Moving into your first apartment is exciting — until you realise you need everything. A bed, a pan, a shower curtain, a light bulb. It adds up fast, and it is easy to buy the wrong things first.
This first apartment checklist covers what to sort out before you get the keys, what you need on your first night, what can wait, and what you need room by room. You do not need a finished home on day one. You need a place where you can sleep, shower, eat, and live comfortably — then build from there.
For more practical rental advice, browse our Apartment Guides.
TL;DR
- Before the keys: Read the lease, set up utilities and internet, get renters insurance if required, and plan a move-in inspection with photos.
- First night: Bedding, a pillow, towels, toilet paper, soap, a phone charger, a lamp, and an open-first box.
- First week: Kitchen basics, cleaning supplies, bins, and laundry supplies.
- First month: A sofa, a dining table, extra storage, and decor — buy these after you have lived in the space.
Before You Get the Keys
Read the lease
Read your lease before you sign it. Check the rent, due date, deposit, lease length, and what happens if you leave early. Look for the rules on guests, pets, noise, decorating, and repairs. If something is unclear, ask your landlord in writing.
Check what is already included
Before you buy anything, find out what is already there. Many apartments come with a fridge, cooker, and sometimes a microwave or washing machine. Ask about blinds, light fittings, and built-in storage. There is no reason to buy something your new place already provides.
Set up utilities and internet
Ask your landlord which utilities you pay for. You will usually need to set up electricity, gas, water, and internet in your name. Give providers a few days’ notice so everything is on when you arrive.
Get renters insurance
Renters insurance is cheap, and many landlords require proof of it before they hand over the keys. It usually covers your belongings if they are stolen or damaged by fire or water. Your landlord’s insurance covers the building, not your laptop, clothes, or furniture.
Do a move-in inspection and take photos
Walk through the apartment with your landlord if you can. Note every mark, scratch, and broken fitting. Take clear photos and a short video of each room, and keep the signed move-in inspection report. This protects your deposit when you move out.
Measure rooms and doorways
Measure before you buy anything large: each room, the doorways, the lift, and hallway corners. A sofa that fits the living room is no good if it cannot get through the front door.
The Three Waves: First Night, First Week, First Month
Do not try to furnish your whole apartment in one trip. Split your list into three waves.
| Wave | What belongs here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First night | Bedding, towels, toilet paper, soap, phone charger, shower curtain, a lamp | You cannot sleep, wash, or see without these |
| First week | Kitchen basics, cleaning supplies, bins, laundry supplies | Daily routines once you unpack |
| First month | Sofa, dining table, extra storage, decor, small appliances | Buy after living in the space |
Many first-time renters spend around $150–$200 on first-night essentials, $300–$500 in the first week, and $200–$500 in the first month — roughly $500–$1,500 in total, depending on what you already own and whether you buy new or second-hand.
Room-by-Room First Apartment Essentials
Working room by room stops you buying four spatulas and no bin. These lists cover what genuinely gets used in a first apartment.
Bedroom essentials
Focus first on what you need to sleep well, get dressed, and store clothes.
- Mattress — buy this new if you can. You spend a third of your life on it.
- Bed frame, mattress protector, fitted sheet, pillows, and a blanket or duvet
- A lamp, hangers, a dresser or storage boxes, a laundry hamper, and a mirror
Later: a nightstand, a desk, and wall decor. If you are moving into a studio, read our studio apartment vs 1 bedroom guide first — in one open room, your bedroom setup has to work harder.
Bathroom essentials
Stock the basics before your first night: toilet paper (more than you think), hand soap, body wash and shampoo, a bath towel and hand towel, a shower curtain and liner if not provided, a bath mat, a toilet brush and plunger, and a small bin.
Later: a storage caddy and extra towels. If your bathroom starts to smell damp, see our guide on how to get rid of smell in an apartment.
Kitchen essentials
Think about three jobs: cook, eat, and clean up.
Cook: one medium pot, one large frying pan, a spatula and wooden spoon, a chef’s knife and cutting board, a baking sheet, and a can opener.
Eat: plates and bowls, one set per person, glasses or mugs, and cutlery.
Clean: washing-up liquid and sponge, tea towels, a bin and bin bags, and paper towels.
Later: a coffee maker, kettle, and extra pans. Start small, cook a few real meals, and you will learn what you are missing.
Living room essentials
Start with somewhere to sit, enough light, and a useful surface.
- Sofa, loveseat, or one to two chairs
- Coffee table or side table, and a lamp
- Curtains or blinds, if not already fitted
- TV and TV stand, if you want one, plus throw pillows and a blanket
Later: a bookshelf, a rug, and plants. Our guide on how to make a small apartment look bigger has simple layout ideas for a first apartment.
Cleaning and laundry supplies
This is the category first-time renters skip, then need at 9 p.m. on moving day: a broom and dustpan, a mop, a vacuum if you have carpet, multi-purpose cleaner, laundry detergent, a drying rack, bin bags, and paper towels. Keep them in one cupboard. A clean apartment feels like home much faster than a decorated one.
Basic tools and safety items
Pack screwdrivers, a hammer, nails and wall hooks (check your lease before you drill), a measuring tape, a step stool, power strips, batteries, and spare light bulbs. Check you have a working smoke alarm and, if your apartment has gas, a carbon monoxide alarm. Add a simple first-aid kit and keep a torch and phone charger easy to find.
What Can Wait?
Live in the space for a few weeks first. Decor, wall art, plants, extra furniture, small appliances, a second set of towels or dishes, and a desk if you can work at the dining table can all wait. For a full plan, see our guide on how to furnish an apartment on a budget — it covers where to splurge, where to save, and how to furnish in phases.
Moving Day Tips
Pack an open-first box. Keep it with you, not on the truck: bedding, a pillow, towels, toilet paper, soap, a phone charger, a lamp, cleaner, and snacks or money for takeout.
Label boxes by room. Mark the room in big letters on at least two sides. Unpack the bedroom and bathroom first — once you can sleep and shower, the rest can wait.
Book the lift, parking, and movers early. Book the service lift as soon as your date is firm, and ask about moving hours and parking. Book movers or a van early, especially at the end of the month.
Do a final walk-through. Check every cupboard and drawer in your old place. At the new apartment, do the move-in inspection and photos before you unpack. It takes twenty minutes and protects your deposit.
How Much Should You Budget?
Many first-time renters spend $500–$1,500 on essentials in the first month, plus the deposit and first month’s rent. Start with four pieces: a bed, something to sit on, a table, and somewhere to put clothes. Buy second-hand furniture first — a second-hand sofa or table can save you hundreds — and buy a mattress new if you can. Keep a small buffer for things you forgot, like a shower curtain or light bulbs.
FAQ: First Apartment Checklist
What do I need for my first apartment?
A bed and bedding, bathroom basics, a kitchen starter set, cleaning supplies, basic tools, and safety items. Start with what lets you sleep, shower, cook a basic meal, and clean up. Everything else can wait until the first month.
What should I buy first for my first apartment?
A mattress, bedding, towels, toilet paper, soap, a lamp, and a phone charger — your first-night essentials. Add kitchen basics and cleaning supplies in the first week. A sofa and dining table can come in the first month, once you know what fits.
How much should I budget for my first apartment?
Around $500–$1,500 on essentials in the first month, plus the deposit and first month’s rent. Allow $150–$200 for the first night, $300–$500 for the first week, and $200–$500 for the first month. Second-hand furniture brings the total down a lot.
What can wait on a first apartment checklist?
Decor, wall art, plants, extra furniture, small appliances, and a second set of towels or dishes. Live in the apartment for a few weeks first, so you avoid buying things that do not fit or that you never use.
Do I need renters insurance for my first apartment?
Often, yes — many landlords require proof of renters insurance before they hand over the keys, so read your lease. Even if it is not required, it usually covers your belongings if they are stolen or damaged, and liability if you accidentally damage the apartment.
Final Thoughts
Use this first apartment checklist in waves: sort out the lease, utilities, renters insurance, and move-in inspection before the keys; pack an open-first box for the first night; make the apartment functional in the first week; and make it comfortable in the first month. You do not need everything at once — a good night’s sleep, a hot shower, a basic meal, and a clean, safe space are enough to start.
If you are still deciding on a place, our Apartment Guides and our guide to how to furnish an apartment on a budget will help you plan without overspending. And if you are booking a place for someone else for a short stay first, see our guide on how to book Airbnb for someone else.
