Your Quick Use Checklist

10 Living Room Essentials for Your First Apartment.

It’s been a while since I last wrote, and this blog has been on a very long hiatus.

But that’s in the past now, and I am back.
For our first discussion after the hiatus, I’ll share 10 living room essentials to help you get used to your first apartment.

This will be the first of our “Home Essentials” series, so don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on social media.

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The Living Room Essentials Checklist

The basic things that you need to personalize your living room are:
Sofa or Couch
Armchairs
Coffee table
TV console
Side tables
Area Rug(s)
Lighting
Wall Decor
Curtains or Blinds
Bookshelf or another storage unit

1. Sofa or Couch

I mean, you need to sit somewhere, and it’s not the floor.

A sofa or couch will serve as your living room’s centerpiece and main seating spot. There are several things to consider when deciding what sofa to get. I’ll list them here for you:

Use case: Will you be having more formal visits than casual ones? Will you be sitting most of the time or lying on it?

If you’ll be sitting more often or having formal visits, you need a sofa with arms. If you’ll mostly have friends or partners over and plan to lie down more often, go for a couch with one arm or no arms, or a sectional sofa if you’re in a relationship 😉.
Color: You should have a color palette, theme, or combination. If you do, your sofa must match it. Consider this when shopping online.
Size: Consider both the size of your room and the size of the sofa. You don’t want a large sectional sofa in a narrow living room or a small loveseat in a huge living room.
Comfort: Check for certain comfort standards—I call this the “cozy check.” If you like soft, sinking surfaces, make sure the sofa does that. The same goes if you prefer firm seats.

Obviously, all those sellers on Amazon or eBay will claim their sofas are comfy. Be sure to check reviews, and to be safe, buy sofas with a return policy.
Material: Choose a sofa with a material that suits your lifestyle.

Here’s a cheat sheet for choosing sofa material.

Material	Pros	Cons
Microfiber	1. Stain -resistant 2. Pet-friendly 3. Soft	1. Attracts dust and pet hair 2. Wears easily 3. Absorbs heat
Leather	1. Durable 2. Easy to clean 3. Ages well	1. Expensive 2. Can crack under heat or sunlight 3. Less customizable
Cotton	1. Soft and comfortable 2. Hypoallergenic 3. Some are stain-resistant	1. Wrinkles easily 2. Fades in direct sunlight 3. May shrink if not cleaned the right way.
Linen	1. Light and comfy 2. Hypoallergenic 3. Eco-friendly	1. Wrinkles easily 2. Stains easily 3. Not very durable
Faux Leather	1. More affordable than leather 2. Easy to clean 3. Water-resistant	1. Not so durable 2. Absorbs heat 3. Peels easily
Velvet	1. Gives a wealthy vibe 2. Soft and cozy 3. Durable	1. Stains easily 2. Attracts dust, lint, and pet hair easily 3. Attracts marks and handprints
Chenille	1. Looks elegant 2. Soft and comfy 3. Durable	1. Attracts pet hair and dust easily 2. Not water-resistant 3. Generally bad for houses with pets
Polyester	1. Durable 2. Affordable 3. Easy to clean	1. Accumulates and retains heat 2. Develops static 3. Wears easily
Acrylic	1. Soft and light 2. Durable 3. Doesn’t fade easily	1. Sheds more than other materials 2. Feels rough over time 3. Retains heat
Silk	1. Gives off a wealthy vibe 2. Light and comfy 3. Looks elegant	1. Very delicate 2. Stains easily 3. Expensive
Wool	1. Fire-resistant 2. Warm and cozy 3. Resists wrinkling	1. Can get itchy 2. Absorbs moisture 3. Can pile over time

2. Armchairs

If the sofa is for you, then the armchairs are for your guests—it’s not like they can sit on the ground, right?

Unlike accent chairs, which are mainly decorative, armchairs are fully functional and will be more comfortable for your guests. They work well in both formal and casual settings.

Depending on your intended purpose (comfort or aesthetics), there are several things you should consider.

Here’s another table to help you on the go.

Considerations	For Comfort	For Aesthetics
Seat Height	16 - 18 inches	Lower seats <16 inches
Seat Depth	20 inches and above	18 - 20 inches
Material	Cotton, linen, microfiber, etc.	Velvet, leather, silk, etc.
Cushion Firmness	Medium to firm	Soft
Color	Neutral	Bold
Back Height	High back	Low back

3. Coffee Table

Two things—the anchor and the quick dump.

The coffee table can be decorative, functional, or both. I say go for both!

You can use the table to anchor your seating area (I mean, why not?), and, more importantly, you can place your stuff on it—your board games, your large book of myths, or your laptop when you need to get up real quick.

Here’s something to help you choose one.

Factors	Functionality	Aesthetics (Anchor)	Both
Size	Aim for ⅔ of your sofa’s length.	Aim for a size that complements your living room’s size.	Aim for about 48-54 inches if your sofa is 72 inches. Don’t get a coffee table that’s wider than 30 inches.
Height	16-18 inches	30 - 36 inches	16 - 24 inches
Shape	Rectangular or square, depending on the size of your living room.	Geometric or other uncommon shapes.	Round tables
Maintenance	Easy to clean and durable e.g. metal.	Go for something that does not require frequent maintenance e.g. leather.	Look for tables with sealed finishes.
Color	Darker colors that can hide stains and wear.	Bold colors	Matte colors.
Material	Aim for durable materials like metal or solid wood.	Aim for visual appeal, consider glass or marble.	Aim for stylish and durable materials like laminate.
Storage	Look for coffee tables with drawers, shelves, or lift-top designs.	Look for coffee tables with beautiful or stylish boxes.	Consider coffee tables with hidden storage like lift-tops.

4.TV Console

If you’re anything like me, you barely watch TV.

Even so, having a TV console will greatly improve your interior decor by providing visual balance. Plus, who’s to say you won’t need a TV later?

As usual, you can’t just get any TV console—you have to get one your fellas will appreciate (if you know what I mean 😉).

Considerations	Small Living Rooms	Large Living Rooms	Open-Plan Living Rooms	Multi-Use Living Rooms
Storage Needs	Look for TV consoles with hidden storage (drawers or cabinets).	Look for large consoles with open and closed storage.	Look for large consoles with open and closed storage.	Look for modular consoles.
Design & Style	Consider TV consoles with sleek, minimalist designs.	Consider TV consoles with bold or traditional styles.	Consider TV consoles with designs that’ll work well with both settings (living room + dining/kitchen).	Consider TV consoles with traditional styles like this one.
Cable Management	Aim for TV consoles with cord cutouts.	Aim for TV consoles with multiple cable openings if you have multiple devices connected.	Aim for TV consoles with integrated cable channels.	Aim for TV consoles with different compartments.
Size & Proportions	TV consoles between 30–50 inches wide will do.	Consider consoles that are 70 - 80 inches wide.	Look for consoles that are around 50 - 70 inches wide.	Use consoles that are 60 - 72 inches wide.
Mounting & Placement	Wall-mounted TV consoles.	Floor TV consoles.	Floating TV consoles.	TV consoles with casters or wheels.
Material	Light wood or metal finish.	Walnut, oak, or other bold materials.	Mixed materials like metal and wood.	Durable materials – consider plywood, MDF, LVL, or other engineered metal.
Height	18 - 22 inches.	24 - 30 inches.	20 - 26 inches.	20 - 24 inches, or consoles with adjustable heights.

5. Side Tables

Side tables (or end tables, if you prefer) are the smaller tables beside your seats.

“But I already have a coffee table, don’t they do the same thing?” Your coffee table is for heavier items (like I mentioned earlier), while your end tables are for decorative purposes and lighter items, like compact clocks, table lamps, small photo frames, remotes, phone chargers, drinks, etc.

As usual, here’s your quick use sheet.

Factors	Functionality	Aesthetics	Aesthetics & Functionality	Small living rooms	Large living rooms
Height	24 - 28 inches	Low-profile side tables around 18 - 20 inches	22 - 24 inches	18 - 24 inches	22 - 30 inches
Storage	Choose end tables with closed storage.	Choose end tables with open shelves for display.	Choose end tables with open storage	Consider nesting tables.	Consider end tables with multiple built-in drawers or shelves.
Surface area	18 - 22 inches diameter.	12 inches diameter.	15 - 18 inches diameter.	12 - 15 inches diamter.	18 - 24 inches diameter.
Material	Durable wood or metals like steel or oak.	Glossy or lacquered finish.	Mixed materials e.g. marble top and metal legs.	Lightweight and transparent materials like glass and acrylic.	Darker wood or stone.
Style	Farmhouse, rustic, or classic side tables.	Mid-century or industry-style side tables.	Transitional side tables.	Simple, minimalist side tables.	Bold, statement side tables.

6. Area Rug(s)

Area rugs help define your seating area while keeping your feet warm.

Some people may argue that they don’t need rugs, but I beg to differ. Let’s set aside the visual boost and just focus on how cozy good rugs feel underfoot, or how comfortable it would be to sit on a rug with your partner playing Monopoly while you’re both draped in throw blankets and surrounded by throw pillows.

Here’s your quick guide.

Considerations	Functionality	Aesthetics	Aesthetics & Functionality	Small living rooms	Large living rooms
Size	Consider larger area rugs – 8’ x 10’.	Consider smaller decorative area rugs – 4’ x 6’.	Consider midsized area rugs – 6’ x 9’.	Consider 5’ x 7’ or 6’ x 9’.	Consider 8’ x 10’ or 9’ x 12’.
Materials	Easy-to-clean and durable synthetics e.g. polypropylene.	Viscose or silk blends.	Wool blends.	Lightweight and natural fibers e.g. jute or cotton.	Wool or polyester blends.
Color & Pattern	Neutral or low-pattern rugs.	Geometric or floral patterns.	Subtle color variations or muted patterns.	Light neutral colors.	Darker colors or bold patterns.

7. Lighting

Area rugs help define your seating area while keeping your feet warm.

Unless you’re secretly Dracula (please be Dracula 🤩), you’ll need some good lighting for your living room—it doesn’t matter if it’s your first or last.

You generally need three of these four types of lighting:

Overhead lighting:

Lighting positioned above your head. Some examples are ceiling lights, pendant lights, recessed lights, etc.

Ambient lighting:

Lighting positioned above your head. Some examples are ceiling lights, pendant lights, recessed lights, etc.

Accent lighting:

Lighting used to highlight certain areas, furniture, features, or objects. Some examples are recessed directional lights, LED strips, under-cabinet lighting, etc.

Task lighting:

Focused, adequate lighting for your activities. Some examples are desk lamps, range hood lights, vanity lights, etc.

As much as I’d love to share another cheat sheet, there are too many factors to consider, and that may require a separate post. Do let me know if you want one, though.

8. Wall Decor

Since your new apartment will already be painted, you may argue that you don’t need wall decor. But nothing screams “This is my home” like some wall decor.

Wall decor is a very broad term that covers:

Artwork
Wall clocks
Wall panels
Mirrors
Wall shelves
Photo displays
Dimensional art (wall sculptures, 3D art, etc.)
Signs (neon signs, vintage signs)
Letters (metal letters, light-up letters)
Collections
Cultural items
Religious items

These categories can be:

Changed seasonally
Styled differently
Grouped by theme
Mixed and matched

9. Curtains or Blinds

Curtains are a 3-in-1 package of aesthetics, personalization, and functionality.

Curtains, blinds, shades, drapes, etc., are essential for every living room.

Apart from the aesthetics, some functions of curtains include:

Privacy
Light control
Temperature regulation
Noise reduction
Room division
Protection (UV protection for furniture and artwork, floor preservation, indoor plant protection, electronics protection)

Not sure what kind of curtains would be best for you? Check out this quick curtain guide I wrote.

10. Bookshelf or Other Storage Unit

You can’t keep all your stuff on your tables, can you?

No! And that’s why you need a storage unit in your living room. You can have a bookshelf, glass-front cabinets, modular floating shelves, box shelves, storage ottomans, cube shelves, etc.

Here are some quick tips you can follow:

For Small Living Rooms:

Consider wall-mounted or narrow units less than 36 inches wide to save floor space. Check the VASAGLE 4-tier tall bookshelf.

For Large Living Rooms:

Opt for wide or modular units around 48+ inches wide and 13 inches deep to fill your wall spaces. Something like the IRONCK bookshelf.

Aesthetic Purposes:

Use decorative bookshelves or shelves with unique shapes to boost visual appeal. Consider the SUNMORY 6-tier tree bookshelf or the Tribesigns 4-tier open bookshelf.

Functionality:

Prioritize storage units with closed storage or low profile.

My Final Thoughts

Moving to your first apartment can be difficult. Why won’t it be? IT’S YOUR FIRST APARTMENT! You’re probably excited, nervous, or overwhelmed.

Don’t stress about it, start with the living room essentials for your first apartment and then slowly add more stuff as you settle in.

P.S. If you haven’t figured out a theme for your living room, check out these girly living room ideas or these western living room ideas. If you have a small living room, you’ll love these small living room ideas.

2 Comments

Karen Kasberg November 10, 2024
This list of essentials for your first apartment living room is so helpful! Moving to a new space can be very overwhelming but having this guide can take some of the stress away.
- All Things Snug November 11, 2024
  Hi Karen, we’re glad you found it helpful.