New Apartment Checklist
It’s time to move out of the dorm and get an apartment!!! I have compiled a complete New Apartment Checklist to assist you as you navigate the aisles of IKEA, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and order online. And best of all, the list is printable!! I have gone through stocking apartments with my sons and now my daughter will move into her first apartment this fall. They have lived in both furnished and unfurnished apartments. When we needed to furnish the apartments, we bought furniture from IKEA, Craig’s List listings, Amazon, and the Container Store.
The New Apartment Checklist pdf is part of the Almost Empty Nest Member’s Library. Sign up below!
Also check out:
College Apartment Kitchen Ideas
Back to College: The Essential Guide
First Apartment Care Package – A kitchen care package with recipes
New Apartment Care Package – A cleaning bucket with supplies and printable cleaning checklist
Adulting: 7 Expenses to Consider When You Enter the Real World
New Apartment Checklist
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive (at no additional cost to you) a small commission, which helps pay for this blog. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Here are some items to consider as you shop and gather items for your apartment. You will not necessarily need everything on this list, but the list will help you answer: What do you absolutely need for a new apartment?
New Apartment Checklist – Furniture
Some apartments will be completely furnished, some partially furnished, and some will not have any furniture all. IKEA and Craig’s List are great places to get reasonably priced furniture.
- Mattress: We have bought 2 of these mattresses. They are easy to ship, a great price, and are very comfortable.
- Bedframe
- Nightstand
- Dresser
- Desk
- Desk Chair
- Armoire (if there is not a closet)
- Dining table and chairs and/or barstools
- Couch
- Chairs
- TV
- TV stand
- Coffee table/end tables
New Apartment Checklist – Kitchen
- Skillet
- Sauce Pan
- Mulitpot
- Crockpot
- Indoor Grill: My sons have used their indoor grills more than any other appliance. It is an easy and quick way to grill chicken breasts, cook hamburgers, make grilled cheese sandwiches, etc.)
- Airfryer: A great apartment cooking gadget. Great for heating frozen food to crispy perfection. It is also an easy place to cook one chicken breast. We love ours and my daughter wants one for her apartment.
- A Cookbook like How to Cook Everything: The Basics
- Mixing Bowls
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Chef’s Knife
- Paring Knife
- Cooking Utensil Set
- Can Opener
- Pot Holders or Mits
- Cookie Sheet
- Pizza Pan
- Silverware
- Drinking Glasses
- Mugs
- Plates
- Bowls
- Coffee Maker
- Toaster
- Microwave (Check to see if the apartment provides one.)
- Paper Towel Holder
- Strainer
- Dish Soap
- Dish brush or sponge
- Dishwasher Detergent
- Food Storage
- Trash Can
- Trash Bags
New Apartment Checklist – Living Room
- Streaming device and/or antenna. What is this antenna thing you ask? Back in the dark ages, it was all we had. Now you can use one to watch network television without cable or a paid streaming service.
- Lamps
- Rug
New Apartment Checklist – Bedroom
(***Check the size of the bed if the apartment is furnished. Some are twin XL and some are full-size)
- Pillows
- Mattress pad
- 2 sets of sheets
- Blanket
- Comforter
- Rug
- Dust Ruffle
- Trash Can
New Apartment Checklist – Bathroom
- Towels
- Bathroom Drawer and Cabinet Organizers
- Makeup Organizers
- Trash can
- Toothbrush holder
- Bath mat
- Shower curtain rings
- Shower curtain
- Toilet bowl brush
- Toilet plunger
- Toilet paper
Ideas from the Container Store
These modular drawers can be used under sinks, under beds, or to create a drawer unit
This Turn-It Organizer is also great in a bathroom cabinet. It is a lazy susan, so you can access items easier.
My daughter and I love our real acrylic makeup organizers. They can be configured to exactly fit your needs.
New Apartment Checklist – Closet (If the closet is dorm sized….)
- Hangers
- Double closet rod
- Hanging jewelry organizer
- Hanging organizer for sweaters, shirts, purses, etc.
- Shoe storage (Lots of choices – either a hanging shoe organizer or a shoe organizer for the floor of the closet.)
Ideas from the Container Store
New Apartment Checklist – Desk
Ideas from the Container Store
New Apartment Checklist – Cleaning Supplies
- Vacuum
- Bucket with cleaners and rags or sponges
- Broom and dustpan
- Swiffer
New Apartment Checklist – Laundry
New Apartment Checklist – Storage Ideas
- Shelving unit
- Underbed storage
- Storage Furniture (These Poppin box seats support 275 pounds and can be collapsed when not in use.)
- Drawer organizers
- Stacking drawers (I LOVE these modular drawers that can be configured to meet your exact storage needs. See 25 Dorm Room Ideas and Shopping Tips for a picture of my daughter’s modular drawer set.)
- Elfa drawers (These are amazing, come in many sizes, can be customized and will last forever. We have had some of our Elfa units for over 20 years. They will go from your child’s dorm room to their first apartment to their first place after graduation and beyond. They are also great for packing in.)
Ideas from the Container Store
New Apartment Checklist – Health and Safety
- Security System (We bought a Simplisafe for our son. It is wireless and can be put anywhere. We also have it monitored.)
- The Best First Aid Kit: Read How to Make Your Own Dorm First Aid Kit
- Prescription medications
- Health Insurance card
- Small safe (For jewelry, some prescription drugs, laptops, and other electronics that are easily stolen.)
- Surge protector (Fried electronics are not fun.)
- Flashlight
New Apartment Checklist – To Make the Apartment Comfortable and Personal and other things you need for an apartment that you wouldn’t think of
- Fan
- Artwork
- Throw blanket
- Magnetic dry erase board, markers, and magnets
- Bulletin Board (Minted custom makes them.)
- Speaker or Amazon Echo
- Command Hooks
- Command Picture Hanging Strips
- Plant
- Candles like these “Homesick Candles” with scents from your home state.
New Apartment Checklist – Other Practical items
- Tool kit
- Sewing kit
- Umbrella
- Rain jacket
- Gym bag
- Reusable shopping bags (some cities charge customers for shopping bags)
- Weekend bag or duffle
- Bike
- Bike lock
The first goal of setting up an apartment is to purchase just enough items to make the apartment comfortable and functional, but not more than you need. The New Apartment Checklist. It is available in the Printables Library. Take it with you to the store or use it as you order online.
It can be helpful to have the dimensions of apartment rooms, closets, cabinets, and any furniture provided. If you have this information, take advantage of it, and plan out the room. If not, work with whatever information you have knowing that you can always go to the store or order additional items after you move in.
Best wishes as you and your child use the New Apartment Checklist and take on the adventure of a New Apartment.
Free Printable Apartment Checklist available in the Printables Library.
Sign up Below!
0 Comments