My first apartment was a TINY studio in NYC so not a ton of furniture. Big purchase was a discounted Castro Convertible loveseat. Also got a cheap table and bookshelf from some local place.
S also had a small studio as his first apartment and got furniture from Bob’s Discount.
D’s first apartment was her tiny grad school apartment with two friends which was furnished with a combination of a bed and rug from home, a desk from Wayfair, and a cheap Home Goods dresser. Living Room had a cheap IKEA futon and stuff that was used in their college rooms.