You’re moving into your first apartment. We’re making sure you don’t forget those first apartment essentials. Check out this list of 10 easy-to-forget yet important items everyone should stock in their first apartment.
1. Find the right water filter for you
Unfortunately, the tap water in many cities across the country is laden with potentially harmful chemicals that could have lasting effects on your health over time.
Find a water filter that best fits your space. From the ever-popular pitcher-style filter to filtration units that attach to your fridge or tap, you have options, regardless of the square footage in your kitchen.
2. Frame your fine art
There’s no quicker way to out yourself as an undercooked adult than by hanging a bunch of unframed posters around your apartment. You don’t have to drop a lot of money on expensive artwork either, but you can enhance your current collection with some nice frames.
According to interior designer Emily May, “One way to make a big impact in your space without spending a lot of money is to go big with your wall art. Buy a large piece of canvas to paint, or frame a map or a beautiful piece of fabric and hang it on your wall for instant impact.”
Large art supply stores offer significant sales on frames fairly often, so be on the lookout for those! You can also consider heading out to your neighborhood thrift shop for a more vintage feel. You never know what you might find!
3. Remember a reusable water bottle
One of the most useful first apartment essentials you should have at the ready is a sturdy insulated water bottle. This will help you remember to stay hydrated during those first few stressful weeks after a move and prevent a plastic pileup in your new apartment.
4. Kick it with your kitchen trashcan
Keep your hands clean while you prepare your meals with a foot pedal kitchen trashcan. Having a lidded trashcan in the kitchen is an absolute must.
According to Kristin, the writer behind the food and lifestyle blog Kristin’s Peppermints and Cherries, “I’m the type that washes my hands every time I touch the trash can, so having to remove the lid was a problem. I ended up discarding the lid; hence no lid. A trash can with no lid doesn’t keep odors at bay because it has nothing trapping all the food smells, etc.”
With a quality can in your kitchen, no one will realize when you’ve been too lazy to take out the trash for a day or two because the stench of old garbage will be contained inside the can.
5. Cook with a cast-iron pan
While a cast-iron pan may seem like an old-school and unnecessarily rustic first apartment essential, it’s actually one of the most versatile kitchen tools around. Beyond that, cast-iron pans last forever, if properly taken care of.
Capable of cooking everything from practical proteins to savory sweets, cast-iron pans are oven safe and strong enough to handle the requirements of even the most demanding home chefs.
Pro tip: Cast-iron pans don’t need to be cleaned with soap, as that would erode the oil seasoning. Instead, use hot water and an abrasive scrubber like steel wool. Dry the pan completely after cleaning and coat the surface with oil or lard.
6. Be a cut above with a quality chef’s knife
Having a high-quality chef’s knife is nonnegotiable. If you cook, you need to have a good chef’s knife, it’s as simple as that.
A chef’s knife is versatile enough to successfully slice virtually any ingredient in your kitchen, and using a nice, quality knife is much safer than using a lighter, dull one.
Take it from the team at Ergo Chef, “If ever there was a go-to knife, it’s the chef’s knife. It chops, dices and cuts just about every ingredient, including fruits and veggies, meat, poultry and fish. This could be your new favorite knife.”
7. Enjoy hot coffee with a well-insulated mug
Nothing worse than bringing a cup of lukewarm coffee to your lips during that afternoon lull. Okay, maybe there is. But you get the point.
A well-insulated coffee mug is one of those first apartment essentials you should consider splurging on if a hot cup of coffee is something that helps you through your day. Especially if you act as your own in-house barista during the workday.
8. Curl up with a cozy blanket
It’s tough to beat the comfort provided by a soft and luxurious blanket. When you’ve just landed in a new place, it’s important to surround yourself with the things that make you feel comfortable, especially while you build up your new life in your new city.
Remember, regardless of how small your apartment is, you can create a cozy space for yourself. As a matter of fact, small spaces are actually more conducive to coziness and comfortable living.
According to the Barbulianno design team, this is because “The sleek lines and small spaces of micro-apartments can offer a feeling of sophistication while also providing a sense of serenity that comes with living in a clutter-free environment. Furthermore, being forced to live with less can lead to a more minimalist lifestyle which has been shown to have numerous benefits for mental health, including reducing anxiety and improving focus.”
Bringing a cozy blanket with you and having it readily available around your moving time is a great way to escape the stress that comes with moving and turn your new apartment into your comfortable and cozy oasis.
9. Don’t forget your first-aid kit
When you’re busy packing for a big move, a first-aid kit is one of the easiest first apartment essentials to overlook. But this is one item that you’ll regret not having if, god forbid, you really need it.
Even fully-stocked first-aid kits don’t take up much space. Buy an adequate first-aid kit that includes items like burn cream, antibiotic ointment, band-aids, gauze, ibuprofen, etc. You’ll probably never need it, but you just might. And that should be enough reason to bring it along.
10. Always make Scents
Sense of smell is one of the strongest senses that people possess and it’s also one of the most powerful factors in making people feel at home. Few people know this better than the fine folks behind Atlanta-based Abide Candle Co.
According to them, candles are capable of so much more than giving off a pleasing scent. They say candles, “Transform the vibe and energy of your space with the spark of flame. Candles elevate your soul-care routine with aromatic candles designed for a long-lasting and unforgettable experience.”
Find a candle or incense scent that you like and makes you feel at home. Bring it along and get it going the second you move in. This will help you curb that new city anxiety and enjoy the time it takes to get to know your new place.
Weather the storm
Picking up your life, renting a home and moving across town, across the country or across the globe is no small feat. Things will get stressful. You will forget or misplace something important. You will feel overwhelmed at some point. But, as long as you focus on your essentials and take the time required to pack thoughtfully and intentionally, you will make it through your move and be on your way to building your new life in your first apartment.
