When you secure a new apartment, it’s easy to let your imagination run wild with all of the future possibilities for decor, parties and life changes on the horizon. But while you’re packing up your old place, it’s important to keep your mind focused on the here and now so you can create a useful first-night landing kit. Here’s what you’ll need.
Assembling Your Landing Kit
What is a landing kit? It’s everything you’ll need to have on hand to get comfortable and have a smooth transition for your first night in the new place. It’s the collection of things you’ll want to separate from all your various books, decorations, kitchen supplies and other odds and ends so you can take care of daily routine things like brushing your teeth and charging your phone. You can use a suitcase or a box to assemble your landing kit; the container isn’t as important as what you put in it.
As far as what goes inside, it’s a good idea to plan this in advance and make a list. You may even want to pack your landing kit before you start packing up the rest of the stuff in your old place so you don’t accidentally put important stuff like medications in a random place during the moving shuffle. If you’re using a cardboard box for your landing kit, make sure you mark it clearly. Be sure to bring it with you to your new place or have the movers pack it last so you know where it is and can set it aside so it doesn’t get mixed in with the other boxes, bags and containers that contain your life. You’ll want to have the landing kit on hand so you can get your new apartment liveable and comfortable as soon as possible.
Packing and Customizing For Your Needs
Before you start packing, remember that your landing kit should contain the essentials you’ll need for a day or two only. You can think of it like packing for a vacation, only with a few extra items that hotels usually provide for you. Double check your list and make sure everything you need is on there. Here are some suggestions for what a landing kit might look like:
- Bedding (sheets, blankets and pillows so you can make the bed)
- Bathroom supplies (toilet paper, towels, essential personal care items)
- Electronics (phone charger, computer and charger)
- Everyday essentials (phone, purse/wallet, keys, medications, glasses/contacts)
- Kitchen basics (reusable water bottles, hand soap, paper towels)
- Clothes (pajamas, clothes for the next day, outerwear if needed)
- Pet supplies (bed, familiar toys, food, water bowl)
The suggestions above are general; everyone’s needs are different, and your landing kit should reflect what’s essential for your lifestyle and what’s available in your new place. For example, if you’re moving into an apartment with roommates, you might not need to bring toilet paper for the bathrooms or hand soap for the kitchen because there will probably already be some when you arrive.