What to get for a friend's first apartment
First homes are often short on everyday basics. Practical gifts that get used, and a few touches that make the place feel like theirs.
Everyday basics are usually the most useful: a good kitchen knife, a set of towels, a small toolkit. First apartments tend to be short on the ordinary things nobody thinks to buy until they need them.
Ask what they already have if you can. It’s easy to end up with three can openers.
Basics that get used
- For the kitchen
- A good chef’s knife, a cutting board, a sturdy pan, or measuring cups.
- For the bathroom and bedroom
- Towels, a bath mat, or an extra set of sheets in the right bed size.
- A small toolkit
- A screwdriver set, hammer, tape measure, and picture hooks. Useful in the first week, and easy to forget to buy.
- Cleaning supplies
- Not glamorous, but handy, especially as a small starter kit with good sponges and cloths.
Something that makes it feel like home
A framed photo of friends, a print of their city, or a new doormat can be a nice touch. It’s their space, though, so something small and easy to move is safer than a big statement piece.
Worth checking first
- How much room they have
- Studio apartments are small, and a bulky gift can be more burden than help.
- What the lease allows
- Some rentals limit nails in the walls, so adhesive hooks or a frame that leans against the wall may work better than something that needs hanging.
- What they already own
- A quick question, or a registry if they have one, saves duplicates.
If there’s a party
Something for the table — snacks, a drink to share, or flowers — works as a host gift, either alongside a bigger present or on its own.