Moving into your new apartment? It’s exciting—but also a little overwhelming. Between packing, shopping, and figuring out if you need a plunger (you do), it’s easy to miss the essentials.
This new apartment checklist has everything you need to stay organized, stress less, and feel confident on move-in day. Think of it as your no-fluff guide to making your new place feel like home—fast.
🧾 The Essentials-Only Checklist (Quick View)
Your fast-track list for just the things you really need to get started—no fluff, just function. If you’re in a rush or on a tight budget, start here. These are the must-haves to function from day one.
🛏️ Bedroom
- Mattress + bed frame (or just a mattress to start)
- 2 sets of sheets
- Pillows
- Comforter or duvet
- Laundry basket or hamper
- Nightstand or small table
- Lamp or lighting source
🛁 Bathroom
- Shower curtain + rings
- Towels (at least 2 sets)
- Bath mat
- Toilet brush + plunger
- Toilet paper
- Hand soap + basic toiletries
- Toothbrush holder
🍳 Kitchen
- Plates, bowls, cups (2–4 each)
- Utensils
- Frying pan + pot
- Cutting board + sharp knife
- Dish soap + sponge
- Trash can + liners
- Paper towels or reusable cloths
🛋️ Living Room
- Couch or futon
- Coffee table
- TV or monitor
- Lighting (lamp or overhead)
- Curtains or blinds
🧹 Cleaning & Laundry
- All-purpose cleaner
- Broom + dustpan (or vacuum)
- Mop or Swiffer
- Laundry detergent
- Drying rack or access to dryer
- Trash bags
⚡ Utilities & Tech
- Wi-Fi setup (router/modem)
- Extension cords + power strips
- Light bulbs
- Phone + laptop chargers
🧰 Safety & Tools
- First aid kit
- Basic tool set
- Smoke/CO detector (if not included)
- Fire extinguisher
🛏️ Bedroom Breakdown
Create your little sleep sanctuary with the basics that make it feel like home.
What You Need:
- Mattress + frame (or skip the frame if you’re budgeting)
- Pillows (get the good ones!)
- Sheets (2 sets = sanity when laundry piles up)
- Comforter or duvet
- Nightstand or storage bin
- Soft lighting (table lamp, string lights, or both!)
- Curtains or blackout shades
- Laundry hamper
- Mirror
- Closet hangers
- Under-bed storage bins
- Dresser or chest of drawers
- Mattress + frame (or skip the frame if you’re budgeting)
- Pillows (get the good ones!)
- Sheets (2 sets = sanity when laundry piles up)
- Comforter or duvet
- Nightstand or storage bin
- Soft lighting (table lamp, string lights, or both!)
- Curtains or blackout shades
- Laundry hamper
💡 Real Talk: You’re gonna spend a lot of time in your bed—make it cozy and cute.
🛍 Tip: Amazon and Target are great, but don’t sleep on Facebook Marketplace for headboards and dressers.
🛁 Bathroom Basics
Everything you need for a clean, comfy bathroom that actually works for your daily routine.
Must-Haves:
- Shower curtain + liner + hooks
- At least 2 bath towels
- Hand towel + washcloths
- Bath mat
- Toilet paper
- Soap + shampoo
- Trash can
- Toilet brush + plunger (glamorous, I know)
- Toothbrush + toothpaste
- Razor + shaving supplies
- Hair dryer
- Bathroom storage (shelf, caddy, or baskets)
- Shower curtain + liner + hooks
- At least 2 bath towels
- Hand towel + washcloths
- Bath mat
- Toilet paper
- Soap + shampoo
- Trash can
- Toilet brush + plunger (glamorous, I know)
💡 Pro Tip: Buy white towels so you can bleach them when things get gross.
🛍 Tip: Dollar stores are gold mines for basics.
🍳 Kitchen Setup
Get your kitchen functional and food-ready—without buying everything under the sun.
You’ll Need:
- Dishware (plates, bowls, mugs)
- Silverware
- Chef’s knife + cutting board
- Pot + pan
- Measuring cup/spoons (optional but helpful!)
- Dish soap + sponge
- Dish towel or drying rack
- Tupperware or containers
- Trash can + liners
- Food storage bags or foil
- Mixing bowls
- Oven mitt
- Can opener
- Microwave (if not included)
- Small bin for compost or scraps
- Dishware (plates, bowls, mugs)
- Silverware
- Chef’s knife + cutting board
- Pot + pan
- Measuring cup/spoons (optional but helpful!)
- Dish soap + sponge
- Dish towel or drying rack
- Tupperware or containers
- Trash can + liners
💡 Just Enough: You don’t need a full-blown chef’s kitchen. 1 pan, 1 pot, and a sharp knife will take you far.
🛋️ Living Room Comforts
Turn your living room into a cozy, functional hangout with just a few key pieces.
Basics:
- Couch or loveseat
- Coffee table or side table
- Lighting (floor lamp, table lamp, whatever works)
- TV or laptop setup
- Window treatments (because privacy!)
- Throw blanket
- Extra seating (pouf, bean bag, or accent chair)
- Couch or loveseat
- Coffee table or side table
- Lighting (floor lamp, table lamp, whatever works)
- TV or laptop setup
- Window treatments (because privacy!)
💡 Move-In Hack: Thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace are your besties for finding furniture without maxing out your card.
🧹 Cleaning & Laundry Gear
Adulting = cleaning. These essentials will keep your space fresh with minimal effort.
Musts:
- Broom + dustpan or vacuum
- Mop or Swiffer
- All-purpose cleaner + wipes
- Laundry detergent
- Trash bags
- Drying rack (if no dryer)
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Glass or window cleaner
- Lint roller
- Iron + ironing board or steamer
- Laundry basket (if separate from hamper)
- Broom + dustpan or vacuum
- Mop or Swiffer
- All-purpose cleaner + wipes
- Laundry detergent
- Trash bags
- Drying rack (if no dryer)
💡 Adulting Tip: Keep cleaning supplies in a caddy to move room-to-room like a pro.
⚡ Utilities & Tech To-Do List
Make your new place livable and connected with these must-haves before you move in.
Don’t Forget:
- Set up internet before you move in
- Power strips + surge protectors
- Chargers (phone, laptop, etc.)
- Extra bulbs
- Batteries (you’ll thank me later)
💡 Pro Move: Schedule Wi-Fi setup before move-in to avoid a week of hotspot drama.
🧰 Tools & Emergency Must-Haves
Don’t get caught off guard—these basics are boring but so necessary.
Smart to Have:
- First aid kit
- Small toolkit (screwdriver, hammer, tape measure)
- Fire extinguisher
- Flashlight + extra batteries
- Smoke detector (if not already installed)
- Duct tape
- Scissors
- Step stool
- First aid kit
- Small toolkit (screwdriver, hammer, tape measure)
- Fire extinguisher
- Flashlight + extra batteries
- Smoke detector (if not already installed)
💡 You never think you’ll need it—until you do.
🕐 What Can Wait (But You’ll Want Later)
You don’t need everything now—here’s what can wait until you’re more settled.
Save These for Later:
- Wall art + decor
- Area rugs
- Desk + office chair
- Full dining set
- Blender, toaster, etc.
- Matching storage bins
💡 Do This Instead: Prioritize function over Pinterest at first. The cute stuff can come once you’re settled.
💸 Budgeting Tips You’ll Actually Use
Keep your move-in costs under control with these no-BS, money-saving hacks.
- Use a Google Sheet to track spending
- Shop big items secondhand
- Look for seasonal sales (Black Friday, Memorial Day, etc.)
- Use Honey or Rakuten for coupons + cashback
- Don’t buy matching sets just because they’re cute—only what you’ll use
📶 Digital Setup
Make sure your space is smart and connected from day one with these simple tech moves.
- Book internet install ahead of move-in
- Get a VPN if you work remotely or travel
- Smart plug or light bulbs (optional, but cool!)
- Create a shared doc for passwords, bills, and logins
🚨 Safety & Emergency Stuff
Stay safe, stay ready. These are the non-negotiables you hope you’ll never need—but definitely do.
- Fire extinguisher + first aid kit
- Flashlight + candles
- Know your fuse box + water shutoff
- Emergency numbers saved in phone + printed
📥 Want This as a Printable?
Prefer paper over tabs? Grab a downloadable version to check things off IRL. Create your own or download my free version with:
- ✅ Essentials Only
- 🛏️ Room-by-Room Checklist
- 📅 Budget Planning Sheet
🎯 Final Thoughts
Let’s be real—moving is hard. But with this checklist, you’re not doing it alone.
Girl, you’ve got this. Moving out is a huge step—but it’s also so exciting. Don’t worry about having it all figured out on day one. Start with the basics, add as you go, and make it yours.
Bookmark this guide, print the checklist, and remember—you don’t need 57 throw pillows to feel at home.
Let’s do this! 💪
