Having lived in my new apartment for about a month, I went through and created a pretty comprehensive inventory of everything I own. Hopefully, this will help you develop your own furnishing checklist while you’re packing for your own move. MFA has written a checklist like this before, but I thought it might be helpful to see a list of what I actually own, not just a general list. You might find that I have plenty of things you’d never need, but if it helps you remember even one thing you’d forgotten, then I’ve done my job.
I’ve organized my list according to room, bolded the items I consider essential, and italicized the items I don’t actually own but that other people might consider vital.
Bathroom List
- Bathmat (2): one for the shower, one by the sink
- Shower curtain and rings
- Trash can
- Plunger
- Toilet brush
- Bath towels (4 or 5)
- Washcloths/Hand towels (4 or 5)
- Toothbrush
- Toiletries: Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.
- Toilet paper
- Tissues
- Medicines
- Sewing kit
Bedroom List
- Lamp (2): I have a floor lamp, since there’s no overhead in my bedroom, and a small light for my bedside.
- Nightstand
- Dresser
- TV
- Fan
- Pillows (4): I really like pillows… there’s no such thing as too many, right?
- Bed frame
- Mattress: I have a full-size
- Blankets, sheets, pillow cases, etc.
- Full-length mirror
- Chair: My room felt empty, and my kitchen table came with more chairs than I needed, so I just threw one of the chairs in the corner of my room
- Sterlite drawers: This is where I keep all my arts and craft supplies
- Makeup mirror
- Makeup, hair brush, etc.
- Trash can
Living Room/Study List
- Couch: It doesn’t have to be a couch, but you’ll probably want someplace comfy to sit
- Coffee table: Like the couch, it’s not entirely necessary, but you’re gonna want some kind of surface to put things on.
- End tables (2): They were $10 from IKEA—I couldn’t resist
- Computer, monitor, speakers, printer, etc.
- Wi-Fi modem
- Cube Organizer (2X4 size): If you don’t know what this is, check out this link. I use it for a bookshelf, shoe storage, and stand for my computer monitor, and to store the following:
- Scotch tape
- Scissors
- Pens and pencils
- Pen/pencil holder
- Eraser
- Binder for important files
- Shoes
- Books
- Notebooks/notepads
- Umbrella
- Stapler
- Thumb tacks
- Binder clips
- Crayons
- Colored paper
- Glue
- Printer paper
- DVDs
- Envelopes and stamps
- Doormats (2): I’ve got one for the front door, one for the back.
- House plants
- Floor lamp: If you don’t have an overhead light, you’ll want one.
- Bulletin/dry-erase board
- Calendar
- Desk: I don’t actually have one myself, because I do my studying on the couch, but you might want one.
- Extra seating: If you plan to have guests, you might want a place for them to sit.
Kitchen List
- Table and chairs: The table I got came with 4 chairs, but since it’s just me here, I only put three of them together—two for my table, and one for my bedroom. I’ll assemble the fourth if I ever need it.
- Area rug: I only got this because my whole apartment is carpeted, so I needed something to go under my table and protect the floor. Plus, it was only $20 at Walmart.
- Garbage can
- Dish towels (4 or 5)
- Hot pads (3)
- Place mats (2)
- Toaster
- Paper towel holder
- Blender: Actually, it’s a personal blender bottle, I love it, and I use it for everything.
- Scrubby brush: I think sponges are yucky, so I do dishes with this instead.
- Cutting board: I got a small one, but I really wish I’d gotten a bigger one.
- The following kitchen utensils:
- Spoons (7): My mom packed utensils for me, so the fact that I have seven is just because that’s the number she gave me. There’s no special reason for the number.
- Forks (7)
- Butter knives (7)
- Sharp knife (2)
- Serving/mixing spoon (2)
- Silverware tray/organizer
- Tea strainer: I drink a lot of loose tea.
- Garlic press: I use a ton of garlic and IKEA had them for a dollar apiece.
- Ladle
- Spatula (2)
- Wooden spoon
- Cheese grater
- Funnel: You would not believe how hard it was to find a funnel. I went to like three stores!
- Mugs (5)
- Glasses (5)
- Serving/mixing bowls (5): 3 large, 2 small
- Frying pan (2): one large, one small
- Sauce pan (2): one large, one small
- 2 baking dishes: one large, one small
- 2 loaf pans: I like to bake bread
- Storage containers (3 sets from IKEA): Each set came with tons of different sizes, and I use the large ones to store dry goods, and use the others for plates/bowls when necessary.
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Strainer/Collander
- Baking sheet
- Dinner plates (4)
- Small plates (4)
- Soup/cereal bowls (4)
- Ice packs (3 or 4)
- Lunchbox
- Ice tray
- The following kitchen supplies:
- Ziplock bags: large and small varieties
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic wrap
- Garbage bags
- Dish detergent: My apartment has a dishwasher! How lucky am I??
- Bendy straws
- Paper towels
- Dish soap
- Coffee maker: If you’re a coffee drinker, you might not want to forget this.
- Microwave: This was included in my apartment, but if it’s not included in yours, go get one!
- Water filter: I’m a tap water person, but it you’re not, don’t forget your Brita filter.
Closet List
- Several (dozen) clothes hangers
- Laundry basket
- Laundry detergent
- Drying rack: I really wish I’d brought one for my laundry.
ETC…
- Light bulbs
- Decorations: paintings, posters, pictures etc.
- Power strips (3 or 4)
- Vacuum
- Dust pan
- Broom
- Batteries
- Command Strips and Command Hooks
- Duct tape
- Tools:
- Hammer
- Allen keys
- Screwdrivers: Flat-head and Phillips-head
- Tape measure
- Nails
- Wrench
- Flashlight
- Pliers
- Cleaning supplies:
- Carpet cleaner
- Bathroom cleaner
- Fabreze
- Pet supplies:
- Food bin
- Food and water bowls
- Litterbox
- Toys
- Cat carrier
What essentials did I forget? What items can you not live without?
Note: The photos are for illustration purposes only, not my actual furnishings.
