How to Prepare for Your First Apartment Move: Essential PDF Checklist

So, you are moving into your first apartment in Melbourne! Congratulations! Are you moving out of home for the first time? Or maybe this apartment is your first property purchase? Whatever your story is, it’s a very exciting time in your life, but we know it can be overwhelming too.

You have a dedicated group of professionals to help you, based in Melbourne, but we have a regional, state-wide and national reach.

My team at North Removals exists to assist you with prompt personalised service and expert advice. Every day we aim to be the best in the business. And we maintain a five-star Google rating based on 597 reviews since 2019 (and counting!) That is almost 600 very happy customers we have successfully and safely transported to their new homes, on time and on budget!

Alongside our tireless energy and support, to help you move stress-free we have designed a first apartment  checklist. This is your best friend, making sure you don’t leave anything behind, and making sure the process goes smoothly.

Related articles: 10 Essential Tips to Prepare for Your Move

In this article we’ll provide lots of practical tips our experience of moving house has gathered.

Full List of Essential Items When Moving Into a New Home

Kitchen & Dining 

Cooking Tools & Cookware 

– Knife set 

– Cutting boards 

– Utensil set 

– Measuring cups 

– Measuring spoons 

– Mixing bowls 

– Colander 

– Grater 

– Shears 

– Peeler 

– Thermometer 

– Rolling pin 

– Basting brush 

– Baking tray 

– Casserole dish 

– Muffin tin 

– Roasting pan 

– Dutch oven 

Small Appliances 

– Coffee maker 

– Toaster 

– Crockpot 

– Air fryer 

– Waffle iron 

– Kettle 

– Blender 

– Food processor 

– Slicer 

Dinnerware & Drinkware 

– Plates 

– Paper plates 

– Bowls 

– Placemats 

– Silverware 

– Steak knives 

– Serving utensils 

– Napkin holder 

– Wine glasses 

– Mugs 

Cooking Aids & Accessories 

– Salt shakers 

– Oil bottle 

– Butter dish 

– Can opener 

– Dish soap 

– Ice tray 

– Soda maker 

– Mixer 

– Bottle opener 

– Timer 

Storage & Trash Management 

– Trash bags 

– Trash can 

– Trash bin 

– Drying rack 

– Storage boxes 

Bedroom 

Furniture 

– Bed frame 

– Mattress 

– Nightstand 

– Dresser 

– Desk 

– Desk lamp 

– TV stand 

– Shoe rack 

Bedding & Comfort Items 

– Sheets 

– Pillows 

– Pillowcases 

– Blankets 

– Air conditioner 

– Fan 

– Heater 

Window Coverings 

– Curtains 

– Blinds 

Organisers & Miscellaneous 

– Closet organizers 

– Full-length mirror 

Bathroom & Laundry 

Bathroom Essentials 

– Bath towels 

– Hand towels 

– Shower curtain 

– Hooks 

– Bath mat 

– Toilet brush 

– Plunger 

– Toilet paper 

– Hand soap 

– Toothbrush holder 

– Hair towel 

– Shower cap 

– Small trash bin 

– Small trash bags 

– Extra storage 

Laundry & Cleaning 

– Laundry basket 

– Drying rack 

– Detergent 

– Fabric softener 

– Stain remover 

– Lint roller 

– Iron 

– Ironing board 

– Laundry hamper 

– Bleach 

– Bathroom cleaning supplies 

Air Freshening & Scent 

– Air fresheners 

– Candles 

– Potpourri 

Living Room 

Furniture 

– Couch 

– Sofa 

– Chairs 

– Coffee table 

– End tables 

– TV stand 

– Bookshelves 

Entertainment & Electronics 

– Television 

– Streaming devices 

– Speakers 

– Area rug 

Decor & Accessories 

– Throw pillows 

– Throw blankets 

– Coasters 

– Plants 

– Wall decor 

– Wall hooks 

– Extra lighting 

Office & Study 

Furniture 

– Desk 

– Office chair 

– Filing cabinet 

– Small drawers 

Office Supplies 

– Pens 

– Pencils 

– Notebooks 

– Sticky notes 

– Whiteboard 

– Dry erase markers 

– Cork board 

Miscellaneous Household Items 

– Power strips 

– USB outlets 

– Extension cords 

– HDMI cable 

– Batteries

Why Do I Need a First Apartment Checklist?

The North Removals team—Facundo, Leo, Alex, Alejo, Jamie, Philip, Daniel, Oscar, Harry, and me, (the founder and director), Joaquin, are all moving industry professionals and all the guys say a checklist is SO IMPORTANT to have!

For example, did you know that 50% of people forget to make a budget for an apartment deposit? Oh no, imagine the headache if that issue arises!

Our detailed checklist will help you stay organised and also allow you to focus on what truly matters: creating a home that you love and that works from Day One.

Did you know that the way you pack things makes all the difference between a smooth, efficient move and one that’s full of setbacks?

You will avoid all the common mistakes (more on that topic later in this article) that first time movers usually make. (The guys have the inside story on this.) Mistakes such as:

• Overloading boxes (which can result in accidents or damage)
• Forgetting to schedule transportation well in advance
• Not measuring your furniture correctly to guarantee it will actually fit into your new place!

With proper pre-move planning these issues can be easily avoided. All of us on the team have helped people deal with furniture that can´t be fitted into new apartments!

Moving doesn’t have to be a solo burden or a complicated process. North Removals specialise in Melbourne moving services, and we make everything easy, from packing up your kitchen to the safe transportation of bulky items.

How to Pack and Move into Your First Apartment

Your first apartment move is a Big Step!  Here are some tips to keep you organised and turn your first move into a positive experience:

Use Our Checklist to Stay Organized

Your best friend is our first apartment checklist. It’s a room by room guide to make sure you don’t forget anything! Before you (or we) start packing, check off the items you need to bring on the checklist. Download it and stay on top of things!

Pack Room by Room and Then Pack Essential Items

When you (or we) pack you want to make sure that you are packing the things you are going to need on Day One in your new home. Basic kitchen utensils, bedding and personal bathroom items are all things that you should pack first.

Label Your Boxes and Trust Us for Your Move

Once you get done packing, make sure to label the boxes clearly so you know what’s in the box and which room it should go to. For even more simplified sorting, you can even use a colour coding system to categorise boxes by room.

We can do all that for you if you like!

If you decide to use professional packing services contact us today and we will help you organise and pack, and unpack your home!

Mistakes to Avoid When Moving to Your First Apartment

You want to avoid the most common mistakes that people make and plan properly. At North Removals, we have seen it all! Below are some of those pitfalls along with practical tips to help you avoid them.

1. Forgetting Essential Items

Let´s not forget to pack important and basic things, like essential documents, medications, chargers etc You should use our first apartment checklist to avoid this mistake and get a detailed guide as to what to bring. Make sure to double-check the list before moving day.

2. Packing Up Too Many Non-Essential Items

Another common mistake is packing too much stuff you actually don’t really need. As you pack, cull your belongings: take stock of each piece and ask yourself whether you will really be using it in the new apartment. You might have a lovely spring clean of your belonging and be up to date in your new home!

Check our guide where we speak about where to donate furniture in Melbourne.

3. Not Including Moving Costs in Your Budget

Removalists, packing materials, house deposit, new water, power or gas connections. Moving has costs. Just when you’re starting a new chapter in your life, financial blind spots can throw you off course. Making a complete budget including all the expenses to keep you from going over your budget. North Removals will make a moving plan for you that is budget-friendly.

4. Not Creating a Moving Day Timeline

Moving Day starts very early in the morning and unplanned chaos can prevent you from getting the job done as fast as possible!  A detailed timeline is a good idea to make, from loading boxes, taking pets, any perishable goods, and fragile items, to the arrival at your new home.

Easier Strategies to Label for Easier Unpacking

After you’ve packed your boxes, label them so that everyone knows what’s inside. Labels must be used to indicate what’s in the bag or box and which room it belongs to.

Consider implementing a colour-coding system: The kitchen boxes could be yellow, the bedroom boxes blue, for example.

Some creative ideas to label your boxes include the following:

Strategy	Description
Photos on Labels	Take a picture of what’s in each box and use that as a label. It’s particularly helpful for boxes with mixed or tough to categorise items.
Colour-Coded Stickers System	Instead of labelling boxes with the standard labels, use bright coloured stickers to find out which room it belongs to (yellow for the kitchen, green for the bathroom etc.)
Survival Box	Mark clearly one or two boxes as ‘Survival’ and put inside basic utensils, clothes and bathroom products to survive a few days in your new home.
Use Custom QR Code	Make QR codes to print out for each box, with each QR code linking to a place where you keep a digital list of what’s inside. It lets you scan the code to see exactly what’s in there, without opening it up.

How the Team at North Removals Can Help!

Moving into your first apartment can be very daunting, but North Removals is here to help you out.

Big Time!

If you’re a first-time mover we will handle everything! Our team is empathic, energetic and skilled at reducing your hassles and stresses. There are no hidden costs to hiring us and we offer quality workmanship every day, in the office, at your properties, and on the road.

You’re only one step away from making your move even easier!

Download Our First Apartment Checklist.

If you want more information on how North Removals can support your new chapter in life contact us in confidence today.