Moving into your first apartment is an incredibly exciting time, isn’t it? One question, though. Has it hit you yet that you’re moving into an empty box, and it’s up to you to actually fill it up with the things you’ll need to survive? Kind of takes the excitement down a notch, doesn’t it? I’ll give you a second to process this…
Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. I’ve lived in lots (and lots… and lots…) of apartments over the years, so I know a thing or two about the on-your-own essentials you’ll need for your own place. From picture hangers that won’t make you lose your security deposit to a surprisingly cute tool set, this starter pack has it all. The best part? You can get it delivered right to your new address, so you don’t have to worry about moving it yourself!
Welcome to the Starter Pack
The Starter Pack is a Maven series that takes the guess work out of going after something new. Trying out a new hobby? Learning a new skill? We've got what you need to get started.
I’ve used these Command picture hanging strips in every single apartment I’ve ever rented, and they’ve never once damaged my walls. They can hold up to 16 pounds, so you don’t have to worry about your frames falling off and smashing, and the damage-free design peels effortlessly off of your wall without even chipping the paint.
You’re a grown-up who lives in your very own apartment, so you’re too old to be cramming all of your shower essentials on the edge of your tub and constantly knocking them off bathing. But what do you do if you’re a renter who can’t install shower shelves?
You get one of these shower caddies, which fits securely over your shower head and has ample room for whatever you need to get clean. The anti-slip rubber ring keeps it in place, and it can hold up to 40 pounds of products.
If you’re still crawling into those ratty old t-shirt sheets every night, it’s time for an upgrade. This four-piece sheet set from Utopia Bedding includes a fitted sheet, a top sheet, and two pillowcases with elegant embroidered accents.
The microfiber fabric feels amazing against your skin, and the two built-in pockets on the fitted sheet provide a convenient spot to keep your phone, a book, or a tablet.
Even if you don't consider yourself a home chef, you won't get far in your new place without a good knife set. This 12-piece set is crafted from premium ceramic and stainless steel, and the rainbow color design adds an unexpected pop of fun.
Each set includes an 8-inch chef knife, an 8-inch slicing knife, an 8-inch serrated bread knife, a 7-inch santoku knife, a 6.5-inch utility knife, and a 3.5-inch paring knife.
You won't believe how much dust gets kicked up until you've set all your boxes down, and you'll notice even more as you begin to put things away. Do yourself a big favor and give the floor a good once-over with this handy set before you head to bed for your first night in your new place. Thank me later.
This is one of those products that you’ll buy for your first apartment and continue buying for the rest of your life because it’s just that good. This three-pack bundle of Pink Stuff includes a multi-purpose spray, the miracle cleaning paste, and the bathroom foam cleaner.
These miracle cleaners removes decades' worth of dirt and grime without breaking a sweat, so it’s a great way to make your apartment feel like there haven’t been hundreds of other people living in it before you.
Here’s the thing about traditional mopping with a mop and bucket: it’s not fun. And while I’d be lying if I said that cleaning with this Swiffer WetJet mop is “fun,” it’s definitely way more enjoyable than having to deal with a sopping wet mop head and soapy water sloshing all over the place.
With the WetJet, all you have to do is insert the soap canister, press the button to release the spray, and glide it all over your floor. The disposable pads make cleanup a breeze.
Home chef or not, you need to eat! Grab yourself a set of chic, affordable utensils that suit every occasion from hosting charcuterie night to a humble night in with Netflix.
Listen. It's time to upgrade your mismatched set of hangers, and nothing refreshes your closet quite like all things looking uniform and neat. This 30 hanger set is a great way to give your cluttered and unorganized closet an instant facelift, and the soft, velvety fabric keeps your clothing in place, so you don’t have to worry about things falling onto the floor and getting wrinkled.
No apartment ever seems to have enough storage space. It's going to be very important to create your own in a stylish way that's still effective.
If you need a place to hang your coats, store your shoes, and sit down to actually put on those shoes, this VASAGLE coat rack can do all that in style. The compact size is great for smaller spaces, and the two-tiered hooks and shoe racks provide plenty of space for shoes, coats, jackets, and accessories.
Want your new place to feel like a little more luxurious? Invest in these pillows, and you’ll feel like you’re on a permanent vacation every time you crawl into bed. The two-pack features a filling made from 50% hollow fiber and 50% gel fiber, and the adjustable design is softer on one side and firmer on the other, so you can customize your level of support.
Even if you’re a renter who isn’t responsible for fixing things around your place, having a good tool kit is always a good idea just in case. (You never know how flakey your landlord is until there's a problem with the toilet.)
This 142-piece tool kit from Amazon Essentials has too many tools to name here, and the convenient carrying case makes it perfectly portable. It's fully stocked with every essential tool you need for some basic DIY, and it’s actually cute!
Even if you don’t consider yourself a baker, you need to pick up a basic bakeware set like this one. You can bake pre-made cookie dough on these cookie sheets, mix up a just-add-water muffin batter for the cupcake tin, you name it. Your new apartment's kitchen deserves the right equipment.
The non-stick design allows food to slide off without sticking or burning, and the entire 12-piece set comes in under $60.
It turns out you don’t have to drop an entire month’s rent on a nice set of cookware, and this 13-piece ceramic cookware set proves that. The natural ceramic coating is free of unwanted metals and chemicals, and the super nonstick design means there’s zero scraping or scrubbing required.
This is an ideal find for roommates and solo dwellers alike who appreciate both an aesthetically pleasing and super easy to clean cooking setup.
Your kitchen tool collection might be looking a bit sad when you first move into your new place. While it’s tempting to just order take-out most nights (your place, your rules, after all), you’ll realize quickly if you keep that up, you’ll run out of money almost immediately.
Grab a few inexpensive essentials that make cooking at home easier. This 10-piece measuring cup and spoon set is made from durable stainless steel and has color-coded handles, so you can easily grab the right size for the job.
A rug has a way of making a room instantly feel warm and cozy, and this Moroccan area rug has a versatile design that looks great with a variety of decor schemes. The neutral colors are fresh and calming, and the geometric pattern is eye-catching without being too busy. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes, making it easy to find one that will perfectly suit your space.
Okay, so a trash can isn’t the most thrilling purchase in the world, but it's one of those things that you don't realize you need until you don't have one!
This smudge-resistant, brushed stainless steel pick adds a sleek and modern look to your kitchen. It features a soft-close foot pedal, a removable heavy-duty plastic bucket, and a 90-degree stay-open lid that makes it easy to replace or remove a trash bag.
Whether you're cleaning up after the previous tenants or after yourself as you paint a few walls or assemble some furniture, you're going to need an easy and effective way to wipe up a spill or do a little scrubbing. This set of microfiber cloths are super durable and incredibly versatile. Until you get a chance to grab some paper towels or dish cloths, these can be either or both!
This pick is pretty self-explanatory, but allow me to explain it anyway. Every bathroom needs a plunger, and rare is the apartment that comes with one. This one includes a toilet bowl brush and a helpful stand that will slot neatly next to the commode. Take care of your toilet, people.
A first aid kit is always a necessity, but it's an even bigger need when you're hammering nails into walls to hang picture frames and hauling mattresses up flights of stairs. Be ready with the bandages should you hurt yourself in the move! (I know I've done it.)
