50 First Apartment Kitchen Essentials Everyone Needs
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If you’re moving into your first apartment, congratulations! I remember moving into my first apartment like it was yesterday. It was one of the most exciting times in my life, but it was also pretty stressful and hectic because I felt overwhelmed everything I needed to get for my apartment.
So that’s why I created The Ultimate First Apartment Checklist, which has all the basics of everything you need for first apartment. I didn’t go into full detail on all of the kitchen essentials, so that’s what this first apartment kitchen essentials checklist is for!
This kitchen essentials checklist will ensure you have a smooth and organized transition into this new chapter in your life! The kitchen was the room in my first apartment that I spent the most money on, but every purchase was so worth it.
Don’t feel pressured to buy everything all at once. Focus on getting the items that are most important, then you can always get additional items as you get settled in your new apartment. So this first apartment kitchen essentials checklist is something you can always refer back to.
I hope this kitchen essentials list is as helpful to you as it once was to me when moving into my first apartment!
Want a complete list of EVERYTHING you need for your first apartment? See this ultimate first apartment checklist!
FIRST APARTMENT Kitchen essentials: Cookware & Bakeware
01. POts & Pans
Pots and pans are an absolute must-have for your first apartment! You’ll be using them almost every day, and you’ll have them for many years to come, so it’s important to get a set that you really love! Pots and pans are one of few things in your kitchen that I think are worth investing a little more in!
My pots and pans set from Our Place. I’ve had them for the past 3 years, and they are truly amazing! It’s lightweight, indestructible, and non-stick. Obsessed.
02. Cast Iron
Generic pots and pans will last you a long time, but a cast iron will last a lifetime. I almost always pull out my cast iron to cook before my Our Place set because it gives whatever protein I’m cooking such a nice sear. Seriously.
My favorite way is to cook is to put my cast iron on high heat, then add my steak, chicken, or salmon to get a great sear on both sides, then I just throw it in the oven to let the inside cook. So I get a well-cooked piece of meat with a great sear, and I only needed one dish to do so. It’s so worth it! Plus, this one I got an Amazon is a steal of a price!
03. Baking Sheet Set
I did not realize how much I’d love baking when I moved out on my own. I love making chocolate chip cookies from scratch or my favorite banana bread. And you need a baking sheet set to do so.
04. Muffin Tin
Even though they’re called a muffin tin, they’re great for so much more than just baking muffins. My all time favorite recipe to make it them is egg bites. I used to buy them all the time from Starbucks until I realized I can make them even better at home with whatever ingredients I’m feeling.
I make six of them and store the rest in my fridge/freezer to warm up for a quick, high-protein breakfast.
05. Cooling Racks
Cooling racks don’t seem like a kitchen essential at first, but I realized how helpful they were when letting my meat cool on them before cutting into them and serving. I always had the problem of cooking my food to perfection, but letting them cool in the hot pan/oven sheet that they cooked in made my meal overcooked and dry when ready to eat it.
So now, I let everything I cook and bake cool on these racks before eating.
06. Serving Platters
I wouldn’t consider these a major essential, so they might be ok to skip out on. But if you plan on entertaining family and/or friends, these serving platters are so nice to display the food for grabs.
FIRST APARTMENT Kitchen essentials: Prep Tools
07. Cutting Board
No matter what skill level you are in cooking, everyone needs a cutting board! It makes sense to buy a pack of 2 or 3 to keep raw meat and fruits/vegetables separate. Either way, cutting boards are a kitchen essential for your first apartment!
08. Mixing Bowls
Mixing bowls are another kitchen must-have whether you’re an experienced or newbie baker.
09. strainer
Strainers are a kitchen necessity weather you’re staining pasta or rinsing your fruits and vegetables. They come in so many different sizes and styles.
10. meat thermometer
If you’re anything like I was when moving into your first apartment, you’re not much of a chef. I barely knew how to cook rice lol, so I definitely didn’t know how to tell if my meat was cooked enough. And I was terrified of eating something undercooked and getting sick.
So this meat thermometer saved me! I have the generic one, but digital ones are also a cool option!
11. chopper
I cannot say enough good things about this chopped. So easy to use, and you don’t have to spend all your time manually chopping things with a knife. I promise you will save so much time in the kitchen with this little kitchen tool!
12. measuring cups & spoons
Definitely a must-have. I’ve had the same measuring cup and spoon set since move-in, and I use them all the time for both baking and cooking.
13. Vegetable Peeler
Vegetable peels are a kitchen essential everyone needs. If you ever see your self needing to peel carrots, potatoes, cucumber, etc., it will definitely come in handy.
14. kitchen scissors
It’s important to have a pair of scissors exclusively for the kitchen, so you’re not using your office scissors to cut open packages of raw meat.
15. can opener
This one’s self-explanatory. If you ever see yourself needing to open any time of can, you’ll definitely need one of these in your kitchen.
16. cheese grater
I never thought I’d need a cheese grater but now I always use it to grate cheese for all my pasta dinners.
17. handheld juicer
I make lemon juice every day, so this is a kitchen must-have for me. But if you’re ever cooking with lemons or limes, a handheld juicer will definitely come in handy.
18. garlic press
I loveee cooking with garlic; it truly makes every meal taste better. But I hate chopping garlic and having my hands smell like garlic for the rest of the day, no matter how many times I wash my hands. So a garlic press is a game changer!
19. salad spinner
If you ever see yourself making salads in your new apartment, you’ll need a salad spinner. It helps wick away all the water when washing your lettuce so your salad isn’t soggy!
20. spoon rest
Spoon rests are a kitchen essential to keep all your cooking tools on, so you’re not getting cooking sauces and juices all over your countertop.
21. knife sharpener
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22. Rolling Pin
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23. Sifter
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FIRST APARTMENT Kitchen Essentials: Utensils
24. silverware
Silverware is an absolute kitchen essential, and there are so many fun styles and colors out there!
25. knife set
You’ve got to have some type of knife set or block for cooking. This one I have from Amazon looks so good displayed on my kitchen countertop!
26. spatula
The “fish spatula” is life-changing. It’s super thing so it makes flipping delicate things like fish easy and mess-free.
27. tongs
I use my kitchen tongs all the time, and I’m sure you will too. They’re great for cooking or grilling.
28. ladle
I love makings soup, especially in the fall/winter. And ladles are a kitchen necessity for making soups or chili.
29. PASTRY BRUSH
I use my pastry brush all the time to brush sauce on protein or icing on on my cinnamon rolls. So versatile and definitely a first apartment kitchen essential
30. ICE CREAM SCOOPEr
Ice cream scoopers are a must-have first apartment kitchen essential if you love ice cream! I can not tell you how often I used this because I’m a big ice cream lover.
If you are too, then you need the Ninja Creami as well. I eat healthy ice cream a few times a week because of my Ninja Creami. I bought it recently but it would’ve definitely been a great first apartment kitchen essential!
31. WHISK
My whisk definitely came in handy as a first apartment kitchen must-have because of how often I started baking. You will need this for all your future brownie and cake batters!
32. MEAT MASHER
If you love ground meats like ground beef or ground turkey, a meat masher is a first apartment kitchen must-have for you!
33. MEAT MAllet
Going along with the meat masher, you’ll probably need a meat mallet as well.
34. Utensil holder
If you can’t tell already, there are plenty of kitchen utensils and tools to buy for your first apartment, so you’re probably going to need some type of utensil holder to keep all of them.
Kitchen Essentials: Small appliances
35. Blender
The blender that I have was actually passed down from my parents … from 8 years ago. And it works just as well as it did on day one! It was a little pricey, but clearly very worth the investment.
But I love making smoothies, so a blender was a kitchen necessity for me.
36. Toaster
I’m an eggs with toast for breakfast kind of gal, so I needed a toaster. If you love bread as much as me, you’ll need one too.
37. air fryer
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38. toaster Oven
My toaster oven is by far my most used appliance, so I’d definitely consider it a kitchen essential! I used to have an air fryer, until I discovered the toaster oven. It’s basically a mini oven, so I rarely use my kitchen oven anymore unless I’m cooking multiple dishes.
Plus, It’s a healthier alternative than the microwave and the teflon that’s in Air Fryers. I use my toaster oven to cook, bake, warm up leftovers, and toast bread.
39. coffee machine
If you’re a big coffee lover, it’s so worth it to invest in a coffee machine instead of buying coffee from your local coffee shop everyday. You can really get creative with new coffee recipes but more importantly, you’re going to be saving a ton of money. I love my espresso maker to make my daily vanilla lattes!
40. Tea Kettle
For my fellow tea drinkers, you’re going to want a tea kettle. Seems obvious but for so long I was boiling my water in a random pot on the stove. These tea kettles boil your water so much faster!
41. Slow Cooker
If you haven’t cooked in a slow cooker before, get one! You’re going to love it! Imagine just throwing some chicken breast and sauce in a big pot before going to work. Then when you get back 8 hours later, your kitchen smells so good and you have a delicious meal ready to be served. That’s essentially how my life has been since getting a slow cooked and it’s been amazing to say the least.
FIRST APARTMENT Kitchen Essentials: ORGANIZATION
42. FRIDGE ORGANIZERS
I’ll be honest and say that fridge organizers aren’t necessarily a kitchen must-have, but they certainly keep your fridge organized and aesthetic-pleasing. If you’re only going to get one fridge organizer, I highly recommend the drink organizers. A new drink pulls forward time you grab one just like they do at the grocery store, and they’re so fun to restock.
43. Pantry & Cabinet organizers
Again, not truly a kitchen essential, but definitely nice for keeping all of your pantry food organized. If you’re moving into a new apartment without a ton of kitchen cabinet space, the cabinet shelf is a BIG must-have. It literally adds another row of shelving so you can fit more items in your cabinets.
44. Under-Sink ORganizers
I love these! I have most of my cleaning supplies like disinfecting sprays, trash bags, extra sponges, etc under my sink, so these organizers make it easy to see everything that’s down there. And the two tier ones make it so you can fit more items inside.
45. Utensil Organizers
Utensil organizers are definitely a kitchen must-have to keep all your cutlery organized. There are so many different styles and sizes depending on the size of your drawers.
FIRST APARTMENT Kitchen Essentials: Other
46. Plates & Bowls
Of course you need plates and bowls in your first apartment! It’s easiest and most cost effective to buy them in a set, so here are some affordable ones I found. I personally have this one from Amazon, and they’re great!
47. Glassware
The moment I switched from my plastic cups in college to glassware when moving into my first apartment was, in fact, that moment I felt I become an adult! It’s time to make the transition!
48. Mugs
For all my coffee and tea drinkers, you know how important mugs are. I also have these really cute on-the-go cups for when I’m still sipping on my coffee on the way to work.
49. tupperware
You’ll need these food storage containers for when storing your leftovers for the next day.
50. spice containers
I love my spice containers from Amazon! My spice cabinet looks so aesthetically pleasing!
This post was all about first apartment kitchen essentials!