Some people will even force stuff on to you, especially at the "housewarming" party, which is expected of you in some places. You will need flatware for almost every meal and can reuse it for years to come. Coffee table or ottoman as someone else pointed out. For this section of our first apartment checklist, we break down what you need in your new home tocook like a boss, host awesome parties, and store your leftovers. If you are moving into a new apartment, there are many things you will need that you might not typically think of. In the 2019 to 2020 school year, she was the advertising director for The Bottom Line newspaper at UC Santa Barbara. You will also need stuff for cleaning the apartment and a vacuum cleaner machine. Things you can buy later: Decongestant, allergy medication like Benadryl, cough medicine, cough drops, saline nasal spray, and hydrocortisone cream for skin irritations. You want to include paper towels, trash bags, a mop, a broom, an all-purpose cleaner, Lysol wipes, sponges, hand soap, and dish soap. Try to be graceful with them :). I think it's a very personal choice but as /u/mdfox85 put it, it's kind of inhuman. You dont need to go all out for an expensive vacuum off the bat, but you will want to make sure youve got the following. Oh, and theres no shame in snagging something used from a friend or family member. If there is not a window nearby, having a floor lamp is a great alternative to brighten up the room. Many college apartments dont have many outlets, which is why extension cords or power strips are so crucial. I think two would be the absolute most you'd need. Whether its to take apart a bookshelf or put it back together, you wont regret having tools like a screwdriver and a hammer on moving day. Shower curtain, lamp/lighting, hangers, garbage pail, laundry hamper Move first, then buy. What is important to them? Spend the money you'd spend on cable on a better connection and download everything. Then, keep everything on this list close by when you move. Things you can buy later: Toaster oven, microwave, food processor, blender, hand mixer, cake pans, serving dishes, slow cooker or Instant Pot. Especially after living in a dorm, the apartment gives you so much more space and the convenience of a kitchen, and more. You want to have a full-length mirror in your bedroom to see your entire outfit. Not an essential buy but a television could be a larger purchase you want to make before your move. For your first apartment, we recommend keeping it simple and getting a kitchen starter kit from a department or retail store. Heres what else youll need. (You can find a quality bed-in-the-box mattress online for just a few hundred dollars.) You can be minimal but still satisfy those emotional or spiritual needs as well. Prior to that, she was an intern for United Airlines in both 2018 and 2019, where she was involved in projects to improve the customer experience. Watch everything on your computer, its way better. This TLC TV gets excellent reviews, especially for the price. Every school has its own rules and traditions surrounding move-in day, and you will soon learn what those are. You won't get one list that will work with everyone. I stocked up for my first apartment at Goodwill, where I probably got a majority of those items above for under $40 total. If you can find out the window sizes ahead of time, go ahead and grab some curtains or blinds its no fun to get stuck without anything to cover your bedroom windows (privacy, anyone?). Before you load up the car, take a look at these last-minute items to consider packing for your teen. Learn how we help the nation's biggest providers solve moving. Accidents happen, and you will eventually get sick. Over-the-door curves are perfect for hanging up towels or robes after showering. Before you head to the store or the Amazon search box, come up with a budget of what you can spend right away in light of moving costs and other related expenses. Compare providers in your area. If this is the case, many toilet paper holders are available on Amazon to purchase. You want to have a desk in your bedroom for studying. By and by I got things from generous sorts (couch, desk); I bought a bed eventually (6 months in). Cleaning supplies are always handy to have! A Brita water filter is essential not to keep buying bottled water. Make sure you take into account all your belongings (including the ones on this first apartment checklist), and then find the best storage for your needs. Its a great place to put drinks when hosting a party and adds some personality to your home. Especially if you live with other people, apartments tend to get dirty much faster than you would expect, so having a vacuum cleaner is so important. One trip to a large dollar store will take care of all the little things like these that get forgotten in moves. Their bed frames work well, too. Consider matching your window coverings and bathmats to the shower curtain and towels you already picked out. Especially if you plan to do most of your studying at a desk, you want to feel snug. Things you can buy later: Artwork, side tables, throw blankets, decorative pillows, plants, dcor, curtains, area rugs, sound system, TV and stand (Im not afraid to admit I watched all of Game of Thrones on an 8 iPad Mini while I saved up for a television). You wont have to go to the coffee shop if you have a coffee craving, saving you time and money. For example, you can opt for theAmazon Echo Show 10or theGoogle Nest Hub Max, which enables you to control and monitor several elements of your living experience. If theres a window in your bathroom, get some privacy by getting a curtain or blinds to fit. It's all being stored at my parents house but they are moving in a few months which is when I move out. I thought we could have a section for each kitchen, bathroom,living room and bed/office. From opening a beer to draining your pasta, these kitchen tools will round out your first apartment. If not, make sure you have an extra sheet or blanket to tack up temporarily. In my freshman year, I got all of my coffee from the dining hall, but after freshman year, I used the same coffee maker for the next three years of college. While you dream of how to decorate your new home in 2022, were here to bring you the ultimate first apartment checklist. Dont forget to buy and install some curtains if youre still sleeping with a sheet tacked over the window. If you have room in your apartment for a queen-size bed, the linens you get for your new home can last you for many years unlike the Twin XL you might have bought for the freshman dorm. Here is a first apartment checklist of essentials. Are they a terrible sleeper who needs a comfortable bed? Its so nice to have room in the bathroom for a laundry bag or hamper for dirty clothes. *edit, Cleaning supplies (vinegar and baking soda), Speakers (I have a desktop, can't afford a laptop just yet), 4 cups, plates, bowls, knives, forks, spoons, Trash can (hide trash bags in bottom of trashcan). She is particularly interested in topics around organization, home design, and real estate, and definitely has a few tricks up her sleeve after moving eight times in eight years during her 20s. Command hooks are useful for so many purposes. The sooner you can get your clothing unpacked and put away, the sooner your first apartment will feel like home. Outfitting your kitchen with essential gadgets will make a big difference when cooking. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Whether you want to hang bags, hats, or keys, command hooks are a cheap and easy solution. Everyone will try to give you advice on what you truly really must own. Dont feel like you need to buy everything off this list, but do use it to guide you on that first trip to the store. Your teen will find an incredibly wide selection, Amazon Prime Day continues through tonight, July 13 at 11:59PM PT Its a great time to buy things youve had your eye on for yourself and to pick up some of the basics or extras for your college students dorm or apt. Look for something that will fit your space comfortably and give you an option to share with guests other than perhaps your midweek preference of the couch. Keep in mind that none of these items have to be top quality. Apartment Essentials: 40 Things to Make Your Apartment Feel Like Home, The 18 Best Backpacks for Teen Girls in High School and College (2022), College Packing List: 20 Last-Minute Items NOT TO FORGET, Dorm Room Essentials List: 12 Things Every Freshman Needs for College, 10 Dorm and Apartment Decor Picks from Society6, Amazon Prime Day 2022: College, High School and Home Deals (UPDATE), Pottery Barn Teen Dorm: 25 Favorites for College 2022. Many older apartments do not have a toilet paper dispenser attached to the wall. Note: We are. Ikea is a great choice as well for kitchenware, and their knives are surprisingly high quality. boxes of stuff and then see what you are really missing? Ready to cross everything you need for your first apartment off the list? I love these 100% cotton waffle weave blankets from Vera Wang. Should You Hire Professional Packers for Your Next Move? perfectly timed advice, sent The bad news is your teen is LEAVING for college. 30700 Russell Ranch Rd, Westlake Village, CA, 91362 |. But in essence a cooking plate, a fridge and a sink. The good news is that you will probably reuse these for the next three years. Forward your mail and update your household accounts in minutes, check out what providers service your new address, choose one of the safest space heater options, Dont Forget Your Move-In Inspection 4 Things Every Renter Needs to Know (Before Moving In), Cleaning and Safety Tips for Moving During Coronavirus (COVID-19), How to Navigate Virtual Home Tours During COVID-19. You dont want to go too long without taking care of your laundry! Dont forget to check these miscellaneous kitchen items off your first apartment checklist soon after your move. Area rug (if it's hardwood. Pack your toiletry items (soap, shampoo, etc.) Its time to grab any additional cleaning items you still need. Acquiring all the things you need for your first apartment is an expensive undertaking, so you need to go into it with a plan. Moving into your first college apartment is such an exciting time. Get packing with affordable, high-quality moving supplies. Having a small trash can in your bathroom is necessary. Especially if you are living with other people, having cleaning supplies in the kitchen is so helpful so people can clean up after themselves. They say that two most important things you own are your shoes and your bed since you spend most of your time in either of them. Get plenty of sponges to replace often. Plus, who cant find a use for duct tape? Just my opinion. You might also consider purchasing a rug to place near the kitchen sink so you have something cushioned to stand on while washing dishes. Even though it is an everyday essential, there is no reason that it has to be ordinary. I'll create a master list up top as people add/subtract items. Moving into your first apartment is an incredibly exciting experience. Make sure you have a flashlight and extra batteries, too. So, whether your whole family is going or just your teen moving into, Outfitting a dorm room might be just one more shopping trip if it werent so imbued with expense, confusion, and nostalgia. We gathered our cadre of experienced moms and offered up these 10 Commandments, okay guidelines, to help parents embarking on the college journey., Look at your kid, your actual real kid. A balanced diet that you cook yourself beats packaged foods and fast food in every way possible. If you want to bake, also an oven. Most apartments are painted in neutral colors, so find a rug in colors you like. Double check to make sure you have everything you need for a functional first bathroom. Another way to add personality to your room is to have decorative lights. I was on the edge with the TV and xbox because I like to entertain and the xbox is great for netflix and I don't have a laptop just a desktop but I 86'd that shit. I'm going to make a short list and put it up top. You can purchase a simple first aid kit and supplement it with over-the-counter products or start from scratch. Weve compiled a few places you might what to check for good deals on what youll need to stock your apartment, including buying used furniture. What Not to Pack Inside Your Moving Container. My housemates and I tried to do a movie night at least once a month where everyone was there and with lots of snacks. Pottery Barn has some of the cutest tapestries with some super unique designs. But some things are universal. I usually kept a water bottle, lotion, chapstick, and tissues on my nightstand. You will need to wash up so definitely personal hygiene stuff, and don't forget towels (at least 4 for me). Laura believes that moving should be as stress-free of an experience as possible, and is always working on new tips and shortcuts that she can share with readers on Moving.com.View all posts by Laura Mueller, Apartment Essentials: First Apartment Checklist. Its easy to get it wrong and waste time and money. We will add to this list, so come back often to check on, Pottery Barn Teen has many items for college students to use in their dorms or apartments. I did that already and the pain is that with internet only I was paying $75 a month, with cable and internet I would be paying $85 a month. Also, a desk lamp will keep your desk lit during late-night study sessions. Dont forget to bring some cute mugs along, too. I'd go for a kitchen table with 4 chairs, one can eat there, read there, put a laptop on it, or prepare a meal on it. Be prepared by having the basics on hand to treat yourself. This one gets great reviews. A smartly stocked kitchen from day one, however, can help you save money in the long run for the bigger items that your apartment needs. This one can also be used as a nice stool. While you dont need a ton of fancy gadgets at your first apartment, there are a few key appliances youre likely to use frequently. Pots and pans are necessary for preparing meals now that you will no longer be eating at the dining hall. State of the art technology for multifamily teams and residents. Choose spices and condiments according to your own preferences and cooking habits. (Follow up with emergency care or your physician, if necessary). Sign up or transfer your gas, power or electricity quickly and easily. In the beginning, after you move into your first apartment, there will probably be lots of trips back and forth to the store, and thats totally fine. Target and Walmart are good options when shopping for the essentials for your first apartment. When I first moved into my apartment, I tried using jugs of water, but a Brita is much more convenient and better for the environment. Period. And unless you went with a platform style bed, youll need a box spring or foundation to support your mattress on your frame. Copyright 2022 Grown and Flown. An Elite Cafemedia Family & Parenting Publisher. This one is very narrow and is available in six great colors. And dont forget all of the stuff you need to make your bedsheets, pillows, comforter, etc. And if you want to really enjoy those movie nights, consider getting a projector and screen set up. Flatware is another kitchen essential for a college apartment. One of the most difficult things about being on your own for the first time is figuring out how to stock your pantry and fridge. What You Should Buy After (or Before) Your Move: Think of this as a condensed version of your first apartment checklist: everything listed here is a must-have. For your apartment, you dont need a super expensive couch, just something that is comfortable and seats multiple people. Check out sometips for picking your new mattress. Were here to make sure you dont get so excited about choosing the scent of your hand lotion that you forget to purchase a bath mat. Its also good to have a first aid kit with disinfectant, bandaids, and other basic first aid supplies. A bed frame, dresser and bedside table can sometimes be bought as a set at a discount, or you can check out your local thrift shops for an eclectic look. Things you can buy later: Throw pillows, rug, bed frame and bedside table. Well I would love to do that but the issue lies in the fact that I have all of this stuff from my last apartment. Extra lighting is often needed in college apartment bedrooms, and a task lamp helps read textbooks while studying at your desk.