swr: what do you need to start a new home?

So, as I mentioned a few days ago, FH and I are starting to look at apartments (we have our first appointment this afternoon!)

We have a ton of stuff in my parents' attic from college and our engagement party and furniture my grandmother gave me when she moved out of her house to a smaller apartment, and furniture that my parents have just accumulated over the years (and I'm assuming they won't mind if we 'borrow' since it's sitting in the attic).

But I've never lived on my own - just with my parents, then college dorms, and then with my parents again - and I'm not really sure what we'll need, you know? In terms of furniture, housewares, etc... Obviously a lot will depend on the size of the apartment, but what would you consider to be absolute necessities for your home? If there are things we need to go and buy, I want to make sure that we budget for that, since moving and getting the apartment and everything is going to be a big expenditure.

so far, furniture-wise, we have:
bed
desk chair
desk
3 dressers/bureaus of varying sizes (from my grandmother)
various plastic/metal shelving units
bookshelves
2 nightstands
several lamps of varying sizes (may need a few more though)
couch
futon

housewares-wise, we have
dishes
glassware
silverware
pots/pans/etc
microwave
toaster
blender, coffeemaker, ricecooker, etc
laundry rack
ironing board/iron
TV stand
towels

And a bunch of other odds and ends - brita filter pitcher, a few old rugs (although we may want new ones), decorative stuff, and ton of other kitcheny stuff we got from our engagement party.

I know we'll probably need to get a kitchen table and chairs, and we don't have any bedding yet. Other than that, does anybody notice anything major that we're missing? I think we probably have a lot more than most people just starting out (thank you grandma! There's nothing like emptying out a 4 bedroom house for a 1 bedroom apartment...) but I just want to make sure we're covered.

Thanks so much! This is getting exciting... and nervewracking!

little things i guess...

like alarm clock
television
towels
bedding
computer

---

Posted by hayleyandsteve

little things i guess...

like alarm clock
television
towels
bedding
computer

---

ha, yeah, I forgot those things on my list, I think... we have towels, alarm clocks, computers. Between us we have 4 or 5 TVs (people just keep giving him their old ones! I don't know why! And I have mine from college).

The only thing on your list that we don't have is bedding.

---

Posted by Audreygirl

all the stuff for your medicine cabinet. cleaning supplies. air conditioner(s).

---

oh, cleaning supplies! Good point

We have a couple of fans... I don't know if we'll be getting an air conditioner, especially if we end up in a basement apartment (which there's a good chance we might).

---

Posted by lacey&mark

they make little AC's for basement type windows! just have to see if the landlord will allow you to have one and how much extra they would charge you for it! you seem to have everything covered. you will find out what you forgot within the first 2 weeks living there and you can always run to target or walmart.

---

true - but every basement I've ever been in has stayed much cooler in the summer than the upper floors - so if that's the case, we won't necessarily need an air conditioner. After all, it wouldn't hurt to save a little on that electric bill!

And you're right, we probably will realize it all within a few weeks I just want to make sure that we don't run out of money for the things we don't think of!

I know I am going to sound like a poop... BUT you have a lot of stuff and you are really best off moving in with what you have and getting stuff as you need it. Otherwise you wind up with a lot of 'necessities' that you just don't use!

To me, it looks like you have most of the necessities covered (but I am a minimalist!).

I would buy a colander though... making pasta without it is a *****!

And a can opener is handy.

Also... we would be lost without scissors and a good set of screwdrivers.

oooh, I can answer this one! When I moved out on my own, I had to purchase everything.... nothing to inherit!

For the kitchen, a diswasher in the apartment is really helpful.... something to look for during your hunt. Also, since you have to buy a ton of stuff, I'd become a member of consumerreports.org so you make sure you get the best appliances for the least $$$.

For the kitchen, you need tupperware and plastic mixing bowls that are microwave safe. Also plastic dishwashersafe cooking utensils and containers to hold them for next to the stove. you'll also need to go crazy at target and get all the basic cooking supplies (foil, saran wrap, dish liquid, sponges, dishtowels, ziplock bags)

For the bedroom:
hamper

cleaning supplies, including a good vacuum cleaner.

Lamps. But don't buy them until you have your apartment. Ditto for curtains/blinds. ditto for area rugs.

Not essential in the short run, but you will eventually need/want:
somewhere for guests to sleep + all the linens/towels needed for them.

plants and pots for them (ikea is a great cheap pot supplier...)

best advice,: Go to ikea and target. walk through the whole store for each of them. It will trigger your memory of everything you need. Since both stores are cheap, buy it there!