New Apartment Checklist – The Ultimate List of Things to Buy When Moving

What Do I Need to Do When Moving Into a New Apartment? A Few Details Before You Start Equipping Your Next Home

Overwhelmed with all tasks on their to-do lists, people usually forget to deal with some crucially important details and make beginner’s relocation mistakes. Changing the locks, cleaning the apartment before the move-in, or transferring utilities aren’t things to do after relocating. Here are a few tips on tasks to prioritize and put on the top of your relocating-for-the-first-time list!

Don’t Start Preparing at the Last Minute

No matter how anxious you feel about relocating, procrastination won’t help you. That’s why creating timelines, and to-do lists will help you get organized to move. Initiating the whole process at least two months in advance is the only way to keep up with all obligations and avoid stress, so make sure to start with preparations in time.

Schedule All Necessary Services for Your Long-Distance Move

Picking the right long-distance moving company and scheduling all cross-country moving services in advance is a process that can take some time. Since the whole cross-country moving experience will depend on the quality of the long-distance movers, make sure you’re dealing with professionals.

Of course, giving priority to long-distance movers that operate as a car shipping company, too, will be the easiest way to move out for the first time. This is especially convenient because a relocation company that also operates as an auto transport company usually offers a discount to customers who combine two and more services. So keep this in mind while choosing the company to provide you with these services.

If You Know the Relocation Date, Don’t Postpone Buying Plane Tickets

Buying plane tickets a couple of months in advance will definitely help you to save on relocating costs. Also, this is perfect timing to book a hotel or rent an Airbnb since this is a perfect period to grab a promo deal, like a free cancellation or rescheduling the dates.

Make the Final Apartment Check and Schedule Necessary Renovations

No matter if you’re about to rent a flat or move into a property you’ve just bought, improving your future home is something you definitely want to do. Whether you want to change the color of the walls, glass on the shower cabin, or install different lighting, you will definitely have to know what should be changed and how much time is needed to do it. Here is the definitive list of elements to check before you finally move in.

Is There Any Water Damage or Mold?

If there are some strange stains, or you notice wall paint peeling, it is a certain sign of water damage or the presence of moisture. This is something to be very cautious about because those problems usually can’t be solved with a quick fix. Also, if the room where this problem appears is north-oriented, you can expect it to be even worse in winter.

Check if the Appliances Are Functioning Properly

The final check shouldn’t go without inspecting if all the kitchen and other appliances work properly. Open the fridge, turn on the oven and the stovetop, and turn on every device you can. Also, ask for manuals and warranties, so you can figure out how old those appliances are.

Inspect the Taps and Find out if Any of Them Have Leaks

Checking the bathroom and kitchen taps and seeing if any of them are leaking is also something you shouldn’t omit. Water issues are always the most complicated ones to deal with, so you better solve them before settling in.

Booking a Professional Flat Inspection Is the Only Way to Be Sure Everything Works Properly

In case you don’t feel comfortable enough doing all those inspections on your own, the best solution is to hire a professional flat inspector, who will give you a detailed report on all crucial elements.

This inspection usually involves checking all electrical, HVAC, plumbing, alarm installations, the condition of floors and walls, appliances, radon, asbestos, mold, and pest controls. Although your costs will increase, it’s of tremendous importance to have confirmation that everything is functioning properly.

Furthermore, the final check could help you define things you need for the new apartment, so this would be a great moment to start creating shopping lists, too. But before you start making a list of essentials needed when relocating to a new home, check out the video below and avoid typical beginner’s mistakes.

New Apartment Essentials List – Stuff You Should Purchase to Equip It Properly

After you finish with all the preparatory steps, the next important task to tackle when relocating to a new state is to prepare an essentials bag. This will help you ease the first-day experience in the flat. Here is what needs to be placed on your apartment move-in checklist.

Cleaning Products for Each Room and Surface

What is the first thing to do in a new apartment? Cleaning thoroughly before bringing in all your stuff is definitely a must. That’s why you should get all the cleaning supplies for each room and surface separately.

Cleaning the bathroom and the kitchen will be the most demanding part of this task, so ensure to purchase high-quality abrasive cleaning products. Degreaser, disinfects, dish soap, and other products intended for glass, tiles, or wood surfaces are a must. And they will make the whole process significantly easier, so don’t skimp on them!

Be Prepared for the Move-In Day

Relocating to another state alone means you’ll have to take care of the tiniest details, so remember to get these supplies for the first few days in your next flat:

• Toilet paper,
• Trash bags,
• Towels,
• Paper towels,
• Bottled water,
• Snacks,
• Hygiene and cosmetic products,
• Hairdryer,
• Clean bed linen.

These possessions should definitely be packed in your essential bag since all of them are crucially important for the first few days after you arrive (and before the relocation truck with all your stuff gets there). So ensure to take them all!

Going Room by Room While Creating a New Apartment Shopping List Is the Best Way to Take Everything You Need

So what does a new apartment need? Identifying the items you’ll need to equip your next living space is another vital task to tackle. There is no way you’ll be able to take everything from a house to an apartment. Some because of the rules on the items movers won’t move, others because they would incur significantly higher costs of interstate relocating. Some stuff, of course, you might decide to leave behind simply because it’s old, broken, useless, or you just don’t like it anymore. Nevertheless, here are the things you need for your first apartment.

Check if You’ll Have to Buy Furniture to Equip the Living Room

Even if you’re relocating into a flat that is fully furnished, there are still some pieces of furniture you might find necessary to create a cozy atmosphere. Coffee tables, attractive armchairs, decorations, rugs, bookshelves, or some more practical pieces like TV stands, are items that are not that expensive. Still, they can upgrade your living space significantly, so check if any of them are needed.

Quality Sleep Is Priceless – Here Are the Bedroom Essentials You Have to Purchase

Whether you’re relocating from a small town to a big city or vice versa, this process brings a lot of stress, and that’s why quality sleep is so important. Here is some stuff you should consider buying for the bedroom so you can sleep peacefully, and especially if you are relocating with your significant other:

• A cozy mattress,
• Pillows,
• Bed linen and pillowcases,
• Towels,
• Blankets,
• Nightstands,
• Lamps,
• Dressers,
• Mirror,
• Hangers,
• Curtains or rugs.

Implementing some creative storage ideas is also a very practical thing to do if there is a possibility for it. Some very simple details can tremendously increase the storage space you have available. Getting clothing racks, using the space under the bed, or incorporating a storage sitting bench right next to the window will definitely be very useful! So envision creative storage spaces within your bedroom, and be sure to use every inch of space at your disposal.

No Matter How Well Your Bathroom Is Equipped, There Are Still Some Details You Might Want to Buy

For many people, the bathroom is the most commonly-used and important room, since they are usually considered our little spa zones. However, no matter how well the bathroom is equipped, there are still some items you might want to change. And it is usually not just a matter of aesthetics, but also of hygiene. Here are the details to put on the bathroom to-buy checklist:

• Liquid hand soap,
• Bath towels,
• Shower curtain and rings,
• Toothbrush holder,
• Extra storage place like cupboards, basket shelves, or a dual-purpose mirror,
• Toilet brush,
• Toilet seat,
• Trash bin.

The Kitchen Is the Most Demanding Part – Get Ready for a Long List of Essentials

Undeniably, kitchen utensils and appliances will take up the most of your first-flat checklist. Here are all details you should acquire to equip the kitchen properly and be prepared to create a feast or serve the simplest dishes ever:

• Plates and bowls,
• Pots and pans,
• Cutlery for cooking and eating,
• Glasses and mugs,
• Small kitchen appliances like mixer, microwave, blender, toaster,
• Large appliances if they didn’t come with the apartment,
• Dishcloths,
• Multi-purpose storage containers.

Don’t Forget About Tools!

Believe it or not, tools are often things you need for an apartment the most. Whether you want to place a picture, assemble a piece of furniture, tighten the screw, or check if there is electricity, you should have those pieces from the list. Here is what to pack in your tool kit before you move to the next flat:

• Hammer,
• Screwdrivers,
• Allen wrench kit,
• Pliers,
• Screws,
• Nails,
• Extension cords or outlet adapters.

Ready to Move Into a Condo That Fits Your Needs?

Now that you know all the important spots to look out for, we’re sure that relocating to a big city won’t be a difficult task. Once you decide what not to pack when relocating and what stuff you should buy without any delay, you’ll be ready to move efficiently and start the next chapter in your perfect cozy residence.