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College Essentials for your First Apartment

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Moving into your first apartment can be SUPER stressful, especially as a young college student. To maximize excitement and minimize stress, here are a list of products I bought - and still use - as a senior about to graduate!
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Bathroom

The bathroom is an area that can get messy faster than you think, so here are some products to limit mess and keep the area clean! Most products are from Amazon as it tends to be the most affordable!

 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
I have used this bath mat for three years now. Washing is so simple as it can just be thrown into the washer! It soaks up loose water well and is comfy on the feet!
Buganda Memory Foam Bath Mat 24x16 Peach
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
This bathroom set includes everything, ranging from multiple cups and containers for different needs, to a toilet brush cleaner and trash can! It is perfect for a college apartment or dorm room!
IMAVO Pink 9-Piece Bathroom Accessory Set
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
This is a great option for shower shelves. They are easy to hang up and remove, which is essential when renting. The wiring prevents old water and soap residue from sitting in the shelves, which takes a step out of cleaning! There are also multiple h...
Adhesive Shower Caddy with Soap Dish & 4 Hooks
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
This is a perfect rolling cart that is small enough to fit in a bathroom! Mine has been tucked inbetween my shower and sink for three years! It is great for dental care, q-tips, feminine care, or anything else you need in the bathroom, especially bec...
Sywhitta 3-Tier Plastic Rolling Utility Cart
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
These simple door hooks are something I love for the bathroom in my apartment! I use it to hang and dry my towels, clothes that need to air dry, and my robe! It fits well under the door without causing damage!
FYY Over Door Hooks 4 Pack White Heavy Duty
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
This is a perfect bathroom cleaner. I use this for my toilet, shower, and sink. It is the perfect spray that disinfects but can also be used for multiple areas!
Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner Spray Bottle - 30oz
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
This is my FAV window cleaner. It is perfect for my mirror in my bathroom, as well as my glass shower doors. It seems to be the least streaky window cleaner that I have used, and it is affordable!
Sprayway Glass Cleaner Ammonia Free Aerosol - 19oz
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
This is a great window wiper for clean mirrors and glass shower doors. It minimizes streaks, and I love to wipe it down with a paper towel afterwards to ensure fully clean glass.
OU Multipurpose Silicone Squeegee for Windows, Shower & Glass – Lightweight Multipurpose Cleaner with Nonslip Handle & Hanging Loop
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
In all honesty, I haven't used a shower curtain as I have glass doors. If I did use one though, I would pick this one. I love the pink as my entire room is pink themed, but I also love that it comes with both the curtain and liner!
SORTTO Pink Slub Shower Curtain w/ Liner 71x74
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
I LOVE waffle towels. These hand towels are perfect for washing your face, wiping your mouth after brushing your teeth, or a quick hand dry after washing your hands. They can also be used to clean, especially because they are white and will avoid ble...
HOMEXCEL 4 Pack Microfiber Waffle Hand Towels
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
Similar to the hand towels, these large, waffle towels are great for showering!
HOMEXCEL 4-Pack 30x60in Microfiber Towels

Bedding

Your bed is one of the most important parts of living in a new apartment, especially when you miss your bed at home. These are a few products I got to make my bed feel even better than my bed at home! I won't be recommending pillows or a mattress/bed... 

 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
This is my FAVORITE comforter that I have ever used. It is so soft, fluffy, and warm. It can be thrown in the washer which is essential! It does take some time to dry, but typically two rounds in the dryer, fluffing in between, ensures a fully dry co...
Smoofy Pink Fluffy Queen Comforter Set
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
Incase you don't want a fluffy comforter, or just want two options like me, this is another bed set I used for years. It comes with a fitted sheet, pillow cases, and a pillow sham, which is perfect for a starter bed! Take it from me, traveling with y...
weigelia Queen Comforter Set 7 Pieces Blush Pink
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
I LOVE silk pillow cases. They are great for hair and skin, but also have this cooling aspect to them that I cannot get over. These ones are perfect because they come with a zipper to avoid them slipping off your pillow constantly!
Silk Pillow Cases 2 Pack, Mulberry Silk, White
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
This blanket is perfect when you don't want to fully get in bed, or take with you to the living room for a roommate movie night! It is soft, cozy, and washable!
Faux Rabbit Fur Throw Blanket, 50x60, Cream
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
These pillows are perfect for hanging out in bed but not going to sleep. I use them when I am doing school work in my room!
XeGe Faux Fur Reading Pillow Cover Beige

Decor

Decorating your first room is one of the most exciting things that can happen! I LOVED looking at TJ Maxx and HomeGoods for lamps and other trinkets, so this is filled with similar decor that I have in my room! 

 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
This mirror is wonderful! I bought it because it has multiple different light settings that you can match for wherever you may be going! It also plugs in, which I find better than batteries because it ensures it will not die quick!
Hasipu 11x14 LED Vanity Mirror, Touch Dim
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
I LOVE this lamp! I recently bought this (in the pink version) because my old lamp with charging ports had stopped working in some areas! I got this as a replacement and love it! It has a section for an outlet, USB, and USB-C, which is great for char...
Woderdeng Touch Control Table Lamp - USB & Outlet
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
I have had the same salt lamp for YEARS and have loved it! They help produce cleaner air quality within your room, as well as look great! This one is the one I have used forever, and I love that is has a dimming feature that you can use to change the...
Himalayan Glow Salt Lamp w/ Dimmer 5-7 lbs
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
I love small trays like these. I have one similar to this that I use for my jewerly, as well as some I use for small trinkets! I find they help keep the area much more organized without random stuff like earrings floating around!
LJCA Small Pink Glass Jewelry Dish Tray
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
Plants are something I love having in my room, even if I am not amazing at keeping them alive all the time! They help with the air quality so much, and add a pop of green! It also gives you satisfaction if you keep them alive and watch them grow!
Essential Houseplant Collection 4PK Live Plants
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
I tend to have a candle obsession, but I have found that candles are so important to have a relaxing, calm night with minimal lighting! I also use them in my bathroom at night to use as a light and take a relaxing, dark shower!
Yankee Candle Lemon Lavender 22oz Jar
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
A perfume tray is the perfect way to organize your perfume if you are like me and have so many! It still looks wonderful in the room but allows it to look much more put together!
Vanity Tray Perfume Organizer Acrylic Clear
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
I love having a simple makeup organizer that I can keep on top of my desk with all of my everyday skincare and makeup products! It keeps them organized and avoids them getting lost in drawers or makeup bags!
STORi Audrey Clear Vanity Makeup Organizer

Other needs

This section is dresser and desk recommendations that I use to ensure my room is functional, but still looks wonderful! 

 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
These dressers are great. They are lightweight and easy to build and move around if you want to redecorate/organize your room! They are sturdy and hold a really good amount of clothes! Me and all of my roommates have a variation of these dressers, an...
DUMOS 9-Drawer Dresser with Fabric Bins
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
This desk is a similar variation to the one me and my roommates all have! It is a great size, and the drawers are wonderful and keep products hidden! I use my desk for makeup, skincare, haircare, etc. more than I do for my schoolwork, so I find that ...
MaverickFurni 48in White Desk w/ 4 Drawers
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
This chair is adorable and perfect for an apartment! The wheels help avoid streak marks that may happen due to sliding a chair across the floor, which is great for renting! The chair is also comfortable and comes in multiple colors, making it perfect...
EnHomee White Vanity Chair with Wheels & Back
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
Hampers like these are perfect! I hide mine in my closet, but this is pretty enough to be in an open space if I had the room! The handles make it so easy to carry your laundry to another room, as well as travel with it!
XUANGUO Cotton Rope Laundry Basket Hamper Light Pink
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
This is not a necessity, but it is something I got that I LOVE, as well as my other roommates. I live in a 6-person house, and one fridge/freezer can get filled up so fast. I use my mini fridge in my room for ice and food that I love, such as small s...
Upstreman 3.2 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer
 
Tessa Zimmerman profile picture
These are great to keep in your room and your bathroom! Bath and Body Works do consistent sales where you can get a good discount on their scents, and I have found that they last the longest and smell the best!
Hohean 2 Pack Wall Fragrance Plug - White