What You Need for Your First Apartment

penguins29, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Aug 20, 2008 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

Some homes, especially apartments, come with an equipped kitchen, so you will already have a refrigerator and freezer, stove, oven and dishwasher. You will most likely need to buy your own microwave and other kitchen appliances, such a coffee maker, electric can opener, blender, fryer, indoor grill, crock pot, toaster and blender. You can choose which ones are the essentials according to your own preferences. Obviously, if you're not a coffee drinker, you probably will not need a coffee maker.

Along with these appliances, you'll want to have other kitchen essentials such as dishes, silverware, glasses and cutlery. It's okay to have these items in plastic when you first move in, but you should think about purchasing a nice set, including place settings for at least 4. Also, you will want to buy cooking utensils, like a spatula, wooden spoons, tongs, rolling pin, serving spoon, cheese grater, and more. Once you're settled into your new place and you live there for a while, you'll find out quick which utensils you need and what you don't. Oven mitts, sponges and dish towels are also an essential in your kitchen.

In addition to those essentials, you'll want to buy cookware and bake ware. Purchase 2 good skillets, one small and one large. Nonstick works the best for me, but you might find that stainless steel is good for you. Also, buy a saucepan and a large pot. Most times, you can find sets that come with the pots, pans and the matching lids. This can often be a great deal, and spending more on good quality sets can pay off in the long run. Bake ware is easy, and you have lots of options. For baking pans, muffin tins, loaf and cake pans, you really do not have to buy glass or metal at first, you can easily buy foil ones at the dollar store for cheap. However, I do recommend buying a good sturdy metal cookie sheet or two, because you'll be using them a lot.

After you've got your kitchen appliances and utensils, now it's time to put food in the kitchen. Start with the basics. Your first grocery store trip may be expensive, since you're stocking up your pantry for the first time. For a list of foods to stock up on, see http://www.grocerylists.org/ultimatest/ for some ideas. Adjust the list to your likings and food preferences, since not everyone is the same.

Now that we are out of the kitchen, we'll focus on your bedroom. Unless you want to sleep on the floor, you'll need to buy a bed. It can be as simple as a frame with a box spring and mattress on top, or you can invest in a nice bedroom set, including head and foot boards. Either way, a bed is essential. A mattress is a big investment, and you should take your time when picking one out. The larger it is, the more expensive. Sizes range from twin all the way up to California king. Think about what you'll need. Are you single? Are you moving in with a partner? Queen is the standard, and can comfortably fit 2 people with some room on each side. I bought my Serta Courtland Plush Perfect Sleeper queen sized mattress set at Big Lots for under $500, and it's a very comfortable, supportive mattress. Test out mattresses before you buy them, and be sure to get a warranty on it if it doesn't already include one. Once you've bought your bed and you have it set up, it's time to dress it up with bedding. A simple sheet set with a pillow and a blanket on top might suit you fine, but I recommend buying a bed-in-a-bag set. A bed-in-a-bag comes with a fitted sheet, flat sheet, pillowcases, bed skirt, comforter and sometimes even matching curtains. It's quite a value, especially when they go on sale. Prices on these sets can range from $30 to a few hundred dollars. Bed-in-a-bag sets don't come with pillows, so you'll need to buy your own.

Along with a bed, you might want to buy a dresser to hold your clothes. You won't want to live out of boxes forever. Hang up the clothes that you can, and fold the rest. Clothes such as underwear and socks can be put in a dresser. If you are moving in with someone, 2 dressers will most likely be needed. If you have kids, you'll want to buy a bed and dresser for them as well.

In the living room, you should have a couch and table at the least. A TV is a must for a lot of people, and if you are going to buy a TV, the living room is the best place to put it. If you plan on having people over often, you should decide to buy more seating options, such as a recliner and love seat. Once time goes on, you might start to decorate your living room with things like picture frames, candles, mirrors, art, area rugs, lamps and end tables. No need to rush into buying these things, since they really aren't essential at first.

Depending on where you are going to eat, you may want to buy some kind of table, either for your kitchen or dining room. It took me almost a year to get a dining room table, since my boyfriend and I ate in living room in front of the TV. The standard is a 4 seated table, but you can buy whatever table suits your needs. Even a small table with 2 chairs might work for you.

For your bathroom, you'll need a couple bath towels, wash rags, hand towels, shower curtain and liner, bath rug, toothbrushes and a holder, brushes and combs, and basket for organization. Other bathroom electrics you might need include a hair dryer, curling iron, hair clippers, etc.

Various other items you will need for your first apartment include a vacuum cleaner, garbage can for the kitchen and bathroom, laundry basket, basic tool kit, clock, first aid kit, flashlight, bookshelf, desk, fan, etc. You'll also want to buy cleaning products such as glass cleaner, furniture polish, dish soap, dishwasher detergent (if you have one), multi purpose cleaner, bleach, laundry detergent, fabric softener, sponges, SOS pads, cleaning bucket, scrub brush, gloves, air fresheners, a toilet brush, toilet bowl cleaner and tabs, and shower cleaner. Most of these items can be bought at the dollar store. Don't forget to check the Sunday newspaper for coupons on brand name cleaning products, which can give you a good discount.

Last but not least, buy your essential toiletries and paper products, which can also be found at the website http://www.grocerylists.org/ultimatest/. Paper towels, toilet paper, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, garbage bags, sandwich and freezer bags, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, medicine, cotton balls, razors, makeup, deodorant, hair spray, lotion are just a few of the items you'll want to purchase, if you don't already have them.

Finally, I recommend visiting the dollar store for many of these items. If you are just moving into your first apartment, you are probably on a budget. These are just some of the items you'll want to have in your apartment, so once you live there for a while, you will figure out your personal preferences and then you'll know what else you'll need to buy. I have provided a list of websites of stores that might be able to help you out.

Big Lots www.biglots.com

Wal-Mart www.walmart.com

Bed, Bath and Beyond www.bedbathandbeyond.com

Target www.target.com

Dollar Tree www.dollartree.com

Kohl's www.kohls.com

TJ Maxx www.tjmaxx.com

Ikea www.ikea.com

Kmart www.kmart.com

Overstock (online store) www.overstock.com

Kirkland's www.kirklands.com

Roomful Express www.roomfulexpress.com