Moving into a new condo is a surreal feeling as you finally have a place to call your own. Your next agenda would be to start filling the place with things to make condo life more comfortable. You may find this process overwhelming, but having a list before going to the store can make the process smoother.
Having a shopping list can help you know what your unit needs and plan out your budget. Here are 10 items you can consider for your new condo.
1. First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is one of the most important items in a condo. Accidents may happen, and it is always better to have this kit on hand, just in case. Some of the must-have items in the kit are:
- Different-sized adhesive and gauze bandages
- Cloth tape
- A thermometer
- Painkillers
- Antibiotic ointment
- Antiseptic cream
- Antihistamine tablets
- Cold compress
- Cotton balls
- Isopropyl alcohol
Store your first aid kit in a cool, dry place in your condo. Ensure that it is out of the reach of children or pets. Lastly, throw out expired medicines and ointments to avoid worsening your wounds and spending more at the hospital.
2. Locks
A new front door lock offers more security and prevents intruders from trespassing. If you bought or rented the condo from someone else, a new lock can also prevent previous tenants from getting into your unit if they have duplicates of your keys.
Aside from your front door, you can install locks on some drawers or closets to keep valuables safe such as your gadgets, jewelry, and IDs.
3. Toolbox
A toolbox can save you from calling your condo building’s maintenance crew for basic repairs, assembly, and installations. The essential tools you should have in your toolbox are:
- Hammer
- Screwdrivers
- Pliers
- Nails
- Screws
- Measuring tape
- Utility knife
- Flashlight
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape
If you are the type who likes to assemble your furniture, you may also want to get a drill and Allen wrenches.
4. Storage Boxes
Storage boxes are a must if your unit is unfurnished or has no built-in storage. These boxes help keep your things organized and avoid clutter. You can buy several boxes for different types of items. Just make sure to label each one to avoid confusion.
5. Indoor Plants
Experts say that being around plants lowers stress and improves mood. Since living in a condo means having limited access to nature, you can create a small home garden to liven it up and support your overall well-being.
Consider purchasing succulents or other plants to decorate your home. You can also grow herbs and plants like aloe vera, basil, mint, and parsley within your condo to save money. Place them next to a window that provides a lot of sunlight so they grow properly.
6. Kitchen Items
Most condo units already have a designated kitchen space with a sink and some appliances. Using your condo’s kitchen will help you save money from ordering take-outs every night. To use it efficiently, stock your kitchen with the following essential items:
- Spoons, knives, and forks
- Drinking glasses
- Cooking utensils (tongs, large spoon, whisk, spatula, and vegetable peeler)
- Pots and pans
- Can opener
- Plates, cups, and bowls
- Kitchen shears
- Drying rack for dishes
- Trash can
- Dish towels or rags
- Cutting board
- Ice cube tray
- Paper towels
- Plastic containers for leftovers
- Oven mitts or potholders
- Colander
- Fire extinguisher
If your condo does not come with appliances, save up for at least a stove or induction cooker, a microwave, and a refrigerator. If you have an oven in your condo, you can buy some baking sheets and a measuring cup, in case you plan to bake. You can also buy a water filter to make the tap water in your unit safe to drink.
To create a more well-stocked kitchen, you can fill your pantry with staples such as salt, pepper, sugar, cooking oil, coffee, cereal, and spices.
7. Cleaning Supplies
Living in your unit means that you will have to ensure everything’s tidy. Having your supplies is still cheaper than hiring a cleaning service. The basic cleaning supplies you will need are:
- Garbage bags
- Mop
- Broom and dustpan
- Dishwashing liquid
- Latex or rubber gloves
- Hand soap
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Microfiber cloth
- All-purpose cleaner
- Dish sponges
- Deodorizers
If your budget allows, you can also get a vacuum to make cleaning dust and debris easier than sweeping them up with a broom. Remember to buy detergent and fabric softener if your unit comes with its washing machine and dryer or if you purchased both on your own.
8. Bedroom Items
The bedroom is where you can rest and feel comfortable. As such, you must invest in the best bedroom items to make your condo feel homier and improve your quality of life in the long run.
Some essential bedroom items you should have include pillows, pillowcases, blankets, bedsheets, and curtains. You will also need hangers for your closet and laundry hampers for your dirty clothes.
You can also store your ironing board and iron in the bedroom. However, if you want something just as effective but more portable, you can get a handheld clothes steamer instead.
9. Furniture
While some units come partially or fully furnished, you can buy furniture to incorporate your style into your new home. If you have a large unit and want to accommodate visitors, pick up a new sofa, coffee table, dining table, and a few chairs. You can also pick up a desk, an office chair, and a desk lamp if you are setting up a home office.
Install shelves in your living room or bedroom, if separated, for more storage space. You can also use these shelves to display some collections or décor.
If you want to keep your unit clean, get and place a shoe rack near your door to store your shoes. You would not want your shoes to transmit dirt, mud, debris, and even bacteria from outside to your home.
You can also get a personal umbrella rack so you would not have to dry your wet umbrella outside your unit, where it could get stolen.
10. Appliances
As previously mentioned, if your unit does not have kitchen appliances, you can purchase a stove, refrigerator, and microwave. Get an air conditioner to keep your unit cool if it gets too hot in the summer. Alternatively, buy an electric fan if you are on a budget. However, if your condo has multiple rooms, you may want to place a fan in each to keep cool.
Lastly, pick up an air fryer if you are not too fond of using a stove. This appliance is helpful if you have no time to cook but would like to save from take-outs.
Some Tips to Remember
The items above are just a few essentials that you will need to settle into your new condo unit. You can always make a more extensive list but remember to work out your budget and check which stores are near you, so you know which items to get first.
To organize what you need, list the rooms or areas in your unit, such as the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and living area. Make separate lists for each area and jot down what you need to buy. Doing so can help you determine the essentials to buy and the stores to visit.
When you keep these pointers in mind, shopping for condo essentials will be easy.