It's a momentous occasion when you move out to live on your own. Getting out from under your parents' roof is a big deal, but there's still a lot of work to do, even if you've already found an apartment that works for you. You might think it's enough to just pack your suitcase and a few other items (TV!), but there's so much more you need in order to function properly and not have to order things from Amazon when you're in a pinch.
Living independently also means you shouldn't depend on your parents anymore. Growing up means doing things on your own, buying things on your own, and generally just being a responsible adult. We're here to help you plan well, and part of that is giving you a list of essentials that will set the stage for your first apartment.
Furniture
Even though you may have been fine in a bean bag chair during your college years, you can't exactly get away with that as a young, hopefully employed, adult. You'll need some basic furniture items for your place. We're assuming you don't have a huge, three-bedroom apartment, so let's stick with the essentials to establish a strong base. We'll make suggestions for items that won't break the bank but still look and feel great. Who knows, you might even be able to have guests over.
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Bed Frame: Baxton Studio Lissette Wood Frame Bed - $212 (Full)
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Mattress: The Allswell Mattress - $379 (Full)
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Dining Table: Traynor 32" Dining Table - $214
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Dining Chairs: Copely Armless Dining Chairs - $115 (2-Pack)
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Sofa: Ibiza 80.3'' Flared Arm Sofa- $450
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Coffee Table: Ikea Lisabo - $130
Bathroom
Your bathroom in your new apartment might be pretty basic, but that doesn't mean you can't dress things up to make it a bit fancier, especially when your friends and family come over to visit. You don't want your gross toothpaste tube and toothbrush just hanging out for all to see, and there are some inexpensive items you can buy to make it look and feel fresh. Don't forget that deodorizer!
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Shower Curtain: Better Homes & Gardens Waffle Weave Stripe Reversible Shower Curtain - $22
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Countertop Organizer: AQ Organizational 2-Tier Bamboo Tray - $35
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Towels: Multi-Stripe Bath Towels- $8+
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Bath Mat: Crate & Barrel Lattice Wooden Mat - $40
- Plants: COCOBOO Artificial Succulent Plants - $13 (set of four)
Kitchen
You'll figure out quickly that you're going to spend a lot of time in the kitchen because no one will cook for you anymore. That's right, you're gonna have to learn how to fend for yourself, as well as potentially prepare meals for others. No more mac and cheese or chicken nuggets, and forget ordering in every night because that costs too much. With time, patience, and some decent supplies, you'll be on your way.
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Pots and Pans: Cuisinart Chef's Classic Hard-Anodized Nonstick 14-Piece Cookware Set - $200
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Knife Set: Amazon Basics 18-Piece Premium Kitchen Knife Block Set - $60
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Cutting Boards: Farberware 3-Piece Cutting Board Set - $15
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Paper Towel Holder: OXO Good Grips Steady Paper Towel Holder - $25
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Kitchen Utensil Set: Oannao 14-Piece Silicone Utensil Set - $28
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Coffee Mugs: Mora Ceramic Coffee Mugs - $32 (set of four)
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Glassware: Le'Raze Drinking Glasses - $40 (set of 18)
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Dinnerware: Westfield 12-Piece Dinnerware Set - $25
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Trash Can: BestOffice Trash & Recycling Combo - $90
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Dish Towels: Threshold Kitchen Towels - $13 (5-Pack)
Tools
There's no way you're going to decorate of fix things in your apartment if you don't have a good toolkit. Plus, there are plenty of DIY videos on the internet to help you. It's probably not a great idea to spend a ton of money on a contractor-grade set, but you should have all the essentials, including a cordless drill. You'll also need safety items and even a step stool to help you get to those hard-to-reach places. Oh, and don't forget to clean up afterwards.
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Toolkit: JarOwl 108-Piece Tool Kit with Drill - $70
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Eye Protection: Magid Polycarbonate Safety Goggles - $7
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Work Gloves: Ozero Leather Work Gloves - $11
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Step Stool: 2-Step Folding Metal Stepstool - $23
- Vacuum Cleaner: Dirt Devil Endura Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner - $75