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Your new ( or first ) apartment checklist

· Pro Moving Tips
  • Express has created a comprehensive first apartment checklist, organized by room, to help you make sure you have everything you need for your new home. From a can opener to a pot and plate, it’s easy to overlook the bare necessities. But with our checklist, you’ll have a good start to life on your own and won’t have to worry about missing anything important. Don’t wait until you’re missing essentials to realize their importance, check our checklist before moving out.

    Outfitting your new apartment is a time for creativity: your dining table can substitute for a desk (or vice versa) until you find something within your budget. To get you started, here are the items you will most likely need:

    Furniture
    There’s no need to splurge on fancy, brand new furniture for your first apartment. Whether you’re a college student in need of furniture or going through a major life transition, you can get as many of the major items you need from friends and family, or buy them at garage sales, from Craigslist, and at discount stores.

    Do use caution when buying used furniture, particularly beds, to be sure they are clean and free of unfortunate tag-along like fleas or bed bugs. Those pests should certainly not be on your first-time apartment list.

    Bed
    Dresser or shelving
    Dining table and chairs
    Desk and chair
    Couch


    Kitchen
    Again, you don’t need to buy every item on the list — a basic kitchen set can be pretty minimal, but this new apartment checklist will guide you in the right direction.

    First-time kitchens are notoriously under-equipped. Do you really want to be that guy who eats cereal out of a coffee mug while his only bowl is in the fridge storing leftover re-refried beans? Of course not. Here are some important things to buy for a new apartment:

    Dish soap and sponges
    Drying rack for dishes
    At least two pots and a frying pan
    Potholders / oven mitts
    Dishtowels
    Cutlery (these are easy to find at thrift stores)
    Cutlery tray
    Measuring cups and spoons
    Cooking utensils: ladle, spatula, whisk, etc.
    Food storage containers
    Bottle opener and corkscrew (an unfortunate thing to forget)
    Can opener
    Cutting board
    Plates and bowls
    Glasses and coffee mugs
    Wine glasses
    A high-quality knife set
    Cookie sheets
    Mixing bowls
    Microwave
    Toaster or toaster oven
    Coffee maker of your choice
    Kettle or hotpot
    Aluminum foil, plastic wrap, parchment paper, and wax paper
    Strainer
    Paper towels
    Paper towel holder
    Garbage bags
    Trash and recycling bins
    Ice trays
    Countertop storage container


    Bathroom
    Having a well-equipped bathroom can feel like the difference between being an adult or… not. Set yourself up to feel proud of your new home with the following items:
    Hand and bath towels
    Washcloths
    Shower curtain and liner
    Bath mats
    Toothbrush holder
    Trash bin
    Hand soap tray or bottle
    Toilet brush and plunger
    Toilet paper
    Bathroom cleaning supplies


    Living Room
    The cozy hangout of your new home should showcase your priorities and the ways you like to spend time. If you don’t watch TV, obviously that won’t be on your list of stuff to buy — but you’ll probably still want a comfortable place to sit.
    Bookshelves or wall shelving
    TV (and stand or fixtures to hang it)
    Lamps
    Coffee table and/or end tables
    Beanbags, cushions, and other creative sitting alternatives for friends and guests
    Area rug if you have hardwood floors


    Bedroom
    Taking the time to set up your bedroom can make your first apartment really feel like a home. It might be tempting to leave your bedroom until last, but you’ll be grateful for the rest and relaxation. Here are the things you need for a new apartment bedroom:
    Mattress – with or without the pad, protector, and topper
    Bedding – sheets, pillowcases
    Blanket and duvet cover
    Pillows
    Clothes hangers
    Curtains
    Nightstand
    Bedside lamp
    Alarm clock
    Full-length mirror
    Under-bed storage containers
    Closet storage baskets or boxes
    Dirty clothes hamper


    Cleaning Supplies
    Hopefully, your new place is clean when you move in — even so, cleaning supplies should be prominent on your apartment move-in checklist. That way, you can start clean and keep it that way, as well as deal with any spills or hidden dirty spots as you unpack.
    Vacuum cleaner (no, brooms don’t work on carpets)
    Broom and dustpan
    Mop
    Bucket
    Garbage cans (several, for recycle purposes separation)
    Garbage bags
    Ladder or step stool
    Laundry basket
    Cleaning supplies – disinfectant, white vinegar, toilet bowl cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, stain remover, glass cleaner
    Spray bottles
    Sponges
    Rags
    Laundry detergent and fabric softener


    Odds and Ends
    You’ll probably need to keep a list handy to keep track of things you need for a new apartment as you discover them. Personal preferences, eccentricities in your new house, and so on will likely bring surprises, but here are a few things you might not think of to keep that list a little shorter:
    Drawer organizers
    Flashlight
    Batteries
    Storage solutions (for big closets, basements, or other storage spaces)
    First aid kit
    Extension cords
    Power strips
    Light bulbs
    Matches and/or lighters
    Pen and paper


    Before Moving In
    Preparing your space before you begin the process of moving in can save you time and a lot of hassle. Take these few precautionary steps so your movers can unload easily and you can settle in comfortably:
    Replace the locks (hopefully, your landlord does this for you)
    Fumigate or exterminate the apartment
    Clean and disinfect the fridge
    Attach power strips to power outlets in the areas you will need them before the furniture gets in the way
    Take measurements of each room to make sure your furniture and belongings will fit where you intend them to be
    Set up utilities in advance
    Change your address at the USPS website


    Upon Moving In
    We know you want to unload your boxes and settle in, but if you’re willing to adjust the order of the day just a little, everything will go a little more smoothly.
    Document the condition of the property and save copies or send to your landlord
    Assemble your bed and make it as soon as it arrives- trust us, you’ll be happy once it’s ready for you to crash in after a hard day of hurling boxes around
    Put boxes away in their designated rooms
    Introduce yourself to the neighbors you come across
    Take a walk around and get to know your new neighborhood


    Moving Out
    Of course, you want your move to go smoothly, and that includes the moving out process too. Whether you’re leaving your parents’ house or moving from one apartment to the next, these simple steps will help the moving out process to be as easeful as possible.

    Start decluttering months before your move so you aren’t boxing up unwanted items
    Sell furniture that you don’t really love or wish to replace
    Start making any necessary repairs to return your apartment to good condition
    Notify your utilities of your move-out date to prevent accidental charges
    Enlist the help of your close friends and family to pack everything
    Hire a team of professional movers to make the actual move much easier!
    Although you probably don’t even want to think about the possibility of moving again, setting your home up well the first time around will simplify things later when it is time to write up a more extensive moving out checklist. Enjoy your new home and the process of settling in!

 

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