Checklist for Moving Into An Apartment For The First Time

by Jason Goncalves February 5, 2019 Advice for Moving

The excitement of moving into your first apartment can soon turn to dismay if you realize you’ve forgotten to bring a towel, cutlery, toothbrush or pillows.

This room-by-room checklist will help ensure you don’t suffer that inconvenience.

Kitchen and dining room

If you are not used to being in charge of food preparation, it is easy to forget items like can openers, cutting boards, and cookware. Cleaning up afterward is also important so don’t leave out dish towels and soap either.

Try and tick off as many of the following as you can:

Aluminum foil
Blender
Can opener
Cookware
Coffee maker
Colander
Cookie sheets and cake tins
Corkscrew
Cutlery and organizer
Cutting boards
Dinnerware
Dish soap and sponges
Dish towels
Food containers
Garbage bags and trash cans
Glasses and mugs
Hand mixer
High-quality knives
Ice cube trays
Kettle
Measuring cups and spoons
Microwave
Mixing bowls
Oven mitts
Placemats
Serving spoon
Table and at least two chairs
Tablecloth
Toaster
Trivets (for laying down hot saucepans)
Utensils
Zip-top bags
apaprtment

Bathroom

While leaving your toothbrush or shaver at your old house is a minor convenience, not bringing any toilet paper could leave you red-faced.

Run through the following to avoid any embarrassing mishaps:

Bath mats
Bath towels
Hairdryer
Hand towels
Razor or electric shaver
Scale
Shower caddy
Shower curtain, liner and rings
Small trash can
Tissues
Toilet brush and plunger
Toilet paper
Toiletries. Bath soap, hand soap, lotion, sanitary products, shampoo, shaving foam, etc.
Toothbrush and holder
Towel hook (over the door)
Tweezers
Washcloths. Include extra for visitors.

Living room and office area

The living room is the place where you will kick back and relax after a hard day’s work (or study). A couch is just one of the essentials for your list. Here are some more:

Bookshelves
Coffee table
Floor lamp
Laptop, router and cords
Pens and paper
Printer
Sofa/couch
TV and stand

Bedroom

It’s a good idea to get your bed made first thing because you won’t want to do it at the end of a long, hard day of moving.

Take a look through the following list and see if you’ve forgotten anything:
Alarm clock
Bed
Blankets
Curtains/blinds
Dresser
Duvets
Hangers
Also protectors and pads if needed
Night lamp
Night table and chair
Pillows and cases
Sheets

Other apartment essentials

Finally, here is a list of apartment essentials that don’t fit in one specific room:

Basic tools. At least a wrench, screwdrivers (flat and Phillips Head), hammer, nails, screws, pliers, duct tape and a box-cutter.
Batteries
Broom
Carbon monoxide alarm
Cleaning supplies. Disinfectant, rags, all-purpose cleaner, window cleaner, bleach, stain remover, laundry soap, etc.
Dustpan and brush
Emergency kit
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
Flashlight and spare batteries
Ladder or step stool
Light bulbs
Matches and candles
Mop and bucket
Smoke alarms. These should be provided by your landlord but make sure you check them.
Storage. Never underestimate the amount of storage you might need. Even household cartons can serve as a temporary solution.
Trash can/s
Vacuum cleaner

Final preparations

Before moving into a new apartment, you will need to change your address details with the USPS and set up utilities, cable and any other ongoing services you are responsible for.

You might also want to give the fridge a thorough clean and disinfect it to make sure it is as fresh and hygienic as possible.

A few weeks ahead of the move, order in some multi-purpose household cartons or, even better, specialist moving and storage cartons. It is best not to rely on recycled store cartons as they could be weaker than they appear.

To avoid the risk of being charged for pre-existing damage, document the condition of the apartment on arrival, take some photographs and mail the details to your landlord (keeping a copy for yourself).

Then it’s finally time to wind down and enjoy your new life of independence.