The kitchen’s still the heart of the home, right? It hasn’t become the living room sofa yet, has it? We hope not! There are plenty of lovely occasions that call for everyone to plop down on the sofa and enjoy a bowl of pasta together.
But, we like to think the kitchen remains the heart of the home. Whether you choose to live in a tiny house of a mac-mansion by the sea, you’ll feel good when you start to treat your kitchen like a treasure and not a utility room.
Below, we’ve created a kitchen essentials checklist to help you, over time, transform this mecca into a masterpiece. We hope you’ll enjoy the process and create a room you’ll truly enjoy.
1. Glass Containers
Have you ever stepped into a neat and organized kitchen with floating shelves? Often, plates and cups are stacked, neat as a pin. But, the thing that always catches our eye is a straight line of containers.
These top our list of essential kitchen items because they really pull the room together. By far, our favorite look is a classic glass container with an airtight lid.
There, you can store all your oats, cereals, grains, rice, and pasta. It’s a lovely bit of artwork in our eyes because, in effect, you’re exposing everything. Yet, it can look endlessly chic and utterly complete.
2. Measuring Cups and Spoons
Whether or not you like to cook, there’s always a need to measure. Here, you might opt for a nice stainless steel set that will last through the ages and be more sustainable than a plastic set.
You’ll do well with a set of measuring cups, a large glass Pyrex measuring cup, and some measuring spoons. Again, we like to opt for metal or ceramic measuring spoons. They’ll last and they’ll help you cut down on some of your plastic consumption.
3. Mixing Bowls
A standard set of mixing bowls comes with two to three varying sizes of bowls. This enables you to mix up a quick batch of brownies or any other creation under the sun.
You might try to match these to your measuring cups and spoons. So, if you go for stainless steel, maybe you’ll find a nice matching set of bowls, too.
That will make everything feel uniform and tidy when you have all these “tools of the trade” out on the counter at any given time.
4. Knife Set
Again, whether you’re a master chef or a master online orderer, essential kitchen knives will come in handy at one time or another. Investing in a knife set may hurt a bit upfront, but this is another kitchen item that should last through the ages.
If you invest in one that stores neatly in a knife block on the counter, your kitchen will look quite complete.
Typically, in these knife sets, you’ll have the following:
- a large chef’s nice (for slicing and dicing)
- a paring knife (for smaller tasks like berry slicing)
- a serrated knife (for breads, etc.)
- honing steel (to sharpen your knives when the time comes)
- a pair of scissors
5. Large Spoon and Spatula
Beside your knife set, you might consider purchasing an open container for a few necessary items. A large spoon will be required anytime you need to stir, scoop, or serve.
Here, you might go for a slotted spoon, as well as a regular spoon. There are a wealth of options here, from bamboo, to metal, to plastic. So, have fun with this.
Then, you might search for a matching spatula. The simple act of a Sunday morning omelette will require a good, sturdy spatula. And, again, you might get one slotted version and one regular version.
6. Flatware
Of course, you won’t be able to enjoy that veggie omelette without a fork. We suggest you take some time to poke around online before settling on a flatware set.
You’re going to use this every day, several times a day. Why not pick a set that’s indicative of your personality? There are an endless array of options out there, so pick something that speaks to you.
Typically, flatware sets contain service for four. So, depending on how often you think you’ll be serving others, you may want two sets to be able to serve six to eight people at any given time.
7. Dinnerware
We’re going to offer up the same advice here. Don’t just “go for anything.” Have some fun searching online for your dinnerware. It’s, again, something you’re going to look at every day, several times a day.
You can also bargain shop around at your local thrift stores. You won’t have to search for long before you see top designers embracing a mix-and-match effect when setting a table. Believe it or not, all four to eight of your plates don’t have to match!
Again, the point here is to try to match your flatware and your dinnerware to your personality. Don’t be afraid to express yourself through the items you’ll be sitting down to a meal with each day.
8. Glasses and Coffee Cups
While we’re on the theme here, consider branching out with your glassware and coffee cups, too. You can mix and match these to your heart’s content, too.
That’s a surefire way of ensuring you don’t get bored of a “standard set” from your local department store. Search around for some colored glasses from your local thrift shops.
Or, if you go to your local department store, try to pick the set that jumps out at you the most. You want to enjoy those morning sips of coffee and those evening dashes of delight.
9. Can Opener and Potato Peeler
If you’re not likely to make your soup from scratch, there will probably come a time when you need a can opener. It’s very difficult to open a can without a can opener. (Please don’t use that lovely knife set you just purchased!)
So, pick one of these up for a couple of bucks and pair it with a potato peeler for those days when you will want to make some ham and potato soup from scratch.
10. Cookware
Here comes the hard part. Some folks have pots and pans hanging over their heads, filling their cupboards, and resting in their ovens. That’s most likely for the serious chef.
If, however, you’re just starting out, here are the bare necessities:
- Skillet (one large one will do)
- Stockpot (for large batches of pasta or soup)
- Saucepan (for the times when you don’t need something as large as a stockpot)
- Sheet tray (for roasting veggies and making cookies)
- Strainer (to strain that pasta you just made)
11. Casserole Dish
The go-to here is another Pyrex product. Glass casserole dishes are quite common and, again, will hold up well. You can also opt for a ceramic casserole dish.
And, if there’s room in the oven, you might get two to three different sizes because different recipes call for varying sizes. An 8-inch by 8-inch and a 9-inch by 13-inch are your most common sizes.
12. Toaster
Toasters don’t typically hurt the budget too much. In some instances, you can even pick one up at your local superstore for less than ten dollars.
While you can pop a few pieces of bread on your new sheet tray to toast your bread, a toaster sure does make life a whole lot easier.
13. Microwave
We actually have a friend who has consciously decided to remove her microwave from her home. You can read all about the health benefits in a quick online search.
Sure enough, she found she didn’t suffer too much. It didn’t kill her to heat up her leftovers in a frying pan or pot. She even made popcorn from kernels in a pot on her stove.
This is something you can pass over if you’re trying to save money. But, again, your local department store is going to have some pretty affordable price points for you as soon as you start looking.
14. Crock Pot
A crock pot is a universal tool. Kitchen aficionados and newbies can make use of this appliance. It’s really a nice investment because the end result is almost always a tasty, moist, and sumptuous affair.
You can toss in your chicken and spices before work and return home to a delightful dish. Again, the price points will vary on these, but you can secure a nice deal around the holidays and whenever stores are running sales.
15. Storage Containers
Whether you’re cooking for one or six, you’re likely to have something leftover that requires refrigeration. So, you can buy tidy little sets of storage containers or just pick up a few basic sizes.
You’ll always have your standard, go-to plastic storage containers. Or, you might opt for a nice glass option to, again, stand the test of time.
16. Cleaners
Whether you’re a clean-as-you-go cook or a make-a-mess and enjoy the process cook, there’s no escaping a little kitchen cleanup when all is said and done.
Here are the basic requirements:
- Dish soap
- Dishwasher detergent
- Counter cleaner
- Sponge
- Dishtowel
For dish soap, we’re major fans of Joy dish soap. They’ve been around from the 1940s and it remains true: a little goes a long way.
As for dishwasher detergent, you will want something with a little more scrubbing power. So, don’t be afraid to spend a little extra here.
Finally, as for counter cleaner, you can make your own with a little water, vinegar, lime zest, and essential oil. Or, you can stick with the classics and just give everything a good scrub down after everyone’s enjoyed their meals.
Kitchen Essentials
We hope this list of kitchen essentials will serve you well as you start to stock up for your new place. Even though these are essential kitchen tools, you don’t have to purchase everything all at once.
Consider what you’ll need from the start and then build on that week by week, paycheck by paycheck. In time, you’ll have a kitchen that you love stepping into as you explore new creations.
As you walk through life, build your home, and enjoy time spent with your loved ones, we hope you’ll continue to come on over and check out our blog. Each of our lifestyle sections are constantly being updated, with your happiness and success in mind.
