40 Gift Ideas for People Who Just Moved Into a New Apartment

Personalized Heritage Extra Virgin Olive Oil, available at Flamingo Estate

There’s nothing quite like a good bottle of extra virgin olive oil to add a little extra oomph to your recipient’s recipe. Personalize the bottle with their name or a special message.

Fundamentals Collection, available at Burlap & Barrel

Featuring unique spices like silk chili and royal cinnamon, the Burlap & Barrel Fundamentals Collection makes a great housewarming gift for the home cook.

Compact Swivel Cheese Board with Knives, available at Uncommon Goods

This cheese board expands from a wedge to circle, with multiple levels to display your favorite cheeses, meats, and crackers. My favorite part is the hidden compartment in the bottom of the board, housing three cheese knives.

Bistro Tile Stoneware Coasters, available at Anthropologie

These coasters from Anthropologie are a beautiful addition to any new apartment, keeping dreaded moisture rings away from tables with style. The coasters have beetle, bumblebee, and butterfly designs.

Sofia + Sam Multi Tasking Laptop Bed Lap Tray, available at Amazon

Space is limited in an apartment, so this versatile lap desk will definitely come in handy. With its adjustable top and portable design, they can set up a workstation anywhere.

“Dogs” by Lewis Blackwell and Tim Flatch, available at Amazon

A coffee table book is lovely to look at and can also double as decor. This one has over 200 pages featuring all kinds of dogs and was created by an award-winning photographer.  

“Cooking at Home: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Recipes (And Love My Microwave)” by David Chang and Priya Krishna

This is the perfect cookbook for the first few weeks when they’re tired of takeout and still haven’t unpacked all their pots and pans. In this new book, David Chang and coauthor Priya Krishna explain how to make fast, easy, and unpretentious meals at home. 

Utensil Set, available at Goldilocks

Whether they’re a master chef or enjoy baking in their free time, Goldilocks’s 12-piece utensil set includes everything they need from mixing bowls to a grater to a fish spatula. Your giftee will appreciate this quality utensil set in their new kitchen.

Estelle Colored Wine Stemware (Set of 2), available at West Elm

Raise a glass to new beginnings in their new apartment with these colored wine glasses from Black-owned brand Estelle. The glasses come in pastel colors like blush pink, mint green, and coral peach, and are beloved by celebrities like Beyoncé. All of Estelle’s colored glassware is handblown in Poland. 

ZZ Plant, available at The Sill, $88

If your giftee loves plants, but can’t seem to keep them alive, the ZZ plant is a great option because it can thrive in low light and stores water, only needing to be watered every two to three weeks. 

Asakuki Smart Wi-Fi Essential Oil Diffuser, available at Amazon

If they’re into essential oils and have an Amazon Echo, the Asakuki Smart Wi-Fi Essential Oil Diffuser could be an excellent gift. It’s compatible with Alexa, has seven lighting options, and has multiple mist settings. We picked this as the best essential oil diffuser in our buying guide. 

Summer Fern/Simple Modern Watercolor Bath Mat, available at Society6

Bath mats are one of those necessities that no one likes to spend money on or think twice about. Shopping for one at Society6, you can support independent artists and choose a unique pattern that matches the new homeowner. We tested these mats and the non-slip backing keeps them in place even when soaked through.

The Essential Capsule, available at Brightland

Brightland specializes in creating authentic olive oils and vinegars without filler ingredients. The Essential Capsule set includes everything they’ll need to cook delicious meals in their new home.

Brabantia Tasty+ Bowl, Colander, and Juicer Set, available at Amazon

Space is often tight in apartment kitchens. All the pieces in this mixing bowl set stack for easy and compact storage. The set contains two large mixing bowls, a small colander, and a small container with a juicer lid — all the essentials they need to food prep in their new space.

Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop, see at Amazon

Help them keep their floors clean with our pick for the best steam mop. The mop sanitizes hardwood floors while scrubbing away stains and dirt.

Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote, available at Amazon and Best Buy

If they’re looking to cut cable out of their lives, a streaming stick is the way to go. It turns a regular TV into a smart TV by making all their favorite media apps like Netflix and Hulu available through a voice-controlled remote.

Simple Human Tension Shower Caddy, available at The Container Store

This shower caddy is one of the most useful things in my apartment. It uses an adjustable tension rod to hold itself into place and it can fit everything from a weirdly shaped bathtub ledge to a full floor-to-ceiling walk-in shower. It’s a little pricey, but Simplehuman is known for making quality home products that rarely if ever need to be replaced. I’ve had mine for more than three years and it hasn’t rusted at all (you can read my full review of it here). —Sally Kaplan, executive editor

Power Strip with USB C, 3 Outlets 4 USB Ports, available at Amazon

More likely than not, they’ll have frustratingly limited outlets in their new space. Help them solve their outlet shortage with this handy power strip which has three regular outlets, four USB ports, and one USB-C port. This power strip was also designed to allow space for another plug to be used in the second outlet and has a length of five feet.

Swiffer Dusters Heavy Duty Extender Starter Kit, available at Amazon and Home Depot

Dusting is one of the less glamorous responsibilities that comes with moving into an apartment. This Swiffer Heavy Duty Extender Kit has everything they’ll need to get the job done quickly and efficiently, including 12 duster refills. The handle can extends up to three feet, making it easier to reach into corners and crevices.

Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine, available at Amazon

Kitchen gifts are always appreciated, and there’s nothing that accentuates a new kitchen quite like a powerful espresso machine. If you have the budget to treat a loved one, we recommend the top pick in our guide to the best espresso machines. 

Riedel O Stemless Wine Glasses (Set of 4), available at Amazon,

When my partner and I moved in together years ago, their mom bought us a nice set of tall, thin-stemmed wine glasses — likely because I had once served her Cabernet in a mason jar. Though I like using those to entertain occasionally, I prefer these stemless glasses that are much more casual and much less breakable (…kind of like a mason jar). —Sally Kaplan, executive editor

Gift Card, available at Brooklinen

Brooklinen sheets are beloved by many of us at Insider Reviews. Your giftee will be able to choose from quite a few weaves and materials as well as a huge selection of seasonal prints and colors.

Nutribullet Pro Blender, available at Amazon

They’re likely not going to need a full-sized blender for any reason other than making large batches of frozen margaritas. Gift them a personal-sized one for making healthy smoothies at home — and if they want to make a few frosty cocktails, they’ll just have to put in a little extra work. 

Shark Ion Robot Vacuum, available at Amazon

Vacuuming is one of the great time-sucks in life — literally. Give them back their Sunday afternoons with the gift of a robot vacuum that’ll take the work out of cleaning the house. We chose the Shark Ion as the budget option in our best robot vacuum guide, because of its long battery life and cleaning capability.

Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Dutch Oven, available at Williams-Sonoma

A Le Creuset Dutch oven is one of those coveted kitchen items that most people don’t get until their weddings, if ever. It’s a special gift I only recommend giving to someone who really loves to cook. If you want to get them something a little less expensive but equally as useful, go for an eight- or nine-inch cast-iron skillet. 

Braun BrewSense Coffee Maker, available at Amazon and Wayfair

They can brew tons of coffee in this classic coffee maker — a priceless gift, if you ask me. This machine has helpful features like a small batch option and adjustable keep warm setting. It’s one of our favorite coffee makers.

Smeg Two-Slice Toaster, available at Williams-Sonoma

If they don’t want to sacrifice design for functionality, Smeg’s kitchen tools and appliances are the way to go. This two-slot toaster will warm their morning bagels while looking good on the counter.

TheDoormatory Doormat, available at Etsy

A welcome mat is another home basic they’re going to need but aren’t going to want to purchase. This simple one is fun enough without bordering on tacky. 

Otherland Candles, available at Otherland

Otherland is one of our favorite candle brands because its candles have gorgeous packaging and intriguing scents (think: sandalwood and amber, or champagne and saffron). This is one gift you’ll love giving as much as they’ll love getting, and it will add a sweet touch to their space. 

Command Hooks (9-pack), available at Amazon

You can never have enough Command Hooks, especially if you’re a renter who can’t nail anything into the wall. This multi-pack makes a great stocking stuffer.

Deco Handle Tray, available at West Elm

Whether they have a proper bar cart or not, one simple way to add sophistication to space is to store liquor and/or barware on a pretty tray. This neutral option is great for anyone who entertains a lot — they can use it as a serving platter or hold their at-home minibar.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo Canvas Print (Medium, 12″x17″), available at Redbubble

Redbubble helps more than 700,000 independent artists and designers share their work with the world through its online marketplace — all while committing to sustainable and socially responsible practices. 

We love Redbubble’s original, quirky art printed on products ranging from canvas prints to cell phone cases to bath mats. This canvas print is a perfect piece of wall art for any Hitchcock film buff.

Knotted Throw, available at Crane & Canopy

This is the blanket we fight over in my house — it’s cozy, warm, breathable, and supremely soft. You’ll find it in a few different colors at Crane & Canopy.

Lakwanzaa Rustic Freestanding Coat Rack, available at Wayfair

Coat racks can go overlooked, but they need a place to hang their hat (and coat) just like everyone else, especially now that they have a place to call their own. Rustic and modern at once, this one will work almost anywhere.

Silk & Snow Down Alternative Comforter, available at Silk & Snow

This comforter is fluffy and breathable, perfect for pairing with a favorite duvet cover. Plus, it’s made of a polyfiber fill, so you won’t have to worry about irritating allergies. It earned its spot as the premier down alternative option in our best comforter guide.

The Classic Hand Towels, available at Crane & Canopy

Hand towels are a necessity made all the more fun when embroidered or monogrammed. Crane & Canopy offers a variety of colors and styles for a personalized touch.

Round Weave Laundry Baskets, available at West Elm

A laundry basket is another much-appreciated gift they’ll be thankful not to have to buy themselves. The lining of this one is removable, and if they already have a laundry basket, they can use it to store extra sets of sheets and towels. 

Himalayan Glow Salt Lamp, available at Target

I swear by my salt lamp for creating a relaxing vibe at home. This one was gifted to me two years ago and I still use it every day. 

Diptyque Baies Room Spray, available at Nordstrom, $68

A room spray is a fun twist on the classic gift of scented candles — and you can’t go wrong with anything from Diptyque. During the cooler months, there’s nothing more gorgeous than the iconic, floral Baies (roses and blackcurrant leaves) scent, which you’ll find concentrated in this beautiful mist.

Cole Classics Square Storage Ottoman, available at Target

Every extra ounce of storage space matters in a small apartment, which is why this storage ottoman makes a perfect (and decor-neutral) gift. The lid lifts to reveal enough space for throw blankets and a pair of slippers.