Moving into your first apartment is one of life’s biggest milestones. It marks the moment you start living on your own terms, an exciting and empowering time indeed! It can also be just a bit overwhelming, whether this is your 1st, 2nd, or 10th time. Besides physically hauling stuff, there’s planning, packing, and a laundry list as long as your arm of other things to do.

To help make your big move as stress-free as possible, NSA Storage put together this quick, handy guide. It’s got seven must-know tips for moving into your first apartment that will make it feel like home faster.

Tip 1: Get Fully Prepared for the Move

Nothing beats good preparation, especially when it comes to moving into your first apartment. There’s a lot of different tasks to get done, and some need to be set in motion well before moving day. For example:

• Setting up new utilities, including gas, electric, water, internet, and garbage.
• Changing your address with your bank, credit cards, online accounts, drivers license, etc.
• Renting a moving truck. Depending on when you plan to move, you should reserve a truck at least 2 weeks in advance. 
• Getting packing supplies, including boxes, tape, packing paper, indelible ink markers, a razor knife, and bubble wrap. 
• Sell, toss, donate, or give things away that you don’t need, want, or use. This will save you money and storage space in your new place!

Tip 2: Use Boxes Made for Moving

Unless you’re moving very little stuff you’ll need to pack most of it in boxes. When you do, experts recommend using moving boxes. The reasons for this include the following:

• Moving boxes are made to stack, even if they’re different sizes.
• Dish pack boxes, mirror boxes, and wardrobe boxes make it much easier to move fragile items, mirrors & pictures, and clothing, respectively.
• New moving boxes will be strong, and durable. When packed well, they provide long-term protection.

Tip 3: Put Together a Box of First-Day Essentials

After you’ve moved all your stuff into your first apartment you’re going to be exhausted. The last thing you want is to have to search high and low for essentials like toothpaste, soap, bed sheets, or a frying pan.

Instead, put together a box filled with those essentials ahead of time. That way, when you need them on moving day, you’ll find them all in one convenient place. Here’s a list of what you should include:

• A change of clothes
• Frying pan
• Spatula
• Set of silverware 
• Bowl and plate
• Durable plastic cup
• Salt and pepper packets
• Dish soap
• Scrunge
• Bed sheets 
• Bar soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Bathroom hygiene items (Toothpaste, Q-tips, floss, etc.)
• A shower curtain (Most apartments don’t provide them.)
• Snacks like fruit and cheese. 
• A large, filled water bottle

Tip 4: Organize the Kitchen First

Moving involves a lot of physical exercise, which means you’re going to get hungry and thirsty as you go. For that reason, the kitchen should be the first room you organize when you move into your first apartment. 

Why? Because once the kitchen’s done, you’ll be able to, for example, make a meal, eat a snack, or enjoy a cold beverage. That will make unpacking, organizing and decorating the rest of your new apartment a lot more enjoyable.

Tip 5: Look for Second-Hand Furniture on Facebook Marketplace

Having your own apartment means you’ll need at least some furniture. If your budget is tight, consider looking for furniture on Facebook Marketplace (FBM). FBM is local, you can find practically everything, and there are no fees. If you don’t mind buying 2nd-hand, it’s a treasure trove!

Tip 6: Shop for Kitchen Essentials, Decor, and More at Goodwill

Just like furniture, there are 2nd-hand resources where you’ll find everything you need to live comfortably in your first apartment. One of the best is Goodwill, where glasses, pans, plates, cutting boards, toasters, and more are all much cheaper than buying new.

Tip 7: Don’t Feel the Need to Fill Your New Apartment Right Away

This last tip is simple: take your time turning your apartment into your new home. The thing is, many first-time renters feel the need to make their apartment “perfect” right away, and that’s OK. 

Taking your time to find furniture and decor that reflects your unique tastes and wants, however, can often lead to more satisfying results. Plus, you’ll no doubt have interesting stories about some of your purchases, which can be great conversation starters!

Bonus Tip: Share a Storage Unit with Roommates or Friends

Every year thousands of young adults rent their first apartment. If that includes some of your roommates and friends, sharing a storage unit with them can offer several benefits:

1. You can take your time unpacking and decorating while your things are safe in storage
2. You can store seasonal items, sports equipment, and more, to save space in your new apartment.
3. If you haven’t found one yet, you’ll have more time to search for the perfect apartment.
4. You get to share the cost of the storage unit among several people.

Get an NSA Storage Unit for Your Move

Your first apartment is a special place where memories will be made and your new life will revolve. We hope the tips and advice provided today will make the transition into your new living space easier, more enjoyable, and less stressful.

At NSA Storage, we help first-time renters across the country to ease into their new apartment and lifestyle. You can reserve one of our clean, safe, and secure storage units online, and find it ready when you arrive!