Whether you're moving into a first apartment or thinking of revamping your current interior for the fall, we crafted a shopping guide filled with essential homewares suited for your grown-ass self. Knowing that not all beginner apartment dwellers want to drop entire paychecks on single home items, we threw some budget-friendly sets and bundles into the mix too. Ahead, the key pieces from smaller basics to larger anchor-pieces that will make a starter apartment look and feel more like a refined home.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Towels
Great Bay Home 100% Cotton Towel Set
Towels are an essential in any home. Instead of going with a mismatched jumble of past-their-prime rags from your college days, invest in a matching set that gives you the biggest bang for your buck — and decor style.
Shop Amazon
Great Bay Home 6-Piece 100% Cotton Towel Set, $, available at Amazon
Wine Glasses
Snowe Stemless Wine Glasses
The biggest difference between a sophisticated renter and an aspiring adult? Owning stemware that doesn't solely consist of stolen bar mugs. Try picking up a chic set that can serve as both water, juice, and table wine glasses.
Shop Snowe
Snowe Stemless Wine Glasses (Set of 4), $, available at Snowe
Mattresses
Avocado Green Mattress
Yes, Avocado mattresses are all-natural — and no, they're not too expensive. These extra cushy mattresses are made with totally organic materials and feel as luxurious as their far-pricier competitors. Plus they're good for your conscience, which we hear helps with sleep.
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Avocado Avocado Green Mattress, $, available at Avocado
Throw Blankets
FINEGRID Large Turkish Blanket
A simple throw blanket makes your couch feel that much comfier and look that much more sophisticated.
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FINEGRID Large Turkish Blanket, $, available at Etsy
Big Bowls
H&M Ceramic Bowl
Bowls are the do-it-all dinnerware — you can safely eat everything from popcorn to oatmeal, pasta, homemade stews, and more from the comfort of your couch in them. This chic ceramic bowl (we suggest adding a set of four to your cart) is the perfect versatile addition to a new kitchen.
Shop H&M
H&M Ceramic Bowl, $, available at H&M
Console Tables
Project 62 Hillside Console Table
Instead of trying to budget out a living-space lineup with multiple bookshelves, side tables, and entertainment consoles, invest in one piece that can pull triple-duty while streamlining all your grown-up stuff.
Shop Target
Project 62 Hillside Console Table Espresso Brown, $, available at Target
Hand Soaps
Muse Bath Apothecary Hand Ritual Soap
A little bottle of premium hand soap goes a long way when it comes to elevating a space. This two-bottle pack filled with aloe, eucalyptus, and lavender essential oils does the luxe trick for under $20. If you want, you can refill its minimalist-chic bottle with the generic store-brand stuff after it runs out (we won't tell).
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Muse Bath Apothecary Hand Ritual Soap, 16 oz (2 Pack), $, available at Amazon
Cookware Sets
Goldilocks Cookware Set
Don't struggle in the kitchen trying to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner with just one sad skillet. Investing in a quality cookware doesn't have to blow up your budget. This seven-piece set (three lids, four pans) from Potluck is crafted with tri-ply stainless steel and will cover all your daily meal needs in sophisticated style.
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Goldilocks Cookware Set, $, available at Goldilocks
Sheet Sets
Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set
You spend 1/3 of your life sleeping, so you better make sure your bedding is butter soft. These top-rated sheets are crafted from durable, long-staple cotton in a rich "buttery-smooth" 480-thread-count weave.
Shop Brooklinen
Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set, $, available at Brooklinen
Mellanni Brushed Microfibre Bed Sheet Set
If you're interested in a more affordable option, Mellanni's best-selling sheets will give you a great night's sleep for less than $50. (Seriously, our Lifestyle Writer, Alexandra Polk, gave them a try and it was love at first snooze.)
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Mellanni Brushed Microfibre Bed Sheet Set, $, available at Amazon
Coffee Tables
Urban Outfitters Kirby Pop-Up Coffee Table
Coffee tables may be the furniture benchmark for adulthood. For a piece that you'll be using every day, they are essential and therefore worth saving up to splurge on a quality one — like this top-rated wood style with a pop-up top and bonus interior storage.
Shop Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters Kirby Pop-Up Coffee Table, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Dinnerware Sets
Siterra Painter's Palette 16 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4
A complete set of dinnerware guarantees that there will be no awkwardly mismatched plates when you invite your friends over for a made-by-you (or Seamless-ed) meal.
Shop Joss & Main
Joss & Main Siterra Painter's Palette 16 Piece Dinnerware Set, Serv, $, available at Joss & Main
Pillows
Ella Jayne Home Pillow Set
We've heard that pillows should be thrown out every one and half to two years, meaning that restocking your sleep support lineup post new move-in may be a necessity. Do so more affordably by investing in a bundled set.
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Ella Jayne Home Soft Exquisite Hotel Pillows Luxury Plush Gel Pillows (, $, available at Amazon
Rugs
Erin Gates By Momeni River Beacon Indoor-Outdoor Rug
Your flooring takes up the most surface area in your home. If your apartment comes with less-than-ideal floors, owning a unique and durable area rug is crucial for styling things up — like this indoor-outdoor style from Erin Gates by Momeni with its artfully handwoven blue hues.
Shop Amazon
Erin Gates by Momeni River Beacon Denim Indoor-Outdoor Rug (5' X 7'6"), $, available at Amazon
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