A new school year is upon us. Although it is hard to say goodbye to the laid back days of summer vacation, this time of year can be filled with excitement as college freshmen start this exciting new chapter of life. Many times this new stage of life goes hand-in-hand with moving into a first apartment.
There is nothing quite like that feeling of freedom that comes with having your own space, even if you are planning on sharing that space with a roommate. However, upon move-in you will quickly realize there are a lot of things you didn’t realize that you needed.
Make Your New Apartment Feel Like Home by Picking Up Some Key Essentials.
- Bedroom – One of the first spaces you will want to set up upon move-in is your bedroom, since you will most likely be sleeping there later that evening. A mattress, bed frame, and bedding (sheets, comforter, and pillows) are truly all that are necessary for your first night in your new space.
- Kitchen – Whether you plan on doing a lot of cooking or not, there are still some major items that if neglected would make it hard to function on a daily basis. Silverware, plates, bowls, glasses, and mugs are the basics. If you are planning on doing more cooking, pots and pans, a coffee maker, an oven safe baking dish, oven mitts, measuring cups and spoons, a cooking utensil set, cutting board, and at least one good kitchen knife will help get you started. You will find that there may be more items you need for your daily life, but these will give you a good head start.
- Bathroom – This space can easily be overlooked, but a shower curtain and hooks, bath towels and washcloths, rug, and plunger are all you really need for the first few days until you get more settled.
- Living – You will want a space to kick back and relax when you come home from work or class, but it can also take some time to purchase some of these big-ticket items. Finding good deals on a couch, dining table and chairs, area rug, TV, and entertainment center can help complete your space. However, these are definitely not a necessity for the first few days or weeks after moving in.
- MISC. – The non-glamorous items that can easily be overlooked but are essential for daily life are trashcans (one for kitchen and one for bathroom), cleaning supplies, food, personal items (pictures, artwork, items of special meaning, etc.), paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, napkins, etc.), and a vacuum (could be a traditional vacuum, stick vacuum, hand-held vacuum, whatever fits your space best).
This list can seem overwhelming, and don’t be discouraged if you find yourself running out to the store multiple times a week those first few months. It takes a lot to get your new apartment set up just right, but it will be worth the time and effort!
