6 Essentials to Bring to Your First Apartment

Moving from a house to an apartment can pose several challenges. For one, you need to scale down all the items you are thinking of bringing. With the limited space, you may have to let go of your bulky possessions, which include your large furniture pieces.

And even though your clothes, kitchenware, and other items are not large, if you bring all of them with you, your apartment may be inundated with numerous boxes and containers that you won’t know how to start unpacking and where to store.

This doesn’t mean, though, that when you rent or buy an apartment in Dubai, you don’t bring any of your current possessions. Shopping for new items shouldn’t be out of the question either.

When you move to a completely bare apartment, you need to bring several things that will complete your home and make your stay here comfortable, rewarding, and satisfying.

Below are the five must-have essentials you need to bring when you move to your first apartment:

1.    Bedroom essentials

Since the bedroom is the first place that you may head to after your move and spend plenty of time here, you need to furnish it sufficiently to make it as comfy as possible.

A mattress should be one of the first things you have to buy for your move. You need to have something comfortable to sleep on during your first night in your apartment and the succeeding ones.

Moreover, a bedroom isn’t a bedroom if it doesn’t have something you can sleep and relax on.

Make sure you also have pillows, linens, blankets, and a mattress topper as well. If you don’t want to bring your current ones, buy them before you move.

Additionally, bring the following items you will need in your bedroom:

• Lamp
• Hangers
• Laundry hamper
• Curtains or blinds
• Mirror
• Storage containers
• Closet organizers

2.    Cleaning supplies

Whether you are moving to a brand-new apartment or one that was recently vacated, ensure it is completely clean and sanitized before settling in.

It is best to give your apartment a thorough cleaning before moving in. By doing so, you won’t have to move boxes, appliances, and furniture pieces as you mop and vacuum the floor and dust the ceiling.

Some of the essential cleaning supplies you need to get are:

• A mop
• Broom and dustpan
• Rubber gloves
• Sponges
• Soft rags and microfiber cloths
• Paper towels
• Buckets
• Garbage bags and bins
• Multi-purpose cleaning solutions and sprays
• Laundry detergent
• Dishwashing soap
• Hand soap

If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner, don’t buy one yet; consider getting one once you have settled a bit.

Don’t forget to give your apartment another thorough cleaning after you have unpacked and organized your belongings.

3.    Kitchen and dining staples

Eating out and ordering takeaway foods are activities that you don’t want to do every day, whether you have the budget for it or not. To get the most from your new home, furnish your kitchen as soon as possible.

The most important kitchen essentials you need to bring are:

• Pots and pans
• Oven-safe dishes and containers
• Chopping board
• Dishes and bowls
• Glasses and cups or mugs
• Dining and cooking utensils, including knives, forks, and spoons
• Oven mitts and dish towels

Don’t forget to bring or buy the appliances and gadgets that you regularly use in the kitchen. These include a microwave oven, toaster, blender, coffee maker, kettle, and juicer.

If the apartment doesn’t come with a refrigerator and cooking range, you may want to prioritize getting them, too.

Additionally, in case your apartment doesn’t have a dining set or a place where you can eat comfortably, you have to furnish it with one. Bring your old one or invest in an affordable option.

4.    Pantry basics

Start using your kitchen, appliances, and cookware as soon as possible by stocking up your fridge and pantry with the things you need to whip up something good to eat.

Stock up on your choice of protein: pork, beef, chicken, or fish. Additionally, ensure you have these items:

• Spices and condiments (paprika, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, etc.)
• Salt and pepper
• Cooking oil
• Soy sauce
• Vinegar
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Sugar

Make sure you have coffee, tea bags, cocoa powder, and other beverages you like drinking. Don’t forget to stock up on bottled water if you don’t have a water dispenser yet.

Additionally, ensure that you have some fruit, chips, bread, and ready-to-cook noodles and other food items that you like so that you can still eat something even if you don’t have time to cook.

5.    Bathroom items

Aside from bringing the toiletries you usually use, there are other bathroom essentials you have to bring when you move to your new home.

The most important things you have to prepare for your bathroom are:

• Toilet paper
• Shower curtain
• Bath towels
• Hand and face towels
• Bathmat
• Toothbrush holder or case
• Plunger
• Toilet brush

6.    Living room essentials

Your new apartment won’t be complete if your living room is not furnished. This is the part of your home where you can relax and unwind after a long day of work.

Whether you are bringing your old furnishings or buying new ones, make sure you have the following for your living room:

• Couch
• Additional chairs or seating
• Coffee table
• TV and TV stand
• Lamps

Don’t forget to bring any other entertainment gadgets you currently have, too. These include your cable box, streaming device, and speakers.

Other Items to Bring

Aside from the essentials listed above, make sure you have these important items, which you may need during your first few days of staying in your new apartment:

• A toolkit, which should contain a hammer, some nails, screwdrivers, and wrenches
• First aid kit, which should have bandage strips, elastic wrap bandages, adhesive tape, and antibiotic ointment packets
• Light bulbs
• Batteries
• Extension cords and outlet adapters
• Box cutter
• Step stool

Don’t forget to bring or buy decor and other furnishings you need to decorate and make your home comfy. These can include wall paintings, flower vases, and area rugs.

Finding the perfect apartment to buy is a great feat to accomplish. Moving in is another challenge that you will be happy to overcome as well. Once you have made a successful transition to your new home, you can consider the whole experience as one of your top personal accomplishments.

AUTHOR BIO:

Mark Tolland is the Founder and Managing Director at Abode Property, a boutique real estate brokerage firm providing top-notch, personalized services to discerning landlords looking to sell or let out their premises in prime locations of Dubai like Marina, Downtown and The Palm. The firm also advises global HNIs looking to rent or buy a prized asset in Dubai, and prides itself in upholding high service standards, ethics and accurate advice.