First apartment checklist: what to buy when you move out on your own
For someone moving into a one-bedroom apartment alone, with a living room, kitchen and laundry area, starting from scratch, the list has 117 items; 60 are essentials. The essentials cost $2,296 to $5,925; the whole list, $5,358 to $14,164. Prices are 2026 estimates, from budget to mid-range.
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Price per unit: 2026 range, from budget to mid-range. “First night” is what you’ll use on day one.
Entryway
5 items; 2 essentials. Essentials: $10–185.
| Item | Qty. | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Essential · 2 | ||
| Rekey the locks (ask the landlord first)First night | 1 | Up to $150 |
| Doormat | 1 | $10–35 |
| Can wait · 3 | ||
| Key hooks by the door | 1 | $8–25 |
| Shoe rack | 1 | $25–80 |
| Wall hooks or coat rack | 1 | $15–60 |
Living room
10 items; 3 essentials. Essentials: $235–720.
| Item | Qty. | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Essential · 3 | ||
| Couch (or futon) | 1 | $200–600 |
| Living room curtains | 1 | $20–80 |
| Surge protector | 1 | $15–40 |
| Can wait · 7 | ||
| Dining table with chairs | 1 | $150–450 |
| Floor lamp | 1 | $25–80 |
| Coffee table | 1 | $40–150 |
| TV wall mount | 1 | $20–60 |
| TV stand | 1 | $60–200 |
| Small trash can | 1 | $10–30 |
| Living room rug | 1 | $40–150 |
Kitchen
33 items; 16 essentials. Essentials: $215–678.
| Item | Qty. | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Essential · 16 | ||
| Microwave | 1 | $60–200 |
| Saucepan with lidFirst night | 1 | $15–45 |
| Nonstick skilletFirst night | 1 | $15–45 |
| Chef knife | 1 | $10–40 |
| Cutting board | 1 | $8–25 |
| Spatula and wooden spoon | 1 | $6–20 |
| Can and bottle opener | 1 | $5–15 |
| Silverware (fork, knife, spoon)First night | 4 | $3–8 |
| Dinner platesFirst night | 4 | $3–10 |
| GlassesFirst night | 4 | $2–6 |
| Mugs | 2 | $3–10 |
| Dish rack | 1 | $12–35 |
| Kitchen trash canFirst night | 1 | $20–60 |
| Dish towels | 3 | $3–10 |
| Dish soap and spongesFirst night | 1 | $5–12 |
| Food storage containers | 1 | $12–35 |
| Can wait · 17 | ||
| Refrigerator (most rentals already have one) | 1 | $400–700 |
| Electric range (most rentals already have one) | 1 | $400–800 |
| Cooktop | 1 | $250–700 |
| Wall oven | 1 | $700–1,800 |
| Water filter pitcherFirst night | 1 | $20–45 |
| Soup bowls | 2 | $3–10 |
| Mixing bowls | 2 | $10–30 |
| Ladle, slotted spoon and tongs | 1 | $8–25 |
| Baking sheet | 1 | $8–25 |
| Oven mitts and trivet | 1 | $8–20 |
| Coffee maker | 1 | $15–80 |
| Blender | 1 | $25–80 |
| Insulated bottle or thermos | 1 | $15–40 |
| Grater | 1 | $6–18 |
| Strainer | 1 | $5–15 |
| Kitchen cart or pantry cabinet | 1 | $60–250 |
| Dinnerware set (16 pieces) | 1 | $30–100 |
Bedroom
16 items; 10 essentials. Essentials: $543–1,945.
| Item | Qty. | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Essential · 10 | ||
| MattressFirst night | 1 | $250–900 |
| Bed frame | 1 | $100–350 |
| Sheet setFirst night | 1 | $25–70 |
| PillowsFirst night | 1 | $10–35 |
| Mattress protector | 1 | $20–50 |
| Comforter | 1 | $40–120 |
| Blackout curtainsFirst night | 1 | $20–70 |
| Hangers (pack of 10) | 1 | $6–15 |
| Laundry hamper | 1 | $12–35 |
| Dresser or clothing rack (closets are built in) | 1 | $60–300 |
| Can wait · 6 | ||
| Fan | 1 | $20–70 |
| Blanket | 1 | $20–60 |
| Bedside lamp | 1 | $15–50 |
| Nightstand | 1 | $25–90 |
| Full-length mirror | 1 | $25–80 |
| Bedroom rug | 1 | $30–100 |
Bathroom
13 items; 7 essentials. Essentials: $80–220.
| Item | Qty. | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Essential · 7 | ||
| Bath towelsFirst night | 2 | $10–30 |
| Toilet paper (pack)First night | 1 | $8–20 |
| Soap, shampoo and toothpasteFirst night | 1 | $12–30 |
| Trash can with lidFirst night | 1 | $10–30 |
| Shower curtain and liner | 1 | $10–30 |
| Non-slip tub mat | 1 | $10–25 |
| Toilet brush and plunger | 1 | $10–25 |
| Can wait · 6 | ||
| Hand towels | 2 | $6–18 |
| Bath mat | 1 | $10–30 |
| Soap dish and toothbrush holder | 1 | $6–20 |
| Towel bar or hooks | 1 | $10–30 |
| Bathroom mirror or cabinet | 1 | $30–120 |
| Glass shower door | 1 | $200–600 |
Laundry
10 items; 5 essentials. Essentials: $928–1,325.
| Item | Qty. | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Essential · 5 | ||
| Washer | 1 | $450–600 |
| Basket for clean laundry | 1 | $10–30 |
| Bucket | 1 | $8–20 |
| Laundry detergent | 1 | $10–25 |
| Clothes dryer | 1 | $450–650 |
| Can wait · 5 | ||
| Drying rack for delicates | 1 | $15–40 |
| Fabric softener or dryer sheets | 1 | $5–15 |
| Extra hangers (pack of 10) | 1 | $6–15 |
| Iron | 1 | $15–45 |
| Ironing board | 1 | $20–50 |
General
30 items; 17 essentials. Essentials: $285–852.
| Item | Qty. | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Essential · 17 | ||
| Broom and dustpanFirst night | 1 | $10–30 |
| Mop and floor cloths | 1 | $12–35 |
| All-purpose cleaner, disinfectant and bleachFirst night | 1 | $10–25 |
| Trash bagsFirst night | 1 | $8–20 |
| Tool kit (screwdriver, hammer, pliers) | 1 | $20–60 |
| LED bulbsFirst night | 4 | $3–10 |
| Extension cordFirst night | 1 | $8–25 |
| Outlet adapters and power strip | 2 | $6–20 |
| First aid kit | 1 | $12–35 |
| Extra keys and fobs | 2 | $3–30 |
| Put the electric bill in your name | 1 | No cost |
| Set up water, gas and trash | 1 | No cost |
| Set up internet | 1 | Up to $120 |
| Forward your mail with USPS ($1.25 online) | 1 | Up to $2 |
| Renters insurance (your lease probably requires it) | 1 | $150–280 |
| Reserve the elevator and a move-in window | 1 | No cost |
| Smoke and CO alarm (test the batteries)First night | 1 | $25–80 |
| Can wait · 13 | ||
| Cleaning gloves | 1 | $4–10 |
| Spray mop | 1 | $20–50 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 1 | $60–200 |
| Drill | 1 | $40–120 |
| Anchors and screws | 1 | $6–20 |
| Tape measure | 1 | $6–20 |
| Step ladder | 1 | $25–80 |
| Flashlight or emergency light | 1 | $8–25 |
| Fire extinguisher | 1 | $20–50 |
| Move-in inspection with photos | 1 | No cost |
| Wi-Fi router (if the provider does not give one) | 1 | $30–120 |
| Pick up keys, fobs and parking pass | 1 | No cost |
| Furnace and AC air filter | 1 | $10–30 |
How the list changes with your home
The list above is for one home. In the app, it’s built for yours: same engine, your answers.
- Single, studio109 items, 56 essentials. Essentials: $1,176 to $3,995.
- Couple, 1 bedroom117 items, 60 essentials. Essentials: $2,465 to $6,461.
- Family of 3, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms150 items, 60 essentials. Essentials: $2,646 to $7,057.
- Renting
- Built-ins and remodeling items, like cooktop, wall oven, and glass shower door, are never essentials; renters take them off the list. The refrigerator and range are listed as “can wait”: most rentals come with them.
- Climate
- In a hot city, the fan becomes essential and the comforter and blanket come off. In a cold city, the blanket and rugs become essentials, comforter and blanket double up, and the fan comes off.
- Pets
- With a dog or cat, a pet corner and a couch cover come in. With a cat, also window safety screens and a scratching post.
- Working from home
- Working from home adds a desk and an office chair as essentials, plus a desk lamp.
Questions
The 23 first-night items, marked on the list, like rekey the locks, saucepan with lid, mattress, bath towels, and broom and dustpan. Then the rest of the 60 essentials. Everything that can wait comes in over time.
For someone moving into a one-bedroom apartment alone, with a living room, kitchen and laundry area, starting from scratch, the essentials cost $2,296 to $5,925, and the whole list, $5,358 to $14,164. Prices are 2026 estimates, from budget to mid-range. In the app, the math is for your place and leaves out what you already own.
57 of the 117 items can wait, like electric range, refrigerator, and dining table with chairs. Together, they cost $3,062 to $8,239. Built-ins and remodeling items, like cooktop, wall oven, and glass shower door, always go here: renters take them off the list.
Downloading the app, answering the questions and seeing your finished list is free. Using the list takes a subscription, starting with a 3-day free trial. For now the app is iPhone only; the family link opens on any phone.
Build the list for your place.
Answer questions for 3 minutes and the app lays out what’s missing, room by room and with prices.
Build my list on iPhoneFree to build the list · then a 3-day free trial to use it