43 Must-Haves For Your First Apartment
Moving is hectic enough as it is. Let us help you make your shopping list.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. A pack of command strips because you'll inevitably want to hang things on your walls, and if you're anything like me, you're not gonna want a hammer and nails involved...
Promising review: "I ordered these to finish up a gallery wall I have been working on. These were much larger than the ones I bought in the store, so I cut them in half, and one was able to hand two 5x7 frames! Every photo in my home is hung with Command Strips because, if removed properly, they won't ruin the wall. Just make sure the wall is not freshly painted. If it is, this will take your paint right off. I have never had an issue with a photo frame falling off the wall. If it is a larger photo or picture, I use two. They really are so easy to use and make gallery walls a breeze!" —Joy de Leyer
Get it from Amazon for $3.44+ (available in two colors).
2. An expandable over-the-shower caddy or an over-the-door caddy so you can keep your shampoo, soaps, and shaving cream organized and within arm's reach.
Promising reviews: "This shower caddy is great. We have all experienced caddies sliding back and forth on the shower head, but this one does not. You'd have to unscrew the tension screws. You can also rearrange the baskets and hang things from its multiple hooks. I love it and highly recommend." —Nahni
"I absolutely love this caddy! It looks great and works perfectly. It's exactly what my shower needed. All my toiletries fit, and I love that it also has space to hang my towel from." —tonya
Get the over-the-shower caddy from Walmart for $14.97+ (available in two finishes) and the over-the-door caddy from Walmart for $41.52.
3. A six piece towel set that is as absorbent as it is quick-drying. You'll wanna wrap yourself in this suuuper plush towel after you take your first shower in your new home.
I have this Everplush towel set in charcoal and it really does exactly what they promise. I'm dry under a minute after taking a shower, and it doesn't get bogged down with water afterwards. And by the time I finish my after-shower skincare routine, the towel is already dry. Oh, and speaking of skincare routine, I use the hand towel to pat my face dry. This whole set is so soft and luxurious, I can kinda convince myself I'm at a spa. Kinda.
Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (available in eight colors).
4. A set of six colorful Cuisinart knives sharp enough to cube cheese and slice salami for your housewarming charcuterie board. These stainless steel knives have a color-coded non-stick ceramic coating so you can avoid chopping veggies with the same knife you prepared raw chicken with.
Promising review: "The look, the colors, and oh man, the blades! They are like razors, but work excellently in the kitchen. The colors are great for glancing and finding exactly the knife you need for a specific job. They clean easily and seem to be keeping their sharp edges." —Darsen
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
5. A pack of three silicone ice cube trays with nonspill lids so you can easily stack them in your freezer to have more space in there for your hoard of Amy's Burritos.
Promising review: "These are the easiest silicon ice cube trays I've ever used. The hard plastic lids make carrying after filing and stacking a breeze." —rachel rawrr
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
6. A toilet bowl ring remover that'll help you scrub away any rust or lime buildup left behind by previous tenants.
Promising review: "I bought a house and the toilets were stained BAD. This product was recommended to avoid having to buy a whole new toilet. And it worked INCREDIBLY! My toilet looks brand-new again! Highly suggest trying this product before buying a whole new toilet!!" —JollyLady
Get it from Amazon for $11.05 (or Subscribe and Save for $10.50/month).
7. A luxuriously shaggy bath mat because you're past layering towels to avoid dripping an entire puddle onto the bathroom floor. And did I mention that this super soft mat is also super absorbent? Okay, well now I did.
Promising review: "I completely adore this product. It is very soft, cozy, and absorbent. It doesn't move out of place at all. I will be purchasing more of these for the rest of bathrooms in my home." —TheAmazonQueen
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in seven sizes and 21 colors).
8. An upright dustpan and broom set so you can get rid of the dust bunnies the previous tenants left behind and make sure they never return to make a home for themselves. This dustpan even has a comb that'll pull tangled messes of dirt and hair from the broom so you don't have to.
In need of a small, handheld dustpan and broom set? Check this one out!
Promising review: "I was excited to get this broom and dust pan set. I have a bad hip and bending over is very painful. With the long-handled dust pan, sweeping up the kitchen and other areas of my home is so much easier. The dustpan also has a comb along the top edge to remove debris stuck to the broom’s bristles. Then there is a do-dad that attaches the broom and dust pan together. No more wondering where you left one or the other! It makes life easier for me." —Caroline Horton
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in two colors).
9. An entryway storage rack with space for your shoes, coats, and more! There's also a bench so you don't have to hop and hobble your way into your boots.
Promising review: "I needed something near our front door for shoes and bags. This works very well, fits in my space, looks pretty good, and was easy enough to assemble." —Christopher Harris
Get it from Amazon for $65.99+ (available in five finishes).
10. A plant-based all-purpose cleaner concentrate that'll not only wash your floors, cabinets, tubs, laundry, and windows, but leave behind its gorgeous blended scent of aloe, lavender and lemongrass.
Good Vibes is a Black woman-owned business based in Pennsylvania dedicated to making sure the products you clean with are safe for the whole family (pets included) and for the planet!
Promising review: "I LOVE spraying my countertops with this scent. Not only does it clean amazingly well, but it leaves everything smelling so fresh. Feeling excited to have found a green cleaning product that smells and cleans great! Just purchased more bottles, so thanks Good Vibes for starting my new year off right." —Mary
Get it from Good Vibes for $10.
11. A leaning full-length mirror because you'll want to give your outfits a full body check before leaving the house and your bathroom mirror just isn't built for that kind of responsibility.
If you don't have the floor space for a full-length mirror, you can also mount this on your wall.
Promising review: "This is a very well-made and high quality standing mirror. The finish is beautiful and consistent, so it looks very high-end. It's very trendy and minimalist, so it'll work with basically any room or decor. When standing, it is very secure as the side supports have a locking mechanism to prevent it from tipping over. I would highly recommend this mirror." —J.D Robinson
Get it from Amazon for $139.99 (available in two colors).
12. A sleek stainless-steel French press for coffee in just four minutes, because nothing is worse than waking up after a night of unboxing all of your belongings and realizing you can't even make a cup of joe to celebrate a job well done.
And if you're a Doctor Who fan, this TARDIS French press was made for you and your new home!
Promising review: "After using a cheaper model for a couple of years, we just upgraded to this version. The Chambord has less plastic, a more comfortable handle, and a pleasing aesthetic. It's worth the extra money because it makes nice coffee. Recommended!" —Lee
Get it from Target for $35.99.
13. A toilet paper holder and storage rack so you're not stuck stacking toilet paper on the floor. You're a big kid now.
Promising review: "Exceeded my expectations. It is VERY sturdy and well-made. A bonus is that it's attractive. It fits the jumbo rolls in the dispenser and storage areas. I love it when the product description doesn't mislead. You can buy this with confidence." —BeeJaae
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two finishes).
14. A Simple Human drying rack that has a hanging rack for your wine glasses and a drip tray for your non-wineglasses. This durable and spacious drying rack is made of stainless steel, so it won't rust on you.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this dish rack. It fits so many dishes in it, including a huge cookie sheet, and it drains well. It’s a beast. Sometimes I use the wine rack to hang dish towels or silicon place mats out to dry. Couldn’t be happier with it." —whitney
Get it from Amazon for $79.99.
15. A set of 12 stainless-steel measuring cups and spoons because the difference between a cup of flour and one cup of flour is bigger (and stodgier) than you might think.
16. A classic bronze floor lamp so you can actually see the words you're trying to read while you cozy up in your little book nook.
Promising review: "This is a high-quality modern industrial-style lamp. The base is quite heavy, which gives the lamp its stability. It's an impressive lamp that I believe will compliment all kinds of decor and enhance the look of any room it is placed in. I placed it next to my living room couch where I sit and read in the evenings. I like it very much!" —Debra K
Get it from Amazon for $119.99.
17. A durable plastic shower curtain liner that'll make sure you don't accidentally splash so much water outside of your tub that you turn your bathroom into a lakeside destination.
Promising review: "Wow! This liner is amazing. It beats the dollar store stuff hands down. It has actual grommets so it won't easily tear from the hooks. The thickness of the plastic is like four times that of any liner I have ever had. It wraps nicely around my tub, further preventing water spray from getting around it. All these amazing feature for less than $10. And if the waterproof and mildew-resistant qualities work as mentioned, then in the long run I feel I got a wonderful bargain." —Pansy Petal
Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in 12 sizes and 14 colors).
18. A set of two adjustable memory foam pillows because adjusting to a new space is hard enough without it affecting your sleep, too. With these comfy clouds, you'll get the best rest of your life.
Promising review: "It is so comfy! I love how easy it is to adjust vs a solid memory foam pillow. I love it so much that I already ordered three more so that way our new bed has a full set of pillows. And the fact that it's completely machine washable is a huge plus!" —Sally
Get it from Amazon for $59.95+ (available in sizes queen and king and sold individually).
19. A 60-piece tool set with everything from a power drill and bits, to a level and tape measure so you can do all the household projects that'll make your apartment feel like a home.
20. A stack of six pastel geometric coasters designed in collaboration with the School of Visual Arts will help you (and your guests) protect your furniture and feel festive and fun while doing so.
If loving coasters is wrong, then I don't wanna be right. These super fun and bright coasters make protecting my surfaces easy and delightful. Their splashes of color mean they also double as decor, so win-win. I love that they each have edges that angle upward, so no heavy condensation spills off the sides. And because they're made of silicone, they're easy to clean when I inevitably spill some red wine because I got too excited by the wild adventures of Doctor Who.
Get it from Museum of Modern Art for $30 (also available in primary colors).
21. A lightweight Dyson vacuum you can easily carry around the apartment to give each room a deep clean! Whether your floors are covered in carpet or hardwood, Dyson's got you covered.
Promising review: "It was time to replace our old Dyson cord vacuum. Since it had performed so well over the course of 17 years, I immediately looked to Dyson again. I admit I was a bit skeptical that a smaller stick vacuum could do the job in an almost 2,000-sq-ft house. We are senior citizens who have an active lifestyle, live in the mountains off of dusty roads, have house cats and two Aussie dogs. Since we also have horses and acreage, we are busy and the cleaning sometimes takes a lower priority. I wanted something that was easy to use, quick, and not having to drag a cord around sounded really good! I really, really like this handy and powerful vacuum. I was concerned about the small size of the bin, and how often I might need to dump it. But after using it to vacuum most of the house, I'm no longer concerned. And...it did a great job, our area rugs look great, and it moves so easily to our hardwood floors. One really big plus for us is that it runs off battery charge. We live off the grid and generate our own electricity with solar and wind. On cloudy, windless days, I was basically forbidden to vacuum, unless I started a generator. But now, I can have a charge ready and get it done! Couldn't be happier. Can definitely recommend this product!" —Debra Mickelson
Get it from Amazon for $669.36+.
22. A pack of nonslip velvet hangers that'll take up less space in your closet, which means you'll be able to hang more in there. And with swivel hooks, you spend less time fighting your clothes and more time buying new ones.
Promising review: "These hangers are beautiful and functional, I just love them! They hold my clothes on the hanger to an extent I didn't think was possible. I can hang some of my sweaters and they don't get pulled out of shape because the velvet grips the fabric and the garment's weight is more gently distributed. I can't explain what a difference these made in my closet. Everything from tank tops to skirts to sweaters hangs beautifully on these. I use them exclusively, I threw out all my old plastic hangers. The rose gold color of the hooks is beautiful and gleams gently, adding some eye-catching sophistication to my closet. I like for my room to be pretty and photogenic, and these fit right in. I highly recommend them." —Campfire30
Get it from Amazon for $25.49+ (available in six colors).
23. A neutral Bohemian sheet set you'll be able to build your bedroom's aesthetic on top of. No clashing here. These 100% cotton sheets feature hand-drawn geometric shapes for a warm custom touch.
Founded by a Black woman, Jungalow is a lifestyle brand that taps into nature to create colorfully unique home goods.
Promising review: "The morning after I put these sheets on our bed, my partner woke me up to tell me how wonderful they are - something I never would've expected him to say about sheets! They're very comfortable and of excellent quality. We are first-time customers who will definitely be returning customers." —Nicole P
Get it from Jungalow for $65+ (available in full, queen, and king sizes).
24. A 10-piece nonstick bakeware set from Rachael Ray's collection so you can cake it up with the best of them! This set includes a cookie sheet, a cake pan, a loaf pan, and two round cake pans all made from durable carbon steel that won't warp when you bake!
Promising review: "It's funny how excited a person can get about bakeware, but after using this set I can only say that it is absolutely fabulous. You can feel the quality just by handling the individual pieces. They look fabulous and I love the marine blue handles that help you get a better grip. I've made biscuits, cookies, roasts, bread, and cake, and these pans cooked everything evenly. They also clean up easily every time. This bakeware set exceeded my expectations and are far superior to other brands I have tried over the years. I highly recommend. I will be looking at Rachael Ray products to equip my kitchen from now on." —agentmama
Get it from Walmart for $95.98.
25. And a 16-piece nonstick cookware set from Tasty that has everything you need to fry an egg, steam some veggies, and stir homemade pasta sauce. Add a pop of color to your kitchen with this ceramic collection!
This set includes: two frying pan, two saucepans with glass lids, a sauté pan with glass lid, a stockpot with glass lid, a slotted turner, a serving spoon with measuring marks, three ceramic bowls, and a recipe booklet.
Promising review: "This is my first set of ceramic cookware, and I LOVE it! The nonstick ceramic coating on these pots and pans is nothing short of amazing. I can fry sausage and bacon in the pan, let the leftover grease set, and it still comes off completely by just using the sink sprayer. Same for mac 'n' cheese that has cooled and sat in the sink overnight in a pot. Just sprays right off. The pans cook evenly all over, but they're definitely much hotter than a regular pan. The first time I made burgers, I burnt them, but got it right the second time around." —lexkyguy
Get it from Walmart for $59 (originally $69; available in three colors).
To learn more about this set and other Tasty products, check out this rundown!
26. A pack of two extendable window screens that can be easily installed vertically or horizontally to prevent your new creepy crawling and blood-sucking neighbors from coming over uninvited.
Promising review: "I'm very happy to write this review. After searching for weeks, I finally found this package of two screens. They work exactly how I wanted them to. They don't move because they are hitting the frame of the outer window screen. If you raise to the full 15 inches, the window will sit on top and it definitely will not move. So now with Texas weather, I can have fresh air when the weather permits and save on my AC bill when it's warmer. Absolutely the perfect choice for me." —Grandma K
Get it from Amazon for $35.29.
27. A set of nine nonscratch Scotch-Brite sponges gentle enough to clean your new nonstick pans without scratching their surfaces and powerful enough to scrub away stuck-on messes without having to put your back into it.
Promising reviews: "This is pretty much all I use with dishes. I find that this sponge is usually the perfect gentleness/roughness for washing dishes by hand. It's always an exciting day when I can pull out a new sponge from the Scotch-Brite sponge bag and throw away the old one. It would be nice to have a dishwasher, but these sponges are less expensive and more fun!" —MAW
Get it from Amazon for $6.33+.
28. A speckled ceramic mug so you can enjoy a calming cup of tea as you begin to settle into your new home. And its neutral colors mean this handmade piece will fit into any aesthetic.
Hands On Ceramics is a small business based in New York hand-crafting beautiful and functional pieces that'll fit perfectly into your home and life.
Promising review: "Love these little cups! They're very pretty and delicate looking while also being sturdy. They are just the right size to keep my palms warm while sipping my coffee or tea." —Ildiko
Get it from Hands On Ceramics on Etsy for $28+ (available in two sizes).
29. A shag area rug to add some textured fun to your bedroom or living room! If you place it next to your bed, you'll have a cozy morning launchpad.
30. A stainless-steel motion sensor trash can with Clorox odor protection that'll fit right in with all your other steel appliances. It also boasts a rear bag compartment, because if we're *gonna* have trash, getting rid of it might as well be as convenient as possible.
Promising reviews: "This trash can's size is fantastic! And the automatic opening is so convenient and functional. I highly recommend this. I'm hoping that it will last a few years! It's way better than the competition or similar automated trash cans that I've tried." —Kthx
"I receive so many compliments on this trash can! It is so sleek, and everyone loves the motion detector aspect. Plus, it holds like three days worth of garbage, which is great for us because we use to take out the trash every day." —Ana
Get it from Amazon for $94.47+ (available in two sizes).
31. A compact all-in-one printer that'll wirelessly tackle your everyday office print jobs as well as your family photo album project. It boasts features like a touchscreen, 125-sheet capacity, and two-sided printing, which means you'll never have to trek to a Staples to print your resume again.
Promising review: "The main feature I enjoy about this printer is that I can store two types of paper at the same time, so I can put in plain paper and photo paper at the same time. In terms of the overall printer itself, it works great. Printing perfection!" —Anonymous
Get it from Office Depot for $229.89.
32. A set of six hand-blown rose red wineglasses will make you feel like royalty as you sip two-buck chuck, because you spent most of your moving budget on a velvet sectional (and these stunning glasses).
Estelle Colored Glass is a Black woman-owned small luxury brand that creates hand-blown pieces in stand-out jewel tones with inspiration drawn from the vintage aesthetics of a time long gone.
Get it from Estelle for $175.
33. An oven cleaner so powerful you might just convince yourself your new landlord gifted you a new oven altogether. This heavy-duty cleaner can remove grime, stains, and caked-on food in minutes!
Just be sure to take the necessary precaution when dealing with this chemical product.
Promising review: " WOW! This works wonders! This product is so easy to use. You really just need to spray, wait a few minutes, and you can literally wipe off the grease! I highly recommend it." —Sadys Ford
Get it from Amazon for $16.50.
34. A funky minimalist table lamp that'll both save you a headache from your unnaturally bright overhead light *and* act as conversation-sparking decor.
35. A dual hamper you can use to separate your lights from your colors, your clean from your dirty, or your warms from your colds. Any way you decide to use it means fewer of your ensembles end up on your chair and you can actually use it for sitting.
Promising review: "LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this hamper! It's really well-made, and has ample space to separate your lights and darks, or whatever else you decide to use it for. It's just beautiful. If you're on the fence, just buy it!" —Target Customer
Get it from Target for $69.99.
36. Handmade velvet curtains will add a sophisticated lushness to your apartment that'll make your neighbors wanna upgrade their whole aesthetic. Choose between a cotton or blackout lining and be wowed by your own elegance.
Fantasy Fabric Designs is a family-owned business based in Los Angeles that prides themselves on hand-making unique fabric pieces for your home.
Promising review: "The curtains are just lovely in person! I was able to get a small fabric sample ahead of time to verify that the finish would work in the room (really appreciate that it was free). It's such nice quality and blocks out the light completely. Now I can sleep in on the weekends." —Hannah Yu Barbera
Get one panel from Fantasy Fabric Designs on Etsy for $90+ (available in LOTS of sizes and 24 colors).
37. An industrial coffee table built to last *and* look good while doing it. Its two drawers can store anything you wouldn't want on display on its open shelf. Plus, the wood grain is waterproof, so hiding the fact that you're a bit of a butterfingers when it comes to water glasses will be super easy!
Promising review: "This table is amazing! It’s sturdy and pretty easy to put together. It’s really heavy too, which is good because it’s not sliding around my living room every time it gets bumped. The drawers are so useful, and the little cubby area on the back side of it is super useful too. I haven’t used any coasters and have had no rings or peeling due to condensation from cans and glasses, which is a first. So not only is it good looking, and sturdy, but also durable. Highly recommend!" —Healy
Get it from Amazon for $145.99.
38. A set of durable silicone oven mitts and pot holders so you can cook safely *and* in style.
Promising reviews: "I had been looking for a great pair of oven mitts for a while, so I was excited to try these! So far they’re great. They are really comfortable and very good at keeping the heat at bay. Was also happy to get matching pot holders which also work very well and can also be used as trivets." —David O.
"I absolutely love the oven mitts! The silicone is great for those extra hot items, the magnet connects to my oven, and the length prevents burns!" —Sarah C.
Get it from Food52 for $60 (available in five colors).
39. A 16-piece ceramic dinnerware set — no more paper plates, and toss that cracked mug you got for Christmas eight years ago! This sophisticated set is microwave and dishwasher safe, so you'll also be treating yourself to easy post-meal cleanups ;)
40. A timeless linen sectional with a storage chaise perfect for all your extra sheets and pillows for when guests come over. Speaking of guests, this couch also pulls open into a bed!
41. A set of reusable vacuum storage bags so as you unpack, you can pack away out-of-season blankets, coats, and clothes without overwhelming your closet. Yes, closets get overwhelmed!
Promising review: "THESE ARE LIFE-CHANGING. The package came quickly to my door with five storage bags. They even give you a hand pump to use in case you're taking the bags camping or just don't have a vacuum handy. I tested the pump to see how well it works, perfect! I have uploaded photos of my hall closet before and after using the storage bags (pictured above). And HOLY COW I have half my closet back! I would have more room but I left out a few blankets we regularly use. I used three bags to store ALL THE items including three large pillows and several thick blankets and comforters. I will most definitely be buying more, these are fantastic!!!" —Knastay
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $25.99+.
42. A luxe hand-poured candle that'll fill your new home with the ~blissful~ scents of jasmine, rose, gardenia, carnation, and violet. Turn your apartment into a peaceful haven!
Avant-garde Home is a Black- and woman-owned business committed to amplifying the uniqueness and comfort of every home!
Get it from Avant-garde Home for $27.
43. A modern tall lamp whose three mesh lampshades will add an industrial touch to your new living space. Rotate each head up to 180 degrees to shine their light anywhere!
This lamp comes with three classic retro E26 base lightbulbs!
Promising review: "This lamp was everything I was hoping for. It's well-made, and looks great if you're going for that rustic look. It was also simple to assemble. On a scale of 1-10 brightness, I'd say the lightbulbs it comes with are about a 5. They're more for ambient lighting than practical lighting, which is what I was expecting." —Drew
Get it from Amazon for $65.99 (available in four finishes).