Whether you’re starting a new job in your hometown of Nashville, TN or getting a fresh start across the country in Portland, OR, moving into your first apartment is an exciting milestone in life. There’s something surreal about sitting in your new place for the first time and realizing that you finally have a place to call your own. However, knowing what exactly you’ll need can be overwhelming, especially if you’re starting from scratch. Even if you try to focus on the essential items, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos and excitement of filling your new home.
With this comprehensive first apartment checklist, you’ll learn what you need to survive in your first rental and what home goods you can put off buying – at least for now. We’ve sorted this first apartment checklist by room so you won’t miss a thing. It’s important to remember that while decorating your space is the fun part, be sure you have all the essentials and a few “nice-to-have” items to make your new house feel like home. The key is to find everything you need on the first apartment checklist while prioritizing the splurges that are most important to you. Let’s get started.
First Apartment Checklist: A Room-by-Room Guide
Living room essentials and nice-to-haves
The living room is the first space we’re crossing off on our first apartment checklist. It’s usually the area where you’ll spend most of your free time – your main hangout zone for entertaining, watching TV, lounging, and even working from home. Opt for hand-me-down items from your parent’s basement or thrift store finds if they’re in good shape. Here’s what you’ll need to include on your first apartment checklist to make the living room your ideal hangout spot:
Living room essentials checklist:
- Couch or 1-2 chairs
- TV stand or mount
- Couch pillows
- Throw blanket
- Coasters
- Wall decor
- TV
- Speakers or soundbar
- Lamp
- Window treatments
Living room nice-to-haves checklist:
- Both couch and chairs…