Looking to move into your first apartment? Or are you a longtime apartment-dweller eager to dress up your living space? Whether it’s your first digs or you’ve lived in the same unit for years, there are many things you could acquire to improve your living conditions or make your surroundings more appealing.
Most of these fall into the following categories:
- Bedroom
- Living room
- Bath
- Kitchen and dining
- Repair and maintenance
- Cleaning
- First-aid
Bedroom
If you’ve been sleeping on a mattress on the floor your entire adult life, don’t you think it’s time for a change?
One of the first things you should do after you move in is to get some things that will make you more comfortable when you sleep: a good orthopedic mattress, pillows, bedsheets, blankets, and a comforter.
Consider purchasing curtains, a dresser, and a night table as well. Although they may not be essential for a good sleep, they will make your bedroom more pleasant.
Living room
Unless you are a total recluse, you should plan on having company over on occasion. At the very least, consider getting a good couch and a couple of easy chairs to give you an alternative space to hang out in other than your bedroom.
After you have the basics covered, consider getting a coffee table and some shelves. They will help keep your books and magazines neatly organized instead of piled up on the floor.
Bath
The bathroom is arguably the most important room in your apartment. Assuming you have a good quality showerhead and fixtures, other essentials you will need are shower curtains, towels, a towel rack, and some floor mats. You might also want to pick up a shower rack to hold your shampoo, shaving cream, razor, and other grooming items.
Kitchen and dining
You don’t necessarily have to be a gourmet chef to have a functional kitchen. A toaster, coffee machine, microwave, and blender should cover the bare necessities.
Consider getting an oven toaster and an induction cooker as well so you could at least whip up some hot meals on occasion. And of course, a set of dinnerware–plates, glasses, and cutlery–are always helpful to have around.
Repair and maintenance
Even if your apartment manager handles all repairs for you, having some tools around would be helpful. A good all-purpose toolkit should have most of what you need for basic tasks, including a hammer, a selection of screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, and a hand drill.
Don’t forget to stock up on drain cleaner, a toilet plunger, and lubricating spray. These might save you a costly emergency call to a plumber or other repair professional.
Cleaning
Cleaning supplies are a must. Again, the basics will go a long way. A broom, dustpan, mop, and a few rags, won’t cost too much and will give you enough tools to handle general cleaning, spills, and messes. If budget permits, you could get a vacuum cleaner or a Roomba.
Medical items
Finally, put together a first-aid kit with all the essential items you will need for medical emergencies. Band-Aids, rubbing alcohol, antibiotic ointment, and a thermometer are always helpful to have around. Make sure your medicine cabinet is stocked with paracetamol and anti-inflammatory medication as well.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, as there are many other things you can add depending on your needs. Even so, this should give you a good start to having a comfortable and functional apartment. Happy shopping!
This article is brought to you by Link Apartments® Manchester, a modern apartment community offering one-, and two-bedroom homes for lease in downtown Richmond, Virginia.
