Living alone for the first time
“Living alone for the first time. What do I need?”
30 answers from 26 people · Updated Oct 12, 2026
24 recs
We made this collection because we understand firsthand how annoying it is to only see home recs for people who live in houses. Sometimes you need a really small table! Or something that can fold up and hide behind your couch!
COMFEE' Portable Dishwasher with Built-in Water Tank
One of the only reasons I've been able to stay in my dishwasher-less apartment for 5+ years. You can drain it directly into your sink, or if you're low on space like me directly into Big Bucket on Counter. Has enough room for one person's weekly dishes and runs for 45 minutes or two hours. Easy to clean, easy to troubleshoot when needed, only major tip is to use liquid detergent over dishwasher pods!
83
Klancy Miller’s book is amazing for one- or two-person meals that don’t leave you drowning in leftovers! I especially love the risotto recipe, which explains how to pan fry leftovers into arancini-esque bites the next day. A true joy to read and to cook from.
51
Honestly, a comfy chair, really any good chair, whatever feels comfortable to you. Having a place to sit and relax that isn’t your bed will make all the difference, and you can buy a comfy chair for a lot less than investing in a good couch would be!
3
NORDEN Gateleg table, birch, 10 1/4/35/59 7/8x31 1/2 "
My favorite small space hack.
Damage Free Picture Hanging Hooks
Damage free picture hanging is the name of the game when you're renting. These perfectly mimic nails so get to decorating stress free!
2
Warm light, instant atmosphere, and let’s be real… none of us like the big light anyway. It makes early mornings cozier, dinner prep nicer, and the whole kitchen feel a little more lived in. Such a small thing, but it completely changes the mood. Tiny upgrade. Big return.
221
Living alone rocks 🥲 be slow and intentional about building everything you need! Thrift kitchen dishes and check FB marketplace for furniture! My actual rec tho is having a “go” station near your door- I have a pegboard with keys and sunglasses, and a stand below with mints, lip gloss, pepper spray, hand sanitizer, bike lights, bus pass, rings, etc… everything you might consider grabbing before leaving the house. Fun to thrift cute catch-alls to put them in 🙂
3
Small systems/stations around the house
I keep multiple “stations” around the house so that I don’t move things around. Each station has its purpose but also duplicates like chapstick and hair-ties Entry way station: The most important. Several baskets/small bins without tops organized by use - key bowl for all keys immediately next to door to put keys down before I’m all the way inside Basket with “grab and go” items like hand lotion with a pump so I can use some on my way out the door without putting things down, many chapsticks, hair ties, sunglasses, sunscreen, headlamp, bike lights, dog leash, etc. Water bottles and running vest Cold weather hats, mittens, and scarves in medium basket Shoes in large basket Biking gear all in largish basket Misc. gear in medium basket with items like extra grocery bags, purses, frisbees, my coin collection Bed side station: One large basket or visible on bedside shelving, Chapstick Body lotion Top layer skincare like Vaseline Ear plugs Reading light Sex stuff Advil Office Station: more chapstick Hand and body lotion Hair ties Spare earrings for ad-hoc video calls Fidget item du jour - jade roller, pens with a good click, and clay are my current favorites Gum Pens, scissors, packing tape Calculator Note cards and sticky notes A charging cable for every type I have. These NEVER get unplugged. Living room station: On mantel on a cute tray chapstick Hand lotion Chargers for phone and computer Bathroom: has all medical and self-care items Pre packed travel toiletries and phone charger in large travel bag so all I add is my book and medication. This contains a travel size versions of my everyday toiletries or things I don’t love but would still use, so I use when traveling
1
i hate to be so pragmatic, but kirkland toilet paper
it’s just a really good deal for so many rolls, and good quality ply. and then you never run out, it takes forever until you have to restock
131
Being totally selfish about how you keep your living space
As someone in a long term relationship, one of the things I miss about being single is having total control over how my home looked and functioned. It’s lovely to be able to compromise and cultivate a shared space, but it’s awesome to have it exactly the way you like. If you haven’t moved, make a change to your space that’s totally for you (bonus if your partner wouldn’t have liked it).
31
Doing whatever YOU want with your free time!
Eat wherever you want. Clean whenever you want. Watch whatever you want (no terrible action movies or sports docs). And also no picking up someone else’s laundry or cleaning their dishes! (Can you tell I have no desire to live with a man again?)
112
The Stanley Complete Step-by-Step REVISED Book of Home Repair
If I’ve learned anything about living in a space, it’s that things inevitably break… and the right things are worth fixing. The deadly specter of home repair strikes us all at some point. My aim in making this recommendation is not to turn everyone into a self-professed handyman (although, it’s possible you could do that). I instead share this to provide you with an inexpensive, comprehensive guide to repairing almost ANYTHING related to your home that’s been invented up until the turn of the 21st century — so that you can complete the small jobs yourself, and know what to look for when recruiting others to help you sort out the big ones. Extra bonus: It is an easy, hand-holding delight to read.
74
After getting divorced and moving this little baddie became my new best friend/therapist. Who knew that the path to healing would be paved with drilling holes in walls and hanging my own damn curtains 💪🏻
1
Super lightweight and really good quality - I use it probably once a week and love it
blinds that come down from the top
as the resident naked neighbor, these are perfect for filling up on vitamin d and keeping the houseplants happy without giving the pedestrians of my street a ~view~ (me)
2
Aluminum Roll Up Dish Drying Rack
A foldable dish rack that can you pop on and off your sink is a game changer for small kitchens where you can’t waste counter space. Its functionality is so inspiring, it actually makes me do my dishes! Most of the time.
2
Stick-on light switch that controls all your lamps
Like a lot of NYC apartments, ours has no overhead light in the living room or bedroom, and just one electrical outlet is connected to the light switch. In our last apartment, we had to turn on five different lamps to properly light the room. When we moved into our current place, I got one of these remote control set ups that you plug each lamp into and now we can turn on all the lamps at once. It's makes a satisfying little click when you switch the lights on and the novelty still hasn't worn off
21
This guy may be one of the most reliable appliances in your life. The rice is always perfect. Use him to steam some mandu in there, or maybe make a fake donburi. He’ll serenade you when he’s done.
165
I got mine on sale through Korin a few years ago and I can’t imagine cooking a single thing without it. You only need three knives in a kitchen. One chef’s knife, one small paring knife, and one serrated knife.
Biggest wood cutting board you can
It doesn’t need to be fancy, but I PROMISE you need a bigger cutting board. It needs to be much bigger than your knife and what you’re cutting. It makes cooking so much easier when you have space to cut things.
6
These revolutionized our pantry storage. They are square (less wasted space), stackable, and seal tight. The tall units fit a bag of your specialty ingredient and the smaller are great for keeping nuts/special salts/that wee bit of something you can’t toss organized so it’s actually used. We purchase at our local kitchen supply store- but can be found online here.
502
Get your paper towel roll off the counter with this damage free holder.
The one I have is out of stock on the Dyson website but attached the link to a similar Dyson. As someone who has both a cat and a dog and vacuums OFTEN this is a game changer. Easy to charge, can get in corners, has a hand held attachment. I’ve had mine for five years and it has a warranty that is good initially. My family has all gifted this to each other at various times as a housewarming gift. It’s that crucial.
1
stainless steel hanging storage basket
I put these on the inside of my cabinets, esp under the sink! functional hidden storage without any ugly plastic
2
Adopt a pet (if you haven’t already)
Built in structure/routine and doting love of someone who needs to be loved and fed
141
