Your First Apartment Setup Guide: From Empty Room to Study-Ready Space | Shop all of your homewares needs at Broadway Sydney

Turn your new place into home (without spending your entire student loan)

Moving out for the first time? Setting up your Uni room or apartment can feel overwhelming when you're staring at four empty walls and a very limited budget. Whether you're near Sydney Uni, near UTS, or anywhere in the city, the good news is you don't need to buy everything at once—and you definitely don't need to break the bank.

Broadway Sydney has everything you need to furnish your space, set up a study zone that actually works, and make your room feel like home. Here's your complete guide to first-apartment essentials, student-budget hacks, and where to shop without the stress.

The Essential Room Setup Checklist

The Bedroom Basics

What you actually need:

Bed frame (or skip it and go mattress-on-floor for now)
Mattress (don't cheap out on this—you sleep 8 hours a day)
Sheets, pillows, and doona/quilt
Bedside lamp
Storage solutions (under-bed boxes, hanging organizers)

Where to shop at Broadway Sydney:

Bed linen and comfort:

Bed Bath N' Table – quality sheets, quilt covers, pillows, and towels that'll last beyond first year
Adairs – stylish bedding, throws, and cushions to make your room actually feel cozy
Kmart – budget-friendly sheet sets, pillows, and blankets starting under $20

Storage and furniture:

Kmart – storage cubes, under-bed boxes, hangers, bedside tables, and space-saving furniture
Target – shelving units, wardrobes, and organisational essentials

Pro tip: Buy two sets of sheets so you can rotate while one's in the wash. Future you will be grateful.

Kmart Office

The Study Space (aka Your New Office)

This is where the magic (or stress-crying) happens, so get it right. A good study space isn't just about a desk and chair—it's about creating an environment where you can actually focus.

Study essentials:

Desk – sturdy, big enough for laptop + notebook + coffee
Chair – comfortable enough for 3-hour study sessions
Desk lamp – good lighting = less eye strain
Storage – shelves, drawers, or desk organizers
Tech accessories – monitor stand, cable management, USB hub

Where to shop at Broadway Sydney:

Furniture:

Kmart – affordable desks, office chairs, and study furniture (desks start around $60)
Target – study desks, rolling carts, and shelving

Desk accessories & organization:

Mint My Desk – desk organisers, file holders, stationery storage, motivational desk accessories
Kmart – cable management, drawer dividers, pen holders, noticeboards

Tech setup:

JB Hi-Fi – monitors, laptop stands, desk lamps, keyboard/mouse combos, USB hubs
Harvey Norman – office tech, printers, ergonomic accessories

Lighting:

Kmart – LED desk lamps, clip-on lights, floor lamps (all under $50)
Target – task lighting and ambient lights

Study space hack: Position your desk near a window for natural light, but not facing the window (too much glare on your screen). Add a desk lamp for night study sessions.

Kmart Appliances

The Kitchen Essentials

Absolute basics:

Plates, bowls, cups, cutlery (set for 4 is enough)
Pots and pans (1 small, 1 large is fine to start)
Cutting board and basic knife
Can opener, spatula, wooden spoon
Kettle and/or coffee maker
Microwave-safe containers for leftovers

Small appliances that'll save you money:

Kettle (instant noodles, tea, coffee)
Rice cooker (set it and forget it)
Toaster or sandwich press
Air fryer (optional but game-changing)
Microwave (if not included with your place)

Where to shop at Broadway Sydney:

Kitchen basics:

Kmart Kitchen – complete kitchen starter sets, utensils, storage containers (amazing value)
Target – cookware, dinnerware, glassware
The Reject Shop – bargain kitchen essentials, pantry storage, cleaning supplies

Appliances:

Kmart Appliances – kettles, toasters, rice cookers, sandwich presses, microwaves (all budget-friendly)
Harvey Norman – quality appliances with warranties, air fryers, blenders, coffee machines

Student cooking hack: A rice cooker isn't just for rice—you can steam vegetables, make pasta, cook eggs, and even bake cakes in it. Best $25 you'll spend.

Students Cleaning

Cleaning Supplies (Yes, You Actually Need These)

Basics you can't skip:

All-purpose cleaner
Dish soap and sponges
Laundry detergent
Vacuum or broom + dustpan
Microfiber cloths
Bin bags
Toilet cleaner and bathroom spray

Where to shop at Broadway Sydney:

Kmart – affordable cleaning supplies, brooms, mops, storage caddies
The Reject Shop – budget-friendly cleaning products, bin bags, laundry essentials
Coles or ALDI – cleaning sprays, detergents, sponges, and household basics

Cleaning hack: Set a timer for 10 minutes and speed-clean before it goes off. You'd be surprised how much you can get done—and it's way less overwhelming than letting it pile up.

Kmart Towels

Bathroom Basics

What you need:

Towels (2 bath towels, 2 hand towels minimum)
Shower curtain (if your place needs one)
Bath mat
Toiletries organizer or caddy
Bin

Where to shop:

Bed Bath N' Table – quality towels that actually absorb water, bath mats, shower caddies
Adairs – plush towels, bathroom accessories
Kmart – budget towels, shower curtains, bathroom storage
Chemistworks – toiletries, first aid kit, bathroom essentials

Kmart Living

Living Room/Common Area (If You Have One)

Nice-to-haves:

Bean bag or floor cushions (cheap seating for guests)

TV or monitor (double as entertainment + second screen for study)

Rug (makes the space feel less echo-y)

Shelf or TV stand

Throw blankets

Where to shop:

Kmart Home & Living – bean bags, rugs, shelving, decor

Target – cushions, throws, affordable furniture

JB Hi-Fi – TVs, streaming devices, gaming consoles, speakers

Room-by-Room Shopping Strategy at Broadway Sydney

First stop: Kmart Home & Living

Why: Budget-friendly basics for every room
Buy: Bedding, kitchen starter sets, cleaning supplies, desk, chair, storage solutions, lamps, bathroom essentials
Pro tip: Kmart's new home range has seriously stepped up—quality basics without the price tag

Second stop: Bed Bath N' Table or Adairs

Why: Upgrade your bedding and towels (worth the investment)
Buy: Quality sheets, doona, pillows, bath towels, throws
Pro tip: Sign up for their email lists—regular sales and student discounts

Third stop: Harvey Norman

Why: Appliances with warranties
Buy: Microwave, kettle, toaster, air fryer, vacuum
Pro tip: Ask about floor models or payment plans for bigger items

Fourth stop: JB Hi-Fi

Why: Tech and entertainment setup
Buy: Monitor, desk lamp, speakers, TV, cable management, USB accessories
Pro tip: Price match if you find it cheaper elsewhere

Fifth stop: The Reject Shop

Why: Cleaning supplies and random essentials for cheap
Buy: Detergents, sponges, bin bags, storage containers, hooks
Pro tip: Great for bulk basics—stock up here

First-Apartment Hacks Students Swear By

Space-saving wins:

Under-bed storage boxes (shop at Kmart)
Over-door hooks for bags, towels, robes
Stacking shelves in kitchen cupboards
Magnetic strips for knives and small tools
Hanging shoe organizer (also works for cleaning supplies, toiletries, snacks)

Budget stretchers:

Buy generic/homebrand cleaning products (they work the same)
One good knife beats a cheap knife set
Invest in a rice cooker and slow cooker—cheap meals for days
LED bulbs cost more upfront but save money long-term
Reusable containers > cling wrap and foil

Study productivity boosters:

Desk-only rule: only study at your desk, never in bed
Pomodoro timer (25 min work, 5 min break)
Noise-cancelling headphones (shop at JB Hi-Fi)
Plants on your desk (proven to reduce stress)
"Reset" your desk every night so it's ready for tomorrow

Your Move-In Day Checklist

Week before move-in: ☑ Measure your room (so furniture actually fits)
☑ Check what's included (bed frame? Desk? Microwave?)
☑ Make a list and prioritize must-haves vs nice-to-haves
☑ Set a budget and stick to it

Move-in day essentials to pack: ☑ Bedding + pillow
☑ Towels
☑ Toiletries + toilet paper (seriously, don't forget this)
☑ Phone charger
☑ Snacks and water
☑ Basic cleaning supplies
☑ One set of dishes and cutlery

First week additions: ☑ Kitchen essentials
☑ Study setup
☑ Storage solutions
☑ Decor and personal touches

Make Apartment Shopping Part of Your Broadway Trip

Setting up your first place doesn't have to be stressful or expensive. Head to Broadway Sydney and knock out your entire shopping list in one trip:

Start at Kmart for budget basics across every room
Upgrade bedding at Bed Bath N' Table or Adairs
Grab appliances at Harvey Norman or Kmart
Sort your tech setup at JB Hi-Fi
Stock cleaning supplies at The Reject Shop
Fuel up with lunch near Sydney Uni at Broadway's food court
Park all day for $16 with student parking (way easier than lugging furniture on the bus)

Why Broadway works for students: You're already near Central Station, near UTS, and near University of Sydney. Everything you need is in one shopping centre Sydney students actually want to visit—plus you can grab Tight A$$ Tuesday deals while you're at it.

FAQs: First Apartment Setup

How much should I budget for moving out? Minimum $500 for absolute basics. Comfortably? $1,000-$1,500 to set up everything properly.

What should I buy first? Bedding, kitchen basics, cleaning supplies, and a desk setup. Everything else can wait.

Should I buy new or secondhand furniture? Mix both. Buy new bedding and towels (hygiene), but secondhand desks and chairs are fine if they're sturdy.

How do I make a small room feel bigger? Mirrors, light colors, vertical storage, and minimal clutter. Keep it simple.

What's worth spending more on? Mattress, desk chair, and kitchen knives. Everything else? Go budget-friendly.

Get Set for Move-In Day at Broadway Sydney

Your first apartment is exciting—but it's also a lot. The right setup makes all the difference between feeling overwhelmed and actually enjoying your space. From bedroom essentials and study zones to kitchen gear and cleaning supplies, Broadway Sydney has everything students near Sydney Uni, students near UTS, and students across the city need to turn an empty room into home.

Visit Kmart, Bed Bath N' Table, Harvey Norman, and JB Hi-Fi at Broadway Sydney, compare your options, and get your place sorted without the stress.