What You Need for Your First NYC Apartment

Jul 10, 2017

You’ve found your dream New York City apartment, signed the lease, picked your move-in date, and are all set to move into your first apartment! But wait… Now that you’ve secured your new luxury home, do you know what essentials you’ll need as soon as you move in? Buying every necessity may seem like an endless process, which is why we have a tip or two to share. Here we have the ultimate checklist for everything you’ll need to make your first new place feel like a home in no time!

Here’s a breakdown of the basics you’ll need for every room in your apartment:

For the Entryway

Shoes off, please! If you’re not too keen on having dirt traveling across your brand new one bedroom apartment, consider investing in a small area rug or entry mat to place by your front door. This will help catch dirt from visitors and pets after exploring the neighborhood.

Next, let’s talk about organization. Entryways tend to be a smaller area, so having space for everything is important! Organize your hall closet with baskets for gloves, hats, and scarves. New Yorkers do a lot of walking – rain or shine – so pick out an umbrella holder to keep near the door.

If room allows, add a small end table or bench to add a bit of decoration. A fun table lamp from Blu Dot will give the space a warm and welcoming feel, too!

What You Can’t Dine Without

Cooking your first meal in your new apartment is a fun and exciting accomplishment – but be sure you can enjoy your culinary creation with essential accessories! Stock up on place mats, a tablecloth, napkins, a dining table and set of chairs, and an area rug. Of course, in order to enjoy your freshly prepared meal, you’ll need to make way to your kitchen!

Your Kitchen

When I got my first apartment, I had the best time picking out accessories and essentials for my kitchen. Tie your cooking apron tight, because the “basics” for your kitchen are quite long!

• A silverware set
• Knives for meal, poultry, fish, and vegetables
• Dishes – plates, bowls, glasses, cups
• Pots and pans, cookie sheets, cake pans, measuring cups, and cooking/baking utensils
• Mixing bowls
• Oven mitts and dish towels
• A bottle opener and corkscrew
• Paper towels and cleaning supplies (dish soap, bleach, sponges, glass cleaner)
• Food storage containers
• Plastic zip bags, foil, and plastic wrap
• Cutting boards
• Small appliances (toaster, hand mixer, blender, can opener, coffee maker)
• Trash cans and corresponding bags

Most important, don’t forget to set aside some time and budget your a trip to the grocery store! From the Upper East Side to the West Side, Whole Foods Market has delicious and fresh options to keep your cabinets stocked.

The Living Room

The living room hold a majority of large furniture you’ll have in your apartment, but we’ll cover the basics for now to get you settled and comfortable:

• Table lamps and standing floor lamps
• A television
• End tables and a coffee table
• An area rug to add color and personality to the space
• Window coverings (blinds, curtains)
• Pictures of family and friends to display
• Throw blankets and throw pillows
• A couch, love seat, or end chairs

Tidy Up the Bathroom

Your checklist for the bathroom is short and sweet! For storage options, I opted for plastic containers or wicker baskets to store my hair brushes, hairdryer, extra shampoo and conditioner, body wash and soap, first aid kit, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies. When it comes to items you’ll need from day one, pick up a shower curtain and liner, extra towels and washcloths, toothbrush and toothpaste, mouthwash, lotion, a bath mat, tissues, an over-the-door hook, a small trash can, and hand soap.

The Bedroom

Your bedroom is another area where large furniture like your mattress, dressers, and television will take up a majority of the space, but there are a handful of smaller items you’ll want to purchase to make the move-in process a bit easier:

• A sheet set with pillowcases (The Clean Bedroom has adorable organic bedding!)
• Table lamps
• Clothes hangers
• Pillows and extra blankets
• Clothes hamper
• Window coverings (blinds, curtains)
• Small trash can
• Extra closet storage for your clothing
• A shoe rack

All the Extras

When you’re first starting out on your own, you’ll have to purchase a bunch of items that you wouldn’t normally think about buying if you were still living at home. Pick of a few cleaning supplies (spray bottles, window cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, rags, and a plunger), laundry detergent, fabric softener, and stain remover, extra trash bags, a vacuum cleaner, broom and dustpan, extension cords for electronics, 3 flashlights, batteries, matches, standing fan or a box fan, and light bulbs.

For those living in one of Glenwood’s beautiful luxury apartment buildings, you’ll want to have pool towels and sunscreen handy! Talk about a perfect way to relax poolside after a day of unpacking, right?

Oh, and don’t forget a pad of paper and a few pens to keep writing down items you think of during your moving process! Share your pointers with us on Facebook and Twitter!