Sydney Room Kit-Out Guide

23yo tech worker, moving to furnished apartment in Glebe, Sydney. Living with 2 close friends, ~2 year stay. Kitchen fitted out, washer/dryer included.

What You Need to Get

🛏️ Bedroom Essentials

Bedding (Priority: High)

Australian brands worth considering: Koala (award-winning, good warranty), Ecosa (good value, adjustable firmness), Emma (budget-friendly, often on sale).

Storage (Priority: High for small bedrooms)

Lighting (Priority: Medium)

• Desk lamp (for work) — $30-80
• Bedside lamp — $20-60
• Consider: LED strip lights or monitor light bar for desk setup

Climate Considerations (Sydney)

• Sydney summers are humid (25-35°C), winters mild (8-18°C)
• A fan is essential for summer — pedestal or tower fan ($30-80)
• You probably won’t need a heater, but a small one is nice for rare cold nights ($40-80)

💻 Work/Desk Setup

If you’re working from home:

Ergonomics quick guide: Monitor top at eye level → Elbows at 90° when typing → Feet flat on floor (or footrest) → Chair lumbar support

🧹 Cleaning & Maintenance

• Vacuum or broom/dustpan — check if roommates have one first
• Laundry hamper — collapsible ones save space
• Basic toolkit — hammer, screwdriver set, tape measure, Allen keys
• First aid kit — bandaids, painkillers, antiseptic
• Spare light bulbs — check fitting types in your room

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ What People Forget to Buy

1. Extension cords/power boards — Never enough outlets where you need them
2. Door hooks/over-door organisers — Instant extra storage
3. Bathroom items — Bath mat, toilet brush, plunger (not glamorous but essential)
4. Kitchen basics — Even furnished places often lack good knives, cutting board, tupperware
5. Cleaning supplies — Vacuum, mop, all-purpose cleaner, microfiber cloths
6. First aid kit — Only remembered when you need it

❌ Overspending Mistakes

1. Buying everything new — Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, op shops have great furniture
2. Buying before measuring — Measure your room AND doorways before furniture shopping
3. Impulse “deals” — That “sale” isn’t a deal if you don’t actually need it
4. Matching sets — Mix and match is fine. You’re 23, not running a showroom.

❌ Items That Seemed Useful But Weren’t

• Single-purpose kitchen gadgets (avocado slicer, banana holder, etc.)
• Cheap furniture that won’t survive a move (particle board bookcases)
• Excessive throw pillows/cushions
• Giant entertainment units (streaming makes these obsolete)
• Exercise equipment that becomes a clothes rack

❌ Timing Mistakes

• Buying furniture before seeing the space — Wait until you’ve moved in
• Not coordinating with roommates — Avoid 3 kettles and 0 toasters
• Rushing on day one — You don’t need everything immediately

Splurge vs Cheap Out

💰 Worth Spending More

💸 Okay to Cheap Out On

🔄 Good Resale Value Items

• Quality desk chairs (Herman Miller, Steelcase)
• Standing desks
• Good monitors
• Solid wood furniture
• KitchenAid mixers (if you bake)

Glebe-Specific Tips

🛒 Shopping Options

🚊 Transport

• Bus: Frequent buses to CBD, Newtown, Central
• Light rail: Glebe has light rail stops — good for getting to Central/Chinatown
• Walkable: Glebe Point Road has cafes, restaurants, bookshops, pubs
• Bike: Good cycling paths along the waterfront

📍 Local Knowledge

• Glebe is student-heavy (near USYD and UTS) = good cheap eats
• Glebe Markets on Saturdays are great for vintage/secondhand
• Broadway has a Hoyts cinema if you want to catch movies
• Lots of good cafes on Glebe Point Road
• Close to Newtown for more food/nightlife options

Coordination with Roommates

Discuss Before Buying:

• Kitchen basics (who’s bringing what)
• Living room furniture (sofa, TV, coffee table)
• Cleaning supplies (vacuum, mop, shared items)
• Bathroom items (bath mats, shower curtain)
• Internet setup (NBN plan, router)

Shared Purchase Tips:

1. Keep receipts — Know who paid for what
2. Have a “who keeps it” conversation upfront — Especially for big items
3. Consider a shared household fund — $50-100/month each for shared consumables
4. Label shared purchases — Avoid confusion later

Quick Start Checklist

First Day (Move-In)

• Bedding (sheets, pillow, doona)
• Towel + toiletries
• Phone charger
• Shower curtain (check if provided)
• Toilet paper
• Curtains/blinds (check if provided)

First Week

• Mattress topper (if bed uncomfortable)
• Laundry hamper
• Basic cleaning supplies
• Kitchen essentials (if not fully equipped)
• Power boards/extension cords
• Desk lamp

First Month

• Storage solutions (assess what you need)
• Work setup (monitor, chair if WFH)
• Decor/personal touches
• Plants (if that’s your thing)

Budget Estimate (AUD)

Note: This is for YOUR room only. Shared items split with roommates would be additional but shared.

Final Tips

1. Live in the space first — Don’t buy everything before you understand how you use the room
2. Measure twice, buy once — Room dimensions, doorways, window heights
3. Check what’s actually included — “Furnished” varies wildly. Ask for a list.
4. Facebook Marketplace is your friend — Sydney has an active secondhand market
5. Don’t stress — You can always buy things later. Start with the essentials.