Moving into your first apartment is one of life’s most exciting transitions—finally, you have your say on how you decorate, set your own schedule, and enjoy a little more privacy. Whether moving on from a dorm or growing up at home, moving into your first apartment is a big achievement.

However, a significant move like this does come with added responsibility (and stress). To make your move as seamless as possible, use our expert tips to get organized and prepare to make yourself at home.

What Do I Need To Move my First Apartment

You may be tempted to go big when moving into your first apartment, but it’s better to start small.

“A common mistake is having too much of something and not enough of something else,” says organizer Jean Prominski of Sparkle Home Organizing. “Keep an ongoing list on your phone for different stores, so if you’re at Target or Home Depot or the grocery store, you’ll be able to be the most efficient on your errands.”

Start by making sure you have the basics, and then work on adding decor once you feel confident you have all of life’s little essentials.

Prominski recommends “making a list for kitchen supplies, food, bedroom items, living room furniture and décor, bathroom items (always stocked with toilet paper!), cleaning supplies, first aid, and anything else you need. And don’t forget to buy a toilet plunger!”

Other good items to have on your list include:

• Pots and pans
• Kitchen essentials (a can opener, spatula, flatware, mugs, cups, oven mitt, ice cube tray, and food storage containers)
• Appliances (like a microwave, air fryer, or coffee maker)
• A set of dishes
• Primary and secondary sheet sets
• A comforter or quilt
• Pillows and pillowcases
• Shower curtain
• Hangers
• Laundry hamper

Check out our blog for more tips on maximizing small spaces.

If you’re living on your own for the first time, chances are there are a few life skills you may still need to practice. With a bit of help from the internet, however, you may be handier than you think!

“Check YouTube before getting the apartment maintenance person involved to see if it’s something you can do on your own,” says Prominski. “Once, when living in an apartment, I thought my fridge was broken, because it was making a lot of loud noises. I got the maintenance person to come; all he did was vacuum the dust from the coils. How embarrassing! Attempting to fix things on your own (within reason, of course) will help give you the skills for being a homeowner.”

Be sure you have a starter tool kit with items like a hammer, screwdriver, and hardware.

How to Prepare for Moving into Your First Apartment

If you’re moving into your first apartment, you want to get your utilities set up before you move in, including mail, internet, and electricity. Check with your landlord to see if you’re responsible for anything else, like gas or trash.

A few other to-do’s before you even unpack include:

• Take photos of the apartment before you move in to document any damage or pre-existing conditions (you want to get that security deposit back, after all).
• Invest in a lockbox to avoid an expensive visit from a locksmith if you get locked out during peak hours (Prominski recommends this Master Lock Combination Key Box, which she notes “is also great if you have pets and need someone to come and check on them when you’re not home.”)
• Familiarize yourself with the neighborhood, including hospitals, urgent care centers, grocery stores, and other essentials.
• Prominiski says to “ask for a sample of the paint that was used for the walls and put it in a plastic container that seals well. You can even store it in the fridge to extend the life of the paint. This will make it so much easier when you must fix any holes or dings on the walls before moving out.”
• Measuring your space while it’s empty is the easiest way to ensure your future furniture fits.

Be sure to get that security deposit back with our handy guide.

What to Buy When Moving

For your first apartment, it’s okay to use more temporary items that can grow with you or be replaced as your sense of style (and space) grows.

“When you first move in, use the built-in storage in your home and lightweight storage options (such as milk crates, carts with mesh drawers, and garment racks) before investing in heavy furniture so you know the rough size and shape that will work in your home,” says organizer Diane Lowry of New York at Home. “Being able to move things around easily is important when finding a layout that works for you, as well as if you’re planning to move within two years. Second hand furniture is great for the environment and your wallet.”

Be realistic about what you need at this phase in your life. For example, if you’re not planning on hosting dinner parties, there’s no need to take up valuable real estate with a six person dining table.

Lowry says, “If you spend most of your weekdays at work or school, your home is probably a place where you entertain occasionally but mostly sleep, shower, cook, eat, exercise, work on a hobby, and relax. You don’t need a lot of furniture to support these activities, so setting up your home for daily life is the best investment.”

If you’re working within a strict budget, as many first-time renters are, check out sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay to snag great deals on items to stock in your first apartment.

Become a Marketplace Maven with our expert tips.

Now that you’ve gotten yourself organized, unpack, sit back, and enjoy the perks of having your own place. Of course, if your first apartment is still on the small side, we can always help you with self storage solutions that can grow with you.