First Apartment Kitchen Essentials That You Didn’t Know You Needed

Planning for what you need for your new/first apartment can seem so overwhelming and daunting. To help you out a little bit, I have put together a COMPLETE list of first apartment kitchen essentials that you will need when you move in!

I love to cook so shopping for my kitchen in my first apartment was so exciting! If this is your first time having to think about things you will need for a kitchen, this list is a fabulous start to all of the essentials.

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Related: The ULTIMATE List of First Apartment Essentials 

First apartment tips

I made a post a few weeks ago about general first apartment tips that you can find here, but I thought it would be helpful to give you guys some tips specifically about your first apartment kitchen. (because after all, thats why you’re here, right?)

Tip #1 | Invest in quality pieces

If I could recommend anything, I would say to invest in high quality kitchen essentials for your first apartment. When I got my first apartment, I bought everything as cheap as I could to save as much money possible.

That decision ended up biting me in the butt because I now have to buy all new appliances for my next apartment because majority of the things that I bought did not last.

I am now having spend almost  TWO TIMES as much as I would have if I had just spent maybe an extra $100 in total for better quality pieces.

Now don’t worry, you definitely don’t have to break the bank just to get some good quality apartment kitchen essentials. As you will see below, there are tons of options that a great prices but will get the job done while lasting a few years!

Tip #2 | Save money by cooking at home

Cooking at home more often will really save you SO. MUCH. MONEY. I don’t know what it is but I quickly found that even limiting my eating out to 2 days a week saved me over $100 every month.

Find yourself a few staple recipes to cook every other week or so that you can switch things up a bit. I remember when I first started cooking I would only cook the same maybe 3 meals every single week. And let me tell you, that didn’t last long AT ALL.

It can take some time to find those recipes that are easy and that you truly love. So don’t get discouraged girl!! Just take it day by day and eventually it will all come together.

Kitchen Essentials For Your First Apartment

1. Baking sheet

Used for:

• Baking Cookies
• Roasting (potatoes, veggies, etc).

2. Casserole Dish

Used For:

• Baking Brownies
• Casseroles
• Oven meals

3. Cookware Set

Whats included:

• 2 Skillets (1 small, 1 medium)
• Stockpot (perfect for making pasta, soups, and chilies )
• 2 pots (1 small, 1 medium)
• Saucepan (included in the Calphalon set)

4. Dishware 

Whats included:

This dishware set comes with dinner plates, snack plates, and bowls to use for your everyday needs. I love dishware sets because everything matches and it’s more aesthetically pleasing in your kitchen cabinets.

5. Glassware 

6. Eating utensils 

7. Kitchen utensil set

What’s included:

This kitchen utensil set comes with EVERYTHING you are going to need when you are cooking.

8. Blender 

If you are a smoothie or protein shake lover, having a good blender is a must! I love that this one is personal sized so that it won’t take up too much space in your kitchen.

9. Toaster

10. Dishwashing rack

The days of chunky dishwashing racks sitting on your counter are O.V.E.R. This is a rolling dish rack that you can roll out over one side of your sink as you are washing dishes to allow them to drip dry into the sink. When you are done, all you have to do is simply roll it up, and store underneath your kitchen counter.

11. Coffee maker 

12. Knife set 

Having good quality knifes will make your cooking life so much easier! Check out these affordable options.

13. Cutting boards

14. Measuring cups 

15. Oven mitts 

16. Milk frother

All of my coffee loving girls need a milk frother. It’s seriously GAME CHANGING!

17. Kitchen scissors 

Kitchen scissors are great for cutting open packages, stems on fruits and veggies, and any other kitchen cutting needs you may run into.

18. Food storage containers 

These food storage containers are THE BEST. They actually keep your food fresh for a long time. I don’t know if I just had terrible food storage containers in the past or what but the difference is insane.

19. Can opener 

20. Mixer: Standing/Handheld 

21. Crockpot

Everyone needs a crockpot. I’m not kidding. All you have to do is dump your ingredients in and the food will be ready by dinner time. No effort at all!

Related: Easy Crockpot Meals

22. Water Filter

If you are looking for ways to save money, a water filter is the way to go. You’ll never have to spend money on bottled water ever again!