What You Should Buy Before You Move
Welcome to Hopkins View! We look forward to having you live here. We want to help make your move as smooth as possible by providing you with two Apartment Checklists.
First, it is in your best interest to request a walk through your new apartment/property rental with your landlord within 15 days of your move-in date to document any pre-existing damages. Always keep a copy of this checklist with your lease and give a copy to your landlord for their records. You should use this form or a similar form to conduct your walk through with your landlord.
Second, below is a check list of items to pack before you move — whether purchased, or commandeered from your parent’s basement, or found at your local thrift store. Keep everything on this list, close by, when you move, so that you are not rifling through boxes for a shower curtain when you should be out the door and on your way to class?
1. Mattress topper, pillows, and bedding Hopkins View comes with a mattress but, a mattress topper (a.k.a. mattress pad), new pillows, and any other bedding that will make your place feel like home is a nice addition.
2. Toolkit and wall safe adhesive hooks Whether it’s to take apart a bookshelf or put it back together, you won’t regret having a screwdriver and a hammer on moving day. Once you start unpacking, you’ll also want to have wall safe adhesive hooks on hand. There’s nothing as frustrating as being in an unpacking and decorating groove, only to find you have to stop and buy these items.
3. Step stool A step stool will be extremely valuable during the early phases of unpacking and is a must-have for your apartment. We recommend something light and easily portable. Especially when cleaning hard to reach places.
4. Shower curtain Unless you want to ruin your apartment floors, it’s a good idea to get a shower curtain before moving. After a long day of moving, you’re going to be dying for a hot shower. Pack your toiletry items with the other items in this section of your apartment checklist.
5. Toilet paper Some may argue that toilet paper is one of the most important things you need for your apartment. Make sure you buy plenty of toilet paper to place in your apartment bathrooms as soon as move-in day begins.
6. Cleaning supplies
A Swiffer with both dry and wet pads
Multi-surface cleaning spray, paper towels, and trash bags
Multi-surface cleaning wipes and stainless steel cleaner
Laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and stain remover
Toilet scrubber and toilet bowl cleaning solution
Dish/dishwasher soap and sponges
Air freshening and disinfectant spray
7. First-aid kit Unfortunately, accidents do happen when moving. Whether you trip down stairs and sprain an ankle, or cut a finger opening boxes, you’re going to want a first-aid kit in an easy-to-access spot on move-in day. Here are a few items to include:
Ace bandages
Anti-inflammatory such as Advil
Band Aids and antibiotic ointment
Gauze pads and antiseptic wipes
Cold medicine and cough drops
Cold pack and muscle pain relief ointment
8. A few kitchen essentials You could stick with paper plates and cups until you buy a full dish set, but we recommend going ahead and purchasing a few of these items before you move in. Not using paper plates is also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. That way, if it takes you a few weeks to pick out kitchenware you love, you’ll at least have the essentials on hand.
Water glasses and mugs
Plates, cereal bowl, and utensils
Frying pan, pots, and cookie sheet
Toaster, microwave, blender, or toaster oven
Sandwich bags and one or two food storage containers
Spatula and any other cooking utensil you think you’ll need
Small, medium, and large cutting knives, and cutting boards
Wax paper, parchment paper, aluminum foil, cling wrap
Bottle opener and can opener
Kettle and/or coffee pot
Spices can add something special to any meal. Mark these spices of your apartment checklist, and you’ll be ready to cook like a pro!
Cayenne pepper, chili powder, ground cumin, paprika
Dried rosemary, oregano, thyme, bay leaves
Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger
Garlic powder or salt, onion powder
Salt and pepper
For a complete kitchen, you need a well-stocked pantry. Check off the items below according to your own preferences and cooking habits and you’ll be ready to cook just about anything in your apartment. Make sure to pick up some groceries after you're all settled in, too.
Granulated sugar, brown sugar, and flour
Baking powder, baking soda, and vanilla extract
Cooking oil (vegetable, olive, coconut, etc.)
Vinegar (white wine, balsamic, etc.)
Soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, ketchup, mustard, etc.
9. Coat/clothing hangers Purchase coat hangers now, and you’ll feel settled into your new place in no time. The sooner you can get your clothing unpacked and put away, the sooner your apartment will feel like home!
10. Batteries, power strips, and extension cords
As you start to place things throughout your new home, you won’t want to come back later to plug everything in. If you purchase power strips, extension cords, and batteries before moving, you’ll be able to finish unpacking quickly and efficiently.
11. Extra lighting Extra lighting for your living space is a must-have for any apartment checklist. Trust us, no one likes living in a cave. Add both class and functionality to your space by picking out a cool floor lamp or two. 12. Television and DVD player, cable box, or streaming device Whether you’re paying for cable or not, getting a television is a great investment. If you already have a television, follow these tips for moving electronics. 13. Storage solutions Once your belongings are unpacked, you’re going to need somewhere to put everything. Whether that’s a bookshelf or a TV cabinet, make sure you take into account all your belongings (including the ones on this apartment checklist), and then find the best storage for your needs.
14. Houseplants and beyond While these items may not be essential, adding them to your apartment shopping list will make your living room feel a little homier.
Window treatments unless you want to wake up with the sun.
Wall art, picture frames, coffee table books
Decorative pillows, throw blanket
Houseplants, candles, vases
15. Toilet plunger, paper, scrubber, and cleaning solution Make sure that you can keep your toilet clean by marking these items off your apartment checklist. Toilet paper can’t be emphasized enough!
16 Trash can
Don’t forget to mark a bathroom trash can off your apartment checklist. A great option is a trash can with a lid that can help keep the bathroom looking sleek.
17. Bath towels
Moving into your apartment is a great excuse to upgrade your old bath towels for something more luxurious.
18. Hand soap, lotion, and towels Make sure to buy some great smelling hand soap for your bathroom sink and place a hand towel nearby. 19. Storage solutions for your toiletries Take stock of the toiletries you have in order to figure out what kind of storage solution you should purchase for the bathroom. You could use a set of plastic drawers, a rolling cart, or an entire cabinet. It’s up to you!
20. Full-length mirror Add a full-length mirror to your apartment checklist, and you’ll be prepared to make sure all your outfits look great.
21. Laundry hamper Whether you love laundry or hate it, you’ll need somewhere to put your dirty clothes at the end of the day. 22. Sewing kit While sewing kits may seem somewhat dated, they’re still incredibly useful. Add one to your apartment checklist for quick clothing repairs. 23. Iron and ironing board Trying to de-wrinkle clothes without an iron is a time-consuming and frustrating process. Save yourself time and energy by adding an iron to your apartment checklist (or a handheld steamer if you’re looking for something that takes up less space). 24. Office supplies In such a tech-centric world, it’s easy to forget to add basic office/school supplies to your apartment checklist. Still, we suggest packing some scissors, pens, paper, and tape when prepping for your move. You’re bound to need them at some point!
25. Umbrella
Unless you have a super heavy-duty raincoat, an umbrella is an essential item for braving stormy weather. Include a lightweight umbrella on your apartment checklist to make those gloomy days a little more bearable.
Ready to cross everything you need for your apartment off the list? Take this checklist with you when you start shopping, and you’ll be all set.
Here are your two ultimate apartment checklists — save this list and you'll be ready for a stress-free transition to your new home.