Moving out of the cramped dorm with strict rules into an apartment is a welcome rite of passage for many college students! No more lumpy beds, tiny dorm room fridges, cramped single room living, communal bathrooms or RAs looking over your shoulder. You get to choose your roommates, pick the location, and buy apartment essentials that showcase your personality. If you’re still living on campus but in apartment-style dorms, you may not need to buy furniture, but you’ll need many of these supplies as in off-campus living.
Your new apartment will require some planning, so we’ll cover everything your college apartment needs to feel like a home. We’ll also talk about dorm and renters insurance for college students to protect your belongings in case of theft or damage.
Furniture That Maximizes Limited Space
Even in an apartment, you're most likely going to be living in somewhat cramped quarters, maybe even sharing a bedroom with a roommate. You’ll find lots of clever furniture options that maximize limited space:
To save space in your bedroom, buy a loft bed with space for a desk or storage drawers underneath (Ikea.com and Wayfair.com are good places to look).
Desks or dining tables that fold flat against the wall or have a drop-leaf can free up space in your dining or study area.
Ottomans and coffee tables with storage underneath serve a dual purpose, freeing up space in your living area.
Bookcases, stackable storage cubes, and shelves utilize vertical space in any room.
Kitchen Basics For Everyday Living
Now that you have a full kitchen, you’ll need some cooking and dining supplies. Here’s a list that will get you off to a good start:
Cooking supplies: A few pots and pans (typically a small pot, a large pot, a skillet) and a baking sheet
Utensils: Silverware, sharp knives, a can opener, a large spoon, a ladle, a spatula, and tongs.
Dishes: Plates, bowls, cups and glasses
Small appliances: Coffee maker, air fryer, toaster, and a blender
Food storage: Plastic zip-top bags, foil and reusable containers
Miscellaneous: Oven mitts, dish towels, colander, mixing bowls, and measuring cups and spoons
Pantry staples: Spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano or an Italian blend of herbs), cooking oil or spray
Household And Cleaning Supplies
You’ll need some apartment essentials to keep your place looking and smelling clean! These supplies can add up, so buy only what you think you’ll use regularly. Also, look for multi-purpose cleaners that you can use in the kitchen, bath, and other rooms.
Here are the basics:
Cleaning tools: a vacuum cleaner, a broom and dustpan, duster, a mop, and a toilet brush.
Cleaning supplies: Dish soap, all-purpose spray cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, sponges, scrub brush, paper towels, and disinfecting wipes.
Laundry supplies: Detergent, stain remover, and a basket or hamper.
Bedding: A comforter or quilt, blankets, pillows and sheets, including an extra set so you’ll have a backup.
Miscellaneous supplies: Trash bins and bags for each room, toilet bowl plunger, light bulbs, power strips, fans, space heater, extension cords and outlet expanders.
Bathroom And Personal Care Items
If your dorm had a communal bath, you didn’t need to buy toilet paper and hand soap, so you’ll need to buy those, plus a few other things for your apartment bathroom:
Bath and hand towels, a shower curtain and a bathmat
Hair dryer, electric shaver or razors and shaving gel
Shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, shower gel or bar soap, lotion
Renters Insurance For College Students
As a college student (or the parent/guardian of one), you may not know that your personal items (like laptops, bikes, electronics, phones, clothing, and other items) aren’t covered by the college or apartment complex if they get damaged or stolen.
For example, if your dorm or off-campus apartment catches on fire and ruins most of your belongings, you would be responsible for replacing all the lost items. The same goes for if your bike or backpack with your laptop and phone are stolen. Without renters insurance, you would have to pay out of pocket to replace everything.
Fires, smoke, and water damage from burst pipes occur fairly frequently on college campuses, too. According to Campus Safety and Security, 1,687 fires occurred on college campuses in 2024.
Homeowners vs Renters Insurance
Many parents assume their homeowners insurance will cover their student’s belongings, and in some cases, it does, but often not for off-campus living. Filing even a small claim can increase your homeowners insurance premiums, too. These are just a few reasons why renters insurance is a better option.
The good news is that you can purchase renters insurance that can reimburse you for at least some of the cost of damaged or stolen belongings. Renters insurance differs from homeowners insurance in a few ways:
Homeowners insurance can cover the cost of replacing an entire dwelling and any unattached structures, such as sheds and fences. Renters insurance can cover items belonging to the renter.
Renters insurance premiums are typically less expensive than homeowners insurance premiums, primarily because it doesn’t have to cover the dwelling replacement costs (the landlord is responsible for the dwelling).
The deductibles tend to be much lower for renters insurance because claims are typically lower (for example, the cost of replacing a bike vs. a home’s damaged roof).
Why Choose A Student-Focused Plan
Not all renters insurance is the same. Traditional renters insurance is geared more for long-term adult renters who work full-time, not college students:
Deductibles tend to be higher than a student plan.
Coverage can't cover damage caused by roommates.
It sometimes can't cover damage to an institution’s property.
Renters’ credit scores are factored into premium costs.
Student-focused plans, like ones offered by GradGuard, are specifically designed to cover college students:
Plan costs are affordable ($12 - $15 monthly).
Can reimburse you for an item’s replacement cost, rather than the depreciated value. For example, if your laptop is already a few years old, it has depreciated in value — but the cost to replace it is higher than its current value. GradGuard can pay to replace it, minus the $100 deductible.
No need for established credit: Many students have little or no credit history, so insurers like GradGuard use a flat-rate pricing model rather than basing it on credit scores.
It usually can cover belongings even when traveling or studying abroad.
*Terms and Conditions apply
Set Up Your College Apartment With Confidence
Now you have an idea of what things your new college apartment needs to be ready before classes start! A few other things to consider so you can feel comfortable and confident about your new living situation:
Don’t forget safety supplies: Make sure you have a basic first aid kit, a flashlight and emergency candles in case of a power outage.
Avoid plugging too many things (especially space heaters) into an extension cord or outlet expander to prevent fires.
Coordinate with your roommates so you don’t duplicate or overlook items.
Pay attention to your apartment lease’s small print to make sure you don’t violate the lease. For example, many leases prohibit damaging the walls by using nails or screws, painting, having pets, and other restrictions.
