Bathroom Basics: Apartment Essentials Checklist

When I moved into my first college apartment during sophomore year, it was the first time I had a full sized bathroom while living on my own. After furnishing it with all of the basics at the beginning of the year, the rest of the forgotten essentials made their way into the room as time went on. To get you fully prepared from the jump, I listed out everything that you’ll need in your apartment bathroom.  

A number of these essentials can also double as decor so that your bathroom is aesthetically pleasing without being overcrowded.

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Hygiene Essentials

1. Dental Products 

I probably don’t even have to tell you this, but you’re going to need a toothbrush and toothpaste at the very least. After that, consider bringing things like floss, mouthwash, your retainer, mouthguard, etc. Anything that helps you maintain a pearly white smile! You can also consider getting a case to keep all of your dental products in one place. That would come in handy for traveling.

2. Hand Soap

Even though this is such a bathroom staple, moving is a hectic process; you’d be surprised at the common items that get forgotten during the chaos. Nevertheless, you’ll need some in your bathroom eventually. If your main concern is stretching your dollar, I suggest going for a bar of soap since they last longer in my experience. The residue they leave on the counter can become aesthetically displeasing though, so a soap dish is also a good purchase. 

3. Body Wash

Bathing yourself is ⅓ of the main reasons to use a bathroom, so this is another solid staple. If you have a gorgeous shower that you want to maintain the look of, I suggest going with some clear, liquid body wash instead of a bar of soap. You’re less likely to notice leftover residue from clear liquid. This will be especially helpful if the shower’s color palette is mostly dark. 

4. Skincare 

Some of the essentials on this list depend on your skin type and routine. Two items that everyone could use, however, are face wash and a means to dry your face. This could be a cloth, a paper towel, etc. When it comes to all of your other skincare products, you could keep track of them using a toiletry bag. 

5. Hair Care Items And Products

Just like skincare, the specific items and products that you need from this category depends on your hair type. In a more general sense, shampoo and conditioner are two things that all of us need. After that, it’s a hair brush or comb. If you have a lot of hair products that you’d like to keep in one place, consider getting a cosmetic travel bag. 

6. Washcloths And Towels

These are a definite staple as well, unless you strictly air-dry. You can also use them as decor since there are so many different colors, shades and designs to choose from. There are also different types such as microfiber, cotton, linen, etc. which all have a different feel to them. If you don’t want to worry about cleaning stains off of them often, I suggest grabbing red, orange and/or brown ones. 

7. Feminine Hygiene 

Pads, tampons, sanitary wipes, panty liners, you name it. Anything that you need to get through that fun, fun week of cramps and mood swings. For easy access, designate a drawer or two to only feminine products so that you know exactly where to reach for when the crimson wave strikes. You don’t want to bother having to shuffle through different drawers at a time like this.

Cleaning Essentials

1. Toilet Brush And Plunger

There are different kinds of toilet brushes that you can choose from, so if you want a large variety, check Amazon. Just make sure to check the reviews before ordering it. If you’d prefer to shop in person, check out your local Target or Bed Bath and Beyond. The same advice goes for toilet plungers.

2. All Purpose Cleaner

If there’s any cleaning product that you need, it’s this one. You can disinfect almost every corner of your bathroom with this. If you’re on a budget, then you don’t need all the fancy products that you see on the shelves of Target. This will get the job done. Use it on your shower, tub, sink top, floor and the outside of your toilet.

3. Toilet Bowl Cleaner

When it comes to the inside of your toilet, however, I suggest using the specially made cleaner to get the job done. Thanks to the shape of the bottle, it’ll make the job easier and less gross to do. Remember to use your toilet brush to do it instead of a cleaning cloth. It’ll help you forcefully scrub away the gunk building up under the water. 

4. Rubber Gloves

Scrubbing away germs is a gross job, but it would be even worse if you did it without gloves. And soaking your hands in cleaning chemicals can be rough on your skin. Everyone should be using some kind of hand protection when cleaning their bathroom; I suggest rubber gloves. They’re thick, come with hand grips and can be durable depending on the quality. Fyi, you can also buy a separate pair to wash dishes so that your hands don’t get pruney.

5. Disinfectant Wipes 

You might be thinking “why would I buy these if I already have an all-purpose cleaner?”. You’ll want these if your bathroom door and cabinet handles have a decorative finish. This is because the chemicals in all-purpose cleaner can damage the finishing by discoloring it: 

Or causing it to peel:

To be careful, I’d use disinfectant wipes on things with a finish on them to avoid any issues. 

6. Windex

When it comes to cleaning your mirror and window, don’t use an all purpose cleaner. That’s going to make them foggy. Windex is what you want for a crystal clear view and reflection. It only takes a few sprays to get the job done so one bottle should last you a long time. You can find it at any major retail store. 

7. Vacuum 

For a small room, such as a bathroom, I suggest using a small vacuum that can get into the nooks and crannies of the space. That, or a regular vacuum with a flexible hose attachment. You can also get the kind that can go from full sized to compact; such as a Bissell Featherweight:

Make sure that every surface that you clean is dry before going in with the vacuum. 

8. Microfiber Cloth

I suggest getting a pack of these because they pick up and cling to dust, dirt and grime more effectively than normal cloths. You’ll be doing your bathroom surfaces a favor by using these instead. Also, pro tip; you can set aside a few of these to wipe off your makeup easily too. They work better than normal makeup wipes and they’re reusable, which’ll help save you money. 

9. Duster

If you already plan on getting a microfiber cloth, then this might be optional. I say “might” because one of the places that dust collects in a bathroom is above, around and inside the lighting fixtures (depending on the kind that you have). Since that’s pretty high up, using an extendable duster such as this one: 

Would make the job easier if you’re not already tall or own a step stool. If you don’t plan on getting one, just soak a microfiber cloth in water, wring it out until it’s damp, and use that to wipe the dust off your bathroom surfaces.

10. Drain Snake

After washing your hair in the shower multiple times, you might notice that it starts to drain slower. When it gets to an unbearable speed, you’ll want one of these to fish the hair out. 

Storage Essentials

1. Shower Caddy

Hanging one of these from the head of your shower is a great way to add much needed storage. There’s only a couple places to keep your toiletries otherwise, and using the edges of the tub makes things prone to falling. There are different kinds of caddies to choose from too depending on the size, shape and style that you’re looking for. Check out Amazon for a wide variety!

2. Toilet Tray

Put one of these on top of your toilet tank to create a little extra storage for your air freshener, an extra roll of toilet paper, pads or tampons, small trash bags, etc. It can also contribute to your bathroom’s decor while doubling as functional furniture. You’ll want to prioritize functional decor like this to avoid overcrowding the room, which can happen easily.

3. Under-Sink Storage

This cabinet area in your bathroom can be spacious, but not nearly as useful as it could be if you used under-sink storage. Take advantage of the vertical space by using sliding 2-tier organizers:

And/or some stackable drawer containers.

I suggest getting clear ones to make finding your supplies a lot faster and easier. Without some kind of organization system, the area under your sink might become an annoying, jumbled mess.

4. Over-The-Door Organizer (If You Have Little Drawer Space)

Some bathrooms don’t come with enough drawer space in them. That’s when solutions like this come in handy. Remember those door pockets that teachers made you put your phone in before the start of class? Well, it’s time to actually put those to good use and store the things that don’t fit in your drawers in them. As long as they’re small enough of course.

5. Sink Countertop Organizer

These are great for storing the toiletries that you use the most often, such as your dental products, skincare, hand soap, etc. Not everyone uses the same amount of items in their morning and night routine. That’s why there are different sizes and shapes to choose from. Some even have multiple tiers! This is also another good opportunity to use functional furniture as decor. Choose the style that best fits your bathroom’s aesthetic and display your aesthetically pleasing products!

6. Toilet Paper Holder

Unless you’d prefer to leave the toilet package under your sink or on the floor, this is a must. You can get the kind that comes with a toilet paper dispenser or stick to the one that just holds the rolls. And guess what? It can be another decor item! They come in all sorts of different styles to fit the kind of aesthetic that you choose for your bathroom.

Furniture Essentials

1. Bath Mats

These are essential to avoid slipping on a wet, post-shower bathroom floor. You can stick to putting one near your tub and sink, or you can put a third one in front of your toilet too. I don’t even have to tell you that these double as decor too (even though I just did). 

2. Shower Curtain/Liner 

Unless you’re looking to test the absorption quality of your bath mats (and lose your security deposit), you should get a shower curtain and liner to keep the water on the inside of the tub. Remember to change the liner every 6 months and wash the curtain at least once a month. Also, choose one that matches the rest of your decor, or use it as a starting point for every other piece of decorative furniture.

3. Shower Rod (If Not Provided)

Surprisingly, not all apartments come with shower rods (I know, it’s ridiculous). When I was a sophomore in college, my apartment didn’t have one so my family and I had to go buy it. Don’t go out and get one professionally installed, buy the portable, adjustable kind.  

4. Window Sheers, Blinds, Curtains

If your window is very high up and small, then you won’t need any of these unless you’re using them as decor. Otherwise I’m sure you’d prefer privacy in the bathroom, so make sure to grab one or more of these if they’re not already provided. If you grab some sheers, I still recommend getting curtains or blinds to go with them since they’re basically see-through.

5. Trash Can

This one likely goes without saying, but packing and shopping for a new place can be hectic and common items get forgotten in the chaos. Even though this is just a trash can, they come in different colors and styles. That means even this can contribute to your decor.

Other Rooms

Here are some general items that every other room in your apartment should have:

Living Room: 

1. Sofa

2. Coffee table

3. TV stand or entertainment center

4. Television

5. Armchairs or accent chairs

6. Area rug

7. Shelving or bookcases

8. Lighting (floor or table lamps)

9. Curtains or blinds

10. Throw pillows and blankets

Kitchen: 

1. Pots and pans

2. Cooking utensils (spatula, spoon, whisk)

3. Knives

4. Cutting board

5. Measuring cups and spoons

6. Mixing bowls

7. Dish towels

8. Plates, bowls, and utensils

9. Glasses and mugs

10. Storage containers

If your apartment’s kitchen is small and you want 27 tips on how to squeeze as much storage space out of it as possible, check out my post called “27 Ways to Maximize Space in your Small Apartment Kitchen”.

Bedroom: 

1. A Bed frame

2. A Mattress

3. Bed sheets

4. Pillows

5. A Blanket or comforter

6. A Dresser

7. Closet hangers

8. Nightstands

9. A Lamp

10. A Laundry basket

11. A mirror