I Had No Idea What to Buy

After signing the lease, the excitement kicks in and you want to buy everything. I searched "first apartment essentials" and bought tons of stuff... half of it is still unopened.

So I put together a list of things I actually used during my first year living alone. Don't waste your money!

1. Absolute Must-Haves for Day One

Without these on your first day, you'll be miserable. Get these before you move in.

Bedding

  • Blanket + Pillow: Just one set appropriate for the season
  • Mattress or Futon: Sleeping directly on the floor will hurt your back. Foldable mattresses work great
  • Sheets/Covers: Wash new bedding before using

Hold off on buying a bed frame. Try a foldable mattress first to understand your space. You can always buy a bed later.

Bathroom Essentials

  • Toilet Paper: Get at least 4 rolls
  • Towels: 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels
  • Shampoo/Body Wash: Full-size, not travel size
  • Toothbrush/Toothpaste: Obviously

Basic Living Items

  • Trash Bags: Check your local requirements for proper bags
  • Wet Wipes: You'll use these constantly for cleaning
  • Flashlight or Phone Charger: Power outage backup + navigating in the dark on day one

2. Things to Get Within the First Week

Not urgent for day one, but you'll need these within the first week.

Kitchen Basics

  • One Pot: Medium-sized for noodles and soups
  • One Pan: For eggs, fried rice - one is enough
  • Bowls and Plates: 2 of each is plenty
  • Utensils: 2 sets of spoons, forks, chopsticks
  • Cups: One water glass, one mug

Don't buy cookware sets. One pot and one pan is all you need at first. Buy more only when necessary.

Cleaning Supplies

  • Broom + Dustpan: A small set is enough
  • Mop: Cheaper and more effective than fancy floor cleaners
  • All-Purpose Cleaner: One bottle handles everything

Laundry Supplies

  • Laundry Detergent: Liquid is more convenient
  • Laundry Basket: For collecting dirty clothes
  • Drying Rack: Essential for indoor drying

3. Things That Can Wait

No rush on these. Buy them when you actually need them.

Appliances

  • Microwave: Helpful if you eat a lot of ready meals, but not essential
  • Fan/Heater: If you have AC, a fan is just supplementary
  • Air Purifier: Nice to have, not need to have

Furniture & Storage

  • Desk: You can work on the floor at first. Not urgent
  • Shelves/Storage: Live there for a month first, then figure out what you need
  • Curtains: Skip if you have blinds

4. Things NOT to Buy

Things I bought and regretted:

  • Dish Sets: Why buy a 4-person set when you live alone? Get 2 of each
  • Utensil Sets: You don't need 3 spatulas and 2 ladles
  • Decorative Storage: Buy after living there. Pre-purchased ones never fit
  • Large Furniture: Big bookshelf? Wardrobe? Live there first, then decide

Rookie mistake: Buying everything on the "first apartment" lists. After a month, you'll know what you actually need.

5. Quick Checklist

Day One Must-Haves

  • ☐ Blanket, pillow, mattress
  • ☐ Toilet paper, towels
  • ☐ Toiletries (shampoo, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste)
  • ☐ Trash bags
  • ☐ Wet wipes

First Week

  • ☐ Pot, pan
  • ☐ Dishes, utensils
  • ☐ Cleaning supplies (broom, mop)
  • ☐ Laundry supplies (detergent, drying rack)

Eventually

  • ☐ Microwave
  • ☐ Desk, chair
  • ☐ Storage solutions

6. Money-Saving Tips

  • Buy Used: Appliances and furniture at half price
  • Budget Stores: Cleaning supplies and storage don't need to be expensive
  • Sales: Watch for buy-one-get-one deals on household items
  • Moving Season: In February and August, people throw away good stuff. Check local groups

Wrapping Up

When you first move out, you'll want to buy everything. Wait a month. You'll figure out what you actually need by living there.

Next up, we'll cover Understanding Utility Bills. Ever been confused by your electric or gas bill?

※ This article is based on personal experience and may vary by situation.

🏠 Living Alone Guide Series