Apartment Living: Things You Need

In the span of a year I moved six times, so trust me when I say that every store and website has certain items they will charm you into thinking you need for your apartment.

Take it from me though: You don’t need it all. Especially if you’re living with roommates like I am–two actually in a three small-bedroom apartment–there isn’t much room for things you don’t need.

Especially when budget is a factor, you need to be conscientious about what you’re spending your money on. You want quality items that don’t rip a hole in your wallet.

Now I am very much the type of person that likes all of my kitchen items to match, bedroom accessories to be cute, and bathroom ones to compliment one another. Having an apartment that fits that aesthetic is possible on a budget–as long as you know where to look.

Below are a few items you should get for your apartment that you’ll use and that will last through your first few years.

• Room Essentials Kitchen Utensils

Not only are these products inexpensive, they’re really great quality. All of my kitchen utensils are Nylon tools and they’ve lasted me over a year already. They are lightweight, pleasing-to-the-eye, and the $5 or less prices allow for you to buy every tool you need in your kitchen without any harm done. More than anything else I suggest the spoons in this line because they turners and spatulas do start to wear down with a lot of hot cooking. Everything lasts a good amount of time though. You can find these at your local Target where they’ll have a wide variety of gadgets, utensils, and colors.

• Sheet Set from Amazon Basics

These are the softest sheets ever! They also wash well, don’t trap stains, and come in many different patterns and colors. If you’re living in an apartment for a while, odds are you’re going to want to change parts of your bedroom up every so often, and these are a great way to do that. Get a neutral colored comforter and then buy these sheets in different colors to add an accent to your room. I have pale pink and pale blue sheets to match my gray quilt. It also never hurts to have more than one set in case you can’t wash them right away or you have to wait for the dryers to open up. For only $20 they are such a steal!

• Bathroom Door Towel Rack

There are many places you can get hooks for the back of the bathroom door, but I suggest Five Below. They have ones with or without baskets attached, depending on your storage situation in the bathroom. My apartment doesn’t have much, so the basket is great to hold wash cloths, feminine products, or extra toilet paper. There’s multiple hooks on each one so if you’re sharing the place with roommates you can each have your own.

• 3 Tier Cart from Amazon

This item is a little pricier, but still less than $40, and it is the most useful piece of furniture I bought when I went off to college. In the dorms it held my coffee maker and all my cups, mugs, and kitchen supplies. Once I got to apartment-living it served as a makeup and beauty product holder for seven months and is currently our only storage in the new bathroom. It holds so much more than it looks like, is lightweight for easy transportation, and is fairly easy to put together. If you get one thing off of this list, I suggest it be this.

• Under the Bed Storage from Five Below

Many places such as Amazon and Target also have great under the bed storage, but nobody can beat Five Below’s price. The clear top allows for you to see what’s inside without opening it, which is very convenient. It fits perfectly under most beds, or if you’re storing elsewhere, multiple of these also stack nicely. I use mine for clothes, stuffed animals, and blankets. The options are pretty much endless.

• Dish Drying Mat from Dollar Tree

Microfiber dish mats are going to be at least $5 at most stores, especially when they try to market the seasonal patterns for them. Don’t fall into the trap! Dollar Tree has ones that are just as good for a lot cheaper. I put mine under our wire racks so my counter doesn’t get soaked. It hasn’t failed me yet, and I saved money on it too. The carrot patterned ones for Easter at Marshall’s are tempting though, but my bank account helps with that self control. You’re going to want to save money any place you can because rent, utilities, groceries, and appliances add up pretty quickly.

It’s always super fun to go shopping for a new home, but you’re going to need so many things since you’re starting with almost nothing. Every dollar is worth it, and if you have to do your research and go to multiple stores, do so. Remember, you don’t need a ton of expensive items in your life to seem put-together. Clean counters, a swept floor, and a few throw pillows can accomplish the same thing.