First apartment and it is completely empty

6 things, already decided.
Work down the list. Tick off what you own. Every row opens on Amazon, where the current price and the real delivery date live — we never print a price here.

1. 01 of 06
   I already have this

   A basic tool kit

   Day one is flat-pack furniture, a curtain rail, and a picture hook. Nothing else can start until this exists.

   What to check before you choose. Look for a set with a real ratcheting screwdriver, hex keys, and a tape measure. Avoid sets that are mostly sockets you will never use.

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   Curated product picks drop into this row as each one is researched. Until then these open a real Amazon search so nothing here is invented.

2. 02 of 06
   I already have this

   A shower curtain and liner

   Most rentals hand over a bare rail. Without this you cannot use the bathroom properly on night one.

   What to check before you choose. Buy the liner as well as the curtain. Check the rail length so the curtain actually closes.

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   Curated product picks drop into this row as each one is researched. Until then these open a real Amazon search so nothing here is invented.

3. 03 of 06
   I already have this

   A first cookware set

   One pan, one pot, one sheet. Enough to eat without paying for delivery every night.

   What to check before you choose. Check what your hob is. Induction hobs will not heat aluminium-only pans, and this catches people out.

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   Curated product picks drop into this row as each one is researched. Until then these open a real Amazon search so nothing here is invented.

4. 04 of 06
   I already have this

   Cleaning basics and a vacuum

   Empty flats are dusty, and you will want to clean before anything comes out of a box.

   What to check before you choose. A stick vacuum stores in a cupboard. Check whether it is corded, because a small flat rarely needs the battery compromise.

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   Curated product picks drop into this row as each one is researched. Until then these open a real Amazon search so nothing here is invented.

5. 05 of 06
   I already have this

   A surge protector with USB

   Older rentals have two sockets in the wrong wall.

   What to check before you choose. Check the joule rating for anything expensive plugged into it, and count how many plugs you actually have.

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   Curated product picks drop into this row as each one is researched. Until then these open a real Amazon search so nothing here is invented.

6. 06 of 06
   I already have this

   Bedding you can sleep on tonight

   Everything else can wait a week. This cannot.

   What to check before you choose. Buy the mattress size, not the bed size, and get a spare set so laundry day is not a crisis.

   Top ratedSee on Amazon BudgetSee on Amazon Small spaceSee on Amazon Best sellerSee on Amazon Gift readySee on Amazon

   Curated product picks drop into this row as each one is researched. Until then these open a real Amazon search so nothing here is invented.

ReadyHarbor is an Amazon Associate. If you buy through a link here we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what goes on a list. We research and curate — we do not test or rank products, and we never claim to. We do not print prices, because Amazon's price can change at any moment; tap through and Amazon shows you the current price and the delivery date.