Moving into a new apartment is exciting. While there are many different items you can bring along, you’ll want to focus on those you need the most. Whether you're moving into your first apartment or you’ve been living on your own for years, starting with essential kitchen items will ensure a smoother transition into your new home.
To plan your move, read through our commonly asked questions and follow along with our apartment kitchen checklist to stock your kitchen with the most quintessential items.
Apartment Essentials Checklist FAQ
For an easier transition, we’ll provide a few common questions and answers to help you decide what you need for your apartment.
What Do I Need to Move Into My First Apartment?
If you’re moving out of your childhood home for the first time, consider the appliances and amenities included in your apartment before packing to lessen the load.
From there, you can decide what you’ll need as soon as you get to your new apartment while waiting on buying the less essential items for a later time when you’re not so busy. Follow our kitchen essentials list below and create a first apartment checklist that includes bathroom, bedroom, and dining room items.
Bring along anything your family might hand down to you while making use of store deals and coupons in your area for the items you don’t have.
How Much Do I Need to Move Into an Apartment?
You’ll often need to pay a security deposit and the first month's rent before your move-in day. You’ll also want to account for utility bills, groceries, and other monthly expenses. It's always a great idea to budget your money to help you save up for your apartment.
What You Need In Your Kitchen When You Move Out
Follow along with our basic kitchen needs list to help you plan your move. The apartment essentials listed below are the tools and appliances you’ll most likely need when you move out, no matter the type of meals or the frequency you cook.
1. Pots and Pans
You don’t have to be a master chef to need pots and pans in your home. The tools you use determine the meals you cook, and pots and pans provide ease and convenience to help you cook almost anything.
Whether you’re an occasional chef or prepare multiple meals a day, having a variety of pots and pans is an excellent investment. Choose from pots and pans such as:
- Saucepans
- Frying pans
- Skillets
- Casserole dishes
You’ll want a set that includes at least two types of saucepans with lids, two varieties of skillets, and baking casserole dishes. For instance, a frying pan helps fry eggs, while casserole dishes are essential for making mac and cheese or lasagna. The types of cookware sets vary, though you’ll want to choose the one that matches your meal preferences.
2. Measuring Cups and Spoons
Prepware is extremely important, which is why we’ve included measuring cups, mixing bowls, and knives on our list. After all, you’ll need to prepare your food before starting cooking. Measuring cups and spoons help you precisely portion out the ingredients you’ll need for your recipes, so your meals taste fantastic.
Bring a full set of measuring spoons and two sets of measuring cups to your new apartment. One set should include liquid measuring cups with handles and pour spouts. The other set should consist of cups and spoons to correctly measure and level off dry ingredients.
3. Utensils
Whether you place them in a countertop canister or inside a drawer, you’ll want various utensils to cook a variety of meals. The essential utensils include:
- Spatulas
- Tongs
- Ladles
- Large spoons
- Meat mallets
- Vegetable peelers
- Whisks
- Rolling pins
Spatulas, soup ladles, wooden spoons and slotted spoons all come in multiple sizes and materials for your needs. For instance, a nonstick skillet can scratch when you handle it with metal utensils, so bringing wooden and plastic utensils to your new place is great.
Vegetable peelers and meat mallets are excellent options if you love to cook. If you’re more of a baker, whisks and rolling pins will come in handy at your new home.
4. Strainer
Strainers are convenient and crucial for many recipes when you include them in the cooking process. They’re perfect for rinsing and steaming vegetables, for instance. And whether you’re making a light meal such as box macaroni and cheese or a complex Italian dinner, strainers make the ideal tool for draining pasta.
Even bakers can appreciate strainers to sift flour and easily incorporate it into the batter. You can even find smaller strainers that are great for powdering decorative cookies and cakes. The possibilities for recipes are endless when you have a strainer in your kitchen.
5. Flatware
Flatware is vital for any kitchen. You’ll want to stock your kitchen drawers with quality cutlery for eating and dining on your own or with family and friends. You can purchase flatware in different materials, such as stainless steel or sterling silver. Opt for a decorative style or a utilitarian look, depending on your budget and aesthetic preference. Examples include:
- Forks
- Knives
- Spoons
- Butter plates
- Sugar bowls
- Salt and pepper shakers
- Saucers
Butter plates, salt and pepper shakers, and sugar bowls all make excellent flatware choices to bring to your new apartment. Butter plates and containers help keep your butter at room temperature for baking, and you can refill and leave salt and pepper shakers on your kitchen table for added convenience. Pack the saucers for your tea or coffee or a place to rest your sponges or soap. Flatware is a must-have component of any kitchen.
6. Mixing Bowls
Mixing bowls make inexpensive and versatile tools for baking and cooking all types of recipes. Purchase a set of three mixing bowls that fit inside one another to save space and keep them anywhere in your kitchen.
You can choose from stainless steel, glass, plastic or even silicone bowls with tops to save food for later. You can purchase mixing bowls in all colors for an affordable price or search for a set that comes with measuring cups and spoons for even more significant savings.
Mixing bowls are perfect for baking, marinating meat, and making salad dressings, dips, and seasonings. A mixing bowl set is vital for your new kitchen, from desserts to savory meals.
7. Cutting Board
Bring along two cutting boards to your new apartment — one for raw proteins and another for cooked foods and produce. This way, you can avoid cross-contamination and have extra space to cut and prepare your meals.
For cooked foods and produce, plastic or wooden cutting boards will do the trick. Wooden cutting boards are popular since they tend to be very sanitary and lack grooves for germs to gather. At the same time, plastic cutting boards make an easy-to-clean, dishwasher-safe alternative to cut raw meat and keep your knives in good condition.
8. Knife Set
A proper knife set is essential to smoothly prepare meals. You’ll want to have a basic set that includes:
- Serrated knife
- Chef’s knife
- Paring knife
A chef’s knife ranges in size and helps you chop and dice produce or cut into poultry, meat, and fish. A serrated knife is excellent for foods with a hard exterior, such as bread, while a paring knife will help you cut fruits and vegetables. You’ll need knives for almost all meal prep, making them indispensable tools for your new kitchen.
9. Dishware
Dishware is crucial for any kitchen for obvious reasons. You’ll want to be able to serve your guests and eat comfortably with the proper set, including:
- Plates
- Cups
- Mugs
Bring a dishware set that includes small and large plates, serving platters, and bowls. Mix and match colors and designs depending on your style preferences and find affordable dishware almost anywhere.
Remember cup and mug sets and search for dishwasher and microwave-safe options for extra convenience. Glass cups are perfect for preventing leaks that often accompany those red disposable cups. In contrast, mugs are ideal for hot drinks and even easy mug cakes.
10. Bakeware
Many people look to baking to reduce stressand relieve their anxiety. That's why we've added bakeware to the list of items to take to your new apartment. Whether you’re baking a cake or roasting a chicken, it’s vital to have the correct pans for your oven. Types of bakeware include:
- Rectangular baking pan
- Baking sheet
- Round baking pan
- Muffin tin
- Loaf pan
A baking pan or baking sheet makes any meal easier to prepare, while specialty pans for certain meals such as pizza or salmon make an excellent investment.
You can make cookies, roast veggies, bake meats, and roast fish with the proper bakeware. A baking sheet without edges makes it easier to slide off finished cookies, while a baking pan with edges makes moist and rich brownies and desserts.
When you need to whip up birthday cake or muffins, cake pans and muffin tins make the perfect bakeware for your new kitchen. A loaf pan will help you bake and shape up the tastiest bread.
11. Storage Containers
Plastic or glass storage containers with secure lids make a great place to save leftovers or hold onto ingredients. You might use storage containers to keep chopped vegetables fresh to toss into a dish or place unused ingredients from making dinner.
You can find a variety of storage containers in the styles, shapes and sizes you need. Storage with undetachable lids means you’ll never lose another top again. And there are plenty of dishwasher, microwave, and freezer-safe options to keep your food nice and fresh.
Choose from zip-lock or zipper storage bags to store leftovers like pizza or sandwiches. You might even use gallon freezer bags for meal prep and freezing larger dinners for later.
12. Small Appliances
While your new apartment is bound to have the necessary kitchen appliances like a fridge and a dishwasher, you’ll want to stock your new place with the smaller devices you need to make your life easier:
Coffee maker: If you’re like most people, you’ll want a coffee maker to jump-start those early mornings. You might choose a traditional coffee maker with a glass pot or a single-serve coffee maker for smaller kitchens. Don’t forget your coffee beans, cream, sugar, and even syrups for your lattes.
Blender: A blender provides many different uses, making it an essential item for your kitchen. You can choose from different sizes to fit your space — from small to large blenders great for specific recipes. Toss in your favorite vegetables to create a soup or dressing for your salads. Enjoy smoothies, milkshakes, and even salsas or dips with a blender.
Microwave: If your apartment doesn’t include a microwave, you’ll want to invest in one to efficiently heat meals and prepare quick frozen dinners. Microwaves come in different colors and sizes to match your aesthetics and fit your apartment, no matter the space you have to utilize. Search for countertop microwaves that you can place on your counter and easily clean. There are many types of microwaves at prices that fit most budgets.
Toaster: A toaster is great for those mornings when you need to quickly grab your toast and go. It’s also an excellent investment for toasting slices of bread for deli sandwiches, warming bagels, and even heating breakfast pastries. A toaster oven is equally remarkable for heating larger meals and preparing leftover foods from the night before if you have the space.
Mixer: Whether you opt for a large mixer or a hand mixer, baked goods and trendy whipped coffee are so much easier with this essential kitchen appliance. You might use a mixer for kneading dough, creating fluffy cakes, and even stirring up ingredients for some pasta recipes. Place a large mixer and bowl on your countertop or a hand mixer in your drawer to create delicious desserts.
Slow Cooker: A slow cooker is the ideal kitchen appliance for busy people. Simply throw in your dinner ingredients before heading off to work, and your meal will be ready by the time you get home. You can buy a small cooker for yourself or a large one to feed an entire family for days. A slow cooker is an excellent appliance for meal prep and when you don’t have the time to cook during the day.
Tour Our Rentals to Envision Your New Space
Ensure your new kitchen is stocked and ready to go as soon as you move in. Planning and following a checklist of essential kitchen items ensures you have the time to feed yourself while unpacking the rest of your apartment. Envision your new kitchen when you schedule a tour rental with PMI. With 50 years of excellent service to our clients and communities under our belt, PMI is excited to help you find the ideal apartment for your needs. Appreciate 24-hour emergency maintenance, prompt service, online rent payment, and more! Check out our current apartment listings or call 717-730-4141 to schedule your tour today!