Setting up your apartment kitchen can be overwhelming with so many items to choose from. What should you buy? Where do you even start? To help you out, here is a list of 18 must-have apartment kitchen essentials, complete with pro tips to make your shopping easier.
A multi-purpose skillet, saucepan, and Dutch oven or stockpot are your cookware basics. For cutting and prepping, you’ll need a chef’s knife, paring knife, and cutting board. Don’t forget measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, and a colander. To round out, invest in a microwave, blender food processor, and electric kettle.
Some other essentials are also important to take place in your kitchen. Intrigued to learn more about kitchen essentials? Let’s dive in!
Contents
- 1 List of 18 Apartment Kitchen Essentials
- 1.1 1. Multi-purpose skillet
- 1.2 2. Saucepan
- 1.3 3. Dutch oven or stockpot
- 1.4 4. Chef’s knife
- 1.5 5. Paring knife
- 1.6 6. Cutting board
- 1.7 7. Measuring cups and spoons
- 1.8 8. Mixing bowls
- 1.9 9. Colander
- 1.10 10. Microwave
- 1.11 11. Blender or food processor:
- 1.12 12. Electric kettle
- 1.13 13. Airtight food storage containers
- 1.14 14. Drawer organizers
- 1.15 15. Over-the-door organizer or magnetic knife strip
- 1.16 16. Dish drying rack
- 1.17 17. Quality dish soap and sponges
- 1.18 18. Trash can with lid
- 2 FAQs
- 3 Final Word
List of 18 Apartment Kitchen Essentials
Things may get difficult when you visit the shop to get kitchen essentials. What to choose, what to buy, and where to buy from are some questions that arise in your mind.
So, here is a list of kitchen essentials along with the pro tips from my side –
1. Multi-purpose skillet
A good 10-12 inch skillet is your kitchen’s best friend.
Go for non-stick if you’re a cooking newbie, or cast iron if you’re feeling fancy. You’ll use this for everything from frying eggs to sautéing veggies, and even baking a mean skillet cookie.
Advice: Lodge makes great affordable cast iron skillets, while T-fal is solid for non-stick. Check out Amazon or your local Target for these.
Product suggestion: Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, 10.25-inch
2. Saucepan
A 2-3 quart saucepan is perfect for boiling eggs, making sauces, or cooking up a batch of oatmeal. Look for one with a lid and a comfortable handle.
Advice: Cuisinart and Calphalon offer good options that won’t break the bank. You can find these at Bed Bath & Beyond or on their websites.
Product suggestion: Cuisinart 719-16 Chef’s Classic Stainless 1-1/2-Quart Saucepan with Cover
3. Dutch oven or stockpot
This 6-8 quart powerhouse is great for soups, stews, and pasta. Plus, if it’s oven-safe, you can use it for braising meats or baking bread.
Advice: While Le Creuset is the cream of the crop, Lodge and AmazonBasics offer more wallet-friendly options. Check out Williams Sonoma or Amazon for a wide range of choices.
Product suggestion: Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife, 8-inch
4. Chef’s knife
An 8-inch chef’s knife is your kitchen workhorse. It’ll handle most of your chopping, dicing, and slicing needs.
Advice: Victorinox makes a great entry-level chef’s knife that punches above its weight. You can find it on Amazon or at kitchen supply stores like Sur La Table.
Product suggestion: Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef’s Knife, 8-inch
5. Paring knife
This little 3-4 inch knife is perfect for precise cuts, peeling fruits, and deveining shrimp.
Advice: Kuhn Rikon makes colorful, sharp paring knives that are easy on the wallet. Look for these on Amazon or at Crate & Barrel.
Product suggestion: Kuhn Rikon Colori Paring Knife Set, 4-inch (3-Piece Set)
6. Cutting board
A medium-sized board that fits your counter space is crucial. Bamboo is eco-friendly and gentle on knives, while plastic is dishwasher safe.
Advice: OXO makes great cutting boards in various materials. You can find these at Bed Bath & Beyond or on Amazon.
Product suggestion: OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board
7. Measuring cups and spoons
Accurate measurements can make or break a recipe. Get a set that includes both dry and liquid measuring tools.
Advice: OXO and KitchenAid offer durable, easy-to-read sets. Target and Amazon both carry a wide selection.
Product suggestion: OXO Good Grips 7-Piece Nesting Measuring Beaker Set
8. Mixing bowls
A nested set of 3-4 bowls in various sizes is super handy. Use them for mixing, serving, or even as impromptu food storage.
Advice: Pyrex glass bowls are classic, or go for stainless steel if you’re worried about breakage. Check out Walmart or Amazon for affordable sets.
Product suggestion: Pyrex Smart Essentials 8-Piece Mixing Bowl Set
9. Colander
Essential for draining pasta and washing produce. A collapsible silicone colander is great for small kitchens.
Advice: QVC and Amazon offer a variety of options, including some fun, colorful designs.
Product suggestion: Qimh Collapsible Colander Set of 3
10. Microwave
A real time-saver for reheating leftovers or quick-cooking. Look for compact models if you’re tight on space.
Advice: Panasonic and Toshiba make reliable, apartment-friendly microwaves. Best Buy usually has a good selection, or check out their websites.
Product suggestion: Toshiba EM131A5C-SS Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor
11. Blender or food processor:
Great for smoothies, sauces, and chopping. An immersion blender is super versatile and takes up less space than a countertop model.
Advice: Cuisinart makes good options for both types. Macy’s often has sales on small appliances, or try Amazon for competitive prices.
Product suggestion: Cuisinart CSB-75BC Smart Stick 200 Watt 2 Speed Hand Blender
12. Electric kettle
Another good essential for every kitchen! It helps to boil water in a jiffy for tea, coffee, or even quick-cooking foods like couscous.
Advice: Hamilton Beach and Cuisinart offer affordable, reliable kettles. Target or Kohl’s are good places to look for these.
Product suggestion: Hamilton Beach Glass Electric Tea Kettle, Water Boiler & Heater
13. Airtight food storage containers
Keep your food fresh and your kitchen organized. A set with various sizes is ideal.
Advice: Rubbermaid and OXO make great, affordable sets. The Container Store is container heaven, or check out Amazon for a wide range of options.
Product suggestion: Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container Set, 14 Piece
14. Drawer organizers
These are lifesavers for keeping your utensils and gadgets in order. Look for adjustable ones to fit your drawer size.
Advice: You can find these at places like Bed Bath & Beyond or The Container Store.
Product suggestion: Bamboo Kitchen Drawer Organizer – Expandable Silverware Organizer/Utensil Holder
15. Over-the-door organizer or magnetic knife strip
Great for maximizing vertical space. An over-the-door organizer can hold spices or cleaning supplies, while a magnetic strip keeps knives accessible but safe.
Advice: IKEA has some clever options, or try Amazon for a variety of styles.
Product suggestion: Modern Innovations 16 Inch Stainless Steel Magnetic Knife Bar
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16. Dish drying rack
An over-the-sink or collapsible model is perfect for small kitchens. It’ll keep your counter dry and your dishes organized.
Advice: SimpleHuman makes sleek, functional racks. Check out Bed Bath & Beyond or Amazon for options.
Product suggestion: Simple Human Kitchen Compact Steel Frame Dish Rack
17. Quality dish soap and sponges
Don’t skimp on cleaning tools! A good quality dish soap and sponges can make a big difference!
Advice: Mrs. Meyer’s makes great eco-friendly dish soap, and Scrub Daddy sponges are all the rage. You can find these at most grocery stores or on Amazon.
Product suggestion: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap
18. Trash can with lid
Look for a size that fits your kitchen and lifestyle. A lid helps control odors and looks neater. SimpleHuman makes stylish, functional cans.
Advice: Target or Wayfair usually have a good selection.
Product suggestion: simplehuman 45 Liter Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can
Take more tips from the following video about minimalist kitchen essentials!
FAQs
Still thinking about essentials for the apartment kitchen? Well, the given Q&A section may help you!
What are the essential kitchen appliances for a small apartment?
A microwave, mini-fridge, toaster oven, and a small coffee maker are usually sufficient.
Is a dishwasher necessary in a small apartment?
While convenient, a dishwasher is not strictly essential. Many people find it easier to wash dishes by hand in a small space.
Can I use a full-sized refrigerator in a small apartment?
It depends on the size of your kitchen. If space allows, a full-sized refrigerator can be convenient. Otherwise, a mini-fridge or compact refrigerator might be more practical.
What kind of bakeware do I need for a small apartment?
A baking sheet and a 9×13-inch baking pan are versatile options for most baking needs.
How can I keep my small kitchen clutter-free?
Regular cleaning and decluttering are essential. Store items you don’t use frequently in another room or storage space.
Final Word
Equipping your apartment kitchen doesn’t have to be daunting. By focusing on these 18 essentials, you can create a functional cooking space that meets all your needs without overwhelming your space or budget.
Keep it in mind that you don’t need to buy everything at once. Start with the basics and build your kitchen arsenal over time. With these essentials, you’ll be well-prepared to cook, bake, and entertain in your new apartment kitchen.
