When moving into your first apartment, deciding what supplies and items to bring is often overwhelming. Therefore, creating a checklist of everything you require from the start is advisable. A first apartment checklist is an itemized list of all the things you may need for moving in. It ensures you do not forget important items and supplies necessary for starting your life in the new environment. This can include furniture, electronics, personal items, household items, toiletries, etc.
To ensure you create a comprehensive checklist, you should inspect the apartment to determine what items are needed for the space. This is because the apartment may need renovations or repairs before occupancy. This article will help you create a checklist that will assist you in organizing your first apartment.
Why Do You Require a First Apartment Checklist?
Checklists are popular due to their effectiveness. A first apartment checklist is fundamentally an organizing tool. A checklist is a necessity when entering your first apartment to remain organized. This is important as you will handle a lot of stuff you intend to bring to the apartment. Items on checklists vary as apartment needs vary from person to person.
A checklist will help you decide what essentials to buy before moving into your first apartment. This way, you do not forget any important items. Also, once you plan what items you need, you can find ways to save money, as moving can be an expensive exercise.
Checklists are popularly used organizational tools due to their effectiveness. In 2008, Atul Gawande, the author of “The Checklist Manifesto: How To Get Things Right,” undertook a test to illustrate the usefulness of checklists. He introduced a checklist in 8 hospitals where a 47% drop in deaths was recorded. Similarly, checklists are needed when moving into your first apartment, as this can save you time and money.
Free Templates
Given below are apartment checklist templates:
Planning Your First Apartment Essentials
You should plan your checklist to match your current or immediate apartment needs. There are two methods to plan your first apartment checklist:
By the time
You can plan to buy your apartment essentials based on time, before and after you occupy the apartment. You should first determine the items you require before you move in. These items are typically must-haves. Next, list items you need to make your apartment functional and livable. This list can include items that improve your quality of life, such as accessories. This ensures that you plan the essentials before and after moving into the apartment.
Room-by-room
Alternatively, you can plan your checklist on a room-by-room basis. This approach allows you to plan for the items you need for each room. You can prioritize the rooms essential for your day-to-day living during the first days. For example, you can prioritize the bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. It is important to start by listing all the must-haves for each room. This approach to planning will be discussed later in this article.
Pre-Considerations Before Making First Apartment Checklist
There are certain factors that you ought to take into account to ensure you create a checklist that effectively meets your apartment needs.
These pre-considerations include:
Do your research
You need to research the things you want to buy. You can visit the different consignment furniture stores (both online and physical) and identify what items to buy and where to buy them from. You should also identify whether you want to buy brand-new items and thrift to save money.
Prioritize your purchases
Since it is often challenging to buy everything simultaneously, you should prioritize your purchases. This can be done by creating a list of all the items you need, then categorizing them in order of priority. For example, category A is the first priority, and Category D is the least important. Then, you can add the number of categories depending on the number of items you would need.
Use a template
Lastly, you should use a template to create your first apartment checklist. Templates outline all the general apartment essentials most first-time renters would need. This prevents you from forgetting any vital items.
First Apartment Checklist: Everything You Need for Move-In Day
A first apartment checklist includes diverse items needed for different purposes, from sanitation, cooking, comfort, sleeping, entertainment, etc. So, your checklist will typically reflect your specific needs.
However, the following essentials are normally outlined in a first apartment checklist:
Bedroom essentials
Your bedroom is one of the rooms you should prioritize. This is because you need a safe and comfortable place to sleep. One of the items you need to consider first is a mattress, bed, sheets, pillows, and comforter. You must also include window sizes and curtains for privacy reasons.
This category of items may include the following:
- Mattress
- Bed
- Comforter or blanket
- Sheet set/bedding
- Pillows
- Mattress topper or mattress pad
- Dresser
- Nightstand
- Clothes/coat hangers
- Window treatments
- Underbed storage containers
Living room essentials
Another category you should add to your checklist is your living room. This is the area you will often spend most of the time and host family and friends. You need a living room that is comfortable and functional, and you should thus incorporate items that would make this possible.
Below is a list of living room essentials:
- Couch
- Curtains
- Lighting
- Coffee table
- TV
Bathroom items
The bathroom is also an essential room in any apartment. Multiple personal hygiene and sanitary items should be in the bathroom for it to be functional. When buying bathroom items, you should account for your bathroom needs and those of potential guests.
Examples of bathroom essentials include:
- Towels
- Plunger
- Toiletries
- Shower curtain (liner and rings)
- Trash can
- Cleaning supplies
- Bath mat
- Air freshener
- Bath rug
- Tissues
- Hand towels
- Personal care items such as a razor
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Toilet paper
- Soap dish
- Shower caddy
- Toilet brush
- Washcloths
- Wastebasket
- Toothbrush holder
Kitchen essentials
Eating is an activity you will undertake from time to time. So, you need to ensure there are all the essential items needed in the kitchen, whether you plan to cook or eat at restaurants. These often include cooking ware, appliances, and utensils.
The following items can be included under this category:
- Microwave
- Toaster oven
- Oven mitts
- Trash can
- Dish towels
- Can opener
- Cutting board
- Coffee maker
- Silverware
- Cooking utensils
- Coffee table
- Cabinets
Dining necessities
Your dining area also requires certain items. A dining area is where you sit to have your meals at the end of the day or invite your guests for lunch/dinner. If your apartment is an eat-in kitchen, you may not require as many items as you would with a separate dining area.
Examples of dining essentials include:
- Dining room table
- Dining area chairs
- Sideboard or storage hutch
- Placemats or tablecloth
- Candles/tealights
- Candle holders
- Trivets
Home toolkit
You need a home toolkit in your apartment to aid you in undertaking small projects such as repairs or overhauls. A home toolkit can come in handy, especially when unpacking. This is because there will be plenty of things to hang, fix or put together as you move into the new apartment.
Items to be included in the checklist under the home toolkit:
- Hammer
- Screwdrivers
- Nails and wall hooks
- Step stool
- Measuring tape
- Duct tape
- Light bulbs
- Power strips and extension cords
- Batteries
Study area necessities
A study area or office space can be a vital area in your apartment, especially if you are working from home or a student. This apartment area should be functional to allow you to undertake your work efficiently.
This section of your first apartment checklist can include the following:
- Desk
- Chair
- Printer
- Printer stand
- Office supplies (paper, etc.)
- Dry-erase board/bulletin board
- Calendar
- Lamps
- File cabinets
- Pens
- Paper
Entry area items
You should also aim to add items at your entry area that can be helpful to you and your guests. You can place items that prevent people from dragging snow, dirt, or rainwater into the apartment.
Examples of items to include in this section are:
- Coat hangers
- Welcome mat
- Boot and shoe storage
- Umbrellas
- Umbrella holders
- Coat tree
Closet- storage essentials
Storage is essential for placing clothes, accessories, personal items, etc. So, you must ensure you have the right items to help optimize the closet storage space available.
Examples of closet-storage essentials include:
- Dressers
- Shelving units
- Clothes hangers
- Hooks
- Storage bins and boxes
- Closet organizers
- Garment storage
Electronics items
Electronics are part of most people’s day-to-day lives. So, it is only wise to ensure that you account for them in your first apartment checklist. While some electronics may be luxury items, some are must-haves and can greatly improve your quality of life.
For example, include the following electronic items in your checklist:
- Television
- Extension cords
- HDMI cables
- Computer monitors
- Wireless speakers
- Ethernet cables
- Portable chargers
- Surge protectors
First-aid kit items
Medical emergencies can occur at any point while at home. Therefore, it is advisable to have a first-aid kit in your first apartment checklist. Many activities pose risks when unpacking, so it is important to be well-equipped to handle minor medical emergencies quickly.
For example:
- Antibiotic ointment
- Band-Aids
- An anti-inflammatory such as Advil
- Thermometer
Laundry essentials
Laundry is a routine activity for anyone. This is because you need fresh and clean clothes and sheets to use at home. You require essentials that make cleaning effective for your situation. In some apartments, the laundry unit may be shared between tenants, so this checklist section needs to be created based on your specific needs.
Examples of laundry essentials include:
- Detergent
- Laundry hamper
- Stain remover
- Fabric softener
- Drying rack
- Fabric sheets
- Iron and ironing board
- Change (if you will be using a shared laundry machine)
Safety items
Safety is an important factor when moving into a new apartment. Safety is facilitated by multiple items. The safety items you need may be situational, depending on the apartment’s condition and location.
Examples of safety items include:
- Smoke detectors
- Fire extinguishers
- Carbon monoxide detector
Cleaning supplies
Cleaning should be a priority in your new apartment. This is because you must clean the floors, furnishings, and other household items daily.
This category of your first apartment checklist includes:
- Vacuum cleaner
- Laundry detergent
- Rubber gloves
- Mop
- Bucket
- Broom and dustpan
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Multi-purpose and multi-surface cleaner
- Large sponges
- Tile cleaner
- Toilet brush
- Glass cleaner
- Microfiber cloths
- Surface disinfectant
- Baking soda
Miscellaneous necessities
You can include miscellaneous essentials in your checklist. You may not necessarily need these items at the moment but will need them at some point. This category can include diverse items you may require in the apartment.
Examples of such items include:
- Tools such as spanners
- Hammer and nails
- Tapes (masking, clear, duct)
- Scissors
- Wrench
- Lightbulbs
- Storage bins
- Flashlights
- Fans
- Batteries
Grocery staples items
Lastly, you can include grocery staples essentials in your checklist. These are spices that you would generally require for different meals. You can personalize this collection of grocery staples based on your preferences and liking.
Examples of such items include:
- Baking soda and powder
- Spices and dry seasonings
- Condiments and dressings
- Coffee, tea, soda
- Cooking oils
- Sugar and flour
- Rice and dry noodles
Putting It All Together
A checklist is an indispensable tool when entering your first apartment. This is because it allows you to plan accordingly and finalize the moving-in process seamlessly. You should include all the items you will need. This is because you should aim to make your apartment organized and functional.
You should customize your checklist to include items specific to your living needs. It is also important to consider your frequent guests when planning your apartment. Finally, you should consider using a template as it can help you guide what items are must-haves.