The Best Places To Shop For Your First Apartment in Buffalo, New York

Nice! You’ve saved enough to finally get out of your parents’ house, toured a bunch of open units, and found a place you can call home that won’t kill your bank account. After you thoroughly read and sign your lease, you need to start making a list of the essentials you need for a functional place to live. 

Don’t be embarrassed to make a list - it’s the little things we usually forget at the store. You can be 18 or 68 and still come home from the store without the toilet paper you desperately need.  Stores like Wegmans, Target, and Walmart have apps where you can make a list of items you need, and where to exactly find them in the store by aisle.

For the bigger stuff, like furniture, search sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Ikea,  and Amazon deals for inexpensive pieces that’ll do for now. You can always sell it and upgrade later.

What You Need For Your First Apartment

Here’s a short list of stuff you’ll need for your first apartment, with help from rent.com: 

• Mattress
• Pillows
• Dresser
• Bedding
• Lamps
• Hangers
• Clothes hamper
• Shower curtain
• Bath towels
• Toilet paper, tissues and paper towels
• Hand soap
• Couch/Futon
• Garbage cans for every room
• Cleaning supplies
• Plunger
• Mop, broom, swiffer and/or vacuum
• Dishes and silverware
• Cooking utensils
• Pots and pans
• Mixing bowls
• Dish Soap
• Oven mitts
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Can and bottle opener
• First-aid kit
• Tool Kit 

Notice I didn’t include TVs, electronics, art, frames, or anything you’re sure to invest in down the road. We’ve paired it down to the very basics here, so let’s keep it simple. For now, you can just use the stuff you already have to decorate your space.

Now let’s get shopping! Here are also some ideas of where to look in Buffalo to furnish your new apartment without breaking the bank.

Buffalo Facebook Marketplace 

T.J. Maxx/Marshalls

Buffalo a Craigslist

Christmas Tree Shops

 Buffalo ReUse

Home Goods

Goodwill 

Big Lots

Bed Bath & Beyond

Target 

 Hertel Home Consignment

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet

Walmart