Your First Rental
The Essential Check List
Moving into your first rental apartment is a huge milestone. You are no longer bound by your parents' limitations or your college residence life. So, after unpacking and soaking up all the freedom and excitement of your new life, you'll have to find a way to turn your first rental into your home. After exploring your Toronto apartment, you'll notice there is specific stuff you'll have to bring on your own. This can be anything from a bed to dish towels. In order to help you not overlook anything, we made an ultimate checklist of apartment essentials you need for your first rental. So, let's see what you can already cross off of your list and which stuff you need to buy!
Kitchenware
Kitchenware should be on top of your list of apartment essentials you need for your first rental. You'll use your kitchen practically every day, so you need to get a hold of different types of kitchen supplies. For starters, you need to acquire the basics so you can function trouble-free every time you want to prepare a meal. Believe us; there is nothing better than cooking your first meal after moving into your first rental apartment. So, let's take a look at the kitchenware essentials you'll need for your new kitchen:
● Dishes (plates and bowls), flatware (forks, knives, and spoons), and flatware organizer
● Pots and pans: one smaller and one bigger of each
● Drinking glasses and mugs
● Food storage containers
● Cooking utensils (large spoon, ladle, spatula, etc.)
● Bottle and can opener
● Oven mitts and dish towels
● Garbage can
The kitchen is the room you'll frequently use, so make sure it's stocked with the basics.
Appliances
When it comes to appliances, we recommend you get the following:
● Microwave
● Coffee maker (if you drink coffee)
● Toaster
● Electric hand mixer
Additionally, if there are no chairs and a dining table in your first rental, make sure to buy those as well.
You probably already have many of these items, so you'll only need to transfer them to your rental. We asked professionals from number1movers.ca, and they told us it's crucial to use proper packing material as kitchenware is prone to breaking and damage. So, make sure to grab a lot of bubble wrap, packing foam, packing paper, and even moving blankets for that extra layer of protection.
Bedroom
The bedroom is a place where you feel most at home. Therefore, you'll want to turn it into your inviting and cozy fortress. So, the first thing you'll have to think of in your bedroom is the bed, of course. If you don't have a bed in your rental, that's the first thing you'll have to invest in.
Moreover, if you do have a bed but you need a mattress, don't skimp on it. Make sure you buy the mattress you'll feel comfortable sleeping on every night. Of course, if you don't have a budget for a nice mattress right away, a simple futon or air mattress will do the job just fine. Besides these obvious apartment essentials, here are a few more things to buy:
● Bed Sheets, Pillowcases, Duvet Covers: buy two sets so you can have clean sheets between the washes
● Pillows
● Blanket and duvet
● Clothes hangers
● Lamp
● Nightstand
● Curtains
There is a dresser in many rentals, but if you don't find one once you move in, buy that as well.
Bathroom & Cleaning Necessities
Aside from your basic bathroom necessities such as toothbrush and paste, shampoo, lotion, soap, deodorant, and skincare products, there are some other things you'll need to secure for your new Toronto home. So, when it comes to the bathroom, here are the apartment essentials you need for your first rental to keep it organized and functional:
● Towels: bath and face, both big and small
● Towel hooks (if there are none)
● Shower curtain (if necessary)
● Toothbrush and toothpaste holder
● Toilet brush and plunger
● Trash can
● Bathmat
● Toilet paper and toilet paper holder
Regarding essential cleaning supplies, this is what you need to have from the get-go:
● Broom, dustpan, mop, bucket
● Sponges, rags, microfiber cloths, rubber gloves
● Paper towels and wipes
● Different types of cleaning sprays for various surfaces (glass, wood, bathroom, plastic, etc.)
● Laundry detergent and dish soap
● Vacuum cleaner
When you move into your first rental, you'll have to make sure your bathroom is clean and functional.
Essential Furniture
Essential furniture is everything you use every day but don't already have in your first rental. It's common that you'll have only one table, a chair, and a sofa in your rental. So, to make it feel cozy, you'll have to invest in essential furniture and give it a homey vibe. Fortunately, landlords usually allow their tenants to bring in new furniture and other decorations. This is what you need to consider:
● New sofa or armchair
● Additional lighting
● Coffee table
● Bookshelf
● Desk
● Chairs for dining table
● Laundry bin
If you already have some furniture you can use in your first Toronto rental, you need to hire a proper moving company that will safely transfer all your belongings, including bulky furniture. Since you can't handle the moving process all by yourself, professionals will deal with it in no time and make sure all your belongings are safe and sound.
First Aid & Home Maintenance Essentials
More often than not, we focus on furniture and other items that will make our rental look and feel beautiful. However, we tend to overlook those things that will keep it functional and us - safe. Therefore, let's list some essential home supplies you simply must have:
● First aid kit
● Toolbox (you don't need a fancy one, but make sure to have a few screwdrivers, hammer, nails)
● Lightbulbs, flashlights, batteries, and candles
● Step stool
● Power strips and extension cords
● Measuring tape, duct tape, scissors
You never know when you'll need some of these things, but you will need them at some point. These are definitely apartment essentials you need for your first rental. So, it's better to keep them in your new home from the very beginning!
Don't overlook the basic home maintenance supplies to include your apartment essentials.
Don’t forget to stock up on food
Last but not least - food essentials. You can't call a house your home if there is no food in it. Therefore, once you acquire all kitchen, bathroom, and bathroom essentials, make sure to go grocery shopping and fill up your fridge and freezer. Since everybody has different routines and eating habits, we won't make a list for this section. However, make sure you supply yourself with groceries such as eggs, proteins, flour, spices, fruits & vegetables, garnishes, etc. Make sure to stock up for a few weeks, so you can fully enjoy the magic and freedom of your first rental!
Conclusion
Now you have the ultimate checklist of apartment essentials you need for your first rental in Toronto. Of course, you probably already have some of the stuff from our list. However, we want to make sure you don't forget anything, as these are the items you'll need from the very beginning of your new life while renting in Toronto. So, make sure you follow this list from A to Z, and you'll be nicely covered!