Nothing screams adulting than moving into your very first apartment and making a home out of it with the limited resources you have. You may be in university or starting a new job in a different city away from your folks but either way, getting your own place can be quite exciting and overwhelming at the same time.
Choosing the right neighborhood and finding one in it that’s within your budget can be challenging. Add to that the other decisions you need to make and things you need to buy and you’ve got your hands full.
We have taken the liberty of making it easy for you by listing down the essential items you need for your apartment.
Kitchen Essentials
The kitchen is the center of activity in any home. And even if you’re living on your own, you’ll still probably find yourself spending a lot of time in it. For this reason, most young adults feel that to be certified adults, you need to have an elaborate kitchen set-up.
You need not go down that route. All you need are a few basic items to fill your kitchen cabinets, fridge, and cupboards.
- Pots and pans: small and medium frying pans, small and medium pots, dutch oven
- Stove
- Oven
- Bakeware: baking dishes, cookie sheets, jelly roll pan
- Dishware for four to eight people
- Flatware for four to eight people
- Coffee mugs
- Wine glasses
- Knives: one large smooth-edge and one large serrated
- Measuring cups and spoons
Bedroom Essentials
Some people say choose to prioritize the living area first, but we highly recommend working on your bedroom first. This is where you recharge and recuperate after your long days at work.
Here are the must-have items in your bedroom:
- Sturdy bed
- Mattress
- Closet organizers: hangers, shoe racks, and boxes
- Bed linen: at least two sets of matching bed sheets, pillowcases, and blankets
- Pillows
- Storage boxes: for the closet or under your bed
Pro tip: When buying a mattress, don’t scrimp and get the best one you can find that’s within your budget. You’ll thank yourself for making that investment.
Bathroom Essentials
If you’re sharing your apartment with someone else, we strongly suggest keeping your toiletries in a small carrier in your bedroom. You wouldn’t want to find out that your roommate is using your soap, toothpaste, and deodorant, right? But if you’re lucky enough to have your own bathroom, keep it clean and organized always.
- Towels: two sets
- Bath mat
- Bathroom rug
- Toothbrush holder or case
- Water cup
- Plunger
Other Essential Furniture
While you’d love to see every area in your apartment come to life by filling it up with lots of furniture and decors, your bank account would probably be laughing at you. Here are a few essential pieces of furniture that you should prioritize first.
- Sofa
- Tabletop to use for dining
- Lighting
- Desk
- Chairs: at least four
Pro tip: While most people would say you’ll do with any sofa as long as you have one, we recommend looking at it as an investment, just like a bed. Get the best that you can with the money that you have and take good care of it.
Cleaning Supplies
The major part of adulting: keeping a home neat and clean. To do this, you will need some cleaning supplies. You don’t need to go overboard with this one. You just need a few basic items to keep your home dust-free and clutter-free.
- Broom
- Dustpan
- Garbage bags: small and kitchen-size
- Microfiber cloths and soft rags
- Sponges: for cleaning dishes and everything else
- Dishwashing soap
- Anti-bacterial wipes
- Paper towels
- Bucket
- Mop
- Laundry detergent
- Multipurpose cleaner
- Baking soda and vinegar
- Hand soap
- Rubber gloves
Once you’ve taken care of the basics, you can then add on to it and make it an extension of yourself. Give it a bit of your personality but make sure to always stick to your budget. There’s no need to rush. Take it one step at a time, one day at a time. Pretty soon, you’ll be surprised at how you’ve turned an empty apartment into a warm and cozy home.
