Moving into your off-campus apartment is a milestone event. For many students, this will be their first time having their own place, so why not make the most of it?
According to a recent study, only 22% of U.S. students continue to live in on-campus accommodations meaning most students will need to acquire all the apartment necessities in college.
Managing an entire apartment means inevitably forgetting something. But by taking a systematic approach using a college apartment checklist, you can ensure you’ve got everything you need to set up your new home.
Here’s your ultimate list of college apartment must-haves.
The Ultimate College Apartment Checklist
Finding affordable housing is difficult enough, but finding the perfect furniture is even more challenging. Today, the price of college is rising eight times faster than the average U.S. salary, so you need to take some extra steps to save some money.
With Brook Furniture Rental, you can get your college apartment essentials quickly, conveniently, and affordably. Let’s break down everything you need using this handy first college apartment checklist by room.
Living Room
Your living room is the primary living area where you can connect with friends and roommates. In most cases, this will be a shared area, so you’ll want to ensure everyone has everything they need.
The first step is to determine how you’ll use this part of your apartment. Some students prefer to reserve it as a place to hang out and entertain, whereas, for others, it’s a study area. There’s no right or wrong answer, but it’s important to get the furniture appropriate for how you’re going to use the space. Here’s a list of the basic furniture items you’ll need for your living room:
- Couch
- Chairs
- Coffee table
- End tables
- TV and stand
- Soft furnishings, such as throw pillows and blankets
- Lamps
- Storage Options
Remember, these are only the foundations. Depending on the layout of your living room, you may also want to invest in things like bookshelves.
Kitchen
Cooking at home is an excellent way of saving money. Just 14% of students said they never cooked at all, making this one of the most vital rooms in your apartment.
Although you may be used to gourmet pots and pans at your parent’s home, this is unnecessary in your college apartment. Keep your kitchenware simple, and it’s easy to stock your kitchen on a budget. Start with the basics:
- Plates and bowls
- Cups and glasses
- Cutlery
- Drawer organizers
- Rolling pin
- Knife set
- Frying pan
- Saucepan
- Cutting board
- Whisk
- Tongs
- Spatulas
- Cookie sheet
- Mixing bowl
- Microwave
Depending on how much you enjoy cooking, you may choose to mix and match this list to make sure you have everything you need at your disposal.
Bathroom
Setting up a bathroom requires more items than you think. The last thing you want is to move into your apartment only to find out that you need a shower curtain. Here are the things to bring to a college apartment bathroom:
- Shower curtain
- Shower liner
- Bathmat
- Toilet brush
- Towels
- Shower caddy
- Plunger
- Trash can
Bedroom
Your bedroom is your sanctuary. In a shared apartment, this might be the only room truly yours. How you fill the space depends on your preferences and tastes.
Moreover, what you should add to your bedroom college apartment list varies based on how much time you plan on spending there. Are you an extrovert who prefers to spend all your time at the bar, or do you like to spend long hours with the door closed?
Here are the things every college student needs for an apartment bedroom:
- Bedframe
- Mattress
- Bedding
- Pillows
- Lamp
- Dresser
- Hangers
- Shelves
- Mirror
That covers the basics, but what if you have a large bedroom in your apartment? If so, you can do more to make it a more usable living space. Check out these ideas for utilizing some of that extra space:
- Desk
- Desk chair
- Comfortable chair
- Shelves
- Bulletin board
- TV
Additional Items
Let's expand your college apartment list beyond the basics. This is your living space for at least a year, and the last thing you want is for it to be dull, sterile, and devoid of personality. Moving out of college dorms is your chance to let your style shine.
Here are some ideas to consider adding to your apartment packing list for college:
- Coffeemaker
- House plants
- Toaster
- Microwave
- Movie projector
- Coasters
- Speakers
- Printer
- Wall clock
- Toolbox
- Power strips
- Extension cords
- Decorations
That’s everything you need for your college apartment checklist to make a house your home. Of course, everyone is different. Feel free to edit and change these lists to suit your lifestyle.
The Benefits of Renting College Apartment Essentials
The global furniture rental market was valued at $73.19 billion in 2022, which shows that the idea of renting furniture instead of buying is becoming more popular.
For students who’re transient by nature, it just makes sense. Saving on your college apartment necessities can help you to keep more money in your pocket.
So, if you’re considering renting your essentials to fulfill your college apartment checklist, here are some good reasons why it’s a smart idea.
Save Money on the Essentials
Renting furniture isn’t like renting a car. In contrast, choosing a college furniture rental package can mean saving money.
A 12-month lease can cost half of the price to find and purchase every item individually.
As a student, you’re probably trying to minimize your expenses, so paying less for your furniture can help keep costs low.
Hassle-Free Experience
Many students start the academic year while they’re still in the process of furnishing their apartments. It can take months to hunt down specific items in stores and online. You also have to contend with moving the furniture from one place to another. Trust us, hauling a sofa up a flight of stairs is an experience you don’t need in your life.
With someone like Brook, you can rent everything you need online. Unlike other rental services, we can deliver the furniture and set it up to your liking.
Fill Your Apartment Fast
Nobody wants a set of mismatched furniture. Your college apartment shouldn’t be a work in progress—enjoy your space as soon as you move in! With Brook, you can have your furniture delivered and set up in as little as two business days in the 17 states we operate in.
In many cases, you can even make a deal with your rental company for them to install your rented furniture before moving day. While everyone else is scrambling to set up their furniture, you can walk right in and start enjoying your apartment immediately.
Make the Sustainable Choice
Climate change is a priority issue for so many people, and fast furniture is bad for the environment. Everyone must play their part in reducing waste and lowering their carbon footprints.
According to one study, opting for sustainable furniture would save more than seven billion trees in the U.S.
But sustainable furniture is just part of the equation. Using sustainable furniture is useless if it finds its way to a landfill site at the end of the year. The reality is that when most students leave college, what they cannot trade, sell, or give away is thrown away, and that’s a real problem.
Renting your furniture is the more sustainable choice because it guarantees that everything will be reused or recycled when returned. At Brook, we use sustainable furniture exclusively.
So, what is sustainable furniture?
For over 40 years, Brook has worked with brands producing furniture from recycled materials or materials harvested through sustainable practices. It gives each piece of furniture a far longer life cycle because when you return it, we clean it up and rent it to the next person. You can fill your new place with stylish, sustainable furniture while helping preserve the environment.
Modern Styles for the Modern Student
Just because you’re a student doesn’t have to mean living with low-quality items with no sense of style or fashion. Renting furniture unlocks a broader range of furniture styles to help you create a living space that will fill your friends with envy.
Furniture rental companies provide lots of styles to appeal to every student. Whether you love bright, airy spaces or more traditional décor, you can find the perfect match by renting your furniture instead of buying. Moreover, renting also lets you keep up with the styles and trends. If you’re tired of your furniture when your lease expires, pick a new one and completely revamp your apartment with the latest styles.
High-end furniture costs a lot of money, but renting it means paying a fraction of the price without compromising on quality.
Flexibility in Your Furniture
Committing to purchase means you have to worry about storing or selling your furniture when moving out of your apartment. Renting your furniture offers unrivaled flexibility because you can control your leasing terms. Every company is different, but Brook offers flexible leasing terms starting at one month and continuing indefinitely. You also have the option to extend your lease if you find that you are staying in your apartment for longer than expected.
Make Your College Apartment Feel Like Home with Brook
Furnishing an apartment is no easy job, but with student furniture rentals, you can hand off the task to someone else. It’s also a sustainable option and gives you access to furniture in a range of contemporary styles.
At Brook, we can furnish your entire apartment or go room by room. We provide flexible leasing terms, so whether you’re only using your apartment for a semester or the entire academic year, you pay only for the time you need the furniture.
Rent with ease and browse the full collection of Brook furniture rentals now to bring your college apartment to life.
