Fully Furnished Apartment Checklist

6/16/2023

Settling into an empty new home comes with the daunting task of buying and assembling furniture. When you have the luxury of time and money, shopping for a new bed frame or having a dining table or coffee table customized to fit a new living space can actually be a worthwhile nesting experience.

However, this is not the case for people who would rather save time, energy, and upfront costs that come with choosing a fully furnished apartment. Fully furnished apartments are hassle-free, especially when your work requires you to move around a lot or when you're newly independent and have not previously invested in your own furniture. A fully furnished unit is usually equipped with furniture and appliances, so lifting and assembling furniture is automatically off your to-do list.

But before the obvious appeal of a fully furnished apartment gets to you, it's important to know what to expect exactly prior to securing it. Note that just because an apartment is advertised as "furnished" does not mean it is a "fully furnished" unit. Should it have a coffee maker, cooking utensils, bathroom essentials, or a dining room table? Use this fully furnished apartment checklist to guide you in maximizing that rental agreement.

What is a furnished apartment?

Basically, a furnished apartment is outfitted with necessary home items that make a space functional and comfortable to live in. Prior to securing the home, it is important to ask the landlord or real estate broker how furnished the apartment is and it comes in three different levels.

Semi furnished apartments

These only come with essentials that usually include a bed frame and mattress, kitchen table, dining table with chairs, plus a couch or sofa. Often, but not always, semi furnished apartments also have major appliances and bathroom items like shower curtains. The place may also include trash and recycling bins and window curtains or drapes. Make sure to ask your landlord if these apartment essentials are provided, otherwise, you might have to come up with a first apartment checklist and shop for each.

Fully furnished apartments

Fully furnished apartments save newly moved-in people from a complex moving process and the expenses on home necessities. These fully furnished apartments normally come with a fully equipped kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and living space. Use this comprehensive checklist to make sure you're getting the most out of your fully furnished apartment.

A furnished bedroom includes a bed frame, mattress, window curtains or drapes, nightstands, table lamps, and a bedside table.
A fully functioning kitchen with a kitchen table and chairs, stools for countertops, also trash bins.
A comfortable living space or living room must be able to provide a cozy spot for lounging and relaxation. Therefore, these items are a must: a couch or sofa, accent chairs, a coffee table, lamps, and area rugs.
A fully furnished bathroom should have enough space to house all your personal hygiene items. Double check if your fully functional bathroom is provided with a shower curtain, waste bin, and enough storage space for your vanity items.

Move in ready apartments

Move in ready apartments should be able to cover all household items and accessories so no urgent shopping is necessary on the day you move in so you can ultimately save money. Bedding, dish ware, and decorative items are covered. You may also check on the following items:

bed frames with mattresses
beddings and linens
bedroom pillows
throw pillows or decorative pillows
window coverings
extra lighting
kitchen appliances such as a microwave, toaster oven, food processor, coffee maker or French press, slow cooker
kitchen items such as water glasses, dinner plates, dish towels, hand towels, measuring cups and spoons, bottle opener, cutting board
major appliances like smart tv and sound system
cleaning supplies

Of course, choosing a furnished apartment on any of the three levels will assure you of a stress free moving in process. No furniture or appliance costs to think of, even hiring movers will not be part of your list of tasks. While this may come as a huge relief, you still have to watch out for a few things to get the most of your rental agreement.

Here are a few tips when finding a fully furnished apartment suited to you.

1. Check for extra amenities and their corresponding costs.

This would usually depend on what complex or establishment your unit stands on. Check for the following:

functional elevator
laundry facilities
well-maintained air conditioning units
parking
a reliable security staff
community working spaces
fitness center

2. Review the length of the lease agreement and how much advance pay and deposit it entails.

Don't get carried away easily by a fully furnished apartment that has everything you need. A lease term can make or break your full experience. Usually, lease terms are year-long so be completely sure that you will be able to cover a year's worth of rent not just financially but work-wise. Will you be moving anytime soon? Factors like family and work come into play when it comes to this. Opt for a flexible lease if you cannot forecast how the next months will go for you.

3. Know your non-negotiables when choosing your home.

We all have different personalities and lifestyles that we adhere to. When selecting a fully furnished apartment, consider its square footage, its number of rooms, and storage space. For someone who cooks, a big kitchen space would be favorable. For someone with a lot of clothes and shoes, the size of the closet would be a top concern.

At the end of the day, your preferences in a home would matter most. So make sure to make to and review this comprehensive apartment checklist and tips again before you invest your time and resources to a fully furnished apartment.