Moving Out on Your Own? Here's Your Ultimate First-Apartment Checklist

A Doormat for Brushing the Outside Dirt Off

This apartment essential is borderline required for keeping the entryway tidy. Leave it outside your door to wipe your shoes off after coming in from a rainy or snowy day. A chipper message emblazoned on it couldn't hurt either!

More: What's the Best All-Purpose Cleaner for Everyday Messes?

A Mid-Century-Style Futon That Doesn't Look Like Starter Furniture

You know you'll eventually be hosting friends and family from out of town, so give them a comfortable place to crash. The heathered gray upholstery covering this sofa bed has a high-end, metropolitan look at a price that won't break the bank.

A Coffee Table (That May Also Serve as a Dinner Table)

If you know someone else who's moved recently, chances are that they own this exact coffee table, too. For an affordable price, it displays chic and versatile industrial design, and it provides ample surface space on both levels.

A Streamlined Media Console, Because You're Streaming All of Your TV Now

If you're combining movie collections and streaming devices with a roommate, opt for a media console that offers enough space while keeping an organized look. This one's made of reclaimed pine, and it's equipped with four storage drawers beneath to keep DVDs or loose cables under wraps.

A Full-Sized Mirror to Visually Expand Your Space

Spread the light around a room and make a little space seem so much more grand with the addition of a large-scale, full-sized mirror. The mango wood accenting each end has a raw edge to give it unique naturalistic visual texture.

A Set of Curtains for Privacy and Peace of Mind

Curtains are one of those apartment-checklist items that people usually don't get until they move in ... which is a mistake. Installing a curtain rod (or even a tension rod in a pinch) and then hanging drapery is a crucial first step in making a new place feel like home, especially if your windows directly face your neighbors! Opt for curtains in a beige linen tone to give a finished feel without significantly darkening the room.

A High-Speed Wireless Router to Keep You Connected

Don't let intermittent buffering interrupt your movie nights! Google's wireless Wi-Fi router is stylish and easy to set up — all you need is to download an app and follow the instructions. The mesh Wi-Fi system supports simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi for enhanced network speeds, and it even has smart home functionality.

A Plant That Doubles as a Starter Pet

Not everybody's lifestyle is conductive to owning a pet as soon as they're out on their own. Start small with a Ficus Lyrata, aka a Fiddle-Leaf Fig tree, which you can order right from Amazon! This little guy thrives in direct indoor light with weekly waterings.

Smart Bulbs That'll Never Burn Out on You

Smart bulbs aren’t cheap, but they’re a pretty worthy first-apartment investment — most have a lifespan of around 20 years! The Philips Hue White LED Smart Bulbs can be used in overhead lighting throughout your space, and you can control the intensity of each one through its proprietary app. Plus, you can link these to your smart home device to have Alexa or Google adjust your lighting remotely.

A Space-Conscious Kitchen Table Set

If you're blessed with a little bit of kitchen space, get a good-quality pub table set that can one day be used as a bistro-style breakfast nook. This pick was built with easy storage in mind, allowing you to slide the seats completely under the table to clear the floor area.

A Complete Pots-and-Pans Set to Cover Your Cooking Bases

No matter what's on the menu, this set ensures you'll have the right pot or pan for the job. This 10-piece cookware set features All-Clad’s signature triple-layer bonded stainless steel construction. Each sleek piece heats up quickly and evenly, and each features a roomy cooking surface area for ultimate versatility.

All-New, Distinguished Silverware

Eschew the scratched-up, hand-me-down sets and get yourself some sleek cutlery. This stainless-steel set has minimal ornamentation, so they'll always look current.

A Proper Set of Knives to Make Short Work of a Short Rib

What good is a nice cut of meat if your knives can barely make a dent in it? If you're trying to keep your kitchen accessories down to just the basics, a quality chef's knife is the one thing that you really need. This Japanese-made 8-inch chef's knife features a hard, thin, razor-sharp blade and a simple wooden handle that's super comfortable to hold. Just make sure you have a cutting board that can stand up to it!

An Investment-Worthy Trash Can to Keep a Lid on the Household Waste

We know that you can get a plastic trash can for pennies, but those tend to get dirty fast, and getting them to look brand-new is near impossible. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is a better match for your chrome-finished appliances and much easier to restore to their original, gleaming state. This model even includes an interior bucket so the garbage bag won't show, and there's also a quiet lid closure!

A Multisurface Cleaner That Truly Does It All

This alcohol-based multisurface solution is one of the very few on the market that thoroughly disinfects without the use of harsh chemicals, while being safe to use directly on food-prep areas (including on cutting boards). It kills some of the most harmful bacteria and germs like e. coli, salmonella, and norovirus in just 30 seconds, giving you total peace of mind when deep-cleaning every room of the house.

A Bath Curtain That Isn't Boring

Your bathroom should be as relaxed and inviting as the rest of your house. Keep that vibe going with a simple, yet stylish shower curtain.

An Easy-to-Wash Bath Mat to Keep Your Bathroom Floors Dry

Great bath mats should add a little something to the bathroom, beyond feeling great underfoot. This one from Urban Outfitters features a plush, textured weave and knotted tassels that make it look more like an accent rug.

A Bowl Brush and Plunger Set, Because You Have to Handle the Dirty Work Now

It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it. Bite the bullet and pick up an open-air bowl brush and plunger set for your bathroom to keep these toilet tools at the ready.

There are areas in the home in which to save ... and others where you should splurge. Because you use them every single day, bath towels should definitely fall into to the latter category. The towels in Snowe's starter bath collection are ridiculously soft, super absorbent, and help you start your mornings (or end your night) with a little more of a luxe feel.

A Clever Device to Stop Clogged Drains Before They Happen

Responsibly ditch your liquid drain de-cloggers however you can, and make the switch to the TubShroom. This simple device catches all the hair you lose in the shower (even the tiny ones!) so you can pull it all out in one satisfying go.

A Table Lamp That's Both Current and Classic

Nothing ruins the vibe quite like dated lighting. Update your accent ambiance with a table lamp that features a drum-shaped shade and a graphic-forward base.

A Nightstand That Keeps Your Midnight Necessities Within Reach

No matter how many steps are in your nightly routine, this two-drawer nightstand from West Elm can hold everything you need for it. We love its stylishly simple mid-century-inspired silhouette that stays compatible with your decor even as your style evolves.

Underbed Organizers for Keeping the Extras Stored Safely

If you're moving to a small-space apartment, you'll probably have to relegate some of your off-season items into underbed storage. These zip-up, clear-topped organizers from PBteen are some of the best out there for their affordability and smart design.

A Pillow With the Proper Fluff Index

If your current pillow is at all lumpy, or if you can fold your pillow in half and it stays that way, you need to buy a new one. No matter how you sleep, this ultra plush, shredded-foam pillow from Coop Home Goods has the right balance of softness and loft to keep your head supported (and cool!) throughout the night. Plus, you can even open it up to remove some of the memory foam filling to keep your neck in better alignment.

Budget-Friendly Bed Sheets That Feel Like a Dream

Not only is this bedding set super affordable, but its microfiber polyester material feels silky to the touch without being stifling. It also wears beautifully, getting softer with each wash — and without pilling.

A Game for the Housewarming Party ... and Every Weekend Afterwards

Pick up this devious deck, so you'll always have a go-to entertainment option for guest visits and house parties. This meme-centric card game is comprised of two different decks — a photo deck and a caption deck. 

With each turn, everyone picks a caption card from their hand to match the photo card drawn by the judge. The judge determines which meme is the funniest, and the game continues rotating judges as long as everybody wants!