What is needed in a new apartment: a list of priority purchases

Any move is convenient when you have a list, right? Absolutely!) Acquiring your own housing has always been considered a joyful and long-awaited event. And it doesn’t matter whether the apartment is bought or rented. Every newcomer wants to make their personal space comfortable and cozy, as every detail and item matter for your comfort and well-being. But which items should be purchased right away, so that you don’t need to worry about the little things at the most inconvenient moment? Let’s figure it out together!

P.S. If we’ve forgotten something, feel free to share your ideas in the comments!

Essential items for a new apartment

Furniture

• Bed and mattress in each bedroom or bedroom set (if there are multiple bedrooms).
• Sofa in the living room (if you have such a planned room).
• Soft corner for the kitchen (if possible, you can choose a folding transformer option that can turn into a bed, so you can accommodate guests/relatives in the kitchen);
• Table and chairs for the kitchen;
• Chairs in the hallway for convenient shoe-changing;
• Wardrobe closet in the hallway or room, and perhaps the bedroom will be ideal for this;
• Coat rack (or a small tall wardrobe with a couple of doors and hooks and shelves) in the hallway for family and guests.

Don’t forget about the things that you personally need. Plan your list in advance to save money and avoid making impulsive purchases. To avoid buying and transporting a lot of clutter – be a minimalist and live a minimalist lifestyle!

Household appliances:

• Refrigerator;
• Gas/electric stove (cooking surface);
• Oven (if you’re really going to cook something there);
• Washing machine (you can get a narrow one for 6-7 kg for the kitchen, bathroom, or storage room);
• Water heater;
• Microwave;
• Electric kettle;
• Multi-cooker;
• Vacuum cleaner;
• Coffee machine;
• Toaster, coffee machine, blender, food processor (if needed).

Electronics:

• Television, preferably already a SMART one, so you can watch YouTube;
• Bluetooth speaker;
• Laptop;
• Phone;
• And since you’re updating the apartment, why not update the gadgets as well?) Make sure to budget for all of these expenses in advance!

Before ordering the necessary items, think carefully whether you truly need this priority item. Whether it’s a room or a kitchen, believe me, many things are unnecessary and can be easily done without, and the things that might be needed – you probably already have them.

Climate control equipment:

• air conditioner (for necessary rooms)
• fan
• convector/oil heater (if needed for winter heating)

In any case, it’s better to check any reliable electrical device before use!

Supplies: What to buy for small items?

Important items needed in a new apartment:

• cleaning supplies – trash bucket, laundry bins, mop, broom, dustpan, sponge, brush, tape, scissors, gloves, garbage bags;
• construction tools for minor repairs – Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, wrenches, grout paste, tape measure, hammer, nails, pliers, adjustable wrench, and other necessary items;
• first aid kit with medications that should always be in the house – alcohol, iodine, cotton, bandage, fever reducers, headache and toothache tablets, cold remedies, stomachache relief, digestion aids, throat spray, and cough tablets.

It’s not recommended to replace such items with others; hygiene comes first. If you had old equipment, it’s better to buy new. This detail is very important for your future life. If your preference is a minimalist style of living, that’s a great idea! The home stock of all the above items will definitely come in handy in the future.

What’s needed in the kitchen?

Dishes and cutlery:

• deep plates for first courses;
• large flat plates for main courses;
• salad bowls;
• soup bowls;
• tea spoons;
• table spoons;
• forks;
• knives;
• glasses;
• cups;
• wine glasses;
• and other items as per your preference.

Cookware:

• pot, preferably in three different sizes – 4 liters, 3 liters, and 2 liters;
• if you like to cook fresh porridge in the mornings, a 1.5-liter saucepan is indispensable for this purpose;
• frying pan;
• colander;
• potato masher;
• wooden or Teflon spatula;
• large spoon;
• ladle.

Every plate and piece of cookware should have its own place, so you can buy special drying racks for them in the cabinet. This way, storing all items will be very convenient. Investing in kitchen repairs and buying kitchen furniture is still worth it. A stool, kitchen door, stove, table, and every kitchen appliance will enhance the interior.

Home Security

Before moving into a new apartment, it’s necessary to ensure the reliability of the entrance door. If there are any doubts, it’s advisable to replace it with a higher-quality one. Additionally, for a new apartment, you should:

• install gas leakage detectors in the kitchen;
• purchase a fire extinguisher;
• check water pipe shut-off valves and electrical wire insulation.

If you’re purchasing a not new apartment, make sure that the previous owners have paid all utility bills and installed necessary meters.

Personal Space

Creating your own interior is like starting life with a blank canvas – you decide where and what will be placed. Comfort is built on small details, so simple curtains can drastically change a room’s appearance. If a cosmetic renovation with wallpaper replacement isn’t planned in the near future, you can decorate the apartment with houseplants, LED lighting, and decorative interior items.

Moving becomes convenient when you have a box or even a set of boxes where you can neatly pack and transport everything at once. It can accommodate clothes, dishes, small appliances, and other necessary items.

Even if your budget doesn’t allow you to purchase all necessary household items, there are ways to manage:

• create furniture yourself from pallets (as described in another of our article);
• buy second-hand furniture at swap meet, repair and decorate it uniquely, or simply paint it;
• look online for exchange ads for certain furniture pieces – for instance, trade a bed for a wardrobe or dresser.

Small Essential Items

Very often when moving to a new apartment, we disregard small details. However, when the need arises, we rush to the store (if money is available) or silently endure and get nervous.

A thousand essential small things:

• toilet paper;
• garbage bags;
• tape and adhesive tape;
• needles with threads of various colors;
• rubber gloves;
• corkscrew and bottle opener;
• scissors;
• wall clocks and an alarm clock;
• razors;
• umbrella;
• extension cord (or better, two or even three);
• you can add more in the comments.

Hygiene and Cleaning

We always dedicate a lot of time to cleaning the apartment, washing and caring for clothes. Therefore, it’s wise to create a list of the most essential items that are hard to do without.

For clothing care, you’ll need to purchase primarily:

• laundry detergent (preferably liquid) + foldable clothes drying rack (a fantastic item!);
• shoe cream;
• brush for cleaning;
• iron or steamer (a cool item!).

For apartment cleaning, you’ll need:

• disinfectant;
• liquid for stain and rust removal;
• cloths, sponges;
• broom and dustpan.

For personal hygiene, the essential items in a new apartment include:

• liquid and regular soap;
• shampoo and conditioner;
• shower gel;
• toothpaste and toothbrush;
• body scrubbers;
• Important! If you’re moving with pets, don’t forget to buy a water bowl, a toy, and a new cardboard house (you know, just cardboard from some packaging, for example, a vacuum cleaner’s box))).

Moving always seems quite tiresome, draining a lot of energy. But if you gather your spirit, create a list of essential items, you won’t even notice how quickly time passes before your space is fully “settled”!

And remember, minimalism is the key to your comfortable and effortless life! Then moving will be quite simple.

FAQ