Getting Your First Apartment? 3 Costco Buys That Could Come in Handy

Getting your first apartment is an exciting milestone. But it can also be an expensive one. In addition to the security deposit your landlord is bound to ask for, you may need to buy a host of items to get settled into your new digs. That could include everything from furniture to your very first spice rack.

If you have a Costco membership, though, some of your new buys may not be as expensive as you fear. Here are a few things to get from Costco when you're moving into your first home.

1. Bulk cleaning supplies

In an ideal world, you'll move into an apartment that's been thoroughly cleaned by your landlord (or a service they hire). In reality, your new home will probably require a deep clean before you settle in.

That's where Costco could come to your rescue. You can buy a host of bulk cleaning supplies, like a four-pack of Lysol disinfecting wipes for just $13.99 at Costco.com. And you'll probably find a cheaper price in the store. There's also a 212-ounce supply of Clorox All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach for $22.99 online. And these are just a couple of examples.

Of course, you'll also need paper towels, but Costco's got you covered there, too. You can order a 12-pack of Bounty for $24.49 online or see what the in-store price is. Or if you're not picky about your paper towels, go with the Kirkland version, which will cost you a few dollars less on your credit card.

2. Storage options

The last thing you want is for your new apartment to become a cluttered, disorganized mess. So it pays to invest in some storage solutions, and Costco's got your back here, too. You can buy a six-pack of clear, large-sized bins for $48.99 online. The benefit of clear bins is that if your labels fall off or degrade over time, you can peek in and see what's in them.

If you need a little extra closet space, Costco also sells a rolling garment rack for $96.99. Or grab yourself a three-tiered shoe bench for $49.99 to keep your footwear nice and organized.

3. Home decor

Your first apartment shouldn't just be a temporary place to crash until you can upsize -- it should feel like home. So you may want to turn to Costco for some finishing touches that let you put your own stamp on your rental.

If your new apartment gets a lot of light, that's a great thing -- except for when you want to sleep. So you may want to invest in a pair of SUN+BLK Buckingham Chenille Total Blackout Curtains, which cost $34.99 each online. And speaking of light, you may want a stylish lamp to illuminate your living room in the evening and add character to your space. Consider the Basia 3-Light Floor Lamp -- Costco has it in stock for only $69.99.

Also, nothing says "cozy" like some strategically placed throw blankets. Costco's got a pretty large online selection of those.

You could save money in the course of stocking your first apartment by turning to Costco. It pays to browse online and visit your local warehouse club store to see which items on your list are worth buying there.