Living solo? Here are some essentials to make life easier
Moving out and creating your own safe space can be an exciting milestone—one that brings both freedom and responsibility.
While the thought of setting up your new home can feel overwhelming, especially with the long checklist of things you’ll need, it doesn’t all have to happen at once.
The key is to focus on the essentials first and then gradually gather what you need to create a comfortable, livable space. To help you get started, here’s a list of must-have items to prioritize.
Multi cooker
Buying multiple pans and a full stove setup can be expensive. That’s why a multi cooker is a smart investment for solo living.
What makes this Tough Mama model stand out is its versatility. You can boil, roast, grill, fry, braise, steam, slow cook, and even use it as a hot pot. With so many cooking options in one gadget, you won’t need to splurge on separate kitchen tools—plus, it fits perfectly in small spaces.
Drying rack for laundry
Even if you rely on laundry shops for most of your clothes, a drying rack is still a must-have. It’s handy for everyday items you’ll need to wash at home, like rags, socks, underwear, towels, and floor mats.
A proper drying rack ensures these dry completely, keeping your space fresh and odor-free. This Nitori rack is a great choice for solo living because it’s designed with multiple sections: bars for larger pieces like shirts and towels and clips for smaller items like socks, and side hooks for hangers.
Bathroom organizer/shelf
With all the body care products, toiletries, and cleaning supplies that pile up, bathrooms can easily become cluttered. Without proper storage, they often end up scattered on the sink or even on the floor.
A bathroom shelf is a simple yet effective way to keep everything neat and within reach. This one from Ikea is especially smart for small spaces because it’s designed to fit right above the water closet. You’ll also be able to make use of the vertical space you’d otherwise leave empty.
Vacuum cleaner
Living alone means you’ll be handling all the cleaning yourself, so having the right tools makes a huge difference. It saves time and keeps your space dust-free with less effort than sweeping.
This vacuum from PerySmith is a solid choice for solo living because it’s lightweight, cordless, and comes with multiple attachments (including a dust mite brush) to tackle different surfaces and hard-to-reach corners.
Refrigerator
Buying a refrigerator may feel like a big investment, but it quickly pays off. It lets you store groceries, prep meals ahead, and cut down on the costs of constantly eating out (a huge saver in the long run).
This Samsung refrigerator is a smart choice for solo living: not only does it have a sleek, modern design that elevates your space, but it’s also energy-efficient and equipped with smart features that make managing your kitchen easier.
