My First Apartment: Kitchen Essentials

Moving into your first apartment in college can be an exciting yet challenging time. We at Hannah Lofts came up with the perfect list of kitchen essentials. This guide is sure to help you gather and learn everything you need to live at your first apartment. Get ready, because you might have to do a little shopping and preparation!

Essential Kitchen Supplies for Your First Apartment

The first section in our Kitchen Essentials and Tips for Your First Apartment covers a list of must-have supplies everyone needs. The kitchen is probably the area that requires the most items that can easily be overlooked by new student apartment owners. So, save yourself the trouble and include the following supplies in your moving essentials:

Frying Pan, Pots, and Baking Sheet

You’ll need something to cook your food in or you’ll be eating out for the first few days. One or two pans and pots will due if you’re also learning how to cook.

  • Baking sheet
  • Casserole Dish
  • Large Frying Pan
  • Large Baking Sheet
  • Large Stock Pot
  • Small Frying Pan
  • Straight-sided Saucepan

Plates, Cups, Bowls, and Eating Utensils

Don’t forget to have at least a bowl, spoon, knife, and fork before you move in. You can slowly buy new dishes once you start settling into your new home. Try sticking to washable dishes because it will help you save plenty of cash in the long run.

Remember to take cups and mugs for your drinks. If you’re a coffee-lover, you won’t want to forget your coffee mug at your parent’s place!

Blender, Microwave, and/or Toaster

These three appliances can help make your time in the kitchen run smoother. They don’t have to be fancy as long as they get the job done for you. Most apartments include a microwave, so make sure to check if the one you’re moving into does too.

Storage Containers and Plastic Bags

You can’t forget about your leftovers! Plastic bags and containers are useful for meal prepping, keeping your food fresh and safe for a few days. Make sure to have different sized containers for large and small portions of food.

Food

Most apartments already include a refrigerator you’ll need to fill up. Make sure to buy your favorite dairy, grains, fruits, vegetables, water, and meats. After all, it is your new apartment we’re talking about. Make sure you buy a small amount of food for the first few days in case you haven’t lived by yourself before. This will help give you an idea on how much and what types of food you should buy during your next trip to the supermarket.

Condiments

We can all agree that bland meals are pretty boring. The following condiments and spices can help add plenty of flavor to your meals:

  • Chili Powder/Sauce
  • Cinnamon
  • Garlic Powder
  • Ginger
  • Pepper
  • Salt
  • Thyme
  • Turmeric

Pantry Essentials

Filling up your pantry with the correct kitchen essentials for your first apartment is very important. The following list of pantry essentials will allow you to cook up most recipes on demand:

  • Baking Powder
  • Baking Soda
  • Coconut Oil
  • Flower
  • Ketchup
  • Mayonnaise
  • Mustard
  • Olive Oil
  • Soy Sauce
  • Sugar
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Vinegar

Napkins and Cloths

You can’t have a meal without a napkin. Prevent greasy fingers and throw in extra napkins on your shopping list. Feel free to buy a napkin holder or just place them in the middle of your table if your fine with it.

Cloths are useful for cleaning your new countertops, table, and messes around the kitchen in your first apartment. Make sure you keep some extra cloths around in case of a spill or giant mess.

Dishwashing Rack

We highly suggest you get a dishwashing rack to help you store any wet dishes. This is especially useful if your apartment doesn’t already come with a dishwasher. It can also help serve as extra storage space in case you don’t have enough room in your kitchen cabinets.

Dishwashing Soap and Sponge

You wouldn’t want your dishes to stay dirty! Dish soap and sponges are very easy to forget when you’re moving into your first apartment.

Tip: You can soak the sponge in water, add a dash of soap, and put it in your microwave for about 15 seconds to get rid of bad smells.

Miscellaneous Kitchen Essentials

Feel free to include any other kitchen utensils you feel are appropriate for your first apartment. The following list can help you remember some common kitchen items you might use regularly:

  • Cutting Board
  • Dishwashing Gloves
  • Fruit Basket
  • Large Cooking Spoon
  • Lotion
  • Oven Mitts
  • Silverware Organizer
  • Scrubber
  • Soap
  • Spatula
  • Table Mat
  • Toilet Paper
  • Towel Dispenser/Holder
  • Trashcan

Items for Your First Apartment

You’ll want to start gathering plenty of important household items before, during, and after you move into your first apartment. Think about it this way, those four great years in college can help you gather up most of the items you’ll need to move into a new house. Here are some valuable items to check off on for your first apartment:

Investing in a Good Mattress and Items for Bedtime

Having a quality bed can bring plenty of good to your first apartment. Apart from helping you rest well, it can also last even after it’s time to move out and find a new place to live. Don’t forget to get some pillows, a blanket, a mattress topper, and any other items you’ll need to enjoy a good night’s rest.

Shower Curtains

Some of the most overlooked items for moving into a new living space are shower curtains. Without these, you can count on a wet floor waiting for you after you shower. So, don’t forget this important item or you’ll probably have to head to the store smelling funky.

Miscellaneous Supplies

Don’t forget all the small supplies you’ll need to help save you some space around your first apartment. There are also plenty of other small and forgettable supplies that can help facilitate some activities. Here’s a list of essential supplies you might have missed:

  • Batteries
  • Coat Hangers
  • Duct Tape
  • Nails
  • Power Cord
  • Storage Boxes
  • Toolbox
  • Vacuum Cleaner

Comfortable Couch and Coffee Table

Some student apartments offer couches and coffee tables to make things a bit easier when you move in. If that’s not your case, you can use Facebook, Craigslist, and other second hand options to get furniture for your first apartment at a fairly low price. Just make sure the items are in good conditions because you’ll want to get the most for your buck.

Television and Entertainment System

For some, having a television and entertainment system to enjoy is a must. You can check out Craigslist and other second-hand vendors before purchasing something from the store. There are also plenty of online streaming options like Netflix, Youtube TV, Hulu, and Amazon Prime (Free for College Students) if you’re okay with using your computer or phone for entertainment.

Tips for Your First Apartment

As first-time apartment owners, we want you to learn how to make the most out of your new living space. College is the perfect time to experiment and figure out what works best for your apartment.

Plants

Adding some houseplants to your first apartment can drastically help improve the oxygen levels in your living space. Plants also reduce the amount of Carbon Dioxide in the air, which can help improve your health in most cases.

Staying Organized

Keeping your apartment clean and organized can help you save time on cleaning days and relieve some stress. We all know college can get difficult, so save yourself the stress and do your best to keep your living space organized.

Remember to Have Fun

Having fun is a big part of the college experience. Just remember to keep on doing as you please and what you love after moving into your first apartment. Change up the setup once in a while and have some friends over to keep things fresh during your college years.