Man preparing a checklist for moving across the country overlay

The Only First Apartment Checklist You’ll Ever Need

Posted in Moving Essentials,Planning the Move on November 23, 2022

Relocating into your first apartment is an exciting time and a big step towards independence and adulthood. Not only will you become responsible for yourself, but also for your own space, too. That’s why you have to make a first apartment checklist. With this list in hand, you can be sure that you’re covering all your bases and setting yourself up for success in your new home.

Why Do You Actually Need a First Apartment Checklist?

A few key things should be on every first apartment checklist. First and foremost, you need to make sure that you have the essentials covered. This includes furniture, dishes, cookware, bedding, towels, and toiletries. Once you have the basics taken care of, you can start thinking about other items that will make your life easier, such as storage bins, cleaning supplies, and decor items.

In addition to physical items, there are a few other things that should be on your checklist as well. For instance, you need to set up utilities like electricity, water, trash service, and internet before you move in. You should also contact your insurance company to add your apartment to your renters’ insurance policy. And finally, make sure you understand the terms of your lease so that you can avoid any potential problems down the road.

Having a thorough checklist can enable you to manage your time and financial resources. This is crucial when you have to consider a variety of expenses, including professional cross-country moving services such as a packing service.

When you have a plan and list of things to do when relocating to a new state, you can better budget your move so that everything gets done quickly and effectively. Having a scheduled timeline for finishing each activity will help you prevent any last-minute rushing or scrambling, which frequently causes more stress.

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Kitchenware Is Definitely One of the Things You Need for Your First Apartment

You’ll probably pack dishes and transport them to the new home when you’re long-distance moving. However, if the thought of packing dishes and unpacking after the relocation seems awful to you, you will require a list of necessary items to purchase after arriving at your new house.

To prepare anything from a simple pizza to a multi-course meal, you will require at least a few pans and pots of varying sizes. Put them on the list, especially if you are relocating for the first time and don’t have plenty of cookware yet.

You’ll need certain cooking tools, too, such as wooden spoons, tongs, whisks, and spatulas. Some of these things could already be in your possession, but if not, include them in your checklist. A quality set of knives is also necessary for every kitchen. You will require a cutting board and at least a few different kinds of knives.

What Can You Get After the Move?

A toaster, blender, food processor, cake pans, wire whisk, microwave, and serving utensils can all be bought after moving cross country. You might also consider purchasing a rug to place next to the kitchen sink so that you have a soft and flat surface to stand on while doing the dishes.

Last but not least, some storage containers are crucial for maintaining food organization and freshness. Be sure to include them on your shopping list, as you’ll need a range of storage containers, including sealed containers for perishables and dry goods.

A girl cooking in the kitchen alone after moving across the country
Save money on cross-country movers by getting some of the unnecessary kitchenware later

Check Some First Apartment Essentials for the Bedroom

When relocating to a new home, there are a few key items of furnishings you need in order to make a bedroom comfortable and useful. Of course, the bed is a necessary part of every bedroom, and it needs to be cozy and provide good body support.

You might want to spend money on a high-quality mattress if you suffer from back issues. Get an appropriate-sized bed frame for your mattress as well, but be aware that a different frame is required for a twin-size mattress than for a king-size mattress. Remember to include a cute tiny nightstand next to the bed – this is always a good idea.

Another crucial piece of furniture for the bedroom is the dresser. It’s critical to get a dresser that is the proper size for your room and has enough drawers to accommodate all your clothing. If you have a lot of clothes, you might need more than just one dresser or even an addition to your present one, such as closet organizers, to help with storage.

If you’re moving across the country into a small apartment, you may well be concerned about not having enough room for everything. You shouldn’t worry, though, because everything will be alright with some smart small apartment ideas and inventive storage solutions.

Minimalistic bedroom overlooking a garden
Get only a few bedroom essentials for the period immediately after the relocation

Bathroom Things You Should Buy

Moving out of your parent’s house and into your first apartment is a big step, and it’s natural to feel both excited and nervous. To help ease your transition into independent living, here’s a list of five essential bathroom items you’ll need for your new place. With these things, you’ll be all set to take on apartment life like a pro!

A Shower Curtain

You might be living in a place with tile floors, but that doesn’t mean your shower shouldn’t have a curtain! A good shower curtain will brighten the space and make it feel homier. Plus, it’ll keep all the water from splashing outside the tub area. Don’t forget a liner, too – you don’t want mildew stains ruining your pretty new curtain.

Towels

Of course, you need towels! You’ll need at least one bath towel and one hand towel for each person living in the apartment. If you’re planning on having guests over, you might want to have a few extras on hand. It’s also not a bad idea to keep a couple of old towels around to use as rags. You can never have too many towels!

Bathmat

A bathmat serves two purposes – it helps prevent slips, and it absorbs water, so your floors don’t get wet every time you step out of the shower. Make sure to get one that’s machine-washable so you can keep it clean easily.

Toilet Brush

Nobody likes scrubbing toilets, but unfortunately, it’s just something that has to be done from time to time. Get yourself a good toilet brush and cleaner so that when the inevitable happens, cleaning up isn’t such a pain.

Trash Can

Last but not least, you need something to put all the trash that accumulates in the bathroom! A small trash can will do the trick – just make sure it has a lid to keep any nasty smells contained.

Make a Living Room Cozy

Regardless of whether you want to host formal cocktail parties or movie nights, you’ll need chairs that match your aesthetic. Getting a futon or a sofa is a wise investment if you want a place for your guests to crash. Oh, and you’re free to take used items from a friend or family member. Additionally, you might be able to locate some old items on the Craigslist website that simply belong in the living room.

A coffee table is also required for your first home. It adds flair to your home and is a wonderful place to store drinks while hosting a party. Prior to the relocation, television may require a larger investment, although it is not necessarily a must-have. Therefore, if you already own a TV in your current residence, learn how to wrap it securely and set aside some cash for your relocation.

Additionally, if you genuinely want to enjoy action-packed or calm movie nights, consider setting up a screen and projector. Be careful when packing the TV, and take extra care when packing your laptops, video gaming consoles, and other electronics.

Proper Cleaning Supplies Are Undoubtedly Among the Things You Need for a New Place

Living alone always brings about a lot of changes and is a thrilling time in life. As you settle in, there are numerous things to consider, including what furniture to buy, how to arrange, and what sort of housewares you’ll require. Having cleaning materials is one thing that is frequently forgotten. But you still need to clean the place before moving in.

Although cleaning may not be the most enjoyable activity ever, it is necessary if you want to live in a home that is cozy and welcoming. You can simply maintain a clean apartment by creating a cleaning schedule and stocking up on necessary supplies.

Various cleaning supplies people buy after moving across the country
Cleaning your place before and after the move is a must

Keep in Mind the Much-Needed Toolkits

On your list of items to bring while moving to a new city alone, you should put a box of necessary tools. With this, you’ll be able to finish a DIY project, build some furniture, and even hang a picture by yourself. Nevertheless, even though you may need expert assistance with many of them, there are some tasks you can accomplish on your own. If you’re unsure which tools to buy, you can check in the video below.

Don’t Forget About the Safety Essentials

Smoke detectors are undoubtedly already present in your apartment, but you might want to add a few more for further security if the building is older. Consequently, when planning the relocation, be sure to include a fire extinguisher and a CO detector and keep them close to the kitchen.

Every Home Should Have a First-Aid Kit

Unfortunately, accidents do happen when moving, so it would be best to have bandages and ointment on hand in case you can’t avoid injuries during the move. Cutting a finger when opening boxes or on broken glass is not uncommon, and as the move day draws to a close, you may even start to feel a little sore. So, ensure you have a temperature gauge, bandages, anti-inflammatory lotion or gel, and antibiotic ointment.

Couple lifting a couch before long-distance movers come
It's good to have a first-aid kit at home in case you get injured

Have Your New Place All Prepared for You

You are nearly there! The big day is almost here, and you’re eager to begin your new life in a new location. However, you must first complete the relocation process before you can accomplish that. Long-distance movers should always be hired for the heavy lifting, even though you might be tempted to do everything yourself. That way, you can take care of other pressing matters and enjoy your relocation the most.

Julie Grace

Originally from The Golden City, Julie has explored the ins and outs of moving and has written all the tips down.

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