The Home Essentials Everyone Forgets to Buy for Their First Apartment

written by

Christie Calucchia

updated Sep 17, 2020

Midcentury modern living room — KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

So, you've moved into your first apartment and are ready to furnish it with pieces that fit your design style and personal tastes. You've found a sofa big enough to seat all your friends during movie nights, and sourced affordable décor to cover your walls and make your place feel like home. Are you forgetting anything?

There are a plethora of essentials that you likely don't have yet and may not think of when you're furnishing your first apartment. In the hopes of making the transition to your new apartment as seamless as possible, we've come up with 15 first apartment home essentials you may have forgotten about. From a vacuum cleaner and coasters, to a bed skirt and catchall dish, here's everything you'll want to remember to buy upon moving in.

01 of 15

Dish Rack

Food52 Wood-Handled Dish Rack

Yamazaki Home Wood-Handled Dish Rack $78

It might not be the first thing you think of when you start picking out décor for your new apartment, but a dish rack is one essential you certainly don't want to forget. This one is pretty and functional.

02 of 15

Vase

DANTE BLACK VASE

CB2 Dante Black Vase $30

Another oft-forgotten home essential is a vase to hold fresh flowers and plants. You never want to be caught without a stylish vessel to hold botanicals so make sure you pick one up before fully settling in.

Don't have a lot to spend on décor? Fresh flowers are an affordable way to instantly brighten up your space.

03 of 15

Vacuum

Dyson V8 Animal vacuum

Dyson V8 Animal $400

Every apartment needs a powerful vacuum to make cleaning a breeze. There's nothing worse than buying cheap cleaning supplies that don't really get the job done. That's why a piece like this cordless Dyson vacuum is well worth the investment, even for a first apartment.

04 of 15

Blender

Vitamix 5200 Blender

Vitamix 5200 Blender, 64 oz. $400

For the kitchen, you'll want to make sure you have a blender to whip up everything from fresh smoothies to fresh cocktails. It can also be used in place of a food processor when it comes to preparing things like homemade pesto sauce.

05 of 15

Toilet Brush

Food52 Essential Toilet Brush in White

blomus Essential Toilet Brush $44

Even bathroom essentials can be stylish. Outfit your bathroom with a chic toilet brush like this minimal one. It's so sleek, you'll forget it's a cleaning product.

06 of 15

Coasters

Anthropologie Agate Coaster $14

Every first apartment needs a good set of coasters to ward off water rings and other stains. Place a stack on your living room coffee table and you'll instantly feel like you have it together.

07 of 15

Bedskirt

Zara Home Linen Bedskirt

West Elm Belgian Linen Bed Skirt, Queen $120

While a new duvet may be on the top of your list of things to buy for your new apartment, a high-quality bed skirt should also be on your mind. It will instantly make your bedroom look and feel more sophisticated.

08 of 15

Cutlery

Zara Home Gold-Plated Cutlery

Mercer 41 Farrah Gold-Plated Flatware, Set of 4 $30

A few sets of cutlery are essential and a new apartment is a perfect excuse to rid your drawers of mix-matched flatware and replace it with a few matching sets. We love these modern, gold pieces from Zara Home.

09 of 15

Dustpan

Food52 Vintage-Inspired French Hanging Dustpan & Brush Set

Andrée Jardin Vintage-Inspired French Hanging Dustpan & Brush Set $117

A dustpan is a necessity for any apartment with hardwood floors. When cleaning supplies are as stylish as this French-inspired piece, shopping will hardly feel like a chore.

10 of 15

Dishcloths

Anthropologie market dishcloths

Anthropologie Market Dishcloths $18

No kitchen is complete without a few tea towels to drape over the oven or refrigerator door. We like the textured look of these waffle dishcloths.

11 of 15

Toaster

Smeg 50s Retro Style Two-Slice Toaster

Smeg 50s Retro Style Two-Slice Toaster, Cream $170

If your kitchen counters are large enough, this Smeg toaster would look chic left on display. Don't forget to buy this breakfast essential for your first apartment.

12 of 15

Hot Water Kettle

Anthropologie Stelton Emma Vacuum Teapot

Stelton Emma Vacuum Teapot $107

Whether you drink tea in the afternoons or prepare French-pressed coffee in the mornings, you'll want to invest in a teapot for the kitchen. We love the muted pink shade found on this sleek kettle from Anthropologie.

13 of 15

Kitchen Knives

Food52 Modern Matte Black Knife Collection

Food52 Modern Knife Collection $30 - $40

Cooking novices and pros alike should outfit their kitchens with a proper set of knives. Be prepared to try your hand at any new recipe with this modern matte black collection of knives from Food52. They're as stylish as they are essential.

14 of 15

Catchall Dish or Tray

Duck Trinket Tray

West Elm Duck Trinket Tray $25

Don't underestimate your need for at least one catchall dish in your new apartment. It's the key to eliminating unnecessary clutter. Use a dish like this to hold your keys, jewelry, or other small items.

15 of 15

Storage Basket or Bin

Round Basket with Handle

51 Kibo African Garissa Khaki Basket, 15" $115

Lastly, a large woven basket like this piece from Zara Home comes in handy for storing things like throw blankets and pillows when they're not in use. Keep one in the living room or the bedroom to stay organized.

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