Moving Into Your First Apartment? Here’s What I Wish I Knew
When I moved into my first apartment, I thought I had it all figured out. Spoiler: I absolutely did not. I had a couch, a bed, and a fridge full of takeout. But within a week, I realized I had forgotten some of the most essential things that make a place actually livable. No toilet plunger? Disaster. No decent kitchenware? Instant regret. If you’re about to move out, learn from my mistakes and get these essentials before you find yourself panicking at midnight.
1. A Good Set of Basic Tools (Because Things WILL Break)
- Screwdrivers, hammer, measuring tape, and duct tape = survival kit.
- That cheap IKEA furniture isn’t going to assemble itself.
- When your curtain rod falls down at 11 PM, you’ll be glad you have a drill.
Why It Works: You don’t want to be the person calling your landlord for every tiny fix. Having a basic toolkit saves you time, money, and unnecessary frustration.
🖼️ Picture This: You’re trying to open a bottle of wine. The cork breaks. You realize you don’t own pliers. Now you’re frantically searching YouTube for “how to open wine without a corkscrew.”
2. A Plunger (Just Trust Me on This One)
- You don’t need it until you really need it.
- The first time your toilet clogs, you’ll understand.
- Having one prevents embarrassing emergency calls to your landlord.
Why It Works: One small, inexpensive tool can save you from a nightmare scenario. Get it before you need it.
🖼️ Picture This: You have guests over, someone clogs the toilet, and you realize you have no way to fix it. Absolute panic.
3. A Shower Curtain (Because No, It Doesn’t Come with the Apartment)
- So you don’t flood your entire bathroom.
- A good one lasts years and prevents mildew.
- You’ll also want a liner—don’t skip this!
Why It Works: Nothing kills a “new apartment” high like slipping on a puddle of water from your own shower.
🖼️ Picture This: You’re excited for your first hot shower…until you realize there’s nothing stopping the water from spraying everywhere. Oops.
4. A Decent Trash Can (One That Actually Seals In Smells)
- Cheap, flimsy trash cans = bad smells and leaks.
- Get one with a lid and a foot pedal.
- Bonus: Trash bags that actually fit make life easier.
Why It Works: Your apartment will smell fresher, look cleaner, and you’ll avoid unpleasant surprises when taking out the trash.
🖼️ Picture This: You throw out some leftovers, go to bed, and wake up to an apartment that smells like a landfill.
5. A Mattress (Not Just an Air Mattress)
- You might think you can survive on an air mattress. You cannot.
- A good mattress is worth every penny.
- Your back (and your sleep quality) will thank you.
Why It Works: Good sleep is everything. A real mattress = better rest, better mood, and less back pain.
🖼️ Picture This: You tell yourself the air mattress is “temporary.” Three months later, you wake up feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck.
6. A Set of Dishes & Silverware (Because Paper Plates Get Old Fast)
- You don’t need a full dining set, just enough for you + a guest.
- Real plates = feeling like an actual adult.
- Get a microwave-safe set so you don’t explode your food.
Why It Works: Eating takeout with plastic utensils every night gets sad fast. A real plate makes even ramen feel fancy.
🖼️ Picture This: You invite a date over for dinner…only to realize you have one fork between the two of you.
7. A First Aid Kit (Because Accidents Happen)
- Band-aids, pain relievers, antiseptic—don’t wait until you need them.
- Cooking for the first time? You will cut yourself.
- Bonus: Keep emergency numbers in it too.
Why It Works: You don’t want to be running to the store mid-injury.
🖼️ Picture This: You burn yourself on the stove, go looking for a band-aid, and realize all you have is duct tape.
8. A Laundry Hamper (Because Piles of Clothes Aren’t Cute)
- Get one with handles so it’s easy to carry.
- Bonus: A separate one for towels/sheets keeps things fresh.
Why It Works: It keeps your space clean and makes laundry day easier.
🖼️ Picture This: Your entire floor is covered in clothes because you never got a hamper. Laundry mountain forms.
9. A Basic Set of Pots & Pans (Because You Can’t Live on Takeout Forever)
- One good skillet and a pot = all you really need.
- A baking sheet is great for frozen food (aka lazy days).
Why It Works: You’ll save money and eat better. Plus, cooking at home is a game-changer.
🖼️ Picture This: You buy groceries with big cooking dreams…then realize you have nothing to cook with.
10. Cleaning Supplies (Because Nobody Likes a Gross Apartment)
- All-purpose cleaner, sponges, and a mop = basics.
- Don’t forget a toilet brush (seriously, don’t).
Why It Works: A clean space = a happy, stress-free life.
🖼️ Picture This: You spill coffee all over the counter and have no way to clean it up. Yikes.
11. Extension Cords & Power Strips (Because Outlets Are Never Where You Need Them)
- A surge protector keeps your electronics safe.
- Extension cords make life so much easier.
Why It Works: You’ll never be stuck charging your phone in the most inconvenient spot.
🖼️ Picture This: Your bed is on one side of the room, the only outlet is on the other. Now what?
Why These Essentials Matter
Having the right essentials makes all the difference between a stressful, chaotic move and a smooth transition into your new home. Your first apartment should feel like a cozy, functional space—not a survival challenge.
Final Thoughts: Your Future Self Will Thank You
Moving into your first apartment is exciting, but don’t let the little things trip you up. With these essentials, you’ll be ready for anything—leaky faucets, impromptu dinner guests, and even clogged toilets. Trust me, your future self will be so grateful you planned ahead.
Ready to make your new place feel like home? Start checking off this list today!
