I’m going to organize these by room and give each a priority number. 1 means you need it right away, 2 means you can wait a little, and 3 means you can skip it if you’re on a budget.

Bathroom

• Bath mat (1) - Those little grippy shapes are also acceptable.
• Bath rug (2) - For next to your tub/shower. This one is for safety, comfort, and just to make your bathroom look classy AF.
• Hand soap (1) - Bar or liquid, your choice. You can wait on the cute pump container, just use the bottle it came in. Likewise, a bar can rest on the side of the soap, but a dish is better to avoid soap scum (or losing the bar)
• Hand towel (1) - buy a set of them (3 or 4)
• Shower caddy (3) - Not a necessity, but definitely handy
• Shower curtain, liner, rod, & hooks (2) - Priority averaged. If your shower has a door, you don’t need any. Your shower might also have a rod already, but chances are, you’ll need to buy the curtain. Don’t forget the hooks. A liner is also very helpful for keeping your floor dry and also makes you seem like a Grade-A Adult.
• Toilet brush (2) - Sure, you can get in there with a sponge, but why?
• Toilet paper (1) - Arguably the most important thing you will buy and the thing you are most likely to forget. It should be one of the first things through the door on move-in day.
• Toilet plunger (1)
• Toothbrush holder (3)
• Towels (1) - Have a few, to let you go longer between laundry days and for when guests visit. Personally, I’ve found 4 to be my magic number.

Bedroom

• Alarm clock (3) - I know most of us use our phones these days, but this is a good backup.
• Bed (1) - includes frame, mattress, and box spring
• Blankets (1)
• Clothes hamper (2) - you can also just toss these right in the laundry basket, but that means you have to always empty the folded clothes right away and that takes effort.
• Comforter (1) - There is no shame in buying a bed-in-a-bag, especially if you get it during a sweet back-to-school sale
• Mattress protector (2) - Bump this up to #1 if you got your mattress secondhand. This will help protect against things like bedbugs, but is also very helpful for people with allergies.
• Nightstand (3)
• Pillows & pillowcases (1) - Have at least 2 sets of pillowcases
• Sheets (1) - At least 2 sets
• Underbed storage (3) - Just really helpful in small spaces

Cleaning Supplies

• Broom + dust pan (1)
• Bucket (1) - “who needs a bucket?” you ask. You do. You will. Trust me here.
• Cleaning cloths (1) - don’t spend a lot on these. Any decent old rag will do the trick.
• Mop (3) - You always have the option of washing the kitchen floor by hand with a sponge, but who wants to do that?
• Sponges (1) - Buy a 3-pack, it’s like $1
• Vacuum or Swiffer (2) - Depending on what kind of floors you have. You might find that you need both.
• Window cleaner (1)
• Wood polish (3) - A spray can of Pledge will do just fine.

Kitchen

• Bottle opener/corkscrew (2) - you can buy these separately or as one tool. Non-drinkers will likely never need a corkscrew, but a bottle opener will inevitably come in handy
• Cake pan (2) - grab one or two 9x13 pans. Perfect for cake, brownies, and lasagne.
• Can opener (1)
• Chip clips (2) - keep your food fresh by keeping those bags closed tight
• Coffee maker (2) - Priority is averaged. For some of you, this is a 1. Non-coffee drinkers can obviously skip it altogether.

Colander (1)

• Cookie sheets (1) - buy 2 (or more, if you’re an obsessive baker like myself)
• Cooking utensils (1) - These include (but are not limited to) a whisk, spatula, mixing spoons, tongs. Think about the kinds of foods you usually make and what you need to make them. Add the rest later as necessary.
• Cutting board (2) - If you can’t afford this right away, a good plate will work, but you’ll need to be careful about scratching it and your working space will be limited.
• Dish soap (1)
• Dish towel (1) - buy like 3. Make ‘em cute or funny or just functional
• Dishwasher detergent (3) - obviously doesn’t apply if you don’t have a dishwasher (sorry, bro)
• Electric kettle (3) - not a requirement, but once you have one, you’ll wonder how you lived without one for so long.
• Foil (1)
• Food storage containers (2) - Keep meal worms and other nasties out of your food. Plastic or glass, it’s up to you and your budget.
• Hand towel (3) - I won’t tell anyone if you use your dish towel as a hand towel.
• Ice cream scoop (3)
• Ice cube tray (2) - You can buy your ice already cubed in a bag, but this will save you money. Or maybe your fridge makes ice, in which case, just ignore this.
• Kitchen table + chairs (1) - Please stop eating over your sink.
• Knives (1) - There are a few types: paring, butter, and steak are all pretty high up there. A good large knife for cutting meat is also going to be good, but you can probably put off the gigantic bread knife until later.
• Measuring cups & spoons (1) - You need a set of dry cups and spoons, as well as a liquid measuring cup. Yes, there is a difference, dammit.
• Microwave (3) - Your apartment probably comes with one, but maybe not. You can always warm things up on the stove until you get a microwave, but it’ll take a lot longer.
• Mixing bowls (1) - buy one of those nice sets of like 6 bowls. They’re hecka cheap and fit inside of each other to save space. If you buy metal ones, don’t put them in a microwave.
• Muffin tins (3)
• Mugs (1)
• Oven mitts (1)
• Paper towels (1)
• Parchment paper (2) - As I’ve said before, this can change your life. I know most of you only use foil, but most things (cookies, pizza pockets, etc.) will cook better on parchment paper.
• Place settings (1) - includes large plates, small plates, bowls, and glasses. A set of 4 will start you off if you live alone, but know that you’ll be doing dishes almost constantly. A set of 8 is good if you plan on having people over at any point. Work your way up to 16 over time.
• Plastic wrap (1)
• Pots and pans (1) - Start off with a small variety: a small saucepan (2-3 quarts), a large saucepan (4 quart or large), and a large skillet. Personally, I recommend at least 2 small saucepans, if you cook regularly.
• Rolling pin (3) - So many lists recommend this, but unless you’re making rollout cookies or bread on the reg, you can skip it (besides, a large can works just as well most of the time, but you didn’t hear that from me).
• Serving utensils (1) - Large spoons, ladles, etc.
• Silverware (1) - You will always need twice as much as you think you do. If you have 4 plates, buy 8 sets of silverware, and so on.
• Toaster (2)
• Tupperware (2)
• Utensil organizers (3) - Get a tray for your silverware and either another tray for cooking utensils or a nice cup for on top of the counter
• Vegetable peeler (3) - Paring knives work as an alternative, if you don’t cut off a finger.
• Water filtering pitcher (3)
• Ziploc bags (1) - buy in sandwich and freezer sizes

Living Room/Office

• Bookshelves (2) - This could be a 1 or a 2, depending on how many books you have. Or just stuff in general.
• Chairs (1) - These can be replaced with a couch (below). Basically, just have some good seating options.
• Clock (2) - Relying on your phone is fine, but seeing a visual clock up on the wall actually helps keep you on time better
• Coffee table (2) - You’ll need this sooner than you think
• Couch(es) (1) - I put this off in my first apartment. Don’t be like me, kids. You need somewhere to sit. Two is even better, if you can fit it.
• Desk + comfortable chair (1)
• Extension cords & surge protectors (1)
• HDMI Cable (3) - You’ll probably need one at some point.
• Internet Router (3) - Your internet provider can lease this to you, but why should you pay all that extra money?

Other

• Art (2) - Put something on them walls. Make the space yours.
• Curtains (3) - Most apartments will already have blinds, but you might want something a little nicer or get some serious black-out curtains. If there are no window dressings at all, bump this up to priority 1.
• Door mat (2) - You might not be able to put one outside of your door, depending on your association or landlord’s rules, but having one inside the door is helpful to keep dirt from being tracked in.
• Fan (2) - The size and location of this will vary, but you’ll appreciate one at some point. Floor or box fans are good for apartments with no A/C, but small clip-on fans are great for desks or beds. The priority depends on your location and weather.
• Fire extinguisher (1) - Please. For me.
• First aid kit (1) - Keep it somewhere easily accessible, like the kitchen or bathroom
• Flashlight (1) - Buy a few (when you can). Keep one in the bedroom, one in the bathroom, one in the kitchen. Make sure you can get to them easily when the power goes out in an emergency.
• Hangers (1) - You need these in the bedroom closet and the hall closet (if you have one)
• Iron & ironing board (3) - Look, I know you’re probably not ironing your clothes now. But let’s try to work up to this, okay?
• Lamps (1) - Unless every room has a lot of overhead lighting, you’re going to want this. How many you need and where will be dependent on your space and needs.
• Laundry basket (1)
• Lightbulbs (1) - Some states have laws about which kind you can use, so look it up before you leave.
• Recycle bin (2) - Assuming you live somewhere that has a recycling program or a nearby recycling center
• Smoke & carbon monoxide detectors (3) - I am putting this as a 3 not because it’s not important, but because landlords will already have them installed. Unless this is your first house, not apartment, in which case, you best check.
• Space heater (3)
• Step stool (3) - If you are a shorty, like me.
• Tissues (1)
• Tool kit (1) - You will need this immediately upon moving. Don’t even bother packing it. Just make it the very first thing you bring through the door.
• Trash bin & bags (1) - The older I get, the more I feel like I need a trash can in every room. Start with just the kitchen, but having one next to your desk and/or bed really comes in handy.

Things You Don’t Need Now, but Might Be Nice Later

• Blender
• Hand mixer
• Slow cooker
• Spice rack
• Toaster oven