Want to know the best bathroom essentials for first apartment? Here’s my complete list to help you turn your bathroom into the calming retreat you’re looking for.
Everyone loves a good self-care night, right? The best kind starts in your bathroom so you’re going to want to stock on up on these bathroom essentials for first apartment ASAP.
When I moved into my first apartment, I wanted to make sure I had the necessities plus some little luxuries that would help it feel like a spa whenever I wanted it to. From bathroom organization essentials to bathroom cleaning essentials, I’ve got you covered.
By the end of this post, you’ll be ready to snag the basics and take your bathroom to the next level.
This post is all about my favorite bathroom essentials for first apartment that will take your bathroom to the next level.
IN THIS POST:
BEST BATHROOM ESSENTIALS FOR FIRST APARTMENT:
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BATHROOM BASIC ESSENTIALS
1. Shower Curtain
This is the most basic of bathroom essentials for first apartment that you can get! Try to find one that brings out your personality and adds a little bit of life to an otherwise colorless bathroom.
2. Shower Liner
A good shower liner is a must if your apartment has a bathtub and getting a scum resistant one is KEY. Don’t worry though, if you still get some buildup on the bottom from water – you can wash it! I highly recommend making this a regular part of your cleaning schedule.
3. Shower Shelves
Sometimes apartments don’t have the space you need for your shower products. These rental-friendly shelves suction onto your shower walls and give you additional shelving so you can keep everything you need in one place.
4. Towels
A good set of towels will help make your apartment bathroom feel way more luxurious. Be sure to get plenty of extras for those busy weeks when you may not have time to do laundry as often. And just trust me on this one, get bath sheets instead of just normal bath towels.
5. Hand Towels
Don’t worry about getting a lot of these, but you’ll need them for hand drying and decor if you have a towel rack built into your wall.
6. Washcloths
The more washcloths you can get the better! I use one of these every single day, morning and night. Here’s a pro tip I’m trying to be better at this year: get a new washcloth each time you wash your face. It’s crazy how much bacteria can accumulate on these things so if you’re acne prone, do your skin a favor and use a clean washcloth.
7. Makeup Mirror
I love how my makeup mirror can sit out on my counter as a functional decor piece because I can carry it with me if I ever want to do my makeup in a different room or pack it for trips. Definitely one of my favorite first apartment bathroom essentials!
8. Soap Dispenser
A soap dispenser that matches the rest of your bathroom decor can really help make it feel like one cohesive space. If using a clear glass dispenser, make sure your soap isn’t a wacky color that will throw off your aesthetic.
9. Trash Can
Your bathroom trash can shouldn’t be one of your splurge bathroom essentials for first apartment. You can find plain-colored trash cans on Amazon, at Target, Walmart, and even at your local dollar store. Grab some small trash bags too to keep in it to make emptying it a lot easier.
10. Bath Mats
If you want to take your bathroom to the next level, your bath mats are going to play a huge part in it. When you step out of your shower, you don’t want to step on the cold floor so be sure to grab some mats that match your color scheme and feel amazing too.
11. Towel Hooks
Over-the-door towel hooks are something I swear by. Especially the ones with multiple hooks. They are a rental-friendly way to keep your towels and bathrobe dry without having to put holes in your walls.
12. Drain Cover
Sometimes I joke that I can’t believe I have any hair left on my head with the amount that I shed. This can cause my shower drain to get clogged pretty easily so I recently got these drain covers and they have been a game-changer. They catch all my hair and make it easy for me to clean out when I’m done.
13. Tissues + Tissue Box Cover
Let’s be honest, tissue box designs can sometimes ruin the vibe of your space. Instead of wasting time and searching for boxes that have patterns that match my bathroom decor, I got this tissue box cover which instantly elevated my space.
15. Hair Dryer
No matter how you like to style your hair, I’ve found that everyone needs to have a hair dryer on hand. I like to have one with a nozzle because it helps me from having a ton of heat damage to my hair.
BATHROOM ORGANIZATION ESSENTIALS
16. Storage Basket
If you’re low on storage, these baskets can be a game-changer. You could set them on your counter or on the back of your toilet to hold tissues, extra toilet paper, or a decorative plant.
17. Small Canisters
Use these canisters to help you keep the necessities/things you use every day organized and accessible. These are cute enough to leave sitting our on your counter if you have the room!
18. Over-the-Toilet Cabinet
If you need more cabinet storage, using an over-the-toilet can help give you more room. It’s a great use of space and looks like its a natural part of your bathroom.
19. Drawer Organizers
I have drawer organizers all throughout my apartment and my bathroom is no exception. Using them helps me make sure I’m really maximizing my drawer space and keeping everything as organized as possible.
20. Clear Bins
These clear bins are perfect for all of your bathroom cleaning supplies. You can easily see everything you have and the handles make it easy to carry with you as you tackle your cleaning checklist.
21. Clear Drawers
I love organization products that use all of the available space by being able to stack on top of each other. These clear drawers are perfect for storing your smaller toiletries or any extras you have that you won’t reach for every day.
BATHROOM CLEANING ESSENTIALS
22. All-Purpose Cleaner
All-purpose cleaners can be used in every room of your apartment so make sure you stock up on them. I swear by anything Mrs. Meyers, but especially their all-purpose cleaner. It leaves my counters smelling so fresh without having that typical “cleaner” smell left behind.
23. Tile Cleaner
Bathroom tile can be so difficult to clean so you’ll want to have a cleaner that specifically targets any mildew that may pop up. Make sure you have a brush with hard bristles for those more stubborn areas.
24. Toilet Bowl Cleaner + Brush
Buying these in bulk will last you forever. As far as a brush goes, you can buy one from your local dollar store. They all get the job done! Once I’ve cleaned my toilet, I also leave an automatic toilet bowl cleaner gel pod inside of it.
25. Room Spray
This one is pretty self-explanatory but I especially love having room spray after I deep clean my bathroom so I’m left with a nice lavender scent instead of bleach!
26. Shower Cleaner
Foaming cleaners are so easy because you just spray and then wipe everything down! I highly suggest deep cleaning your shower every one to two weeks to keep bacteria from building up!
27. Vacuum
I’m not sure what I would do without my Shark vacuum and if you’re anything like me, then your bathroom floor can get covered in hair pretty quickly. My vacuum is essential to keeping my bathroom clean.
28. Mop
You’d be surprised at the dirt that can build up on your bathroom floor, even if you don’t wear your shoes in there. Make mopping a vital step in your cleaning schedule so you won’t be stepping on a dirty floor right after getting our of the shower.
29. Glass Cleaner
I always keep glass cleaner in my bathroom cleaning kit to keep my mirrors looking spotless. The best thing you can do is find one that is streak-free!
30. Sponges
I buy these sponges in bulk so that I can keep a few in my kitchen and a few in my bathroom. The key is to get sponges with a rough side so you can easily get any stubborn dirt.
31. Rags
Using these rags helps me save so much money in the long run so I’m not using all of my paper towels whenever I deep clean. I always get white ones so I don’t have to worry about any bleach stains!
32. Disinfectant Wipes
Disinfectant wipes will be a definite apartment must-have for your bathroom. You can use them on literally everything to help you get rid of any germs you don’t want hanging out.
33. Shower Squeegee
A squeegee (yes, that’s really what it’s called) is imperative if you have a glass-door shower. It will help you not get streaks on your doors. With the suction holder, you can easily store it right there in your shower so you can wipe down your doors before you get out.
BATHROOM DECOR ESSENTIALS
34. Artwork
No matter what artwork you choose, my advice is to be minimal and neutral. If you want your bathroom to feel like a retreat and a calming place, you want your walls to reflect that!
35. Floating Shelves
Another way to add space to a small bathroom is by getting floating shelves. You can use them to display your small canisters, fake plants, and candles… the options are endless.
36. Greenery
Hanging greenery just reminds me so much of a spa. If you don’t want to hang actual eucalyptus in your shower, try hanging fake ones on your wall to get that same soothing vibe.
{RELATED POST: 21 Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting My First Apartment}
BATHROOM "NON-ESSENTIAL" ESSENTIALS
37. Bath Robe
There’s nothing better than having a good self-care night and those nights wouldn’t be complete without a good robe. If you like using a robe after you shower, I recommend getting one that has similar fibers to a towel so it absorbs water and keeps you dry.
38. Towel Warmer
To me, a towel warmer is the height of luxury. If you want to take your bathroom to the next level, this will do it. Now, if you’re on a budget, you definitely shouldn’t consider this a bathroom essential, but I mean let’s be real, who wouldn’t want to use a warm towel every time they step out of the shower?
39. Candles
If you’re a bath taker, then your relaxing isn’t complete without a candle. Not only do candles make your bathroom smell amazing, but their soft glow just adds a calming presence to your space.
40. Bath Tray
Make your relaxing bath more enjoyable by using a tray that can hold your drink of choice, maybe your iPad to watch a show, or your Kindle to read a good book, or even a snack. If taking a bath is your preferred form of self-care, then I’d say you need this as one of your bathroom essentials for first apartment.
41. Blow Out Brush
Ever since I got one of these brushes, my hair routine has been so easy. This helps me get that blow out look for such little effort, but I will say – don’t use this on your wet hair because you’ll just be frying it. Use it as a finishing tool once your hair is about 90% dry.
42. Toilet Paper Holder
I think this invention is just so cool. If your landlord lets you install this, I highly recommend it. It’s such a smart way to keep wipes or feminine hygiene products easily accessible while being discreet.
43. Essential Oils
Essential oils with bring that luxurious spa feel into your bathroom like nothing else. You can choose what scents you like based on what you feel like your body needs!
44. Shower Bluetooth Speaker
Where are all my girlies that love to sing in the shower? It feels like my phone can never be loud enough to hear my music over my shower so this waterproof Bluetooth speaker has been so helpful. The best part is that it just suctions onto my shower wall so I can also grab it to bring to the beach or the pool.
45. Silicone Body Scrubber
If you google loofahs, you’ll probably find some not-so-appealing articles about how much bacteria can sit on them. Like the exfoliating that a loofah does, but don’t want to deal with the germs? Try a silicone body scrubber!
