A simple set of things can get you far when being self-sufficient. Today we’re talking about the essentials you need to apartment homestead.

Why you need Essentials For An Apartment Homestead
With just a simple set of things on hand, you can get a lot done around your home. Having these essentials can make everyday tasks easier, as well as cut down your waste.
This list is catered to apartment living, specifically when you have no in-ground space or limited outdoor room. (hint; you won’t be needing a tractor or horse saddle)
When thinking about items, I bring into my house I always try to think of how many different ways it can be useful to me.
A perfect example is my dutch oven! When I first heard of them, and that they’re a pot that can go in the oven I immediately thought of my baked Mac and Cheese recipe.
I can cook the pasta in the pot, drain them in the colander, put them back in the same pot, add the ingredients, and stick it in the over. No extra dishes! That’s a win-win!
But because of its size (5 quarts), I use it every day for almost every meal I make. So it’s not a one-pot meal. It’s getting plenty of love.
I try to adapt this concept in other areas in the home to make my living space more efficient, as well as keep my home minimal and clutter-free.
Here are some of my top essentials for an apartment homestead, that I believe will help you build a more efficient, and aesthetically pleasing home.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure HERE.

Essentials For Kitchen
- Dutch oven
- Reusable Rags
- Crockpot or Instant pot
- Bakeware Set
- Stand Mixer
The kitchen essentials are the most important out of all 3 sections. That is because you cook at least once a day. So making the kitchen as efficient as possible will save time and money.
I think a stand mixer will help cut down the time when making bread. Using the mixer with a dough hook attachment can mix anything your baking.
Crockpots and Instant Pots are great for making dump meals. They help cut down on dishes and the time you spend standing in the kitchen babying your food.
Reusable rags are so great in the kitchen! I will never switch back to paper towels. I’ve saved so much money just using rags to clean up messes, help with daily cleaning, and even as napkins. Just throw them in the washer when they’re dirty.
A nice glass bakeware set can come in handy during so many situations. This one I got comes with bowls and lids. The whole set gets so many different uses as baking dishes, storage containers, mixing bowls, and serving dishes.

Essentials For Garden
These gardening essentials can be used year after year with good care. They will come in handy every gardening season.
A seed starting tray is the one thing you might have to replace as they are made of thin plastics. In the future, I will invest in nice durable ones after I’ve been a seasoned gardener.
The compost bucket can help with cutting down on your waste going into the landfill. Plus save you money on some nice organic soil in the future.
Using grow bags to garden in takes-up less space because when they’re not in use you can just fold them up and tuck them away. They allow air to come into the roots of the plant and have great drainage.

Essentials For Household
- Amber glass bottles
- Drying Rack
- Essential Oils
- Mason Jars
- Wicker Baskets
Amber glass bottles are useful when making your own cleaning products. I talk more about them and the compost bucket in my How to Homestead in an Apartment post!
Clothes drying racks also cut down on your carbon footprint by saving energy and harvesting the power of the sun to dry your clothes for you.
Essential oils have many uses around the house, aromatherapy, cleaning, and even heath care! A basic set will get you a long way.
Mason jars are helpful for LOTS of things my favorite way to use them is just to store little stuff in them that don’t normally have a place. Keeping a stock for canning your harvest from your garden is good too.
Wicker baskets are my favorite things to keep around, you can never have too much storage! They give the home some warmth with their natural colors and never go out of style.

Ready to collect some essentials for an apartment homestead
I’ve collected and acquired most of these things over time, so there’s no need to feel overwhelmed. Just a little here and there will get you going in no time.
If I had to pick just one to get me started it would be the reusable rags! They really are a game-changer and can be cheap to get.
If you can think of other multi-use items that make the home efficient or help a self-sustainable life leave them in the comments down below.
Shop this post
Pin for later!

I wish I would of had this list back when I lived in an apt. The compost bucket and gardening supplies are perfect! Great ideas and products!
Thank you kim!
A dutch oven would be a must for me too! I have my drying rack up all the time, it’s never not in use π Good Job!
Thank you! My drying rack has not had a break since moving into the apartment!
Thank you!!1
Happy to help!