The Ultimate First Apartment Checklist I Swear By For Moving to Your First Apartment

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The best first apartment checklist to keep you on track with everything you need to get for your first apartment. 

Are you moving to your very first apartment that will soon be calling home?

 First of all congrats! It’s a big deal and we can both share the excitement yet the overwhelming feeling of moving to our first apartment. 

I know how overwhelmed you are trying to keep track of every.single.item you need for your first apartment, especially making sure you’ve got everything you need. 

As a recent college graduate, this is my first time moving to a new apartment without having a roommate. I can’t tell you how scared I was a few months ago just thinking about this whole moving idea and the fact I needed to be organized and keep track of everything. 

I was so unorganized and kept searching for checklists of apartment essentials you need when moving to when moving into your first apartment. 

You won’t believe me if I say I searched this exact phrase hundreds of times all over the internet. The thing is, I couldn’t find a realistic checklist that could apply to me and work for my budget. They were too much and had a lot of items that I couldn’t distinguish what is a must-have for a first apartment and others I can get later. 

That’s how this amazing first apartment checklist comes in handy. Honestly, I’m feeling proud of this checklist as you can keep track of everything. If this is your first time moving to an apartment and have no idea what to first apartment essentials to get, you’ll love this checklist.

I made this first apartment checklist pdf version you can get it so you’ll refer to it whenever you want. 

I love this first apartment checklist pdf because it’s so simple and directly to the point. Also, it has everything you need when moving to your first apartment. 

Most importantly, I’ve included some of my must-have first apartment essentials under each category of the exact items I got for my first apartment.

First Apartment Checklist PDF

I promise this FREE first apartment checklist PDF is going to be your best friend for moving to your first apartment. You’ll no longer feel overwhelmed with the first apartment shopping and this checklist is budget-friendly because it will help you know exactly what you have to get for your first apartment.

As this first apartment checklist PDF has everything you need for your first apartment, you might not need every single item for now but it’s a must to get. There is nothing in this checklist that you can consider optional. That’s how this first apartment checklist comes in handy.

How to Use This Checklist What to Buy for your First Apartment

This moving into your first apartment checklist is for everyone who’s moving to their first apartment for the first time alone. It has everything you need from first apartment bedding essentials to miscellaneous.

This checklist is organized from the most important apartment essentials you need to buy right away when moving to the essentials you can get later on when settling in your place.

If you will have a roommate and you’re not moving alone, I highly recommend sharing it with your friend. There are some essentials you bought need to get separately like a good mattress, comforter, and others you can both save money on by sharing them together like the first apartment kitchen essentials.

How to Save for Your First Apartment

I find it a must to share with you my top 5 first apartment tips I followed to save up for my first apartment essentials.

Start Saving By your Senior Year

This first apartment tip is the best among them all. I was able to save for my first apartment rent and my first apartment by my senior year. If you are a broke college student like me and you’re wondering how you’ll keep up with rent expenses and apartment essentials, I highly recommend you start saving for your first apartment by the summer of your senior year.

I opened two separate saving accounts for my apartment rent and utilities. The other saving account was for my first apartment essentials. Every single month, I put money in both accounts.

I wanted to have everything set up prior to graduation and pass my final exams in peace without having to worry about the whole moving process.

This tip will help you also when it comes to get your first place ever. As a minimalist, it has been hard to decided between renting vs buying.

Save your First Apartment Essentials Products you Need to Get for Later

The second first apartment saving tip is creating two different savings accounts to budget for my first apartment. One of them was to save for my first apartment essentials.

Then, I started looking for the first apartment essentials I need to get and I saved every single product link of what I wanted to get.

While there is a lot of stuff to buy for your first apartment, at the start, just focus on the first apartment essentials you can’t survive a day without. Sadly, these are mostly the expensive one.

Sign Up to The Stores Email List to Get Notified of Discounts

I find this first apartment tip so clever to save a lot of money to buy the things you have on your first apartment checklist.

I created a new email account and sign up for all the stores I wanted to shop from.

 After I saved all my must-have first apartment essentials in my Facebook chat and on an excel sheet. What I did here, I signed up to the stores I wanted to shop from to get notified of discounts.

I’m telling you again as a recent graduate, I had to think of everything and I wanted to take any small chance to get my favorite items at a discount.

Stores have discounts all the time. Having a dedicated email account for this will keep you more organized rather than getting them into your main inbox with all your other important emails.

Take Advantage of Holiday Discounts

Almost all stores have huge discounts from 40% to even 70% on big events and holidays like Mother’s Day, Black Friday, and Amazon Prime Day.

 Take advantage to buy the expensive items for your first apartment like your mattress, couch, TV, and others.

I saved a lot by Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday as the discounts for these two are just mind-blowing.

Request Some First Apartment Essentials as a Graduation Gift

This is another way to get your first apartment essentials. I created a graduation wishlist of items I needed to get for my first apartment. I had my parents and relatives who asked me what I want as a graduation gift, so I actually shared with them my graduation wishlist.

This first apartment tip will save you a lot of money yet you can get some of your first apartment essentials.

Use your Home Old Furniture

I’m using some of my parents’ house old furniture that is still looking brand new. This helped me save a lot of money when moving to my first apartment.

I know at some point, I’ll buy my own brand new items but furniture is one of the most expensive new apartment essentials that I couldn’t afford when moving.

I already had a lot to spend money on from rent to other apartment essentials. This tip was so helpful for me.

Buy your First Apartment Kitchen Appliances a Month Before Moving

You don’t have to buy kitchen appliances at first when you’re doing your first apartment shopping. First, you need to confirm what big or small kitchen appliances your apartment has. You don’t want to spend hundreds on stuff you have in your rented apartment.

First Apartment Checklist

Let’s get real now. As I mentioned earlier, I created this first apartment checklist in order. That’s to say, under each section, I ordered your first apartment essentials from the most important item to get right away to the apartment essentials you can survive a few months without.

Bedroom Essentials

1. Mattress

One of the most important things you need to have on top of your first apartment checklist is a good mattress.

 Trust me, if you think you can survive the very first days in your apartment without your mattress, you’re wrong.

 I don’t recommend investing in whatever mattress just because it’s cheap.

Maybe, This is the top on my first apartment checklist.

I knew I’ll be spending a lot of money on it as I really wanted to get the best mattress ever. Yet, at a very discounted price as I can find.

I have sleeping issues.So, I barely can sleep for as long as 5 hours in a row. I couldn’t stress enough to get a cheap mattress that will make my sleep even worst than it is.

My mum bought me this amazing Saavta mattress when it was on sale. This is one of my best investments for my first apartment.

It’s so high quality, comfy, and gives you those 5 stars hotel luxury beds feeling.

My mattress is always available either at discount or on sale so I highly recommend checking.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly yet really good mattress, I literally can’t say enough about this Amazon mattress.

My best friend got the Linenpspa mattress. I was really surprised by how amazing it is.

It’s as comfortable as mine and budget-friendly. If you’re looking for a really good quality mattress and comfy, you won’t regret getting this Amazon mattress.

2. Bed Frame

Bed frames are as expensive as mattresses. However, I was lucky to find this Joss & Main bed frame which is affordable.

The only annoying thing about it is the fact it gets out of stock quickly because it’s that good!

If you’re not ready to invest in a bed frame because they are really EXPENSIVE, I highly recommend getting a headboard and a bed frame base.

3. Night Stands

4. Lamps

5. Velvet Hangers

6. Bed Sheets

7. Pillows

8. Pillow Cases

9. Comforter

10. Rug

I can’t stand staying in my bedroom without having a rug. It just makes your bedroom looks naked.

11. Closet

12. Curtains

13. Curtain Rails

14. Ceiling Light

Living Room Essentials

I find the living room essentials is the category in your whole first apartment checklist where you’ll be spending a lot of money on because it’s just expensive.

1. Couch

I don’t recommend buying a couch directly when moving to your first apartment.

 First, couches are so freaking expensive, and second, you can survive a few weeks without a couch in your living room.

If you ever have the budget to invest in a really good quality couch, you can get this amazing couch at the best deal you can ever find. Trust me, this is the most affordable sofa ever.

2. Coffee Table

Getting a coffee table when moving to your first apartment is crucial. I’m not a fan of eating my meals in the kitchen.

 I like to eat and watch TV and feel relaxed in the living room.

3. Side tables

4. Lamps

5. TV Stand

6. Ottoman

7. Blanket (s)

8. Throw Pillows

9. Living Room Rug

10. Curtain

11. Curtain Rails

12. Full Body Mirror

13. Wall Art

14. Storage Baskets

Kitchen Essentials

For me, the kitchen is what you’ll be spending on the most for your first apartment.

1. Pot + Pans (Cookware Set)

I highly recommend getting pot and pans when moving to your first apartment. It’s a must-have in your kitchen even though you’ll be ordering takeout most of the time, you’ll absolutely want to cook at some point.

Also, investing in high-quality pots and pans is important. I don’t like to get something just to use it for a short period of time and then feel obliged to get a new one because either the frying pan is sticky or the pot is of bad quality.

I got this cookware set from Target and I really love it. A great alternative is these Pot and pans set from Amazon. I got these for my friend as a graduation gift and she swears by them. Literally, they are really good quality.

2. Dining Table

3. Chairs

4. Placemats

5. Tablecloth

6. Pot Holder

7. Water Filter

A water filter is important to get because you want to drink clear water. Make sure to get one.

8. Plates

I really love this plate set. It’s affordable and of great quality.

9. Cups + Mugs

10. Utensils

I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on utensils. So, I decided I buy cheap ones on Amazon, and OMG!!

I was surprised by how good and high quality they are compared to their prices with other stores.

11. Silverware

12. Cutting Boards

13. Mixing Bowls

14. Oven Mitts

15. Food Containers

16. Drying Stand

17. Garbage Can

18. Garbage Bags

19. Kitchen Rug

20. Cleaning Towels

21. Coffee Machine

I’m a coffee addict and I can’t imagine having my first apartment without a coffee machine. Honestly, this is the first apartment essential I’ve ever got. There is no better than this Eespresso Vertuo machine. I swear by it.

I find it the alternative for making the best Starbucks coffee alike. If you love coffee like me, I promise, you won’t regret this purchase.

22. Blender

23. Air Fryer

I know air fryers are expensive but they are a must. Getting an air fryer will save you so much time cooking your favorite meals in record time.

 Most of the time, I don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen and my Ninja air fryer has been a life-changer for me. Also, it’s really affordable when you get it on Amazon.

24. Spice Rack

25. Toaster

26. Trash Can

27. Mixer

28. Paper Towels Kitchen Organizers

Bathroom Essentials

1.Shower Curtain

2. Bathroom Mats/ Rug

3. Body Towels

4. Wash Cloths+ Hand Towels

5. Soap Dispenser

6. Plunger

7. Bathroom Trash Can

8. Toilet paper

9. Cabinet Organizers

10. Hair Dryer

11. Flat Iron + Curling Iron

12. Makeup + Skincare

13. Shampoo+ Condtionner

14. Hair Mask

15. Toothpaste + Toothbrush

Cleaning and Laundry Essentials

Usually, people don’t really care much about cleaning products when moving to their first apartment. Although they aren’t on the top of your first apartment checklist, they should be the first apartment essentials to get as you want to clean your empty apartment when moving.

I’ve linked the exact product brand I’ve got when moving.

1.Dish Soap

2. Dish sponges

3. All Purpose Cleaner

4. Disinfecting Wipes

5. Dishwasher Pods

6. Toilet Cleaner

7. Bleach

8. Extra Paper Towels

9. Duster

10. Swiffer

11. Vacuum

12. Laundry Detergent

13. Laundry Fabric Softener

14.Laundry Dryer Sheets

Technology Essentials

1.TV/ Apple TV

I highly recommend getting your TV on black Friday or on Amazon Prime as you’ll save a lot of money and get a TV that generally costs $1000 for just $400.

This amazing TV from Amazon has everything you need and you can wait till Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day, you can get it at a huge discount.

2. Speakers

3. TV/ Media Kit

Miscellaneous

In this first apartment checklist category, there are all the first apartment essentials you can get later on when settling down. You can include anything in this section you think you need to get later on.

1.Floor Fan

2. Laundry Basket

3. Iron/ Steamer

4. Printer

5. Key Hook

6. First Aid Kit

7. Batteries

8. Candles

9. Air Refresher

10. Storage Boxes

11. Scissors

12. Hammer

Now, you have this first apartment checklist PDF that I highly recommend you download. Every time you get one of your first apartment essentials, cross it from your list.

This is the Best First Apartment Checklist You Can Ever Get to Get Everything You Need for Your First Apartment

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