firm, hard, soft, etc. But you should also consider your pillow case as well. Make sure it matches your sheets!
38. Throw pillows
These are kinda just for decoration but if you really want your college apartment to look amazing, you will want to make sure you have some good throw pillows as well. You can also get some for the mini couch we talked about earlier.
Throw pillows are just great to have on your bed and really make it looks professional and elegant. Also like a hotel bed which is nice. They can super fluffy and come in all different shapes and patterns. This is where you can really have fun and let your personality shine through.
Choose throw pillows that work best for your theme. They don’t have to be super expensive either. But they can be a great college apartment necessity that will make your bed look amazing.
39. Throw blanket
Finally if you want your bed to look super professional and cozy like a hotel bed, you’ll want to add a nice throw blanket on top. Like the cherry on top of the shake. A throw blanket will make the bed look so much more warm and sophisticated.
You can have throw blankets in all different textures and colors. So that part really depends on you. But you should def consider getting a throw blanket for your college apartment checklist.
Sure it’s mostly for decoration. But you can also use it as an actual blanket too when you get cold on your bed. There’s no rule that says you can’t haha.
40. Night stand
If you’re someone who uses your phone in bed a lot or you use your phone as your alarm, then a nightstand will be a college apartment must have for you. Nightstands are super useful cause you can put a bunch of stuff on them.
Plus they just look great as furniture. You can get wooden nightstands that will make your room look traditional. Or you can get modern marble nightstands that are super minimal and don’t take up much space. You have so many options.
It’s also great just to have a nightshade if you want a glass of water in the middle of the night. You can just reach over and grab it. Instead of having to get out of bed and walk all the way to your kitchen.
41. Cord organizer
And if you get a nightstand, then trust me, you will also want to get a cord organizer. Most people don’t even know these exist but if you use your phone in bed like I said, this will become a college apartment essential.
A cord organizer holds all your chargers and stuff in place so they won’t fall off the nightstand. Whenever you need to charge your phone, the charging cable will be held right there in place for you to easily grab it. No more fumbling on the floor or searching for where it went behind the nightstand.
The cable organizer will keep it exactly where you need it all times. So useful!
42. Floor mirror
If you love looking at yourself all the time or just wanna be able to check your outfit in the morning, you need to make sure you get a floor mirror. These are so good to have on your college apartment checklist because they do so much!
Floor mirrors really let you see your entire body. Instead of just your face or your chest. You can really see as a whole what you look like on a given day. Which is super helpful.
Besides that, they also just look great. You can prop it up against a blank wall or near your closet, and it will make it look so much better. Mirrors also have the effect of making any room look way bigger. So if you have a small apartment, this will be perfect for you.
43. Air Mattress (for when you have guests)
If you’re someone who’s gonna have guests over from time to time, then you will def want to have a good air mattress. Air mattresses are so useful and you never even realize how nice they are to sleep on too until you have to.
Even if you’re not someone who’s gonna be having a ton of guests, this can still be really useful while you’re waiting for your bed to arrive. Unless you wanna sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor. These days air mattresses are made with good cushion so it feels a lot like a mattress.
Yeah its kind of annoying when they start running out of air and you have to refill them. But it doesn’t even take that long. And it’s WAY cheaper than buying a whole other bed.
44. Blackout curtains
Finally if you wanna have good sleep in your new college apartment, you may wanna consider getting some blackout curtains. These aren’t like normal curtains. Blackout curtains will completely black out the light making your whole room look pitch black.
If you’re someone like me who needs a dark room to fall asleep good, then blackout curtains will become your new best friend. Seriously this is def a college apartment must have.
Also, believe it or not, these come in all different colors. Not just black. You can get them in gray, brown, even white!
College Apartment Checklist: Closet Essentials
This section will show you all the stuff you need for the closet in your first college apartment.
45. Velvet hangers
If you’re someone who has a lot of clothes (or even if you don’t), you will def want to get hangers. But especially velvet hangers. Normal hangers are great and they will mostly get the job done. But velvet hangers are much better for your clothes and won’t damage them as easily.
Think about the cheap plastic ones. Sometimes they break. And if they don’t break, they can end up making dents in your clothes. Imagine your favorite top getting ruined just from a simple hanger. Yep, avoid that pain and make sure you get nice velvet hangers. Also they look amazing!
46. Storage baskets
If you’re bringing a lot of stuff over to your new apartment (or if you just plan on getting a bunch of stuff), you will def want to have some storage baskets. Storage baskets are so perfect for storing stuff that you don’t know where to put.
You can put them almost anywhere so they’re super convenient. Up in your closet. Right next to your new mini couch. On a display shelf. They can go pretty much anywhere. And because they have their own design, they can go with your theme and don’t look out of place.
And don’t worry. These are not super expensive either (which is great if you need to store a bunch of stuff). You can get a bunch of these for super cheap!
47. Storage drawer (plastic)
This is something you will def want to get for your college apartment checklist. Storage baskets are great for storing little small items or piles of clothes. But when you want to store a wardrobe, you will probably want something bigger. Like a dresser.
But we all know wooden dressers are super expensive. Even from Ikea it can be like hundreds of dollars. If you have the money, of course go and get those. They will be much better. But for your first college apartment checklist, you can def get away with just getting a plastic storage drawer.
These are way more affordable. Plus if you put nice stuff on top of it (like cute decorations), it won’t even look cheap. Usually you can get them in white, gray, or black which fits most apartment themes.
48. Laundry basket w/ straps
This is one that I always throw on the college dorm essentials lists. But it also fits really well with the college apartment checklist as well.
Most people get normal laundry hampers. And while those are great just to store your clothes. If you do not have a washer/dryer in unit, you will likely have to walk several floors just to get to the shared washer/dryer room in your building.
It may seem fine at first. But when you’re carrying a heavy basket up and down several floors through a bunch of hallways.. back and forth…that can be too much. It will be way easier if you have a laundry basket with straps. That way you can simply put it on your back and carry it like a backpack.
Also even if you do have a washer/dryer in unit, they still look nice. And are super portable for other stuff too! Usually they have custom pouches where you can put your detergent and dryer sheets as well.
49. Shoe hanger
If you’re someone who has a ton of shoes, you will love this college apartment idea. Especially if this is your first apartment and you don’t have a lot of space. You may have tons of shoes. So many that you won’t know where to put them.
But if you have a closet shoe hanger, you can just hang them up right against your closet door. Yep, it sounds amazing cause it is. You can literally hang this shoe hanger right against your closet door. It has a bunch of different slots for as many shoes as you want. Then just put your shoes in and boom.
Whenever you open your closet door, you’ll see all your shoes displayed for you. You can easily reach out and grab whatever you want. No bending down searching the back of your closet. No shaking your head in frustration. Everything will be right there for you. So convenient! This is def a college apartment must have.
College Apartment Checklist: Kitchen Essentials
This section will show you all the stuff you need for the kitchen in your first college apartment.
50. Plastic tupperware
This is something you def want to have in your college apartment if you plan to eat any leftovers. And you certainly should if this is your first college apartment. It will help you save so much money in food.
You will realize real quick that it can be super expensive get food all on your own. It costs a bunch to eat out. It costs a bunch to get endless groceries. It even costs a lot to get frozen meals. But if you make your own meals and store them as leftovers, you can save way more money.
And there’s no better way to store leftovers than using plastic tupperware. Believe it or not, you can even heat your food up in the microwave still in the container. Even if you don’t cook, you can put your takeout food in one of these containers and have it for lunch the next day. This is def a college apartment necessity.
51. Kitchen rug
This is one you may not have thought about but will def want to make sure you get. Think about it. Normally apartment floors are bare and cold. And kitchen floors especially are just hard tile. While this can look good during the day, it also make its really easy to get dirty. Plus it’s not comfortable to walk on.
Kitchen rugs are great cause suddenly they will make your whole kitchen feel nice and warm. You may even start cooking your own meals more cause you love being in there. There’s something about a rug in the kitchen. They just have that homey feel.
Of course they have them in all different designs. So you can pick one that goes with your apartment theme. But personally I like neutral colors like white, gray, black. Black is probably best cause even if it gets dirty, you won’t notice it.
52. Microwave
Of course, you can’t really have an apartment kitchen these days without a microwave. Even if you put nothing else, a microwave is something you want to put on your college apartment checklist right away. We use microwaves for pretty much everything.
You all know this. But you can cook frozen meals in microwaves. Heat up meals you already made. Cook ramen noodles. Heat up that take out you ordered. And so much more! How can you not have a microwave these days.
Also they don’t cost that much either. Most microwaves are pretty good and come with all the standard features. The main thing is just picking one that will be the right size. (Don’t make the mistake of getting a microwave thats too small.) And picking the right color to match your theme.
53. Blender
If you plan on making any smoothies or wanna make a nice milkshake sometime, you will want to make sure you get a blender as well. Blenders are so great for so many things. Like I said, breakfast, desert. You have so many options.
Even if you’re not a huge smoothie person, these days people use blenders to make normal food too. You can blend together ingredients that you then pour into a mixing bowl. Grind up some spices. Blenders have so many uses.
Also they just make an apartment kitchen look so put together. If you have a blender on your counter, you will really feel like your college apartment kitchen has everything you need! Believe it or not, they’re really affordable too.
54. Utensil holder
This is something you may not have have thought of but a utensil holder is def something you want to have in your college apartment kitchen. It adds a really nice aesthetic. And can make your kitchen look way more sophisticated.
Also it’s super useful to have your utensils easily grabable whenever you need them. Your spatula, your mixing spoon, everything. Just one reach away.
They come in a bunch of cool designs too. Marble, aluminum, wooden. Pick one that matches your apartment theme. Usually people just put cooking utensils in them but you can always throw in a fork or two if you want too.
55. Cooking utensils (spatula, mixing spoon, etc)
Now you will of course need to get cooking utensils if you plan to cook anything in your new apartment. Tongs, maybe a whisk. Even if you’re not a major cook, most people still want a spatula, a mixing spoon, and an ice cream scooper.
You can of course get each of these individually. But if don’t know what specific meals you’re gonna cook, it might be better to just get a cooking utensil set. Usually these will include all the major ones most people would need.
56. Set of forks, knives, spoons
Of course, if you’re gonna eat all that food, you’re probably gonna need some forks and spoons. And maybe some knives to cut it up. Even if you just get takeout, having your own utensils is super handy. (We all know how flimsy those plastic utensils are).
Just like the cooking utensils, you can usually get all of these together as a set. Which is super useful. If it’s just you getting an apartment by yourself (with no roommates), then you probably only need 2 sets of each. But then you might have guests over too so it’s important to make sure you have enough.
57. Pots & pans
Pots & pans are def another kitchen essential that needs to be on your college apartment checklist. Pots and pans are so useful for all kinds of things. Not just big meals. You can cook raw food like pasta or meat. Make a quick omelette for breakfast. Or even just heat up some chicken noodle soup from a can.
Again, you don’t need to be some huge cook to get use from pots and pans. So make sure you have them on your college apartment checklist. Even if you and your friends just wanna cook some popcorn on the stove the old-fashioned way.
58. Ice cream scooper
We all love a good scoop of ice cream from time to time. Chilling on the couch after a long day, maybe watching a nice movie with your friends, recovering from a break up. Ice cream is a super good desert and comfort food.
But if you’ve ever tried to eat ice cream with a spoon, then you know how much of a struggle it is. The ice cream in the container is super rock solid and hard to take out. You will def want to use an ice cream scooper instead. And luckily these don’t cost much either.
59. Hydroflask / Reusable water bottle
This is another one that I put on the college essentials list but should also be on your college apartment checklist. If you don’t wanna waste hundreds of dollars a year buying plastic bottles, then you should get a reusable water bottle instead.
Usually people buy plastic water bottles cause they think it’s convenient. But nothing is more convenient than taking your reusable water bottle and filling it up again right at a water fountain. For free! You will save way more money than you even realized once you get a reusable water bottle.
And some of them like hydro flasks are even becoming a fashion statement. These are usually more expensive but the basic ones work just as well.
60. Mug
There will be those times when you wanna have a nice cup of coffee or some hot coco. Sure you could use a normal cup. But it’s much nicer to have a mug to drink from. They’re small, keep your drink warm, and are super easy to clean.
Of course, you can find mugs in all different kinds and colors. But I recommend just getting a neutral color. Maybe even one with a nice design. You can order custom mugs too. Just choose on you like. But you should def add at least one mug to your college apartment checklist.
61. Trashcan w/ foot press
If we’re talking kitchen essentials for your college apartment, you can’t not have a trash can. A trash can is one of the most basic college apartment necessities cause you gotta throw all your stuff once you’re done eating it.
You can get trashcans in all different sizes. Small little mini ones. Bigger ones that stand open for you to toss stuff in. But the best kind to have in your kitchen is a trash can with a foot press. These are really convenient cause you don’t ever have to touch it.
Which is great if you’re throwing away a lot of messy food and want it to stay looking clean. Just step on it with your foot and the lid will swing open for you to easily toss stuff in.
62. Bowls & plates
If you plan to eat anything in your apartment, then you will obviously want to have some bowls and plates. We all know this but bowls and plates are pretty much how you eat anything.
You can get paper plates but thats a huge waste of money. It’s way better to get ceramic bowls and plates that you can simply wash and reuse whenever you need them. It might seem like work but if you wash them as soon as you finish eating, you will never have a bunch of dishes to wash.
Of course, there’s all different types of bowls and plates. And a bunch of different sets you can get. I recommend getting a small set of just 2 plates and 2 bowls. If you have roommates, obviously more. But bottom line, you don’t need to spend money on hundreds of plates if it just gonna be 1-4 people.
63. Oven mitt
If you know how to use an oven, you’re obviously gonna need oven mitts to bake meals in your new apartment. Oven mitts are great cause you can touch an oven without having to worry about your hands burning off. They’re super soft and work well. It’s def a college apartment must have for your kitchen.
64. Knife block
This one is more of a decoration but if you have a bunch of cutting knives, it can also be super useful to have in your kitchen.
Knife blocks are basically these huge wooden blocks used to store your cooking knives. Usually these are the big sharp knives you use to cut raw meat etc. Not the little normal knives you use for dining. You put the sharp knives in the knife block so the sharp end isn’t exposed to cut you.
But they’re also just good for decoration. When you put them on your counter, it sort of shows off your knives on display. Your kitchen suddenly looks way more put together and like you’re a chef. These aren’t even that expensive either.
65. Toaster
If you like making waffles for breakfast, you may wanna make sure you get a toaster as well for your college apartment checklist. Toasters make it super easy for you to heat up little frozen foods. Waffles. Poptarts. Bagles. You just pop it in the toaster and boom, you’re ready to go.
Even if you don’t like those things for breakfast, you can even use the toaster to make you some nice toast. Put some butter on it and boom, you have a nice side to go with any meal. Toaster are really useful and don’t cost that much either.
College Apartment Checklist: Cleaning Essentials
This section will show you all the cleaning essentials you need for your first college apartment.
66. Laundry detergent
If you wanna wash clothes in your new apartment, you will def want to get some laundry detergent. There’s all different types of laundry detergent so you really just need to pick one you like. But get an extra large one so you don’t have to keep buying it so often.
Then just put it at the top of your closet. Probably with your other laundry stuff. Then whenever you need to wash clothes, take it out and use it. Or if you have to take your clothes to a public laundry room, toss it in your laundry bag w/ straps.
67. Bounce dryer sheets
Of course, if you wash clothes, you’re gonna need to eventually dry them too. Which means you will def want to have some bounce dryer sheets on hand. These last a super long time and come in really portable packs. I recommend getting a bunch (like 240+) cause they last so long. With just one of those packs, you probably won’t need to buy any more for like a whole year!
68. Windex
Since we’re talking about cleaning essentials for your new apartment, you will also want to make sure you have windex as well. Windex is what everyone uses to clean windows and glass surfaces. As soon as you spray some windex, the glass looks super clean and new.
You can keep this under your bathroom sink. And then just use it to clean your bathroom mirror, your floor mirror, all your windows, and whatever else. This is def a college apartment necessity.
69. Dish soap
Now if you wanna wash any dishes, you will want to make sure you get some dish soap. Dish soap is not like normal soap. Dish soap is specifically made to clean dishes cause it gets off all the gross food. You can keep this on the counter right next to your kitchen sink so its always handy whenever you need to quickly wash a dish.
70. Dish sponge
But you can’t just pour dish soap on plates and expect them to be clean. You will probably want to get a dish sponge too so you can actually scrub them. You can of course use a dish rag too.
But a dish sponge is way nicer cause it will soak in the dish soap and make it so easy to clean your dishes. Then just squeeze it out after you’re done and it will instantly be dry and ready to use again. No gross smell of a wet dish rag.
71. Clorox wipes
These are always great if you need to quickly clean up a spill and clean your kitchen counter tops. Clorox wipes are so versatile and easily get the job done. Keep a little container right on your counter and whenever you need to clean up a little, take one out and boom. Instantly fresh again.
72. Dust pan
This one isn’t necessarily a college apartment must have. But if you think your apartment will get dusty from time to time, then it can be great to have a dust pan handy.
Dust pans basically let you sweep up all the old dust that collects on furniture when its been there for a while. Maybe across your bed frame. Top of your dresser and media console. Pretty much anywhere where dust can build up.
Obviously this isn’t gonna be something use all the time. Maybe once every several months. But it can certainly be great to have if you have guests coming over and want your place to look brand new.
73. Swifter
This one is great to have if you need to clean any kind of hard floors. Maybe tiles in your kitchen. The hard floor in your bathroom. Pretty much anywhere with smooth surfaces.
Swiffers are so convenient. Just whip out the Swiffer, make a couple squirts, and quickly make your place look spotless and clean. You def want this on your college apartment checklist.
74. Cleaning liquid
If you don’t want your apartment to start looking gross and dirty, you will def want to make sure you get some cleaning liquid. Usually this comes in a little spray bottle and then whenever something gets dirty, you can spray it and make it clean again.
You can easily keep this under your sink or on the kitchen counter. Even if you don’t see any actual dirt, you can still spray this out from time to time. They have ones with bleach and ones without bleach.
If you get one with bleach, make sure you dilute with some water after you spray it otherwise the smell can be super strong.
75. Toilet cleaner
Of course, you’ll probably want something a bit stronger when it comes to your toilet. Which means you wanna get some toilet bowl cleaner for your bathroom. This is way stronger than normal cleaner and used to clean out the actual toilet bowl.
This is kinda toxic though so keep it sealed when you’re not using it under your bathroom sink. Then just spray it in when you need to clean your toilet. Swirl it around with toilet bowl scrub. Flush the toilet so it swirls around. And boom, your college apartment toilet will look brand new.
76. Febreeze
This is one you can use for your bathroom but also everywhere else in your apartment too. Sometimes gross smells can build up in your apartment naturally. But other times things happen that make it that way. Maybe you did a lot in the bathroom. You let some food rot in your kitchen. People got sweaty. Either way, whatever it is, you can easily make it smell fresh and clean again.
77. Fabric cleaner
But what if the smell isn’t coming from the air? What if it’s coming from the fabrics in your couch or your bed no longer smells fresh? That’s when you take out the fabric refreshener and spray a couple sprays.
Your mini couch or your bed will suddenly smell brand new. This is perfect to use on fabrics you can’t easily put into the wash but still want to smell clean. You won’t need to use it often but it’s great to have when you do.
78. Vacuum
Of course, if your carpet starts to look messy or you get dirt on it, you’re gonna want a nice vacuum to make it look brand new again. Vacuums are super helpful and make it really easy to clean up your apartment.
You can find lots of different vacuums. But if it’s your first apartment and it’s not that big, you can def get by with a nice cheap one. You probably won’t need to use it that often. But even just once a week or so will keep your new apartment looking spotless.
79. Trash bags
If you do anything at all in your apartment, you’re bound to build up some trash. You might already have a trash can. Maybe even a trash can with a foot press. But you don’t just wanna throw gross food directly into the can itself.
No, you’re going to want some trash bags to put in the trash can. Without trash bags, everything would just get super messy in the trash can and make it so hard to take out the trash. Trash bags make it super easy to take out the trash. And you will def want to have these on your college apartment checklist.
Make sure you get the right size for your trash can though. Little mini trash cans that go in your bathroom might need a small. But big ones that typically go in your kitchen are often medium-large.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you need for your first college apartment checklist?
Honestly this kinda depends. If you don’t plan on staying there long, then of course you’re going to need less stuff. But if, But even if, there are certain basic things that you will need for your first college apartment checklist.
But honestly the most simple thing to remember about what you need for your first college apartment checklist is to keep in context. You wanna pack more than you would need for just a dorm room in college. But you won’t need as much as you would need for a whole house. Your college apartment packing list should be somewhere in the middle.
Where can I find things for your first college apartment?
You can find what you need for your first college apartment lots of places. You can get stuff from online or you can go to in-person stores to shop for what you need. There are tons of different places to get stuff for your first college apartment.
If you wanna get furniture for your first college apartment checklist, I recommend going to affordable places like Ikea. You don’t need to get super expensive furniture. Especially if it’s your first apartment ever. Chances are you probably won’t even be staying there that long.
For all the other basic apartment essentials, check out places like Target or even Walmart. Yep, believe it or not you do not need to go to all the most expensive places out there like Pottery Barn, etc. Target actually has really bomb apartment essentials that still look great. Bed Bath & Beyond is great too but a little bit more expensive.
If your’e buying stuff online, then obviously Amazon is great too. We all know amazon has tons of options for everything. But don’t forget, Target and Walmart both have apps where you can have stuff shipped to you as well!
What do you not need for your first college apartment?
Well, going with what I said earlier, your college apartment packing list should be somewhere in the middle. You don’t need to get as much you would for a house. But you’re also gonna need way more than you would in a dorm room.
Think about it. You have to pack for bathroom essentials, kitchen essentials, etc. Stuff you would not need to think about with a dorm. But with a normal college apartment, you probably won’t need to do a bunch of decorating for lots of bedrooms, decoration for multiple floors, or anything complicated like you would with a house. You also can only do so much with an apartment cause you’re renting it too.
Stuff you do not need for your first college apartment would be things like a million TVs that you won’t even watch anyway, a bunch of gaming systems that you won’t even play, and a bunch of apartment essentials that really just make your apartment look messy. Bottom line, less is def more when it comes to your first college apartment.
What are the most popular things to have in your first college apartment?
This really depends on what kinda theme you want for your college apartment. If you’re someone who wants it to look super expensive and flashy, then obviously you’re gonna have a whole lot more stuff. But if you’re someone who wants to save money and only needs the basics, then you won’t need as much.
But of course, the most popular things to have in your first college apartment would be the basics. Things like scented candles, Ikea furniture, and cute design pieces like throw pillows. These days people tend to get their inspiration from Pinterest and what they see on social media. So everyone of course want those nice statement items.
Usually people have basic nice furniture (Like I said, Ikea. It doesn’t have to be super expensive.) Cute design pieces they can put on display shelves or hang around the place. (Like picture frames, scented candles, or trinkets from home goods.) And also all the basic utilities.
Of course, if you wanna learn more about ways to decorate your college apartment, def check out my post on how to decorate your first college apartment. I go over everything so you can make your apartment look amazing and fast!
What should you bring for your first college apartment?
Again, with your first college apartment, you’re going to wanna pack more than you would for a dorm. But less than you would for a house. So basically you should bring essentials to cover your bathroom, kitchen, living area, and bedding area.
If your first college apartment is a studio apartment, that’s gonna be a lot easier. Really you’re just gonna get basic bathroom supplies, cooking supplies, etc.
But honestly, look through this post. We really go through and let you see everything you’ll need for your first college apartment checklist. Unlike some other posts, we really kept it to just the stuff you will actually need.
What should you know before moving into your first college apartment?
Before moving into your first college apartment, you should think about what kind of stuff you’re going to want in your apartment. What kind of style you want to have. How long you’re going to live there. How you want to decorate it etc. Knowing all this stuff ahead of time will make it so much easier for you to get moved in easy and fast.
You should also know all about your lease so you can avoid break any rules unintentionally. It’s so important that you go over all the rules and don’t do anything that can break it. Even just knowing when you plan to leave your apartment can be super helpful. Believe it or not, they can charge you so much just for leaving early.
Speaking of which, you should def make sure you go and visit your college apartment BEFORE moving in. You need to go and see it for yourself to make sure it matches the pictures. You do not want to end up in a situation where you buy the lease online then show up at the apartment, and it’s not like what you thought at all.
There are so many other things you should know about before moving into your first college apartment. That’s why I made a whole post that goes over all the best tips. If you wanna learn more about that, def check out my post on 20 Things You Should Know Before Moving Into Your First College Apartment ! I go over everything so you won’t have to worry about moving into your first college apartment at all.
How to get your first apartment as a college student?
It’s really not that hard to get your first apartment as a college student. You just need to think about what kinda budget you’re gonna have. How much you can afford. Where you want to be (especially somewhere thats close to your school). And then what kinda design you wanna have.
Of course, you should also think about whether you’re gonna have roommates or not too. If you do have roommates, that can def lower how much rent you have to be each month. And especially if you live somewhere that’s super expensive, that can help a lot.
But honestly go online and check reviews. See all the different apartments they have in your area and see which ones you like. Then narrow it down with price range so you can pick out which ones you could realistically do. Then go visit in PERSON so you can see for yourself if its somewhere you really wanna buy.
Talk to your parents, friends, get advice on what they think too. It never hurts to know more about something before making a huge commitment. Then go over your finances. If you have enough, go ahead and apply. Read over the lease, agree to the terms, and boom you have your first college apartment!
