First Apartment Essentials: Kitchen

Hey there! Moving into your first apartment can be exciting. Finally, your own space where you can design it however you like! But, before you go to the store and get everything on your Pinterest inspo board, there are some first apartment essentials that you put first and foremost when you do your decor shopping. Today, I’m taking all about kitchen essentials!

It’s important to know what’s included in your apartment. Most apartments have basic appliances (think refrigerator, microwave, oven/stovetop) so make sure you know what’s included before you go out and get what you need.b The kitchen is the heart of the home, and you want to make sure that yours is prepared to do what you need it to do!

These are what you need in the kitchen of your first apartment!

Cookware

Cookware is the bread and butter of the kitchen, the pots and pans. You don’t need everything you see for your first apartment. Make sure you take into consideration the size of your kitchen. You don’t want to have all of this awesome stuff and then nowhere to put it. it’s definitely best to get your cookware in a set as opposed to getting them individually. Also, for those who might not know, a lid counts as a piece. Example: A pot and its lid count as two pieces in a set.

Simply Calphalon 10-Piece Non-Stick Cookware Set

Calphalon is a highly respected and household name in the cookware game. My mom still has the Calphalon pots and pans that I remember seeing her cook with when I was little. They definitely hold up over time and they are a great value. A 10-piece set is a pretty basic set, and this has all you need to get started, especially if you have a smaller kitchen and not that much pantry or cabinet space.

Stone and Beam 17-Piece Non-Stick Cookware Set

Stone and Beam is another respected cookware brand, albeit not as big as Calphalon. However, a 17-piece set for $150 is a great deal. This set includes a flat top pan as well as a steamer, which doesn’t come standard in most cookware sets. If you have a little more space in your kitchen, or you’re more advanced in the kitchen, then I would definitely opt for this bigger set.

Bakeware

Bakeware is what you use for all of your baking needs. Now, this doesn’t really apply as much if you don’t bake often. Don’t think that because you see something you want doesn’t mean you need it. Also, some bakeware can be multi-functional. If you’re a big baker, then you may want to spring on a set, if not, then you may just want to get a couple of baking sheets and call it a day.

Farberware 10-Piece Non-Stick Bakeware Set

If you’re looking to bake every once in a while, then this set is definitely for you. With a muffin pan, two cake pans, two baking sheets, and even a cooling grid, this is perfect for a baker in a small kitchen. This set is

Perlli Complete 10-Piece Non-Stick Bakeware Set

This set has more multi-functional pieces in it, which in a small kitchen really comes in handy. This set has a pizza pan and an oven crisper pan, which can be used for more than just baking. (If you love pizza, this set is a must.) But, it also includes baking sheets, cake pans, and a muffin pan.

Appliances

Appliances in a kitchen are like plugins on your blog. They help you work smarter, not harder in the kitchen but you want to make sure you have what you need. These are definitely first apartment essentials!

8-Qt Instant Pot

Yes, I highly recommend a pressure cooker. If cooking isn’t your specialty, then this will definitely help you make homemade meals. My only advice is, read the instructions carefully. Your food is being cooked by pressure and you have to make sure you properly release it when cooking is complete.

6-Qt Crock-Pot Slow Cooker

A slow cooker is key for anyone who works during the day and just wants a homecooked meal when they get home. With a Crock-Pot, you can just set it and forget it. Make delicious chilis, roasts, and much more with a slow cooker. It is an absolute kitchen staple, I have two of them!

Ninja Auto-IQ Blender System

The Ninja Auto-IQ Blender System has come a long way from your mom’s blender because it does all of the work for you. I love my Ninja blender, and I haven’t even used all of the awesome features. This set also comes with food processor functions, so you don’t need to buy another separate appliance for that. So you can create juices, smoothies, shakes, but also dips, doughs, and much more with this blender system.

KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Mixer

A hand mixer, especially a KitchenAid one, is an absolute must in the kitchen. If you want to make any kind of dough, or mashed food, then this is the appliance you need. My mom still has her KitchenAid hand mixer from the early-2000s. KitchenAid makes durable and reliable appliances, especially with their mixers. (If you have the space, and money, for a stand mixer, get it!)

Utensils

Utensils help you cook and serve your food. These are definitely better if bought as a set, especially if you want everything to look more cohesive.

23-Piece Kitchen Utensils Set

This set includes just about every utensil you think you need, and some you may not even know you need. This set comes with the basics, including spatulas, spoons, a ladle, but it also includes a cheese grater, a skinner, an ice cream scoop, and measuring cups. This is the perfect first apartment beginner utensil set.

40-Piece Silverware Set

Silverware, or flatware, is important, it’s what you eat your food with! You can get a 20-piece set as well, but if your dishes aren’t getting done as often as you’d like, then a 40-piece might be up your alley. This set comes with dinner knives, dinner forks, salad forks, dinner spoons, and tea spoons. These are the typical five flatware utensils that are included in sets. So a 40-piece set gets you 8 each and a 20-piece would get you 4 each. It’s just personally up to you.

Other Goodies

This section has some storage ideas but also some other stuff that didn’t really fit in another section.

Amazon Basics 18-Piece Dinnerware Set

This dinnerware set comes in so many different patterns, so it’s up to you and your style to go with what you want. But this dinnerware set includes the basics. It includes 6 dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls for a total of 18 pieces. If you don’t need coffee mugs in your set (which we got in ours, and I wish we didn’t) then this set is perfect for you.

Pyrex Simply Store 16-Piece Storage Set

Pyrex is a well-known kitchenware brand. I love their glass bowl storage sets, they are perfect for storage and reheating of leftovers. This 16-piece set includes four different sized bowls, depending on what you need.

OXO Good Grips 10-Piece Pop Top Storage Container

This storage set allows for airtight food storage. Store candies, cereals, crackers, and pasta without the worry of them going bad early because of the container. I love pop-top storage containers, that way I know that they are airtight and not going to budge. This set comes with different sizes so you can store many different types of foods!

Let’s chat! What do you wish you had gotten in your first apartment? What are some of your first apartment essentials?

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