First Apartment Essentials Checklist
15 things to have in hand before night 1
No shower curtain, no plunger, bare windows, nothing to cook in: these are the night-1 surprises. These 15 fix them, in the order you will miss them. Everything else can wait a week.
Whole kit: about $310–$475 on Amazon (typical prices, checked November 6, 2026)
How we built this kit: one item for each job, picked from Amazon listings with strong owner reviews. Prices are typical price bands, not live prices. We don’t test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated November 6, 2026
- One item per job
- Owner reviews checked
- Typical prices shown
- Add the kit in one click
Why this kit
On night 1 in a first apartment you need 15 things: somewhere to sleep, a working bathroom, covered windows, light, a lock and something to cook with. The rest of the long checklists can wait a week, and the one to buy first is the River Dream No Hook Shower Curtain with Snap-in Liner Set. It is the one item you can’t improvise: a shower with no curtain soaks the bathroom floor, and the listing says this set has built-in rings and a snap-in liner, so there are no hooks to forget. The other 14 cover sleep, the toilet, windows, light, a lock, a bare-bones kitchen and one tool kit. Together they cost about $310 to $475 on Amazon US (price bands, checked in November 2026), and this page has one Add all to cart button for the whole kit.
Pick by how you are moving in. The checklists that rank for this search run to 80 or more items with no prices and no order. This is the short version, in the order you will miss things. If the place is unfurnished, buy all 15. If the landlord already left blinds, bedding or towels, cross those off. If you can’t drill, the paper shades stick on, the shower curtain needs no hooks and the door lock needs no tools. If you don’t cook, drop the skillet, the knife and the cutting boards, and the kit falls by about $85 to $120. If your bed hasn’t been delivered, the sheets and pillows still go on whatever you sleep on, and an air mattress can cover the first few nights.
Who should skip the top pick: skip the River Dream set if your shower has a glass door or a built-in track, or if your rod is not a standard width. The curtain is listed at 71 by 74 inches and the snap-in liner at 70 by 54 inches, so check that it covers where the water lands. What to skip until week 2: a furniture set, wall art, a 20-piece cookware set, a vacuum (unless the floors were left dirty), a shower caddy and any organizers. You can’t plan storage until you know where your things live. Details come from the Amazon US listings, not our own tests.
What’s in the kit
15 items, one job each. Already own one? Skip it and get the rest.
- 1
Keeps the shower from floodingRiver Dream No Hook Shower Curtain with Snap-in Liner Set
Shower curtain with built-in rings and a snap-in liner, white · typically $20–$30 on AmazonA shower with no curtain sends water over the bathroom floor on your very first night, and a plain curtain still needs hooks and a liner you may not have. The listing says this set has built-in rings, so no hooks are needed, plus a snap-in PEVA liner you can remove and replace, and it hangs without taking the rod down. The slub-textured fabric is described as water resistant and quick to dry, and the curtain is machine washable. We rank it first because every other bathroom item, from towels to a plunger, is less useful without it. Skip it for a glass door or a non-standard rod.
- No hooks to buy or forget: the rings are built in
- Liner snaps in and out, so it is easy to replace
- Sheer top strip keeps the bathroom from feeling like a cave
- 2
Clears clogs and cleans the toiletMR.SIGA Toilet Plunger and Bowl Brush Combo
Toilet plunger and bowl brush with a two-compartment holder · typically $20–$30 on AmazonA clogged toilet in a new place is a bad moment to find out you own no plunger, and the landlord may not answer until morning. This set pairs a commercial-grade rubber plunger with a nylon-bristle bowl brush in one two-compartment holder, so both stay off the floor. The listing says the plunger also works on shower drains and sinks, and the holder measures about 8.2 by 6.3 by 18.1 inches, small enough to sit beside the toilet. It is one of the most-reviewed plunger sets on Amazon. Skip it if you already own a plunger.
- Two bathroom jobs in one low-cost set
- Holder keeps the brush and plunger tidy
- Plunger also works on sinks and shower drains, per the listing
- 3
Makes the bed on night 1Amazon Basics Lightweight Super Soft Microfiber 4-Piece Bed Sheet Set
Brushed microfiber sheet set with 14-inch deep pockets · typically $15–$25 on AmazonThe first thing you notice at midnight is a bare mattress. A 4-piece set, which is usually a fitted sheet, a flat sheet and two pillowcases, is the cheap fix. The listing says these are 85 GSM brushed microfiber (100% polyester), wrinkle and shrink resistant, and machine washable and dryer safe, with 14-inch deep pockets for mattresses up to about that depth. They carry an OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN label. Pick your bed size before you click: the price band here is for a queen. Skip them if you sleep hot, because polyester microfiber does not breathe like cotton.
- Low price from a brand most people know
- Easy care: machine wash and dry
- Deep pockets fit most standard mattresses
- 4
Two pillows for the first nightBedsure Pillows Queen Size Set of 2
Plush bed pillows, 19 x 28 inches · typically $25–$35 on AmazonNight 1 is a bad night to sleep on a rolled-up hoodie. This Bedsure pack gives you two queen pillows (19 by 28 inches) with a plush, cloud-like feel and OEKO-TEX 100 certification, and they wash in cold and tumble dry on low. One catch from the listing: the pillows need a shake and a pat when unboxed and can take up to 48 hours to fully puff, so have them arrive a day or two early. They are soft, which suits back and stomach sleepers more than side sleepers who want a firm pillow. Skip the pack if you already own pillows you like.
- Two pillows in one pack, which covers two sleepers
- Certified OEKO-TEX 100, per the listing
- Machine washable
- 5
Dry off after the first showerAmazon Basics 6-Piece Oversized Fade-Resistant Cotton Towel Set
100% cotton towel set: 2 bath, 2 hand, 2 washcloths · typically $15–$25 on AmazonThe first shower is when you find out there is nothing to dry off with. This 6-piece Amazon Basics set gives you two bath towels (54 by 30 inches), two hand towels (26 by 16 inches) and two washcloths (12 by 12 inches) in 100% cotton, with a fade-resistant color and a plain pique border. Two bath towels cover one person plus a spare while the first one is in the wash, which is all you need on night 1. The listing does not give a towel weight, so we can’t say how thick they are. Skip the set if you want hotel-thick towels or share the bathroom.
- Six pieces for one low price
- 100% cotton, per the listing
- Fade-resistant color keeps them looking fresh after washing
- 6
Covers bare windows without drillingRedi Shade No Tools Original Light Filtering Pleated Paper Shade, 6 Pack
Cordless stick-on paper shades, 36 x 72 inches, white · typically $20–$30 on AmazonRenters often move into windows with no blinds, and with the lights on at night the street can see in. These Redi Shade paper shades fix it with no tools: you trim each pleated shade to your window and stick it up with no drill, screws or brackets, per the listing. The pack holds 6 shades at 36 by 72 inches, so count your windows first. They are cordless, with clips to raise and lower. This white pack filters light rather than blocking it; Redi Shade also sells a black blackout version for bedrooms. It is a stopgap, not a final window covering.
- No drilling, so it works for a renter
- Cut to the size of each window
- Cordless, which is safer around kids and pets
- 7
Lights every lamp and fixtureGE Soft White LED 60W Equivalent A19 Light Bulbs (12 Pack)
A19 LED bulbs, 800 lumens, 2700K soft white · typically $15–$25 on AmazonA new apartment often has dead or missing bulbs, and you notice at dusk. This 12-pack of GE bulbs fixes a whole apartment at once. The listing says they are 60W-equivalent A19 LEDs that use 10 watts (800 lumens) in a warm 2700K soft white, Energy Star rated and made to last 13 years at 3 hours a day. A dozen is enough to fill the lamps and fixtures in most one-bedroom places, and the leftovers are your spares. Check your fixtures first: A19 is the common shape, but some ceiling or oven lights take other bases. Skip them if you want cool daylight white.
- A dozen bulbs covers a whole apartment
- Uses 10 watts for 800 lumens, so bills stay low
- Warm white suits bedrooms and living rooms
- 8
Plugs in phone, lamp and laptopTESSAN Surge Protector Power Strip, 5Ft Flat Plug Extension Cord
Power strip with 6 outlets and 4 USB ports · typically $20–$30 on AmazonOlder buildings have few outlets, often in the wrong places, and you need one at the bed and one at the couch. This TESSAN strip adds 6 AC outlets and 4 USB ports (2 USB-C, 2 USB-A) on a 5-foot cord, with a flat plug the listing says fits behind a bed or sofa. It lists 2100 joules of surge protection, two mounting holes if you want to screw it to a desk, and rubber feet. The USB-C ports top out at 20 watts and 15 watts, which is phone and tablet charging, not a laptop. Skip it if you need a longer cord; 5 feet is short.
- Six outlets and four USB ports on one cord
- Flat plug sits close to the wall
- Surge protection, plus mounting holes and rubber feet
- 9
Holds boxes, packaging and trashGlad 13 Gallon Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection
13-gallon step-on kitchen trash can with lid · typically $25–$45 on AmazonMove-in day makes a lot of trash: packing paper, tape and snack wrappers. A lidded can keeps it off the counter. This Glad 13-gallon can has a step-on foot pedal for hands-free use, bag rings that hold the liner in place and a lid treated with Clorox odor protection, per the listing. It stands 25 inches tall and 18 inches wide, a full-size kitchen can. Plastic wipes clean. The listing does not mention bags, so plan to buy a box of 13-gallon liners with it. Skip it if your kitchen is tiny, because at 18 inches wide it takes real floor space.
- Step-on pedal keeps your hands free while you unpack
- Bag rings stop the liner from slipping in
- Lid is treated for odor, per the listing
- 10
Locks the door from the insideAceMining Portable Door Lock
Portable steel door lock for inside doors · typically $10–$20 on AmazonNobody knows how many keys exist for a new apartment, and you usually can’t change the lock yourself. This small portable door lock is the quick night-1 fix: you slide the metal piece into the strike slot, close the door and set the handle on the stud, and the listing says the door then can’t be opened from outside, even with a key. It uses stainless steel with an ABS cover, needs no tools and is 4.3 inches long, so it fits a pocket. It only works from the inside, so treat it as a night lock, not a deadbolt, and ask your landlord whether the locks were changed.
- No tools or drilling, so it is renter-safe
- Small enough to carry in a pocket or bag
- The listing says it can be removed quickly in the dark
- 11
Treats cuts, burns and blistersSwiss Safe 200 Piece First Aid Kit
200-piece first aid kit for home, car and camping · typically $20–$30 on AmazonYou will cut a finger on a box cutter or burn one on a pan in the first week, and you won’t know where the bandages are. This 200-piece Swiss Safe kit is the cheap way to have them on night 1. The listing calls it all purpose, for home, car and kitchen, and says it weighs 16 ounces. It also includes camping extras, such as a fire starter rod, wire saw, fishing line and Mylar blanket, which you won’t use at home. Check the listing’s item list for the exact bandages and gauze. Skip it if you want a smaller home-only kit.
- A broad kit in one small box
- Compact and light, so it fits in a drawer or a bag
- Useful in the car later
- 12
Cooks eggs, pasta sauce and stir-fryTramontina Professional 10-Inch Non Stick Frying Pan
10-inch nonstick skillet, heavy-gauge aluminum · typically $30–$40 on AmazonWithout a pan, night 1 means takeout, and the first week gets expensive. One 10-inch nonstick skillet cooks eggs, grilled cheese, stir-fry and a quick pasta sauce. This Tramontina Professional is made of heavy-gauge aluminum with a reinforced nonstick coating, per the listing. It works on gas, electric and ceramic glass cooktops (not induction), is oven safe to 400°F and has a removable silicone grip. It is NSF certified and dishwasher safe, with a lifetime warranty. Skip it if your cooktop is induction, and add a small pot with a lid in week 2 for pasta or rice.
- Covers most single-pan meals
- Oven safe to 400°F, with a lifetime warranty, per the listing
- Dishwasher safe
- 13
Cuts everything you cookVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8 Inch Chef’s Knife
8-inch chef’s knife, stainless blade, non-slip handle · typically $40–$55 on AmazonA dull or flimsy knife is how people cut themselves in the first week, and one good 8-inch chef’s knife does the job of a whole block set. The Victorinox Fibrox Pro has a tapered stainless steel blade (about 7.9 inches) and a non-slip handle, per the listing, which calls it a top choice of home chefs and professionals. It comes with a lifetime warranty against defects. The listing says it is dishwasher safe, though hand washing keeps an edge sharper. Skip it if you want a showpiece block set, and note that a sharpener is sold separately.
- One knife does most of the cutting jobs
- Non-slip handle, even when wet, per the listing
- Lifetime warranty against defects
- 14
Gives the knife a safe surfaceFarberware Reversible Plastic Cutting Board Set, 3-Piece
Three reversible plastic cutting boards · typically $15–$25 on AmazonA knife needs a board, and chopping on a rented counter scars it and dulls the blade. This Farberware set has three reversible polypropylene boards (8.5 by 11, 9 by 13 and 11 by 16 inches). The listing says the plastic is gentle on knife edges, resists odors and stains, and is dishwasher safe. Three sizes let you keep one for raw meat and one for vegetables, and the small one handles a lemon or an onion. They are plain, and plastic boards scar over time. Skip the set if you want a single wood board for show, or if cabinet space is tight.
- Three sizes for different jobs
- Reversible, so each board gives two surfaces
- Dishwasher safe
- 15
Builds the bed frame and shelvesCARTMAN 39-Piece Household Tool Set
Basic hand tool kit with storage case · typically $20–$30 on AmazonFlat-pack furniture ships with a tiny key at best, and landlords rarely lend tools. This 39-piece CARTMAN set puts a hammer, pliers, screwdrivers and a tape measure in one plastic case with a carrying handle, which covers the first-week jobs: building a bed or a desk, tightening a loose knob, measuring the window for your shades. The listing says the tools are heat treated and chrome plated to resist corrosion. It is a basic hand-tool kit with no power drill, and the listing page has the full piece list. Skip it if you already own tools.
- Covers the basic jobs for a new place
- Tape measure helps you size windows and furniture
- Case keeps the pieces together
The kit at a glance
- 1. River Dream No Hook Shower Curtain with Snap-in Liner SetKeeps the shower from flooding$20–$30
- 2. MR.SIGA Toilet Plunger and Bowl Brush ComboClears clogs and cleans the toilet$20–$30
- 3. Amazon Basics Lightweight Super Soft Microfiber 4-Piece Bed Sheet SetMakes the bed on night 1$15–$25
- 4. Bedsure Pillows Queen Size Set of 2Two pillows for the first night$25–$35
- 5. Amazon Basics 6-Piece Oversized Fade-Resistant Cotton Towel SetDry off after the first shower$15–$25
- 6. Redi Shade No Tools Original Light Filtering Pleated Paper Shade, 6 PackCovers bare windows without drilling$20–$30
- 7. GE Soft White LED 60W Equivalent A19 Light Bulbs (12 Pack)Lights every lamp and fixture$15–$25
- 8. TESSAN Surge Protector Power Strip, 5Ft Flat Plug Extension CordPlugs in phone, lamp and laptop$20–$30
- 9. Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can with Clorox Odor ProtectionHolds boxes, packaging and trash$25–$45
- 10. AceMining Portable Door LockLocks the door from the inside$10–$20
- 11. Swiss Safe 200 Piece First Aid KitTreats cuts, burns and blisters$20–$30
- 12. Tramontina Professional 10-Inch Non Stick Frying PanCooks eggs, pasta sauce and stir-fry$30–$40
- 13. Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8 Inch Chef’s KnifeCuts everything you cook$40–$55
- 14. Farberware Reversible Plastic Cutting Board Set, 3-PieceGives the knife a safe surface$15–$25
- 15. CARTMAN 39-Piece Household Tool SetBuilds the bed frame and shelves$20–$30
Quick tips before you buy
Write down each window width for the shades, and check how deep your mattress is before you order sheets. Sheets and shades are the two items that most often arrive in the wrong size.
Before you unpack, photograph every wall, floor and appliance to protect your deposit, and ask whether the locks were changed since the last tenant. It also shows what the apartment already has, such as blinds or a shower rod.
Walk each room, test the outlets and note which fixtures have no bulb. That tells you how many bulbs to keep and how long a power strip you need.
Order so the box lands a day or two before you do, and ask the leasing office how packages are held. The pillows can take up to 48 hours to puff, so they should not arrive on move-in night.
Quick answers
What do you need on the first night in a new apartment?+
Somewhere clean to sleep (sheets and pillows), a working bathroom (a shower curtain, a plunger and towels), covered windows, light bulbs, a power strip, a trash can and a lock you trust. The 15 items on this page cover those, plus a first aid kit, a skillet, a knife, cutting boards and a basic tool kit. Toilet paper, hand soap and dish soap are everyday supplies we don’t list here, so pick them up at a store on the way.
Is there a first apartment essentials checklist PDF or printable?+
This page is the checklist. It lists 15 night-1 items in the order you will miss them, with a price band for each and a kit total. You can print the page from your browser, or use the Add all to cart button to put every item in your Amazon cart at once and remove the ones you already own. We don’t offer a PDF or a Google Sheets version.
What should you skip buying for your first apartment?+
Skip a furniture set, wall art and decor until you have lived there a week, because you don’t know the room sizes or the light yet. Skip 20-piece cookware sets and big knife blocks: a skillet, a pot and one good knife do most of the work. Skip a vacuum if the landlord left the floors clean, since a broom and dustpan cover week 1. Skip shower caddies and bathroom organizers until you know where your things live. Skip anything the lease already includes, such as blinds or appliances. And skip duplicates: if a roommate has a plunger and a trash can, cross them off.
How much does a first apartment starter kit cost?+
The 15 night-1 items on this page come to about $310 to $475 on Amazon US, using price bands checked in November 2026. That covers the basics only, not a bed, couch, rent or deposits. If you don’t cook, the kit drops by about $85 to $120 (the skillet, the knife and the cutting boards). If your landlord left blinds on the windows, you can skip the paper shades and save about $20 to $30.
What kitchen items do you need for a first apartment?+
For night 1, a pan, a knife and a cutting board are enough to make eggs, sandwiches, pasta sauce or a stir-fry. In week 1, add a pot with a lid, a spatula, a wooden spoon, plates, bowls, cups, forks, knives and spoons, a can opener, a colander, oven mitts and a dish rack with dish soap. Wait on the full set until you see what you actually cook.
What if my bed or furniture isn’t there on night 1?+
Buy the sheets and pillows anyway and put them on whatever you will sleep on. A common fix is an air mattress or a sleeping bag for the first night or two. An air mattress is a separate buy that we don’t list here, so check its size and pump before you order. Don’t buy a bed on move-in night: measure the room first, then choose one.
What should I do on move-in day before I buy anything?+
Do a walk-through with your phone: photograph every wall, floor, appliance and fixture so your deposit is safe. Run the shower and flush the toilet, test each outlet, note which bulbs are dead and find the breaker box. Ask the landlord whether the locks were changed since the last tenant. Then buy only what the walk-through shows is missing.
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