First College Apartment Checklists, Essentials & Room By Room Packing Lists
First College Apartment MUST HAVES – Detailed 1st apartment essentials packing lists and first apartment checklists for your first college apartment – and an essentials checklist to print. There are a LOT of cool things for your college apartment, but don’t forget to pack these necessities when you’re college apartment shopping! These are essential things you need for your college apartment.
Updated on June 21, 2024
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College Apartment Essentials
Whether it’s your first college apartment or you’ve lived in off campus housing before, there is always something we forget when shopping and packing for a college apartment living situation.
In these VERY thorough college apartment essentials lists below, you will find apartment essentials checklists for every room in your apartment including your college apartment bedroom, kitchen, living room and bathroom.
There is also a very helpful first time apartment checklist of random Must Haves that always seem to be forgotten when moving in.
✅ Must Haves
So, what do you REALLY need for your college apartment? Let’s talk college apartment essentials and give you a printable shopping list for YOUR college apartment.
First Apartment Checklists
In the first apartment checklists below, there are a LOT of essentials and Must Have items that you WILL need for your first rental or off campus housing.
Naturally, if your college apartment comes furnished, there are things on the checklists below that you can check off.
If you are sharing your college apartment with roommates, share these checklists with them so everyone knows what everyone else is bringing on move in day.
To me, the MOST important checklist below is the Random Essentials Checklist – those are the things we all tend to forget to bring when moving into a college apartment.
The link to print these first college apartment checklists is down at the bottom.
Bedroom Essentials
Living in a college apartment is MUCH different than living in a college dorm room!
Here’s a big checklist of things you need for your first college apartment bedroom:
- __ Mattress Topper
- __ Bedding
- __ Bed Frame
- __ Under Bed Storage
- __ Pillows
- __ Clothes Hamper
- __ Clothing Storage
- __ Hangers
Bathroom Essentials
Heck YES, no more dorm room bathrooms for you!
Here’s a big checklist of things you need for your college apartment bathroom:
- __ Shower Curtain / Liner
- __ Shower Curtain Hooks
- __ Bath Mat
- __ Towels
- __ Hand Towels
- __ Washcloths
- __ Toilet Cleaner
- __ Toilet Bowl Brush
- __ Bathroom Cleaner
- __ Toothbrush Holder
- __ Makeup Storage Organizer
- __ Makeup Mirror
Kitchen Essentials
Here’s a big checklist of things you need for your college apartment kitchen:
- __ Baking Sheet
- __ Toaster
- __ Pots/ Pans
- __ Paper Towel Holder
- __ Salt & Pepper
- __ Cooking Utensils
- __ Blender
- __ Coffee Maker
- __ Coffee
- __ Coffee Filters
- __ Measuring Cups/ Spoons
- __ Oven Mitts
- __ Dish Towels
- __ Drawer Organizers
- __ Couple Sharp Knives
- __ Silverware / Flatware
- __ Coffee Mugs
- __ Glassware
- __ Plates / Bowls
- __ Mixing Bowls
- __ Can Opener
- __ Microwave
- __ Ziploc Bags
- __ Food Storage Containers
- __ Cutting Board
- __ Ice Cram Scoop
- __ Pizza Cutter
- __ Chip Bag Clips
Living Room Essentials
Here’s a big checklist of things you need for your college apartment living room:
- __ Couch
- __ Wall Hook for Keys
- __ Rug
- __ Coffee Table
- __ Door Mat
- __ TV
- __ TV Stand
- __ Side Table
- __ Lamp
- __ Throw Blanket
Random Essentials
Here’s a big first apartment checklist of essential items for your 1st college apartment that you’ll probably forget to pack:
- __ Extension Cords
- __ Power Strips
- __ Swiffer Dusters
- __ Vacuum Cleaners
- __ Paper Towels
- __ Toilet Paper
- __ Paper Towels
- __ Dish Soap
- __ Dishwasher Pods
- __ Laundry Detergent
- __ Dryer Sheets
- __ Trash Cans
- __ Curtains
- __ Trash Bags
- __ Scissors
- __ Small Basic Tool Set
Printable Checklist
You can print the college apartment essentials from her video above here.
PDF Checklists
1. The Ultimate College Apartment Checklist Downloadable PDF – For many of you, this will be your first time living in your own place, having to furnish, decorate and occupy your own space. Even for those that have lived off-campus before, remembering and coordinating all the college essentials to bring without downloading a comprehensive college apartment checklist is daunting.
From big items like couches and boxsprings to appliances like coffeemakers and hair curlers to small items like scissors and cereal bowls, there are a slew of college essentials to remember to mark off your checklist… download PDF checklist here
2. Your First Apartment Checklist: Essential Move-In Items You Must Have – Apartment Necessities: Things you need for your first apartment Download our first apartment checklist PDF, and start shopping… download PDF checklist here
First Time Apartment Tips
– Clever Storage Ideas for Small Apartments
– How To Maximize Space in a SMALL Bathroom
– Dollar Store Apartment Bathroom Organization Hacks
– Apartment Kitchen Storage and Organization Ideas
– Storage Solutions For Small Spaces
– Small Closet Organization Ideas
– How To Decorate Your Room WITHOUT Buying Anything
– Quick and Easy Microwave Meals
Miss Anything?
Click any of the links below to go BACK to a specific checklist…
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