What to Bring to Your First College Apartment

Q: What furniture do I actually need for my first apartment?

At minimum: a bed, one comfortable place to sit, a kitchen table, and lamps in each room. Everything else can come later or be shared with roommates.

Q: Do I need renter's insurance in college?

If living off-campus, yes—most landlords require it. Renter's insurance costs $12–25/month and covers personal belongings and liability.

Q: How do I set up utilities for the first time?

Contact electric, gas, and water utilities 2–4 weeks before move-in. You'll need your lease, desired start date, and payment method. Expect connection fees ($30–100) or deposits.

Q: What should I avoid bringing or buying for an apartment?

Avoid fire hazards (candles, halogen lamps), heat sources (hot plates, space heaters), and oversized furniture. Check your lease before buying appliances. Don't overbuy kitchen gear.

Interactive checklist for furnishing and equipping an unfurnished or lightly-furnished off-campus apartment. Unlike dorm move-in, you'll be buying furniture and appliances—this list covers essentials by room and administrative tasks.

Not moving off campus yet? See the dorm packing list for student housing essentials. Commuting in daily? Check the commuter checklist for transit logistics and daily bag items.

INTERACTIVE PRINTABLE

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Dorm vs. Off-Campus Apartment: Who Provides What?

The biggest difference between dorm and apartment living is responsibility and space. Here's what you need to know:

Item Category	Dorm Includes	Off-Campus Apartment
Furniture	Bed frame, desk, chair, closet	You buy: bed frame or mattress, couch, kitchen table, chairs, lamps, storage
Kitchen appliances	None (dorm kitchen is shared or none)	You buy: pots, pans, dishes, utensils; may need microwave, coffee maker if not built-in
WiFi / Internet	Included in housing	You arrange and pay: contact ISP, order router, negotiate with roommates on cost
Trash & Cleaning	Custodial staff handles common areas	You buy: trash cans, bags, vacuum, broom, mop, all-purpose cleaner; you clean your space
Utilities	Included	You set up and pay: electric, gas (if applicable), water, internet; budget $150–300/month per person
Appliances & Fixtures	Provided by school	Varies by lease—check if A/C, heat, stove, fridge, washer/dryer included; if not, you buy or coordinate with roommates

Furniture (You're Buying This) 0 of 7

Bed frame or platform bed + mattress (twin, full, queen, or existing frame) Bedding (sheets, pillows, comforter or duvet cover) ×2 sets Kitchen table or dining area seating (coordinate with roommates on cost) Chairs (for dining table, desk, or living room—at least 1) Couch or floor seating (living room or common area, shared cost) Lamps (desk + bedroom)—most apartments lack overhead lighting in bedrooms Storage (bookshelf, under-bed bins, or dresser)

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Kitchen & Dining 0 of 10

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Cleaning & Maintenance 0 of 7

Vacuum or handheld vacuum (check lease for carpet areas) Broom & dustpan (for hard floors) Mop or microfiber cleaning cloth All-purpose cleaner spray Toilet brush & plunger Trash bags (various sizes) Basic tools (screwdriver, pliers, hammer, tape—for minor repairs)

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Bathroom & Toiletries 0 of 8

Towels & washcloths (2–3 sets) Bath mat Shower curtain & liner (if not provided) Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss) Face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen 30-day supply of prescription medications + refill plan Contact solution & glasses OR extra contacts (if applicable) Basic first aid (bandages, pain reliever, cold medicine, thermometer)

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Tech & Internet Setup 0 of 6

WiFi router (dorms provide WiFi; apartments don't—you must buy your own) Modem (if not provided by ISP; check your internet service contract) Ethernet cables (for reliable desktop/gaming setup) Surge-protected power strips ×2–3 (apartments often have limited outlets) Laptop + charger & other device chargers Phone chargers ×2 + power bank

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Lease & Move-In Admin 0 of 9

Obtain renter's insurance (most landlords require it; ~$12–25/month). Learn more Transfer or open electric account (start 2 weeks before move-in) Transfer or open gas account if applicable (longer wait times; schedule early) Confirm water setup (check if included in rent or if you need to transfer to your name) Order internet service (allows 7–10 days for installation; coordinate with roommates on provider & cost split) Take photos/video of apartment condition at move-in for security deposit dispute prevention Review lease carefully—note move-out expectations, damage policy, and utility responsibilities Confirm parking arrangement (assigned spot, street parking, permit, or none) Get landlord contact info, maintenance request process, and emergency contacts

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Budget Reality Check

Moving into an unfurnished apartment is expensive. Research shows students spend $825–1,450 on initial furniture and equipment, with ongoing costs of $150–300/month per person for utilities and internet. Split costs with roommates wherever possible. Buy used furniture, accept "mismatched" dishes and cookware, and prioritize comfort items (bed, lamps) over aesthetics. You can upgrade later.

Coordinate with Your Roommates

Apartment rent and utilities are shared; some furniture and appliances should be too. Before shopping, discuss with roommates:

Furniture: Who buys the couch, kitchen table, and common-area lamps? Who keeps it after graduation?
Kitchen appliances: Does everyone pitch in for a microwave or larger fridge?
Internet: Which provider? Who controls the bill? How do you split the monthly cost?
Utilities: Agree upfront on how to split electric/gas. (One person pays and collects reimbursement, or everyone sets up separate accounts.)
Cleaning: Who buys the vacuum? How often does everyone contribute to common areas?

Clear expectations prevent tension later. Use a shared spreadsheet or app (like Splitwise) to track shared expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What furniture do I actually need for my first apartment?

At minimum: a bed (mattress + frame), one comfortable place to sit (couch or chair), a kitchen table or counter to eat at, and a lamp in each room for studying. Everything else—decor, accent furniture, specialty appliances—can come later or be shared with roommates to split cost. Most first apartments look bare; that's normal and okay.

Do I need renter's insurance in college?

If you're living off-campus, yes—most landlords require it in the lease. Renter's insurance typically costs $12–25 per month and covers your personal belongings if they're damaged, destroyed, or stolen, plus liability if someone is injured in your apartment. It's cheap and protects you. If you're under 26 and on your parents' homeowner's or renter's policy, you may already be covered; check with your parents' insurance agent.

How do I set up utilities for the first time?

Contact your local electric, gas, and water utilities at least 2 weeks before move-in. You'll need your lease, desired start date, and payment method. Gas companies may take longer (schedule 3–4 weeks ahead). Water is often included in rent or handled by the landlord, but confirm. Ask if there are connection fees ($30–100) or deposits ($100–300 if you have no credit history). Take meter photos on move-in day to prove starting readings.

What should I avoid bringing or buying for an apartment?

Avoid: halogen lamps, candles or incense (fire hazards), hot plates, air conditioners or space heaters (unless allowed), and anything extremely large that you don't actually use. Check your lease before buying a washer/dryer—some units are too small. Don't overbuy kitchen gear; a small set handles 90% of cooking. Skip expensive furniture you're unsure about; you can thrift or buy later. Most importantly, ask your landlord before bringing or installing anything.

Dorm vs. Off-Campus Apartment: Who Provides What?

Budget Reality Check

Coordinate with Your Roommates

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources