Moving Checklist for Your First Apartment
Are you moving out of your parents’ house for the first time? Making the switch from a dorm room to an apartment? Welcome to the local renter’s community! Moving into your first apartment is an exciting part of young adulthood, but if you’ve always lived with Mom and Dad, you probably don’t have everything you need to make it on your own. Even if you’re moving into a fully furnished apartment, you’ll need tools, supplies, and other essentials.
Use this guide to make sure you have the necessities when moving into a new apartment, from a can opener to a shower curtain liner. Plus, download our printable PDF checklist for easy access while you’re planning and packing!
Download the Printable Guide Here!
Living Room Essentials
The main living and entertaining area of your home demands the most attention. After all, this is probably where you’ll spend most of your time.
Here are the essentials you’ll need to make your new living room feel like home:
- Bookshelf
- Coffee table or ottoman
- Lamps
- Side tables
- Sofa or futon
- Throw pillows and blankets
- TV and stand
- Window coverings
Kitchen Basics
If you plan to cook, you’ll need plenty of kitchenware, especially if you want to have your friends over.
Be sure your cupboards, drawers, and pantry are stocked with these basics:
- Aluminum foil and plastic wrap
- Blender
- Can opener
- Coffee maker
- Cookie sheets
- Cups and mugs
- Dish soap
- Dish towels
- Dishwasher detergent
- Hand or stand mixer
- Knife block
- Knives, forks, and spoons
- Leftover food storage containers
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Microwave
- Mixing bowls
- Oven mitts
- Pasta strainer
- Pitcher
- Plates and bowls
- Pots and pans
- Salt and pepper shakers
- Serving utensils
- Spice rack
- Toaster
- Trashcan and bags
- Vegetable peeler
Bedroom Necessities
Fill the bedroom in your new apartment with these necessities to make it a private, comfortable sanctuary:
- Bed frame
- Bedding
- Box spring and mattress
- Closet organizer and shelving
- Clothes hangers
- Dresser
- Full-length mirror
- Lamp
- Mattress pad
- Nightstand
- Shoe storage
- Window coverings
Bathroom Fundamentals
You probably have all your toiletries from living at home, but a functional bathroom requires much more.
Here are the fundamentals to stock up on when moving to your first apartment:
- Bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths
- Cleaning supplies like paper towels, sponges, broom, rubber gloves, window cleaner, and all-purpose cleaner
- Plunger
- Rugs
- Shower curtain and liner
- Shower organizer or caddy
- Soap dispenser
- Toilet paper
- Trashcan
Laundry Room Supplies
Maybe you’ve been doing your own laundry for years, or perhaps moving out means learning how to wash your clothes for the first time.
Either way, make sure the laundry room in your new apartment has these supplies:
- Dryer sheets
- Fabric softener
- Hamper
- Laundry baskets
- Laundry detergent
- Sewing kit
Office Equipment
If you’re lucky enough to have a spare room to use as an office, here’s the equipment you should fill it with:
- Chair mat
- Desk and chair
- Lamp
- Laptop or desktop computer
- Pens and pencils
- Power strip
- Printer and scanner
- Printer paper
- Speakers or headphones
- Trashcan
Utility Hookup
In addition to making sure your apartment is well-stocked, you also need to get the utilities hooked up before moving in. This is one item on your moving checklist you can’t overlook, or you won’t have electricity, gas, running water, internet, or cable. Plan to have all your utilities turned on the day before you move in so everything is up and running with no wait time.
Hire Apartment Movers in DC, VA & MD
If you feel overwhelmed at the prospect of packing boxes, wrapping furniture, loading a moving truck, moving out, transporting your belongings, and unloading everything into your new apartment—why not get some extra assistance? The professional apartment movers at Georgetown Moving and Storage Company will help to make the process go smoothly, while also lowering your stress level and the physical exertion required to move.
To learn more about our apartment moving services or to reserve apartment movers in Washington DC, Virginia, or Maryland, contact us today at (703) 889-8899!
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