Heads up: Grembi is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. How this works.
Nobody forgets the bed. Or the couch. Or the cool lamp from that one video. What people forget is the plunger, until the exact moment they need a plunger.
This checklist skips the obvious stuff and focuses on the 30 things that catch first-time renters off guard: a few to-dos before move-in, then the bathroom, kitchen, cleaning, tools and safety basics. Tick them off and your first week will be a lot less chaotic.
Where it helps, we link to Amazon search results so you can choose a well-reviewed option on the day. Most of these are cheap, but prices move, so check before you buy.
How we pick
- Things people actually forget. We left out the obvious (bed, sofa, towels) and focused on the stuff first-time renters often say they wish they’d bought earlier.
- Cheap first. Most items are small purchases. Nothing here needs a big budget.
- No brand pushing. Most items are generic, so we link to search results instead of one product.
- No fake testing, no scare tactics. Safety notes point to recognised sources. We haven’t tested specific products for this list. Brands can’t pay for a spot.
Before you move in
1. Photos of every room, on move-in day
Before you unpack anything, walk through and photograph or video every wall, floor, appliance and existing scuff. Email them to yourself so they’re date-stamped. If your landlord gives you a move-in inspection form, fill it in carefully and keep a copy. This is your best evidence when it’s time to get your security deposit back.
2. Internet booked early
Internet providers can take days or weeks to install service, especially at busy times like the end of summer. Book it as soon as you have a move-in date so you’re not working off your phone’s hotspot for two weeks.
3. Change of address
Update your address with the US Postal Service so mail is forwarded, then update it with your bank, employer, phone carrier and any subscriptions. Use the official USPS change-of-address page. Check the USPS FAQ for any current fees before you pay, and go through usps.com directly rather than another site.
4. Renters insurance quote
Your landlord’s insurance usually covers the building, not your stuff. Renters insurance can cover your belongings and some liability. Some leases require it. Get a couple of quotes and read what’s covered before you sign anything.
5. Know where the breaker box and water shut-off are
Ask your landlord or building manager on move-in day. When a fuse trips or a pipe leaks, you’ll want to know in seconds, not after a 20-minute search with your phone flashlight.
Bathroom
6. Plunger
The number one “I really should have bought this already” item. Buy it before you need it. You’ll thank yourself.
7. Toilet brush
The plunger’s less dramatic sibling. A brush with a holder is the cleanest option.
8. Shower curtain liner and rings
Many apartments come with a curtain rod and nothing else. A cheap liner keeps water in the tub; the fun curtain is optional. Don’t forget the rings or hooks, which are sold separately surprisingly often.
Shop liners and rings on Amazon
9. Bath mat
Wet feet on a tile floor is how you slip. A bath mat with a non-slip back makes the floor less sketchy after a shower.
10. Toilet paper, stocked before day one
Moving day is long. Have at least one roll in the bathroom before the first box comes in.
Kitchen
11. Can opener
Easy to forget, very annoying when you’re staring at a can of soup with no way in.
12. Colander
Pasta is a first-apartment staple, and draining it with a pot lid is a risky move.
13. Cutting board and one good chef’s knife
You don’t need a 15-piece knife block. One decent chef’s knife and a cutting board handle most of what you’ll cook. A sharp knife is also easier to control than a dull one.
Shop knives and boards on Amazon
14. Dish rack
If you don’t have a dishwasher (and many first apartments don’t), you need somewhere for clean dishes to dry. A compact rack fits small counters.
15. Food storage containers
Leftovers, meal prep and the “I’ll eat half now” pizza. A set of containers with lids that match is worth more than you’d think.
16. Kitchen trash can and bags that actually fit
Check the can’s capacity in gallons and buy bags in that size. A surprising number of people own the wrong-size bags for a full year.
17. Oven mitts or a thick towel
Grabbing a hot pan with a thin paper towel is a lesson most people only need once.
Cleaning
18. All-purpose cleaner and sponges
The basics for counters, sinks and spills. Read the label before mixing any cleaning products: some combinations are dangerous.
19. Broom and dustpan
Even with a vacuum, a broom is faster for crumbs and moving-day grit.
20. A floor cleaning plan
Hard floors? A spray mop or a basic mop and bucket. Carpet? A vacuum. Small budget? Start with a broom and add the rest later.
21. Paper towels and a few microfiber cloths
Paper towels for the gross stuff, reusable microfiber cloths for everything else.
22. Laundry basket and drying rack
A basket gets clothes to the laundry room. A drying rack saves the things that shouldn’t go in the dryer (and money, if your building charges per load).
Tools and everyday fixes
23. Basic toolkit
A screwdriver with swappable bits, a small hammer, pliers, a tape measure and an Allen key set will cover flat-pack furniture and most small jobs.
24. Step stool
Apartment cabinets and light fixtures are always just out of reach. A folding step stool is safer than standing on a chair.
25. Power strips with surge protection
Older apartments often have fewer outlets than you need, and never where you need them. Look for surge-protected strips with a safety certification mark (such as UL or ETL) on the listing, and don’t chain power strips together.
Shop surge protectors on Amazon
26. Command hooks and strips
For hanging art, keys and towels without drilling holes. Check your lease about wall hangings, follow the removal instructions, and your walls (and deposit) stay intact.
27. Light bulbs
Some fixtures in a new place will be dead or missing bulbs. Check the fixture’s bulb type and maximum wattage before buying.
Safety basics
28. Test the smoke alarms
Test every smoke alarm on move-in day, and follow the official advice at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on how to test them and how often. If one doesn’t work, tell your landlord in writing right away.
29. Fire extinguisher
Ask your landlord whether the unit has one. If not, a small home extinguisher in or near the kitchen is a common recommendation. Read the instructions when you buy it, not during a fire. The US Fire Administration has a plain-English guide to choosing and using fire extinguishers; it recommends the largest extinguisher you can safely and comfortably operate.
Shop home fire extinguishers on Amazon
30. A basic first aid kit and a flashlight
A small kit with bandages and the basics, plus a flashlight with spare batteries for power outages. Store them where you can find them in the dark.
The one-page version
Print it, screenshot it, tape it to a box.
Before move-in: move-in photos · internet booked · USPS change of address · renters insurance quote · find breaker box and water shut-off
Bathroom: plunger · toilet brush · shower liner and rings · bath mat · toilet paper
Kitchen: can opener · colander · cutting board and chef’s knife · dish rack · food containers · trash can and right-size bags · oven mitts
Cleaning: all-purpose cleaner and sponges · broom and dustpan · mop or vacuum · paper towels and microfiber cloths · laundry basket and drying rack
Tools: basic toolkit · step stool · surge-protected power strips · Command hooks · light bulbs
Safety: test smoke alarms · fire extinguisher · first aid kit and flashlight
Moving off campus?
Students moving out of a dorm for the first time already have some of the small stuff. Our best gifts under $25 for college students list doubles as a decent starter kit, and a funny desk gadget or two makes a new place feel like yours. Want lamps on a schedule without drilling anything? Try our renter-friendly smart home under $50.
FAQ
What should I buy first for my first apartment? The bathroom basics (plunger, toilet paper, shower liner) and a few cleaning supplies. You can live without a couch for a week; you can’t live without a working bathroom.
How do I keep my first apartment budget under control? Buy the essentials on this list first, then wait a few weeks before buying furniture and decor. Living in the space shows you what you really need.
Do you list prices? No. Prices change too often. Most items here are inexpensive basics; check current prices before you buy.