Whether you’re moving out of your parents’ house and don’t yet have any furniture of your own, or you’re moving only temporarily and don’t want to bring your furniture, or you’re moving house often and don’t want to buy your own furniture, moving into a furnished apartment is the perfect solution. It’s convenient and cost-efficient – and it greatly reduces the stress of moving.
When moving into a furnished house or apartment, you don’t need to worry about buying or moving in furnishings and setting up the space – your new home is ready to live in. It saves you a lot of time, hassle, and upfront costs – you don’t need to look for appropriate furnishings or pack large household items, arrange the delivery of your newly purchased goods or hire movers to transport your bulky pieces, pay for the new purchases or for moving services, etc. There is no heavy lifting, no assembling furniture and connecting appliances, and no arranging furnishings – everything is set up and ready to use.
As convenient as furnished homes may be, however, you still need to bring many things to your new place in order to live comfortably in it. And, since “furnished” can mean different things to different people, it may be somewhat difficult to know what exactly to bring when moving into a furnished apartment.
Here are some tips and insights to help you out:
What is a furnished apartment?
Furnished homes come outfitted with everything necessary to make the place functional and comfortable. When wondering what is included in a furnished apartment, however, you need to remember that there are different levels of furnishing:
- Semi-furnished apartments have only the essentials – major appliances, basic furniture, basic bathroom items, etc.;
- Fully furnished apartments come with fully equipped kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms and comfortable living spaces;
- Move-in ready apartments include all kinds of household items and accessories – even bedding, dishware, and wall décor.
Keep in mind though that you can never know what exactly is available in an apartment unless you ask – just because the place is advertised as fully furnished doesn’t necessarily mean that it includes floor lamps or clothes hangers, for example. You need to check with the landlord or property manager to find out exactly what’s in the apartment before you start packing for your move.
How to pack for moving into a furnished apartment
Normally, when moving into a furnished apartment, you won’t need to pack any furniture or appliances (if you have any, you will have to decide what to do with them – sell them, give them away, put them in storage, etc.). Yet, you will probably want to take most of your other belongings with you.
To decide what exactly to pack for moving, you need to consider what is included in your new place and assess your needs and preferences:
- Get a list of the household items available in your future home and think about what else you’re going to need in order to live comfortably there. Be sure to pack these things for moving;
- Set aside the essentials and valuables you will definitely take with you;
- Sort out the rest of your items and decide which of them are worth moving to your new home (See also: How to decide what to take when moving);
- Decide what to do with the things you’re not bringing along (See also: How to get rid of unwanted items when moving; Storage options for moving);
- Pack the items you’re going to move to your new place in the safest and most efficient way possible. (See also: Expert packing tips for moving)
Remember that the fewer items you decide to take with you, the cheaper and easier your move is going to be. You may even be able to move without professional moving help, especially if you’re moving short distance and can make several trips to your new home with your car.
Related: How to move with your car
What to bring when moving into a furnished apartment
Everyone’s needs are different and every apartment has different furnishings, so there is no fixed list of items to bring when moving into a furnished apartment. Yet, it’s helpful to have some reference so you don’t forget something important when packing for your move.
Here are some of the most essential things you need when moving into a furnished apartment:
Bedroom items
Bedrooms in furnished apartments usually include a bed and a mattress, a dresser, nightstands, window curtains, and an area rug. Night lamps, a desk, a desk chair, and a large mirror are also commonly available. Some bedding may also be provided, but even if it is, you may prefer to use your own linens.
So, when moving into a furnished apartment, you’re advised to bring:
- Pillows and blankets
- Bed sheets and pillowcases
- Bed covers
- Clothes hangers
- An alarm clock
Bathroom items
Furnished apartments typically come with well-equipped bathrooms, so all bathroom essentials (a toilet, a sink, a shower, a bathroom cabinet or vanity, and, oftentimes, even a tub) are available. Most bathrooms in furnished homes also include a shower curtain and a bath mat, as well as a number of accessories like a towel rack, toilet brush, soap dispenser, toothbrush holder, and wastebasket. A hair dryer may or may not be provided.
So, you only need to bring:
- Hygiene items (toilet paper, hand soap, paper towels, etc.)
- Towels
- Toiletries
- Cosmetics
- Medications
- First aid kit
- Personal care items
Kitchen items
Kitchen cabinets, sinks, and countertops are already built-in and all major kitchen appliances (such as a refrigerator and a cooking range) and basic kitchen furniture (a kitchen table and chairs) are included in furnished apartments. A microwave and dishwasher are usually also available, as well as some smaller appliances, such as a coffee maker and a toaster. Some kitchens may be equipped with basic cookware, dishes, and utensils too, but most people prefer to use their own items.
Therefore, it is a good idea to bring:
- Plates and bowls
- Glasses and cups
- Silverware
- Tupperware
- Pots and pans
- Kettle and pitchers
- Cooking utensils – a set of knives, a cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, can and bottle openers, ladle, spatula, whisk, grater, strainer, rolling pin, mortar and pestle, pepper grinder, coffee grinder, vegetable peeler, tongs, etc.
- Oven mittens and place mats
- Dishwashing products and dish towels
- Any small appliances that you use but are not provided – a mixer, a blender, a rice cooker, a food processor, etc.
- Pantry items
Living room items
There is usually a couch and a coffee table in a furnished apartment living room, as well as curtains and an area rug. Bookshelves, armchairs, floor lamps, and a TV are also often included.
You need to bring anything else you want to have in your living space:
- Love seats, recliners, ottomans, or other comfort furniture
- Media cabinet, end tables, chests, magazine racks, or other auxiliary furniture
- Decorative cushions, throw pillows, throw rugs, etc.
- Books
- Decorations (see below)
Electronics and entertainment items
You will certainly want to have more entertainment options than just a TV in your new home and you will definitely take your personal electronics with you, so the list of things to bring in your furnished apartment will likely include:
- Desk computer and/or laptop
- Tablet or iPad
- Gaming console and gaming accessories
- DVD player, video player, record player, music player, radio, etc.
- Stereo speakers
- Headphones
- Chargers and adapters
- Board games
- Puzzles
- Toys (if you have kids)
Decorative items
Your pre-furnished apartment will feel more like home when you decorate it yourself and use decorative items that reflect your taste and have special meaning to you. So, make sure you bring:
- Wall décor – wall clocks, wall calendars, pictures, paintings, posters, prints, etc.
- Extra lighting – chandeliers, wall scones, desk lamps, lanterns, lava lamps, etc.
- Decorations – decorative bowls, trays, or plates, vases, canisters, candles, figurines, marble trivets, crystals, dried flowers, etc.
- Souvenirs and keepsakes
- House plants
Laundry items
A washer and dryer are typically available in a furnished apartment and, sometimes, there may also be a laundry basket, an iron, and an ironing board. You need to bring whatever else you need yourself – laundry supplies (laundry detergent, stain removers, fabric softeners, etc.), hampers, sewing kit, etc.
Cleaning supplies
There may be a vacuum cleaner in your furnished apartment, probably a couple of buckets too, but you need to bring everything else:
- Broom
- Mop
- Dustpan
- Feather duster
- Garbage bags
- Sponges and rags
- Paper towels and wet wipes
- Cleaning products
Basic tools
Make sure you bring along some basic tools (a pocket knife, a set of screwdrivers, an assortment of screws and nails, an adjustable wrench, a hammer, pliers, etc.), as well as scissors, zip ties, duct tape, a measuring tape, work gloves, etc.
Pet items
If you have animal friends, you will need to look for a pet-friendly furnished apartment and to bring all your pets’ items:
- Food and water bowls
- Bedding
- Pet carriers
- Leashes and collars (if appropriate)
- Pet toys and comfort items
- Grooming items
- Litter boxes
- Pet care products
Other useful items
In addition to the above items, there are many other things you may want to bring to your furnished apartment:
- Light bulbs
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Extension cords
- Umbrellas
- Electric fans
- Space heaters
- Storage containers
The list can go on for quite a while – you need to bring everything you’re going to need to make your new home comfortable, cozy, and beautiful. Obviously, you need to take your clothes and shoes too – and if you have kids, you should be careful not to forget any of their items either. Make sure all your valuables (documents, jewelry, family heirlooms, collectibles, and other items of high sentimental or monetary value) make it safely to your new place as well.
Related: How to organize a safe and successful move
Happy moving and happy new life in your new home!