{"id":75088,"date":"2022-03-10T15:57:19","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T23:57:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=75088"},"modified":"2025-11-19T13:32:41","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T21:32:41","slug":"first-apartment-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/first-apartment-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"First Apartment Checklist: What to Buy First to Complete Your Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you\u2019re starting a new job in your hometown of <\/span>Nashville, TN<\/span><\/a> or getting a fresh start living alone<\/a> across the country in <\/span>Portland, OR<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>moving into your first apartment is an exciting milestone in life. There\u2019s something surreal about sitting in your new place for the first time and realizing that you finally have a place to call your own. However, knowing what exactly you\u2019ll need can be overwhelming, especially if you’re starting from scratch. Even if you try to focus on the essential items, it\u2019s easy to get lost in the chaos and excitement of filling your new home.<\/span><\/p>\n

With this comprehensive first apartment checklist, you\u2019ll learn what you need to survive in your first <\/span>rental<\/span><\/a> and what home goods you can put off buying – at least for now. We\u2019ve sorted this first apartment checklist by room so you won\u2019t miss a thing. It\u2019s important to remember that while <\/span>decorating your space<\/span><\/a> is the fun part, be sure you have all the essentials and a few \u201cnice-to-have\u201d items to make your new house feel like home. The key is to find everything you need on the first apartment checklist while prioritizing the splurges that are most important to you. Let\u2019s get started.<\/span><\/p>\n

>>Renting as a college student? Check out our <\/i><\/b>off-campus living guide<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

\"first<\/p>\n

First Apartment Checklist: A Room-by-Room Guide<\/b><\/h2>\n

Living room essentials and nice-to-haves<\/span><\/h2>\n

The living room is the first space we\u2019re crossing off on our first apartment checklist. It\u2019s usually the area where you\u2019ll spend most of your free time – your main hangout zone for entertaining, watching TV, lounging, and even working from home. Opt for hand-me-down items from your parent\u2019s basement or thrift store finds if they\u2019re in good shape. Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need to include on your first apartment checklist to make the living room your ideal hangout spot:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Living room essentials checklist:<\/span><\/h3>\n