The Best Minimalist New (or First) Apartment Checklist 

Are you a minimalist or aspiring to be one? Are you also getting ready to move into your new or first apartment? If so, this Minimalist New / First Apartment Checklist will help you determine the most basic and essential things you need. On top of this, you will find a free digital download or printable of the checklist in PDF version to make it handy! 

If you’ve read my other blog posts, you would have noticed that I have been putting emphasis on saving money these days. To further increase my savings, I came across minimalism.

For sure, minimalism has garnered popularity during recent years. Individuals who adhere to or try to adopt a minimalist lifestyle do it for many other reasons apart from money. 

Minimalism helps you reduce visual clutter which can improve your overall mental well-being. It also puts a brake on the production of unnecessary goods that often end in landfills, making it an environment-friendly way to live. 

For many people who would like to try a minimalist lifestyle, moving into your new or first apartment provides an opportunity for a great start. 

When deciding what to buy or bring in, it is important to be guided by a new or first apartment checklist. A checklist will help you make sure you do not forget something. Specifically for a minimalist, it also ensures that you don’t bring in anything you shouldn’t and items you don’t need. 

I’ve broken down the checklist into the rooms in your house plus other special categories (general household, cleaning, and pets). It will help you compartmentalise your spaces and perhaps, stage the furnishing process.

Without further ado, here is the Minimalist Apartment Checklist.

Living Room

• Seating – couch/sofa bed/chairs
• Coffee table
• Television
• TV stand 

Bedroom

• Mattress
• Pillows 
• Pillowcases 
• Quilt/duvet/comforter
• Bedsheets 
• Quilt/duvet cover 
• Bed frame 
• Bedside tables
• Mirror
• Dresser/wardrobe
• Coat hangers 

Study / Office

• Desk
• Chair 
• Laptop/computer
• Printer 
• Internet router 
• Stationery

Kitchen and Dining

• Table
• Chairs/barstools 
• Dinnerware
  • Dinner plates
  • Bowls
  • Side plates
  • Glasses
  • Mugs
• Cutlery set
  • Spoons
  • Forks
  • Dinner Knives
  • Teaspoons
• Cookware – like pots and pans
• Utensils – such as spatula, spoon, ladle
• Tongs
• Knives
• Chopping board
• Can opener
• Food containers
• Aluminium foil
• Cling wrap 
• Oven mitts/potholder
• Kettle
• Toaster/oven toaster
• Microwave
• Refrigerator
• Tea/hand towels
• Dish soap
• Sponges
• Drying rack
• Trash bin
• Food

Laundry

• Detergent
• Laundry basket
• Clothes pins/pegs
• Clothes rack/line
• Iron 
• Ironing board
• Washing machine

Bathroom and Toilet

• Shower curtain
• Shower caddy
• Soap/handwash
• Personal Toiletries
• Tissues
• Toilet paper
• Toilet brush/cleaner
• Towels
• Bathmat
• Trash bin
• Soapdish

General Household

• Curtains/blinds
• Clock
• Doormats
• Basic tool kit
• First aid kit 
• Extension cords
• Scissors
• Batteries
• Tapes 
• Heater
• Fan / portable AC

Cleaning 

• Garbage bags
• Broom
• Dustpan 
• Vacuum cleaner 
• All-purpose cleaner 
• Mop
• Bucket
• Paper towels/rags

Pets 

• Food
• Litter
• Bedding

Free Minimalist New or First Apartment Checklist Download

You will find the download links for the free printable Minimalist New or First Apartment Checklist below. This is in collaboration with Sightly Prints, a soon-to-launch Etsy store where you can find simple yet beautiful printables to keep your life organised.

The checklist is available in two sizes, A4 (210 x 297 mm or 8.3 x 11.7 inches) and US letter (215.9 by 279.4 mm or 8.5 x 11 inches). The two pdf files contain checklists in neutral schemes and pastel colour variations. You can print or use it in a pdf compatible app like GoodNotes or Notability.

Please remember that the Minimalist New / First Apartment Checklist is intended as a guide. It doesn’t mean it contains absolutely all you need, although it aims to be. 

Like anything, what is essential to you may not be the same for everyone. Make sure you consider your personal needs when deciding what to bring. Because of this, I also included a blank version of a checklist so that you can fill it in with items you specifically need, or that I may have missed. 

If you are looking for a more detailed checklist, see my post about The Ultimate New Apartment Checklist. Yes, I also included a free digital download there!

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