Moving can be very stressful, and the immediate aftermath can be just as bad, especially for people moving into their first apartment or living without a roommate for the first time.
There’s little worse than discovering you don’t have something vital—like forks—at a crucial moment. Our apartment move-in checklist helps you make sure you have all the necessities.
Bedroom Essentials
A bed and mattress…or a futon…are obvious. Sleeping on the floor is not ideal, and an air mattress isn’t great in the long term either. But here are a few other things to make sure you have:
- Bedding. If it’s summer, you can potentially hold off on heavy blankets, but sheets, pillows, and pillowcases are a must
- Clothes hangers. Make sure you have enough…and then a few extras
- A closet organizer. It will make a huge difference
- Dresser
- Full-length mirror
- Nightstand and bedside lamp. If the configuration of your new bedroom doesn’t place your nightstand by a power outlet, get an extension cord
- Shoe storage
- Window coverings, if your apartment doesn’t come with them
Kitchen Must-Haves
While it’s fine to do takeout every night while moving, what about breakfast? Kitchen essentials are the kind of thing you might well have been sharing with family or roommates and may not have. Make sure you have:
- Dish soap, both for the dishwasher and for hand washing
- Dish towels
- Knives, forks, and spoons
- Containers for leftovers. Keep those takeout containers
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Microwave, if your apartment doesn’t come with one
- Toaster
- Mixing bowls and a hand or stand mixer
- Oven mitts and hot pads
- Can opener
- Coffee maker, if you drink coffee
- Cups and mugs
- Glasses
- Cookie sheets
- Aluminum foil and plastic wrap
- Pitcher for water
- Salt and pepper shakers
- Pots, pans, and serving utensils
- Trashcan and bags
- Vegetable peeler
- Placemats
- Paper towels and holder
- Ice trays if your new fridge doesn’t have an ice maker.
- Sponges and scourrers
Pro tip: If you drink, a waiter’s corkscrew is better than a “church key”—it opens all kinds of bottles. Based on your culinary habits, you might want to create your own moving checklist for your apartment.
Living Room Necessities
The last part of our checklist for moving into a new apartment is the living room. Make sure you have enough seating for not just yourself, but any small gathering you might put together.
- Television and stand. If you have a gaming console, pick a stand that will hold it.
- Bookshelves
- Coffee table or end tables
- Lamps
- Desk and chair
- Window coverings, if your apartment doesn’t come with them.
- Throw pillows and blankets
Rugs are a great addition to hardwood floors. You should also get a chair mat to put under your office chair so it doesn’t scratch the floor.
Also make sure that you have all of your cleaning supplies, including a vacuum cleaner, mop, broom, dustpan, and cleaning stuff. Don’t forget the laundry detergent. Make sure you have spare bulbs for all of your lighting fixtures and, of course, toilet paper, soap, and towels for the bathroom.
Are You Looking For Your Next Home – Come Visit Anderson Communities
At Anderson Communities, we have great apartments perfect for young adults fleeing the nest or people stepping up to their own solo apartments. We have a variety of communities in great locations in Kentucky. Let us help you find your next home and move in with no stress.
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