What You Really Need vs What Can Wait
Moving into your first apartment is exciting, but buying everything at once is expensive and unnecessary. Focus on the essentials first: things you need on day one and during the first week. Everything else can wait until you have settled in and have a better sense of what you actually use.
Kitchen Essentials
- One medium pot and one frying pan (these cover 80% of cooking)
- A sharp knife, a cutting board and a wooden spoon
- A set of cutlery for 4 (fork, knife, spoon, teaspoon per person)
- 4 plates, 4 bowls, 4 glasses, 2 mugs
- A kettle or saucepan for boiling water
- Dish soap, a sponge and a dish towel
- Trash bags and a trash can
- Basic pantry items: salt, pepper, oil, pasta, rice, coffee or tea
Skip specialty gadgets and extra cookware until you know what you actually cook.
Bedroom Essentials
- A mattress (even just on the floor temporarily is fine)
- Sheets, a pillow and a duvet or comforter
- A table lamp or night light (you do not want only an overhead light in the bedroom)
- Hangers and a laundry basket
- A clock or phone charger on the nightstand
Bathroom Essentials
- 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 2 washcloths
- A bath mat with non-slip backing
- Shower curtain and rings (many apartments do not include one)
- Toilet paper (buy a multi-pack on day one)
- Hand soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo
- A small trash can
- Basic cleaning supplies: all-purpose spray, toilet brush
Browse our bath and comfort collection for towels, mats and bathroom accessories.
Living Room Essentials
- Somewhere to sit (a sofa, futon or even floor cushions to start)
- A table lamp (overhead lighting alone feels harsh)
- A throw blanket (makes any seating cozy)
- Wi-Fi router (set this up on day one)
General Essentials
- A basic tool kit: hammer, screwdriver set, measuring tape, picture hooks
- Light bulbs (apartments often have empty sockets)
- A power strip with surge protection
- First aid kit
- Flashlight or motion sensor light for dark closets
What Can Wait
- A dining table (eat at the kitchen counter or coffee table at first)
- Wall art and decorative accessories (live in the space before decorating)
- Extra cookware and gadgets (see what you actually need)
- A TV stand (stack books or use the floor temporarily)
- Matching everything (cohesion comes with time, not one shopping trip)
Visit our home decor collection when you are ready to add personality, and our lighting collection for fixtures that make any apartment feel warmer.
