Best First Apartment Essentials on a Budget
Moving into your first apartment is exciting until you realize you don't own a spatula. Or a cutting board. Or literally anything useful. Your parents' house had all this stuff and you never thought about where it came from. Surprise — now it's your problem. The temptation is to buy the cheapest version of everything, but that's how you end up replacing your entire kitchen in a year. We picked items that hit the sweet spot between affordable and actually lasting. These are the basics that'll carry you through your first lease and beyond. And before you go buying a 20-piece cookware set — stop. You need one good skillet, a set of utensils, and some food storage containers. Start there. Add specialty stuff later when you figure out if you're actually going to cook or just order takeout forever.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Key Pros | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet (12-inch) | Skillet | Virtually indestructible | Buy on Amazon |
| OXO Good Grips 11-Piece Kitchen Utensil Set | Utensils | Complete 11-piece set | Buy on Amazon |
| Brita Standard Everyday Water Filter Pitcher (10-Cup) | Water-Filter | Noticeably improves water taste | Buy on Amazon |
| 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips (16 Pairs) | Hanging | No wall damage | Buy on Amazon |
| Pyrex 18-Piece Glass Food Storage Set | Food-Storage | Oven-safe tempered glass | Buy on Amazon |
| Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker | Coffee | Ultra-compact design | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Look at Each Product
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet (12-inch)
Pre-seasoned 12-inch cast iron skillet ready to use out of the box. Unmatched heat retention and even heating across the cooking surface. Use on any cooktop, in the oven, on the grill, or over a campfire. Durable construction that improves with every use.
- Virtually indestructible
- Excellent heat retention
- Works on all heat sources
- Gets better with age
- Heavy
- Requires some maintenance
OXO Good Grips 11-Piece Kitchen Utensil Set
Complete kitchen utensil set including tongs, spatula, spoon, ladle, and more. Heat-resistant silicone heads safe up to 600°F. Comfortable non-slip handles. Dishwasher safe. Won't scratch non-stick cookware.
- Complete 11-piece set
- Heat resistant to 600°F
- Non-stick cookware safe
- Dishwasher safe
- Silicone heads can stain
- Some pieces feel lightweight
Brita Standard Everyday Water Filter Pitcher (10-Cup)
10-cup capacity water filter pitcher reduces chlorine taste and odor. BPA-free with easy-fill lid that flips open to refill. Standard filter lasts approximately 2 months or 40 gallons. Electronic filter change indicator.
- Noticeably improves water taste
- Easy to fill and pour
- Filter change indicator
- Affordable
- Ongoing filter replacement cost
- Slow filtration
3M Command Picture Hanging Strips (16 Pairs)
Damage-free hanging strips hold up to 12 lbs per pair. No nails, screws, or holes needed. Clean removal stretches off cleanly. Works on most smooth surfaces including painted walls, tile, and metal. Interlocking design allows easy leveling and readjustment.
- No wall damage
- Easy to use and remove
- Strong hold
- Great for renters
- Not reusable after removal
- Don't work on textured walls
Pyrex 18-Piece Glass Food Storage Set
Tempered glass food storage containers with BPA-free locking lids. Oven, microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe. Non-porous glass will not absorb stains or odors. Nine containers with matching lids.
- Oven-safe tempered glass
- Stain and odor resistant
- Locking lids prevent spills
- Excellent value for 18 pieces
- Heavier than plastic containers
- Lids are not oven-safe
Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker
Compact single-serve coffee maker less than 5 inches wide. Brews 6-12oz cups using K-Cup pods in minutes. One-cup reservoir for fresh-brewed flavor every time. Auto-off feature turns off 90 seconds after last brew.
- Ultra-compact design
- Fast brewing
- Easy to clean
- Great for small spaces
- Single cup reservoir only
- K-Cup pods create waste
Frequently Asked Questions
What kitchen items should I buy first for my apartment?
A cast iron skillet, a basic utensil set, and food storage containers. The Lodge 12-inch skillet does everything — searing, frying, baking, you name it — and it'll last decades if you take care of it. The OXO utensil set covers all the basics without buying 15 separate things.
Is a Keurig worth it for a first apartment?
If you drink coffee daily, the K-Mini pays for itself in about two weeks versus buying coffee out. It's tiny enough for a cramped counter and brews one cup at a time so nothing goes to waste. It's not going to make barista-quality espresso, but for a quick morning cup it's perfect.
How do I hang stuff without damaging apartment walls?
3M Command Strips. Full stop. They hold surprisingly well and peel off clean when you move out. Use the picture hanging strips for frames and the hooks for lighter stuff. Your security deposit will thank you. Just follow the weight limits on the package.
Do I need a water filter?
Unless you know your tap water is great, yeah. A lot of apartment buildings have old pipes and the water tastes like it. The Brita pitcher sits in the fridge, makes the water taste way better, and costs next to nothing compared to buying bottled water every week.