Congratulations! You have finally made the decision to do the big move and live on your own. Getting your first apartment can be daunting. Not only do you need to pick the right place at the right price in the right neighborhood, you also need to make sure that you have all the essential items for daily living. Here is a list and some quick tips on the things that you need when moving into your new apartment, broken down per area:
Kitchen
Most first apartments have small kitchens, so make sure that you have only what you absolutely need. That egg slicer may look useful but will likely end up gathering dust after one or two uses. It is also helpful to choose multi-purpose items such as a coffee maker that can also be used to make tea or just boil water.
Essential items:
- Microwave oven – Pick the multi-function type
- Kettle or thermos – These can be old school or electric
- Pots and pans – Small and medium frying pan and cooking pot
- Knives and cutting board – At least one chef’s knife and one paring knife
- Cooking utensils – Ladles, turner, spatula, whisk
- Dishes – Serving platters, set of 4 to 8 dining plates and bowls
- Drinkware – Set of 4 to 8 drinking glasses, cups, mugs, and wine glasses
- Flatware – Set of 4 to 8 forks, spoons, table knives
- Can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew
- Dish towels – Use microfiber towelsfor better absorbency and less lint
- Cleaning supplies – Dishwashing soap, sponge, scrubber
- Trash can
Bedroom
The bedroom is your comfort zone, your place for rest and relaxation at the end of a tiring day. You need to carefully plan your bedroom’s design so that it is more conducive to sleep. An old creaky bed, for example, can ruin your night and leave you tired and restless the following day.
Essential items:
- Bed – Choose an affordable quality mattress
- Sheets and blankets – Start with at least 2 sets
- Pillows and pillow cases – 2 sets of 2 to 4
- Closet organizers – Hangers, boxes, shoe rack
- Night stand
- Lamp
- Trash can
Bathroom
If you’re sharing your apartment and bathroom with a roommate, put your personal toiletries in a carrier and keep it in your bedroom. Though it might be unlikely, you don’t want to find out that your roommate has been using your toothbrush! If you’re living alone, then you only need to worry about keeping your bathroom clean at all times.
Essential items:
- Toiletries – Soap, shampoo, lotion, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste
- Towels – Start with 2 sets
- Bathroom mat
- Toilet paper
- Toilet brush
- Toilet plunger
- Cleaning supplies – Toilet cleaner, mold killer
- Deodorizer or air freshener
- Trash can
Other Essential Items
- Dining table – Your apartment may have a very limited space without a separate dining room but you certainly need a space where you can eat. You can also choose to eat in your living room if you have a good coffee table and sofa.
- Sofa – You may or may not have a separate living room but your apartment should have a dedicated corner where you can entertain guests or do other activities like reading a book or watching TV. You don’t need an expensive sofa for this space especially if you have plans of upgrading and moving to a bigger space in the future. Just buy the most affordable and comfortable one that you can find. If you have enough space, you can go for a sofa bed, which is convenient to have if you expect guests to stay over from time to time.
- Curtains – Aside from keeping you out of your neighbor’s prying eyes, curtains can also add color to your apartment. These don’t have to be expensive. Just make sure your curtains match the overall tone of the room where you put them.
- Laundry items – These include your laundry detergent, fabric softeners, and hamper or laundry basket. Most people store their laundry items in the bathroom. Others prefer to have them in the bedroom near the closet for more privacy in a shared apartment.
- Décor – Decorative objects are what makes your apartment more personal. It could be an artwork that was given to you as a gift or a figurine that you picked up from one of your travels. If you’ve purchased antique overmantle mirrors in the UK, you should definitely use them and put them up in prominent places of your home. Just don’t accumulate so much to avoid cluttering your apartment.
Once you turn your home into a comfortable and convenient space, you’ll have more time and energy to devote to the additional responsibilities that come with having your own place.