25 First Apartment Tips No One Really Tells You (But They Should)

So you finally got the keys. 

You’re standing in your first apartment with a box in one hand and that weird mix of excited + overwhelmed + what now in your chest.

Here’s the thing no one really says out loud:

Moving into your first place is a big deal — and it’s not just about furniture and Wi-Fi passwords. It’s about the tiny, messy, magical details no checklist ever prepares you for.

Like how your first night alone might feel weirdly quiet. 

Or how the most important thing you’ll buy isn’t a couch — it’s a plunger. 

Or how your space won’t feel like home until you spill something on the rug and just… laugh instead of cry.

This list is the stuff I wish someone whispered to me. The real tips. The “I’ve been there” kind. 

So if you’re just getting started, or you’re already in and wondering if you’re doing it right — this is for you.

Let’s dive in.

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1. You need a plunger on Day 1. Seriously.

It’s not cute. It’s not aesthetic. 

And you probably won’t think about it until… well, you really need it. 

But a plunger is one of those “why didn’t anyone tell me?!” items that should be in your bathroom before your toothbrush.

Clogs happen — to toilets, sinks, even tubs. And when they do? You don’t want to be mid-panic, Googling “emergency plumber near me” while standing ankle-deep in water. 

Trust me, it’s not the vibe.

So just add it to your first shopping trip. Tuck it behind the toilet. Forget about it — until the day it saves your life (or at least your floor).

Also Read: What You Need for Your First Apartment

2. Don’t skip renters’ insurance — it’s boring but vital.

It’s the kind of thing that feels optional… until it isn’t. 

You might think, “I don’t have anything valuable” — but renters’ insurance isn’t just about covering fancy stuff. 

It protects you if there’s a fire, a leak, a break-in, or even if your upstairs neighbor floods your ceiling (yep, it happens).

Most plans cost less than a monthly Netflix subscription, and some landlords actually require it — but even if they don’t, get it anyway. 

You’ll sleep better knowing your laptop, couch, and sanity aren’t one accident away from disaster.

And bonus: you can usually sign up online in like 15 minutes. No stress, just smart.

Also Read: First Apartment Decorating Ideas

3. Find your breaker box and water shutoff before you need them.

This sounds like boring grown-up stuff… until you’re halfway through blow-drying your hair and everything just goes dark. 

Or worse — your sink starts flooding and you’re frantically yelling, “HOW DO I TURN THE WATER OFF?!”

So here’s the move: 

Before you get too comfy, take five minutes to find your breaker box (usually a metal panel on a wall) and your water shutoff valve (often under the sink or near the toilet). Know what they look like. Test the switches if you’re feeling brave.

Because when something weird happens — and it will — you’ll feel way less helpless. 

And way more like the grown woman who’s got her own place and knows what’s up.

Also Read: First Apartment Goals

4. Clean before you unpack anything.

I know, you’re excited. The boxes are calling. But here’s the truth: “Move-in ready” doesn’t mean actually clean.

Even if your place looks spotless, chances are the last tenant (or the landlord’s rushed cleaning crew) didn’t wipe down everything. 

Think cabinet shelves, inside drawers, light switches, doorknobs — all the spots you don’t see until you’re already living there.

So before you open even one box, grab some disinfectant, paper towels, and a playlist you love.

Do a quick top-to-bottom wipe down. 

You’ll feel 100x better knowing your new space is your clean — not just landlord clean.

Bonus: light a candle after. Instant cozy.

Also Read: The Only First Apartment Cleaning Supplies List You’ll Ever Need

5. Command hooks will save your walls and your security deposit.

When you’re renting, drilling holes is risky business — and patched walls don’t always look as good as you hope. 

That’s where command hooks, strips, and all their little sticky friends come in.

Need a place to hang your keys? Command hook. 

Want to hang fairy lights above your bed? Command clips. 

Trying to put up art without committing to a nail? Command strips, baby.

They’re renter gold.

And when it’s time to move out? You just peel them off. No holes, no damage, no awkward “oops” deduction on your deposit.

Pro tip: stock up in different sizes. Trust me, you’ll use them all.

Also Read: The Ultimate Moving Out Checklist: What to Pack, Prep & Buy

6. Blackout curtains are a game changer (especially if you’re a light sleeper).

Your apartment might come with blinds, but let’s be honest — they barely block anything. 

First night in, you’ll realize the streetlight outside your window is basically auditioning for Broadway.

Blackout curtains aren’t just for drama queens. 

They actually help you sleep better, especially if your window faces a busy street, a parking lot, or that one neighbor with the porch light that never goes off.

Plus, they help with:

• Noise control (a little)
• Keeping the heat out in summer
• That cozy, safe, cocoon feeling that makes a space feel like yours

Skip the sheer ones for now. Go blackout, and thank me later.

7. Buy salt, oil, and a spatula before anything else.

Everyone talks about stocking the kitchen, but no one tells you where to actually start. And no, it’s not with an air fryer or some $50 knife set.

The real MVPs?

• Salt
• Cooking oil
• One good spatula

Why? Because you’ll probably end up making eggs, noodles, or something from a frozen bag in your first few days. And you can’t do any of that without these basics.

You don’t need a spice rack or ten different utensils right away. Just the real-deal stuff you’ll use daily. Build from there.

Also Read: First Apartment Kitchen Essentials

8. You will always need more trash bags. Always.

It sounds silly… until you run out on a Sunday night with a stinky bag full of takeout boxes and coffee grounds staring you down.

Trash bags are one of those things you think you have enough of — until you don’t. 

And when you move in? You’ll go through them fast:

• Unpacking boxes
• Cleaning out random stuff
• Replacing liners
• Random spills (yep, they happen)

So here’s the tip: buy the big box. The really big box. You’ll use them, I promise.

Bonus: get a few smaller ones for your bathroom or bedroom bins. Makes life feel a little more put-together.

9. Have a go-to frozen meal for “I can’t do this” days.

There’s gonna be a night — maybe after a long day of unpacking, maybe after your first rent payment hits — where cooking feels like a joke and ordering takeout feels too much. 

That’s when your emergency freezer stash saves the day.

I’m talkin’:

• Frozen mac & cheese
• Dumplings
• A microwaveable burrito
• Literally anything that brings you comfort with zero effort

It’s not lazy — it’s survival. 

Stock one or two of these from the start, and future-you will absolutely thank past-you for being a genius.

Because sometimes, dinner just needs to be easy.

Also Read: 25+ Recipes for Cooking for One

10. Your first night might feel weird. That’s normal.

You’re finally in.

The boxes are stacked, your bed is made, the lights are off… and suddenly everything feels too quiet.

No background noise from family. No roommate chatter. Just you — and a space that doesn’t feel like “home” yet.

It’s okay. That first night can feel weird, even sad. 

It doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice. It just means you’re adjusting — to silence, to freedom, to the weight of your own space.

Light a candle. Put on a comfort show. Call a friend if you need to. 

This feeling passes. And one day soon, you’ll catch yourself smiling in that same quiet and think, yeah… this is mine.

Also Read: First Night Apartment Checklist for Women

11. Celebrate the small wins — even unclogging a drain counts.

Living on your own comes with these tiny, weird victories that no one else really sees… but you feel them.

Like figuring out how to use that confusing thermostat. 

Or building a wobbly IKEA shelf all by yourself. 

Or unclogging a drain without panicking and calling your mom.

These moments matter.

They remind you: you’re doing it. You’re figuring out adulthood in real time. 

So hype yourself up, even for the little stuff. Do a happy dance. Post it if you want. You don’t need a housewarming party to know you’re crushing it.

Because honestly? You are.

12. Don’t ignore weird smells — investigate.

Yeah, I said it. 

If something smells off — musty, sour, like something died under the fridge — don’t just spray air freshener and hope it goes away. That’s rookie energy.

It could be:

• Leftover food stuck in the sink drain
• Mold creeping behind your shower curtain
• A rogue potato that rolled behind a cabinet (yes, it happens)
• Something left by the previous tenant that should’ve been thrown out

Your nose knows. Trust it. 

The sooner you track it down, the easier (and less disgusting) it’ll be to fix.

And once it’s gone? Light your favorite candle. Boom — clean slate.

13. Invest in a basic toolkit (or borrow one).

You might not think you’ll need tools. Until you’re trying to build a shelf. 

Or tighten a wobbly chair. Or open a battery compartment that just won’t budge.

You don’t need a full-blown hardware store in your closet — just the basics:

• Screwdriver (Phillips & flathead)
• Hammer
• Measuring tape
• Pliers
• A level if you’re hanging stuff

Even a cheap starter kit works. What matters is having it when you need it. 

And trust me, you’ll feel like such a boss the first time you fix something on your own. No calls for help. No waiting. Just you — and a little toolkit that says, “Yeah, I live here now.”

14. Start with 5 spices, not a whole rack.

It’s so tempting to buy that cute spinning spice rack with 20 jars… but unless you actually cook a lot, most of them will just sit there collecting dust.

Start small. Just 5. 

Here’s a solid beginner set:

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Chili flakes (or paprika)
• Italian seasoning (covers so much)

These will take you far — pastas, eggs, veggies, even frozen food upgrades.

You can always add more later as you figure out what you actually use. 

Spice racks are cute. Wasted money and expired cumin? Not so much.

15. You don’t need everything to be aesthetic on day one.

I know, I know — Pinterest and TikTok make it feel like your apartment has to look like a studio shoot the second you move in. 

But guess what? Real homes take time to come together.

Your plates might not match at first. 

Your couch might be secondhand. 

You might be using a cardboard box as a nightstand for a while.

That’s okay. That’s normal.

The aesthetic stuff will come — piece by piece, paycheck by paycheck. What matters more is that your place feels safe, calm, and yours.

So breathe. Let it be a little imperfect. That’s part of the charm.

16. The silence might feel loud at first — let it.

When you finally live alone, there’s this weird moment where everything just… goes quiet. No background chatter. No footsteps. No one asking what you want for dinner.

And honestly… It can feel kinda heavy.

You’ll notice the hum of your fridge. The creak of the floor. The sound of you just existing in your space.

But give it time. That silence? It slowly turns into peace. 

It becomes the background music to your independence. 

It’s where you start hearing your own thoughts more clearly.

So don’t rush to fill it. Let it sit with you. You might just learn to love it.

Also Read: Best Ways to Feel Less Lonely in Your Own Apartment

17. Keep your keys in the same exact spot every day.

It sounds so simple… but you’ll thank yourself every single morning.

Because here’s the thing — the fastest way to spiral before work is frantically searching for your keys while your coffee goes cold and your Uber’s already outside.

Avoid the chaos. 

Set a spot. A bowl by the door. A hook on the wall. A tiny tray on your desk. Whatever works — just stick to it.

It’s one of those little habits that makes your whole life feel more put together, even on the messy days.

Tiny habit. Big peace of mind.

18. Set reminders for bills — adulting gets loud, fast.

When you live alone, no one’s reminding you when the electric bill’s due. 

Or when your Wi-Fi autopay failed. Or that rent is tomorrow, and you haven’t transferred funds yet.

And life gets loud — work, errands, grocery runs, friends, burnout. It’s easy for important stuff to slip through.

So here’s the move: 

• Set reminders on your phone.
• Use a calendar app.
• Stick a note on your fridge — whatever works for your brain.

Just don’t rely on memory alone. Missed bills are stressful. And expensive.

Future you will thank past you every single month.

19. Get a real laundry basket. Not just a plastic bag.

You think you’ll just toss your dirty clothes in the corner or use a random tote bag for now. 

And maybe that works for a week or two… until your bedroom starts smelling a little off and you can’t find your other sock.

A legit laundry basket (or even a soft foldable hamper) makes life so much easier. 

No more carrying a mountain of clothes like a gremlin down the hall. 

No more mystery piles on the floor.

It’s one of those little upgrades that makes you feel like, “Okay, I’m actually doing this whole grown-up living thing.”

Bonus points if it has handles.

20. Rugs aren’t just for vibes — they make your place feel calm (and quiet).

You might think, “I’ll get a rug later, once I figure out my decor.” But honestly? Don’t wait.

Even a small rug can completely change how your space feels — softer, warmer, more grounded. 

It absorbs sound (especially in echoey apartments), keeps your feet warm in winter, and adds that “I live here now” energy.

And if you’ve got downstairs neighbors? Rugs = instant soundproofing. No more awkward stomping guilt.

You don’t need to spend a ton. Check Facebook Marketplace, IKEA, even thrift stores. 

Just get something that feels cozy under your toes.

Also Read: Cheap Ways to Soundproof a Room That Actually Work

21. You’ll miss home sometimes — and that doesn’t mean you failed.

You can love your new space and still randomly miss your old room. 

You can feel proud and independent… and still wish someone else would cook dinner once in a while.

Missing home — the people, the smells, the comfort — is normal. It hits at weird times, like when you’re doing laundry or eating cereal alone at midnight.

But missing where you came from doesn’t mean you made a mistake. It just means you’re human. It means you’re growing.

And every time you sit with that feeling, you’re slowly making this place your new safe space.

22. Take photos of everything during move-in — before you unpack.

I know it’s boring and you just want to start decorating… but trust me, this step protects you.

Snap pics of:

• Scratches on the floor
• Marks on the walls
• Stains, cracks, loose handles, broken blinds — everything

Even if your landlord is super chill, you’ll want proof of what was already there before you moved in. 

Because when it’s time to move out? Those photos might be the only thing standing between you and a surprise deduction from your security deposit.

Just store them in a folder on your phone. It takes 10 minutes. Future-you will be grateful.

23. That one random drawer full of junk? It’s inevitable — embrace it.

No matter how organized you think you’ll be, one drawer will eventually become the dumping ground for:

• Tape
• Batteries
• Rubber bands
• Keys you don’t remember
• Coupons you’ll never use
• A single thumbtack for some reason

And you know what? That’s okay.

It’s not a sign of chaos — it’s a sign of life. Every apartment has that drawer. 

It’s kind of comforting, honestly. Just keep it in check every few months, and let it do its thing.

Call it your chaos drawer. Your mystery zone. Your “where did I put that” HQ.

It’s part of the experience.

24. Light a candle. Play music. Make it feel like you.

Your apartment isn’t just a space — it’s a feeling. And sometimes, the fastest way to shift the vibe is with something small and sensory.

Light a candle that smells like home (or like the version of you you’re growing into). 

Put on a playlist you love. Open the windows. Rearrange the pillows. 

Do whatever helps the space stop feeling like a rental… and start feeling like yours.

This isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about comfort. Control. Peace. 

Little rituals create big energy shifts — and you deserve that softness.

25. This is your space now — let it grow with you.

Don’t put pressure on yourself to have it all figured out on Day 1. 

Don’t rush to make everything perfect. 

Don’t compare your space to Pinterest boards or TikTok tours.

Your apartment doesn’t have to be dreamy right away — it just has to feel like yours. 

Let it evolve. Let it be messy sometimes. Let it reflect who you are right now — not who you think you’re supposed to be.

You’ll change. And your space will change with you. 

That’s the beauty of it.

This is your first apartment. But it’s also your first chapter in something bigger. 

Let it be exactly what it is — yours.

One Last Thing Before You Go…

Your first apartment isn’t just four walls and a lease. 

It’s the place where you’ll cry on the floor while eating takeout, dance around in a towel after a good shower, and slowly build a life that’s all yours.

You won’t get everything right. No one does. 

You’ll forget to buy light bulbs. You’ll burn a few meals. You’ll probably cry over something silly at 2 AM.

But you’ll also grow. 

You’ll learn how strong you are. 

You’ll make this space — this messy, imperfect, beautiful space — home.

So take a deep breath. Light that candle. And keep going.

And hey… if you’ve got a first apartment tip no one told you, message me. 

Let’s build the ultimate survival guide together