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First Apartment Essesntials: 15 Things I Wish I Had Day 1
15
items Moving into you own home? I made all the mistakes so you don't have to. These are the 15 things I use daily in my own home, nothing fancy just stuff I use, but I wish I had them from day one! These are life changers.
Map
Sections
5
Sleep & Bedroom
Kitchen Basics
Bathroom + Cleaning
Safety + Tools setup
Entryway & Organization Essentials
Sleep & Bedroom
If you are not sleeping well nothing else matters. These 3 things actually made my nights restful vs tossing and turning at 3 am.
First morning in my apartment= sun blasting me awake at 5:30 am. Bought these on Amazon and hung them in 10 min. This is amazing especially if you or your partner works night shift.
Blackout Curtains - Amazon.com
My first matress felt like cardboard. This 5cm Topper fixed it. Memory foam molds to you + it stops you from feeling you partner move.
Pro tip: Get one with a machine washable removable cover📍
5cm/2Inch Medium Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Default bulbs made my room feel like an office. Swapped to these and suddenly it felt more warm and homy.
Dimmable Light Bulbs - Amazon.com
Kitchen Basics
The absolute bare-minimum essentials you need to prepare food, open packaging, and handle hot cookware safely on your very first night. These are the practical, daily kitchen tools you cannot survive without while unpacking.
I use this 5x a day. Way faster + safer than stove. Stainless steel inside so no plastic taste. Auto shut-off so you won’t burn the house down. 1.7L = 6 mugs at once when friends come over.
COMFEE' 1.7L Double Wall Electric Tea Kettle
Eggs don’t stick, stir-fry is easy, pancakes slide right off. Wooden spatula won’t scratch the coating like metal. Season it once with oil and it gets better over time. If you only buy 1 pan, make it this size.
Vogue Non-stick Sauté Frying Pan 24cm
I dump snacks, cables, random stuff in these. Suddenly my open shelves look organized. Rattan look is cheap but feels expensive. Stackable so you can add more later. Label them if you’re extra.
Set Of 3 Baskets - Amazon.com
Bathroom + Cleaning
Let's be real—the very first thing you'll want to do is scrub down your new space and take a hot shower! These are the absolute lifesavers that keep your bathroom fresh, clean, and completely ready for you on your very first night.
Liner keeps water in the tub, fabric curtain makes it pretty. Without the liner my whole floor was wet week 1. Get light colors to make small bathrooms feel bigger. Machine wash the curtain monthly.
Shower Curtains, Hooks & Liners - Bathroom
This is my “lazy clean” hack. Charge it, click on the brush head, let it spin. 300RPM motor scrubs soap scum + shower corners without killing your wrist. Comes with 3 brush heads: flat for tubs, round for grout, corner for edges. Waterproof IPX7 so I...
LABIGO Electric Spin Scrubber LA1 Pro Cordless
Cheap mat = dirt everywhere. This thick coir one actually scrapes mud off. 4cm thickness so it doesn’t curl up. Looks cute too so guests know someone lives here. Shake it out weekly.
Coco Door Mats - Amazon.com
Safety + Tools setup
For all those little 'uh-oh' moments when you just need to fix something fast! You don't need a massive, heavy toolbox to rule your new place—just these few trusty lifesavers to hang your favorite pictures, build your furniture, and keep everything s...
Week 2 I needed to mount curtain rods + tighten a table leg. No tools = begging dad to drive over. This kit has hammer, screwdrivers, tape measure, pliers. Lives under my sink. You’ll use it more than you think.
CARTMAN 39 Piece General Household Tool Set
There’s never enough plugs behind the TV. This has 6 normal plugs + 4 USB so I don’t fight for the wall socket. Surge protection saved my laptop during load shedding. 2m cord reaches anywhere.
Extension Cord 15ft, Power Strip 6 Outlets 4 USB
An absolute lifesaver for renters. These let you hang mirrors, art, and frames securely without damaging the walls or losing your security deposit
Command 15 lb Large Picture Hanging Strips 14
Entryway & Organization Essentials
The small details that keep your daily routine organized and stress-free. These are the functional pieces that prevent clutter from taking over your main living space.
You will waste hours looking for your keys if you don't designate a spot for them on day one. This keeps your essentials right by the door.
Command Key Rail Quartz 1-Rail 6-Strips
Essential for keeping outside dirt and mud off your rugs. It protects your floors and drastically cuts down on how often you need to vacuum.
Extra Large Heavy Duty Natural Rubber Boot Mat
You will use this every single time you bring in groceries, bulk packages, or luggage. A high-quality, non-slip heavy rubber door wedge keeps your entry door securely propped without you having to awkwardly balance things on your knee.
Heavy Duty Metal Rubber Non-Slip Door Stopper