First Apartment Checklist: What You Need in the First Week

You got the keys to your first apartment, and now you notice everything that's missing: a pan, a broom, a shower curtain, towels. Setting up a place from scratch adds up fast, and the basics are easy to forget in the excitement.

This checklist covers what you'll use in the first week, room by room. It works whether you're moving out alone, with a roommate, or with a partner. At the end, you'll see how to turn it into a housewarming list so friends and family can help.

Kitchen

Even if you barely cook, you'll need these:

• Basic cookware: one nonstick skillet for eggs, one medium pot for pasta and rice, one small saucepan.
• Plates, bowls, and flatware for four. Friends will come over sooner than you think.
• Six drinking glasses and a few mugs.
• Utensils: a silicone spatula, a ladle, tongs, a can opener, one big knife, and one small knife.
• Cutting board.
• Food storage containers for leftovers and lunches.
• Dish rack, dish soap, and sponges.
• Trash can and trash bags.

Cleaning and laundry

Living alone teaches you quickly that the place doesn't clean itself.

• Broom and dustpan.
• Mop and bucket, or a spray mop.
• All-purpose cleaner, paper towels, and microfiber cloths.
• Laundry basket and detergent.
• Drying rack, if you don't have a dryer.
• Iron or steamer, if you wear shirts that wrinkle.

Bedroom and bathroom

After a day of moving and cleaning, you deserve a made bed.

• Two sheet sets: one on the bed and one in the wash.
• Two good pillows.
• Comforter or duvet.
• Curtains or blinds, especially if the bedroom faces the street.
• Hangers.
• Two or three towel sets.
• Bath mat and shower curtain.
• Toilet brush, plunger, and toilet paper.

Small appliances

These are the bigger gifts on the list. They're good picks for a group of friends to buy together, or for close family.

• Microwave, if the apartment doesn't come with one.
• Coffee maker or electric kettle.
• Toaster.
• Air fryer, one of the most requested items on any new home list.
• Vacuum.

Easy to forget

• Toolkit with a screwdriver, hammer, and measuring tape.
• Extension cord and power strip.
• Light bulbs and batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Door mat.

Tips for your first place

1. Pick items that do more than one job. In a small apartment, space matters. An immersion blender takes up less room than a full food processor.
2. Ask for the basics. Many people add fancy glassware and forget the dish rack. Your friends would rather give you something you'll use every day.
3. Wait on decor. Live in the space for a few weeks before buying art and rugs. You'll know what it needs.
4. Make an online list. With MyWishlist, you paste product links from any store into one free list. When someone reserves an item, it shows as taken, so you don't end up with three toasters.

For a longer list sorted by room, see the new home essentials checklist. For ideas on planning the party itself, read the housewarming gift list guide.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for my first apartment?

Start with what you'll use in the first week: a pan and a pot, plates and flatware, cleaning supplies, sheets, pillows, and towels. Small appliances and decor can come later.

What should I put on a housewarming list for a first apartment?

Kitchen basics, cleaning tools, sheets, and towels are the most useful. Add a few bigger items, like a vacuum or an air fryer, that a group of friends can buy together.

How do I avoid getting duplicate gifts?

Use an online list. When a guest reserves an item on MyWishlist, it shows as taken for everyone else, so they pick something different.

Do guests need an account to reserve a gift?

No. They open the link, choose a gift, and reserve it with their name. Creating and sharing the list is free for you too.

Celebrate the new place

Your first apartment is worth a party, even if it's pizza on the floor of an empty living room. Invite your friends, show them the place, and let them help.

Create your free housewarming list and send the link to your friends today.