6 Strange but Useful Things You Need To Buy for Your First Apartment

“Adulting” at its finest

If you’re moving out, you probably have a big list of things you need to buy for your new place. Here are 6 things that aren’t on your list that you must purchase:

1. A Cookbook

The first thing you learn once you move out is that natural selection is going to come for you if you don’t learn to cook. My best friend’s housewarming gift for me was a cookbook, and it is seriously the most useful gift I’ve ever gotten. I went from eating takeout to crumbling pumpkin seeds on top of my asparagus. Cooking is a great activity to pass the evening hours, and you’ll go to bed full from a salmon teriyaki bowl rather than a 10 piece nugget meal.

2. A Bookshelf

Living by yourself can get lonely, but you’ll never be lonely surrounded by good books. Diving into a book is a great way to relax on your own, and a bookshelf can serve as a piece of decor that’s both classy and functional. The best part of having a bookshelf is alphabetizing your books. Did I mention living by yourself can get lonely?

3. Pine-Sol

If you thought you knew what love was think again. Pine-sol is my soulmate. I give it my weekends and spend some time with it on weekdays. (Not sponsored).

When you move out, it turns out, you’re constantly cleaning. Who knew? Wiping down countertops, sweeping floors, cleaning closets. I’ve used Pine-Sol for all three. I’ve quickly come to learn moving out is you and your Pine-Sol against the world. Oh, and some paper towels.

4. A Key Hanger

Where did you store your keys when you were younger living with your parents? Probably on top of that decorative entryway table in the front foyer you never fully appreciated, or probably never ever noticed, until you didn’t have a place to throw your keys on.

The first thing you should do once you move out is nail a key hanger into the wall, right beside the door. First of all, it's your cheapest option, as you’ll realize you can’t afford an entryway table, and you probably don’t have the space. Key hangers, although the most minute detail and what probably seems like a futile additive to your wall, will save you from throwing your keys on the kitchen counter from the front door. Trust me. The first time you walk into your apartment after a day at work, you’ll understand.

5. Slippers

I can’t really explain why I never wore slippers when I lived with my parents and why now, I have this dire need for them. All I can say is that your feet get cold quickly when you’re living on your own. Maybe it's because I don’t fully understand my thermostat yet.

6. Picture Frames

This may seem like a waste of money when you first move out, but you’ll quickly learn it’s probably where your money is best spent. You may be in your early 20s so you don’t think you’ll miss your family when you leave, but you will and you do, and pictures that you thought you’d never look at again will become the most valuable features of your new place.

Good luck and happy shopping!