There is nothing like the excitement of that first post-college apartment. For the parent of an adult (or at least adult-ish) child, this can be a bittersweet moment. In a lot of ways, seeing your adult child ready to live on their own and start their grown-up life means that you did it! You successfully raised a child to be a functional adult, which is a major parenting goal, right? On the other hand, transitions are always emotional, even when they are happy ones. Some moms might feel a little sad that their adult children might not need them as much anymore. But as anyone who has ever started out on their own knows, new apartments mean you need stuff, and that's where you come in for the assist.
It's hard for someone living on their own to know all the things they need to make their apartment feel like home. In this shopping guide, you'll find 20 essential gifts to help your fledgling adult ready for life on their own. From kitchen essentials to DIY basics, this list is a great way to give them a little more help as they start the next phase of their life.
STANLEY Ultimate Tool Kit
All of the basics needed to hang pictures, build some boxed furniture, and do minor apartment repair, all in one handy bag. Perfect for even the smallest first apartment!
STANLEY Ultimate Tool Kit ($22.99)
RASKOG Utility Cart
This handy cart is perfect for a first apartment. Three shelves mean lots of storage in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, or any other room short on closet or shelf space!
RASKOG Utility Cart ($22.99)
Mind Reader Desk Organizer
First apartments and adult life come with bills and paperwork. This desk organizer is perfect for helping your adult child get their financial life and desk organized.
Mind Reader Desk Organizer ($24.99)
NutriBullet Magic Bullet
The Magic Bullet is a total first kitchen essential. It fits easily into the even the smallest kitchen and even a beginner can use a Magic Bullet to make healthy smoothies, dips, and sauces. And as a bonus, it can save your adult child tons of money when they use it to make fresh smoothies at home instead of hitting the expensive juice bars or smoothie shops.
Magic Bullet ($39.99, NutriBullet.com)
Clorox Products Bathroom Cleaning Kit
Nothing says "welcome to adult life" like a bathroom cleaning kit! This one gives your adult child everything they need to keep their bathroom sparkling. Unfortunately, it's still up to them to actually use it.
Clorox Products Bathroom Cleaning Kit ($49.97, Amazon)
Urban Loft Liam 16-Piece Dinnerware Set
This is a perfect first apartment set — enough place settings for hosting friends for dinner, but not so expensive that it will be heartbreaking if a few pieces get broken here or there.
Chevron Textured Bath Towels
These plush towels have a more sophisticated look and are a nice upgrade for post-college dorm life. A set of four is great starter for a first apartment.
Chevron Textured Bath Towels ($9.99)
S'well Traveler Aurora Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
This water bottle keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot. The polished design and tight locking lid is perfect for sipping on a commute to work and a good water bottle saves money over buying endless cases of bottled water.
S'well Traveler Aurora Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($35.00)
Brita Small 5 Cup Water Filter Pitcher
A water filter pitcher is an essential! This one is easy to use and perfect for a single person. Pairs well with stainless steel water bottle for an environmentally friendly apartment warming gift.
Brita Small 5 Cup Water Filter Pitcher ($19.99, Amazon)
Ogee Oversized Throw
A soft throw blanket makes any couch more comfortable and any apartment just a little cozier. This one is also machine washable and light enough to be used all year round.
Ogee Oversized Throw ($19.99)
Rubbermaid Brilliance 22-Piece Food Storage Container Set
Whether your adult child is a novice or skilled home cook, they'll need something to store leftovers and take lunch to work. This set has all the sizes they'll need and an easy stackable design for storing in smaller kitchens.
Rubbermaid Brilliance 22-Piece Food Storage Container Set ($39.99)
Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose Portable Compact First Aid Kit
Your adult child might not need you to kiss their boo boos anymore, but you can still make sure they are taken care of with this handy first aid kid.
Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose Portable Compact First Aid Kit ($13.49)
AmazonBasics 8-Piece Non-Stick Kitchenware Cookware Set Pots and Pans
This basic set is a good entry level pots and pans collection for the new chef. Non-stick surface means that even failed recipes won't be hard for your new adult to clean up after himself.
AmazonBasics 8-Piece Non-Stick Kitchenware Cookware Set Pots and Pans ($39.99, Amazon)
Backpack Laundry Bag Pebble Dot Coral
This cheerful bag does double duty in a first apartment. It can be both a laundry hamper and converts to being a backpack style laundry bag if your adult child's apartment doesn't come with a washer or dryer. The outer pocket is handy for carrying detergent, quarters, and other laundry supplies.
The Smoothies Cookbook: 365 Energizing and Delicious Smoothie Recipes for Every Day
Help your adult child start their library of cookbooks with this guide to smoothies, a perfect add-on to a new Magic Bullet personal blender.
The Smoothies Cookbook: 365 Energizing and Delicious Smoothie Recipes for Every Day ($8.99)
Douni Sleep Sound Machine
First apartments can often have thin walls, which makes a white noise machine a welcome gift. Your adult child will like the grown-up wood look of this one and appreciate a good night's sleep after a full day of work.
Douni Sleep Sound Machine ($35.95, Amazon)
FORENKLA Duffle Bag on Wheels
This affordable wheeled duffle piece does double duty. It's a handy piece of luggage for a first business trip or it can be a flexible storage option for off-season clothes in a new apartment.
FORENKLA Duffle Bag on Wheels ($64.99, IKEA)
SentrySafe Fireproof Box
Passports, birth certificates, and Social Security cards are just some of the things your adult child needs to keep safe in their first apartment. This lockable box keeps things safe from fire, water, and prying roommate eyes.
SentrySafe Fireproof Box ($51.51, Amazon)
Threshold 3-Drawer Closet Organizer
This versatile organizer can be used in almost any room in a first apartment. Pull out drawers make is easy for clothing storage and it can also double as a night stand.
Threshold 3-Drawer Closet Organizer ($59.99)
Wooden Multi-Device Charging Station
Every starter apartment needs a charging station. This one looks cool and has space to charge multiple devices. so your adult child's phone will always be charged up enough to call home when they need some mom advice!
Wooden Multi-Device Charging Station ($36.00)
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
