34 Game-Changing First Apartment Tips That’ll Save You Time, Money, and Your Sanity
Want to know the secrets every first-time apartment owner should know? Here are 34 crazy helpful first apartment tips every renter should take note of.
Moving into your first apartment is SO exciting, yet nerve-racking all at the same time!
On one hand, you’re probably planning out what you want your apartment to look like and how it’s going to feel living in a place that’s finally your own. On the other hand, there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with owning your own place. And it can all be super overwhelming!
Not to worry, I’m here to take the stress off of your shoulders and give you the best tips and tricks that will make your life as a first-time apartment owner a whole lot easier.
You’re going to find out about all of the best first apartment tips from first apartment tips budget, first apartment tips hacks, first apartment tips minimalist, and more.
Here is your one stop shop to everything you need to know moving into your first apartment. No one really tells you these things, but trust me, as someone who has gone through it all, these are the tips that will help you the most!
So take out a notepad, or open the notes app on your phone, and get ready to write down these first apartment tips, because they’re really that good!
This post is all about the best first apartment tips that will save your sanity.
Best First Apartment Tips:
Before You Move In
1. Make a Master Checklist
It’s super important to stay as organized as possible when moving into your apartment. There are so many different things you have to remember and do, so don’t leave anything up to chance!
Having a master checklist that you can look back on throughout the process will help take away the stress and keep you from feeling scattered.
And if you don’t want to have to worry about making your own first apartment move-in checklist, I made one for you that you can steal below. 😉
2. Measure Everything
This is SO important! You’re going to want to have a good measuring tape on hand that stays with you at all times. You’ll never know when you’ll need to take a measurement.
Don’t even think about buying any furniture without first measuring. Do not make the mistake of winging it and hoping it works out. It will actually be more work in the end.
So do yourself a favor, and take a few extra minutes to break out the measuring tape and take precise measurements. You’re probably not going to have a ton of space in your apartment, which makes this step even more important.
When I was moving into my first apartment, I used painters tape to outline the pieces of furniture I wanted to give me a better visual. It really helps!
3. Prioritize Your First Purchases
Moving into your first apartment is expensive enough – so don’t go over-budget and buy a bunch of things you don’t actually need (or at least right away).
Make a list of everything you want/need for your apartment. Then prioritize! Be honest with yourself when it comes to what you need vs what you want. A cute vase is not a need.
Stick to the essentials, and then as time goes on, you can add in decorations and final touches. This will also give you a chance to live in your space and better plan out what you want the finished “product” to look like.
Don’t rush into buying things for your first apartment! You have time.
4. Read the Lease Thoroughly
I know what you’re thinking, reading your lease is the last thing you want to do. I get it, it was the last thing I wanted to do when buying my first apartment too. But it’s one of the most important things you need to do when buying any apartment, especially your first one.
Yes, it’s long and tedious, but there will be some things written in the fine print that you didn’t previously know that will save you from loosing your deposit or being fined.
For example, my first apartment lease said that I needed to turn on the fan in the bathroom while I shower so there wouldn’t be any water damage. And if I didn’t, and they found water damage, I would be charged!
So yes, it’s definitely worth it to read your lease. Trust me on this one.
Budgeting and Bills
5. Setup Up a Budget – Now
Do NOT wait to create your first apartment budget! This is not something you can and should put off until you feel like it, because it will never get done.
Plus, you’ll feel so much better about your spending and your apartment when you actually create a reasonable budget – and stick with it.
It’s one of those things that a lot of people dread, but feel so much better once they put one in place. That way there’s no room or excuse for overspending! It’ll keep you from going into debt from too much shopping or splurges – which is a lot easier to do than you would think.
Your budget can always change, and should, so it’s okay to start simple and go from there.
6. Put All Utilities in Your Name Immediately
You don’t want to wait to do this until you’re already moved into your apartment. You’ll want to be able to use all of your utilities right when you move in, so this should be at the top of your to do list for your first apartment.
7. Set Bill Due Date Reminders
Bills can creep up on you so quickly! Especially when you’re trying to keep track of a bunch of different bills at once.
To keep myself organized, I write down when the bills are due in my physical planner, and then I also add a couple of reminders for each one in my phone.
I’ll set one reminder a couple days before the bill is due, and another on the day the actual bill is due. You can also set the frequency on your reminder to every month (super helpful for those recurring bills!). That way you’ll never miss another bill.
You have enough to remember and worry about, so make your life easier by putting your reminders in multiple places.
Furnishing and Decorating
8. Go Slow on Decor
Decorating is one of the best parts of moving into your first apartment! It’s probably one of the first spaces you have control over what style and look you’re going for.
But as fun as it is, it’s better to ease into decorating your apartment. You’ll also want to wait until you move into your apartment and living in it to fully decorate it.
It’s good to have a feel of your apartment before purchasing any finishing touches like decor. You can always add more, but you don’t want your apartment to feel cluttered with a bunch of different knick knacks.
Add in a couple of decor pieces here and there, no need to buy everything all at once!
9. Command Hooks Are Your Best Friend
Ugh apartment regulations are super annoying! It definitely makes decorating a lot harder, so you’re going to want to have a pack of command strips on hand to hang decor and add storage.
I actually didn’t know how many different types of command hooks there were before moving into my first apartment haha. You might want to opt for the variety pack so you have a bunch of different options depending on what you’re hanging.
Also, be careful when you’re moving out and don’t yank the command strips off of the wall! They can rip some paint off or cause a little bit of damage. Low and slow people!
10. Think Storage-Smart
Your mindset going into your first apartment, or any apartment, should be storage and functionality first, and aesthetic second. I know, this is kind of crazy coming from me!
But trust me, you would rather live in a space that’s slightly more functional, especially when you’re living in an apartment.
You probably won’t have a ton of space, so finding a way to incorporate storage in as many places as possible is super important! Multifunctional pieces will be your best friend in your apartment!
And if you can double your storage as decor, that’s a bonus!
Cleaning and Maintenance
11. Do a Deep Clean Before Unpacking
It’s so much easier to do a deep clean of your apartment before you move in and you don’t have to move around any big furniture pieces.
Yes, you’ll definitely need to clean after you move everything in too, but it won’t be as much work if you do an initial clean that takes care of the dirt and dust.
12. Build a Simple Cleaning Routine
Having a cleaning routine will save you (and your apartment) from getting dirty and dusty. It doesn’t have to be anything too elaborate, but you should definitely have a cleaning schedule to keep you accountable and make sure your apartment looks spotless!
One of the easiest ways to make your apartment feel instantly nicer, is always keeping it clean. I know, it’s a lot easier said than done, but once you get into the habit and build it into your weekly routine, it will become second nature and your apartment will always look good.
13. Stock a Basic Tool Kit & First Aid Kit
This is something a lot of people forget to bring to their first apartment! Even though you might not use these all of the time, they’re still good to have on hand.
Because at some point, you will need both of these and you don’t want to be in a pinch or an emergency situation and regret not getting these sooner!
This is the toolkit I bought for my first apartment (and still have to this day) that has everything you need as someone who is not super handy but still wants a couple of basics.
And even though I have only used it once, this is the first aid kit that I bought for my apartment that lives under the bathroom sink. It’s compact, but there when I need it. You can also find the basic ones at Target or CVS.
Living Alone or With Roommates
14. Set Boundaries Early With Roommates
If you have roommates, you don’t want to wait to set boundaries. It might be uncomfortable at first, but it’s better to address it before there are any actual problems. And then there is that expectation so hopefully your roommates will respect your space and wishes.
You’ll probably need to remind them every once in a while of the boundaries, but for the most part, if you establish firm boundaries before anything comes up, everyone will be better off and it makes for a healthier roommate relationship.
15. Create a “Leave the Apartment” Checklist
There will be a learning curve moving into your first apartment. There’s a lot more responsibility and things to remember. So a “leave the apartment” checklist is something that could be really helpful to have by the door.
And even if you don’t physically check items off, just a glance will make you feel better before leaving so you don’t forget to do anything important.
Apartment Setup & Space Saving Tricks
16. Use Tension Rods & Drawer Dividers
Maximizing your space in your apartment is crucial! You can never have enough storage in your apartment, so anything you can do to give yourself more space or organize your apartment is worth it.
Tension rods are great for taller cabinets so you can hang pots, pans, and cooking utensils. And drawer dividers will be your best friend!
If you’re dealing with a smaller drawer, these drawer dividers will keep your smaller items in their own individual slots so your drawer stays super clean. It’s also much easier to clean out these plastic dividers when there is a spill vs the actual drawer itself.
Pro tip: If your drawer dividers to fit perfectly to your drawer, you might want to add on these adhesives on the bottom of your organizers so they don’t move around when you open and close the drawers. This helped me so much (especially when the drawer is an odd size).
For bigger drawers and items, these dividers are a holy grail! They’re also adjustable so they fit nice and snug and won’t move around at all.
17. Label Everything (at first)
Labels will be your saving grace when it comes to finding where everything is and keeping your apartment organized. There are a lot of bins and containers that you’re going to want permanent labels for like kitchen canisters and under the kitchen or bathroom sink.
These are the pre-printed labels I use in my apartment because my handwriting could never look this perfect and clean haha.
But especially at first, even if all you have for a label is sticky notes, it’s super helpful until you get fully acquainted with your new space.
18. Put Felt Pads on Furniture Legs
Furniture legs are the number one culprit of scratching your apartment floors! Especially when you’re first moving in and setting everything up.
You’ll want to do this with heavier furniture pieces especially since they’re harder to move around and you might have to drag them instead of picking them up (e.g. your couch).
Felt pads will save you from damaging the floors and keeping that deposit. 🙂
19. Make a Home Binder or Digital Folder
There are a lot of documents and important papers that you’ll need to have on hand as an apartment owner. Things like your lease and a maintenance log are things that you should include in your first apartment binder.
You can either do this digitally, or if you like physical copies (my kinda gal!), I created a first apartment binder for those looking to stay insanely organized through their move and while they’re living in their apartment.
This was something I created to keep myself organized, but I knew if I loved having a first apartment binder with all of the essential paper work and templates, others would too.
Kitchen + Cooking
20. Buy Minimal Cookware
You do not need every piece of cookware available! I repeat, you do not need every piece of cookware available.
There are a couple cookware basics that you’re going to want to make sure you have, but it’s really not a lot.
Cookware basics you’ll want to have:
- Saucepan
- Medium-large pot
- Toaster oven / air fryer (can get an oven that doubles as an air fryer for dual functionality)
- Baking sheet
- Serrated knife + non-serrated knife (yes you do need one of each depending on what you’re cutting)
- Cutting boards
- Cooking utensils
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Blender or food processor
If you want a full list of all of the apartment essentials that are non-negotiable, here are the expert approved first apartment essentials you cannot forget about!
And if after living in your apartment for a little, you find that you need some more appliances or cookware, you can always add to the collection!
21. Start With 2-4 Place Settings
Just like with the cookware, you don’t want to overdue it on the place settings. Depending on how many roommates you have, 2-4 place settings should be the perfect amount.
That way you’ll have a couple of place settings for when guests come over and so you don’t have to run the dishwasher right away, but not too many so that it’s wasteful.
You can always get more of the same place settings as you start to have more people over.
22. Meal Prep Staples = Budget Lifesavers
When you go grocery shopping, there are a couple of food staples that you’ll want to keep handy. So if you don’t make it to the grocery store when you thought you would, or something comes up, you have a backup option to tide you over.
It’s good to have one or two freezer meals since they don’t go bad.
23. Keep a Fire Extinguisher in the Kitchen
Apartments usually come with fire extinguishers under the kitchen sink, but it doesn’t hurt to double check! You definitely don’t want to go without one of these.
Just like a first aid kit, you hope you won’t need it, but it’s better safe than sorry!
Cleaning Habits That Save Your Sanity
24. Do One Chore a day
It can be overwhelming everything you need to keep up with moving into your first apartment. So doing one chore each day will help keep all of your tasks from building up.
At the end of each day, block off 10-15 minutes to complete one task/chore around your apartment. That way you won’t be left with a laundry list of chores to do at the end of the week.
If you clean and organize a little each day, it won’t seem so daunting!
25. Invest in a Good Vacuum and Mop Duo
A vacuum is something you definitely don’t want to skimp on! It’s so worth it to spend a little more money on a good vacuum that will last you and do a good job.
To keep my floors spotless, I go in with the vacuum first, and then go over the hard floors with a Swiffer to get them super clean! It’s good for doing a deep clean of your floors and makes them look spotless.
Here is the vacuum I use on my floors to keep them crazy clean. I’ve had this one for around four years now and it works
26. Baking Soda & Vinegar Fix Almost Anything
Baking soda and vinegar are the ultimate cleaning duo that no one tells you about! It’s super easy to make on the fly and you can use it for so much!
What you can clean with baking soda and vinegar:
- Clogged or smelly drains
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Sink and tub scrub
- Greasy pans or burnt pots
- Deodorizing the washer machine
- Cleaning grout
- Garbage dispenser deodorizer
- Laundry boost
What not to use baking soda and vinegar for:
- Don’t combine them in a sealed container – the pressure will cause it to burst
- It’s not a disinfectant – Baking soda and vinegar won’t kill bacteria, it’s mainly good to deodorize and scrub
Tips You Didn’t Think of
27. Make a Spare Key Immediately
Whether you lose your key, or you need to give a spare to a friend to house sit or check on your apartment when you travel, it’s always good to have a spare key just in case.
You don’t want to wait until you need a spare key to go make one. And when you get your spare key, put it somewhere safe like the console table in your entryway so you don’t loose track of the spare.
28. Create a Cozy “Landing Zone”
By “landing zone” I’m talking about the entryway where you walk in, drop your keys, and feel like you’re at home.
You don’t have to do a lot to make this space feel cozy and welcoming. A console table, some baskets, a valet tray for your keys, and any other finishing touches will instantly make your entryway feel so much better!
You want it to be functional of course, but you also should give it a little love. It’s the first thing you and everyone else sees when they come into your apartment, so it’s definitely worth decorating.
29. Lighting Changes Everything
The type of lighting you have in your apartment really does make a BIG difference! If all you have are bright white overhead lights, your apartment is not going to feel super homey.
The best kind of lighting you can have to make a space feel cozy is warm lighting. And this goes for whatever type of lights you have in your apartment.
Floor lamps, table lamps, candles, LED lights, etc. should all complement your apartment and add ambience.
30. Keep a “Guest Basket” Handy
It’s always good to have a couple of items for your guests to use when they come over. Keep a small basket under your sink or somewhere in your apartment with the essentials.
So just in case they forgot something, you can offer it to them and make them feel comfortable.
Here are some things to include in your guest basket:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Travel sized shampoo + conditioner
- Razor + mini shaving cream
- Deodorant
- Moisturizer
- Lip balm
- Hair ties
- Mini hair brush
- Cotton rounds + Q-tips
- Tissue packs
Having a ready-to-go basket with all of the necessities is super handy when a friend wants to crash at your place for the night. There are some things you can share, but sometimes it’s better just to get a smaller version for guests to use so they feel more comfortable.
31. Expect to Feel Weird at First—and That’s Okay
Moving into your first apartment is going to feel strange! Especially if you’ve never lived on your own before. So give yourself time to adjust and do little things to make yourself feel more comfortable.
Add in pictures of your friends and family around the apartment to make it feel like your space.
One thing I did in my first apartment, and still do to this day, is have a show or movie on in the background while I’m working around the house or getting ready for bed.
It’ll make you feel a lot less alone. And choosing a show or movie that you’ve seen before and makes you happy always helps (my go-to show was and still is Modern Family).
Bonus Tips
32. Get a Door Security Bar
Living on your own for the first time can be scary, especially at night. Even with roommates, it can still be a little bit intimidating.
A security bar for the door is something that will give you peace of mind and make your apartment feel more secure. This was a non-negotiable for my first apartment, and just having it there made me feel a so much safer!
33. Buy a Plunger Before You Need One
At one point or another, you’re going to need a plunger. So don’t wait until your toilet is clogged or one of your guests comes out of the bathroom asking where the plunger is.
It doesn’t have to be big, but just get one! No need for anything too fancy! A simple one that will get the job done is all you need.
34. Make it Feel Like Home
This is a lot easier said than done, I know. And as time goes on, it will feel more and more like home. But until then, humor yourself and do the little things to make your apartment feel like home.
Maybe this means creating a little reading nook or a coffee corner in your kitchen. Choose one or two things that you can do right away to give your apartment that personal feel.
You might just be a renter, but that doesn’t mean your apartment can’t look and feel like home!
This post was all about the best first apartment tips that will save your sanity.
Other Posts You May Like:
Don’t Move Into an Apartment Without Reading These Genius Apartment Moving Tips First
77 Non-Negotiable First Apartment Essentials Everyone Needs
