Essentials For Your First Apartment
It’s important to bring the necessities when moving into a new apartment. If you do a good job gathering all the items needed for your first apartment, your move will be smooth, and you’ll feel at home quickly. We have a diverse collection of resources for all types of people, but it was missing a list of things every first apartment needs, until now. Read on to see our first apartment checklist.
1. Kitchen Essentials
This might be one of the things you’re in most need of if it’s your first time living on your own. It’s essential to have a functional kitchen because ordering deliver every night is extremely expensive. Here are just some of the things you’ll need:
- Pots and pans
- Oven-safe dish
- Baking sheet
- Plates, bowls, and cups
- Forks, knives, and spoons
- Coffee maker and mug
- Cooking knives and cutting board
- Spatula and/or cooking spoon
- Measuring cups and measuring spoons
- Oven mitts
- Dish towels and dish rack (if you don’t have a dishwasher)
- Trashcan
If your apartment doesn’t have a microwave, you can either get your own or heat leftovers in the oven. If you love to cook, you may want additional items like a crock pot, blender, or individual baking pans. You can get a lot of these items as hand me downs from family and friends. Find the rest at a thrift shop or a discount store like Ikea if you’re on a budget.
2. Bed Setup
You might be able to take your bedroom set from wherever you were living before, but if you can’t, you’ll need to start over with a place to sleep. If you can’t afford a bed set, look into futons and air mattresses. Either way, you’ll probably need the following:
- Sheets
- Pillows
- Comforter or Duvet
3. Laundry and Cleaning Supplies
It’s not too hard to keep your apartment clean and looking good as long as you stay on top of it. To do this, you should get organized and buy everything you need as soon as you move in. You don’t want to get to the point where you’ve made a mess and have no way to clean it up. Consider the following items:
- Clothes hangers
- Laundry basket
- Laundry detergent
- Dish detergent and/or dish soap
- Hand soap
- Cloth towels
- Paper towels
- Cleaning sprays (bathroom, multi-surface)
- Rubber gloves
- Bacterial sprays and wipes
- Vacuum
- Mop and bucket
- Sponges
- Broom and dustpan
- Garbage bags
4. Lighting
Some apartments already have great light, and even if yours does, it’s still nice to add to it a little bit. Consider a desk lamp if you plan to do any office work at home. A bedside lamp can go a long way during your nightly ritual. You can also get creative with your lights in a way that will express your personality, such as hanging Christmas lights.
5. Bathroom and Shower Setup
You probably already have some basic necessities like deodorant, shampoo, body wash, and toothpaste. Now it’s time to complete the rest of your bathroom. You’ll need the following:
- Shower curtain
- Bath towels
- Hand and face towels
- Toothbrush holder
- Toilet paper
- Toilet brush
- Toilet plunger
- Bathmat
6. Decorations
You’re out on your own now, so make the most of it. Hang up your favorite posters, pictures, and artwork. Put out some of your favorite collections, and use an area rug to tie the room together. You’d be surprised how much better things look when they’re framed, so don’t be afraid to spend those extra few dollars.
7. Organization Assets
Don’t let your counter become a cluttered mess. Find some good dressers, cabinets, and hangable storage to keep everything in its right place. Make sure you have somewhere to put your keys, your clothes, and your mail. Keep your kitchen and cleaning supplies tidy, too, and they’ll be easier to find when you need them.
8. Furniture
This is another one of those areas where you might need a lot. Don’t be afraid to take freebies from family or scour Craigslist for good deals on the following:
- TV and TV stand
- Couch or comfortable chairs (don’t forget a blanket)
- Coffee table
- Table and chairs
- Sound system if you’re into music
9. Food
You’ve already purchased some kitchen gear, so now you need the ingredients. What you need depends on your diet, but there are definitely some staples like cooking oil, flour, rice, bread, sugar, etc. Get the condiments or spices you use a lot. Most of the stuff you need are things you’ll be regularly buying at the grocery store, or as needed for a specific recipe, so you have time to figure this one out. We do recommend getting some long-lasting canned or frozen goods, so you know you’re covered if you get too busy for your weekly grocery trip.
10. Window Accessories
If you don’t love your blinds, cover them with some beautiful curtains. This can add to your look, give you some privacy, and help keep the sun out.
First Apartment in West Phoenix
No matter what you’re looking for in your first apartment, you’re almost sure to find it in West Phoenix thanks to our assortment of excellent properties. Our complexes feature state of the art amenities, a friendly staff, and are placed in prime locations. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a tour of any of our complexes.
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