The Ultimate Checklist for Your First Apartment

• Urban Outfitters; $50

Nothing is more welcoming than a cool doormat. A simple design with a punchy phrase keeps your front door fun.

• Urban Outfitters; $14

Stop losing your keys by giving them a home in this sleek catch-all dish.

• Target; $129.99

Create an entryway in your apartment with this console table. It provides the ideal drop zone for shoes, keys, and your bag.

• Target; $12.99

Don’t let your mail consume that console table! Keep it organized with an affordable yet beautiful sorter.

• West Elm; from $169

Nothing takes a living space from bland to stylish like a good rug. Add a fun, graphic print in a neutral palette to your apartment for a versatile look.

• Urban Outfitters; from $19

Want a colorful rug but can’t pick one? Grab a color block version to get two hues in one. Flip the rug when your decor changes, or when you feel like freshening up the space without going shopping.

• Amazon; $19.99

If you’re a biker, living in an apartment might mean there’s no space to stow your bike outside of your unit. Add this hook to any wall in your home for safe storage.

• Urban Outfitters; $69

Good lighting is the key to everything, and your first apartment is no exception. Add this ceramic side table lamp to your living room, bedside table, or even entryway to add a chic touch to the space.

• Target; $44.99

Get two in one with this floor light: a modern side table and a bookshelf that doubles as a lamp.

• Urban Outfitters; $79

Upgrade your desk with a brass lamp, adding an instant touch of glam to your home workspace.

Adding something living is an amazingly easy way to brighten up your new living space, and we’ve rounded up the best ones for novices to add to their home. We promise, even if you have a black thumb, you can't kill these houseplants.

• Urban Outfitters; $139

Apartments don’t always have the most built-in storage, so if your closet is constantly overflowing (or nonexistent!), grab a clothing rack to transform your room from a disaster zone into an Instagram-worthy set-up. Grab a rack with some bottom shelves to organize shoes or folded items.

• Target; $211.99

Do you just need more general storage space? Add an armoire to serve as linen storage or a second closet.

• Urban Outfitters; $59

Keep shoe clutter to a minimum with this simple shoe rack. If you discover you need more storage, just grab a second one and stack it on top.

• Urban Outfitters; $289

Desperate for more counter space? Try adding this minimalist table to get both extra counter space and more storage in your kitchen.

• Amazon; $259

If you love a good kitchen island, grab this trolley for an instant moveable chopping station, bar cart, or storage rack.

• Terrain; $20

Hand towels are an easy thing to forget when you’re shopping for your first apartment, but they’re an immediate necessity once you wash your hands or spill in the kitchen. Pick up some pretty tea towels for something functional and aesthetically pleasing.

• Williams-Sonoma; $89.95

Getting your first apartment isn’t just about rugs and a great entryway, but making sure you have the tools for everyday living. A large pot for cooking up soups, boiling pasta, and so much more is always a necessity.

• Williams-Sonoma; $59.95

Don’t forget a smaller pot for grains and sauces.

• Set of 2, Williams-Sonoma; $59.95

A good frying pan will stay with you long beyond your first apartment, and this set of two should help kick off your relationship with your first kitchen.

• Williams-Sonoma; $29.95

Bake cookies, roast veggies, and do so much more with this sheet and baking rack duo.

• KitchenAid; $69.99

Big smoothie fan? Get a small countertop blender to make anything from green drinks to milkshakes daily.

• Williams-Sonoma; $99.95

Apartment kitchens are small spaces, and it’s likely you’ll only be able to fit one extra appliance on your counter. If you’re looking to make a wide variety of recipes with minimal effort, try an Instant Pot, a.k.a. a slow-cooker and pressure cooker mash-up.

• Best Buy; $34.99

If you love coming home to a good slow-cooked meal at the end of the day, or enjoy preparing big batches of meals for the week, pick up a slow-cooker for your kitchen.