Category: Living on Your Own

Bedroom Essentials

Your bedroom should be more than just a place to sleep. It’s where you’ll recharge after a long day, relax with a book or movie, and start each morning.

When moving into your first apartment, it’s easy to feel like you need to buy everything at once. You don’t.

Focus on creating a comfortable, functional space with the essentials first. You can always add decorations and upgrades over time.

Start with a Comfortable Bed

A good night’s sleep is one of the best investments you can make.

At a minimum, you’ll need:

Bed frame
Mattress
Mattress protector
Pillow
Bed sheets
Blanket or comforter

If your budget is limited, prioritize the mattress. Furniture can wait, but quality sleep is important every day.

Helpful Resources: Browse Bed & Bedding for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

Choosing a Mattress

Mattresses come in many styles and price ranges.

Consider:

Size (Twin, Full, Queen, King)
Firmness
Sleeping position
Budget
Warranty

Try mattresses in person whenever possible before making a purchase.

Bedding Essentials

You’ll want more than one set of sheets.

A basic bedding collection includes:

Two sheet sets
Pillowcases
Comforter
Blanket
Mattress protector
Extra pillow

Having an extra set makes laundry day much easier.

Clothing Storage

If your apartment doesn’t have much closet space, you may need additional storage.

Options include:

Dresser
Closet organizer
Storage bins
Under-bed storage containers
Hangers
Shoe organizer

Keeping clothes organized makes your bedroom feel less cluttered.

Nightstand Essentials

A small bedside table can make your room much more functional.

Useful items include:

Lamp
Alarm clock
Phone charger
Tissue box
Book
Glass of water

You don’t need a large nightstand, just enough space for the items you use every evening.

Lighting

Good lighting makes a bedroom more comfortable.

Consider:

Bedside lamp
Floor lamp
Soft LED bulbs
Blackout curtains (if needed)

Natural light is wonderful during the day, but blackout curtains can improve sleep if your room receives a lot of morning sunlight.

Laundry Basics

Your bedroom is often where clean clothes are folded and stored.

Helpful items include:

Laundry basket
Hamper
Folding drying rack
Lint roller

Choose a hamper that’s easy to carry to your laundry area.

Mirrors

A full-length mirror is useful for:

Getting dressed
Checking outfits
Making a smaller room feel larger

Many inexpensive mirrors can be mounted behind a door to save space.

Keeping Your Bedroom Organized

Simple habits help your room stay clean.

Try to:

Make your bed each morning.
Put dirty clothes in the hamper.
Return clean clothes to drawers or the closet.
Keep surfaces clear.
Avoid letting clutter pile up.

A tidy room often feels more relaxing.

Bedroom Safety

Don’t overlook basic safety.

Remember to:

Keep cords organized.
Avoid overloading outlets.
Test smoke detectors regularly.
Keep pathways clear.
Use stable furniture.
Secure tall furniture if needed.

Simple precautions can help prevent accidents.

Decorating on a Budget

Your bedroom doesn’t have to be expensive to feel welcoming.

Affordable ideas include:

Throw pillows
Cozy blankets
Framed photos
Plants
Wall art
Area rug
Curtains

Decorate gradually as your budget allows.