Everyone remembers the first time they moved out. It’s a huge life moment, one full of nerves and anticipation. Will I be able to make it? Will I have to come crawling back if things go south? What’s living alone or with people I don’t know well going to be like? Shifting from what’s generally been a very sure environment at home with your family into what now is somewhat unsure is exciting.
If you’re like most, you’ll load up the van or rent a moving truck and fill it with what few possessions you’re taking with you. It’s about then that you and your parents realize that besides a few posters, a set of sheets, and maybe one or two pieces of furniture, you don’t have a lot to take with you! That’s great news if you’re a traveling nomad, but you’re going to get to your new house without a lot to fill it with.
Here are the top 10 things you’ll need when you move out of your parents’ house:
- A bed
- Pillows
- Blanket
- Kitchen knife
- Frying pan
- Silverware
- Plates and bowls
- Hangers
- First-Aid kit
- A chair
Getting what you need for your first apartment or house is a big deal. It sets you up for an easy transition and will save you money from expensive last-minute purchases. Give yourself a bit of lead time and make sure you have what you need when you move out of your parent’s house. Aside from the top, here are 13 essential items to pick up before your move.
1. A Bed
You’ll probably hear this a lot from older people giving you advice, whether it’s wanted or unsolicited: don’t skimp on a bed. Buy the best bed you can reasonably afford if you’re not moving into a place like a dorm that already has one.
Even if that’s the case, you should do what you can to make your bed the most comfortable, high-quality bed possible. Get a nice mattress topper, good blankets, and good-quality pillows that are to your liking. You’re going to spend more time in your bed than anywhere else, so get one you want.
2. Good Lighting
Wherever you move, make sure it has good lighting. If not, buy some floor lamps and side table lamps to brighten up the place. The amount of light you get in your house, dorm room, or apartment will have a direct impact on your mood level. Brighter rooms will lift your mood and make the transition away from home easier.
3. Dressers
You’re going to need somewhere to put your clothes, so gather up some dressers for storage. Depending on your budget, dressers are one area where you can save a few bucks to spend more on a bed.
There are tons of dressers available at consignment stores, on Craigslist, and Facebook marketplace. Most will be in decent enough condition, and if they aren’t a fresh coat of paint or stain can help them look almost new again.
4. Kitchen Supplies
We won’t go through the entire list of kitchen supplies because that’s something you’ll continue to accumulate for years. However, for the bare essentials you’ll need to move out of your parent’s house, here’s a list of some must-haves:
- Frying pan
- Pots
- Strainer
- Basic spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.)
- Plastic wrap for leftovers
- Sponges
- Trash bags
- Trash can
- Silverware
- Spatula
- Drying rack for dishes
- Bowls
- Plates
- Glasses
- Cutting knives
- Baking dish
Again, this list isn’t meant to be exhaustive, but it will get you started and enable you to make basic dishes. Spending money on kitchenware can also save you money long-term. The more you cook at home, the less you’re out spending money at more expensive restaurants.
5. Towels
Towels, along with your bed and bed linens, are something you should also spend a bit more on if possible. Nice towels will make your bathroom experience much more pleasurable. They’ll likely last a lot longer than cheap towels and maintain their softness for longer as well.
A pro tip is to buy colored towels your first time around. Odds are you’re not going to be a laundry and stain-removing pro when you first move out, so darker towels will stay nicer for longer.
6. Household Cleaning Supplies
You’ll need a broom, dustpan, a vacuum, cleaning solutions, a plunger, rubber gloves for cleaning, a duster, and several other cleaning items to stay on top of any messes in your new home. Don’t forget the dishwashing liquids and laundry detergent as well.
7. An Ironing Board
Hopefully, your parents will have taught you taught you the basics when it comes to doing your laundry properly. However, if you’re like most people who first move out of their parent’s house, some of the laundry “rules” might slip your mind from time to time.
You might be inclined to just toss all of the colored and whites in the dryer together and hope things work out, but you might have to learn some lessons the hard way. But don’t neglect the importance of having an iron!
At least with a good iron and an ironing board, you can press your shirts and pants to ace a job interview and present the image you want to project to classmates or work colleagues.
8. A Storage Unit
If you do have a lot of things at home that you want to leave behind, you may want to think about renting a storage unit near your parent’s house. Most parents, even though they love you immensely, start scheming about what they’re going to do with your room not too long after you’ve moved out. It’s going to be a new den, the gym, or a nice new guest room.
Putting all of your stuff in a storage unit lets you pick and choose what comes with you and what stays behind. It takes away all of the pressure of having to make those decisions in a short timeframe, and won’t leave your parents wondering what to keep around for you. Self-storage facilities offer good deals on different sizes of units at low prices.
9. A First-Aid Kit
You need a first-aid kit on hand just in case. And we’re not just talking about serious emergencies. If you’re inexperienced in the kitchen, you might cut yourself, and sewing for the first time might come with some unwelcome pricks. Go to your local big-box store or hop on Amazon and pick up a decent first-aid kit to keep in the kitchen of your new place.
10. Storage Bins
Your first place probably isn’t going to be huge, so you’ll need to find some creative storage solutions to keep your seasonal clothing, dirty shoes, and other stuff you don’t need sitting out all of the time.
You can buy some storage bins that can slide under your bed or stack at the bottom of your closet. You could also keep some bins in a rented storage unit to keep your possessions in good condition and out of the way.
11. Something to Hang on the Walls
Invest in something nicer than paper posters for your new house. Leaving the walls totally bare is a bit of a downer. Spruce your new home up with some art or pictures that remind you of home, goals you have in life, or the things you really love.
12. An Entertainment Center
This doesn’t have to be overly complex, but you’re going to need somewhere to put your TV other than the floor. The good news is you can pick up an entertainment center online or get a second-hand one from someone moving out. This is one piece of furniture you don’t have to spend a lot of money on.
13. A Shower Curtain
Buy a shower curtain before you move. It’s a good thing to have just in case – some places will already have a curtain installed. However, if there’s not one there already, you’ll make a mess when you take showers. Get something cheerful and stylish that will add some good design to your bathroom.