49 Apartment Kitchen Essentials Every First Time Renter Needs
First off, congratulations! First time renting is a big deal, and we’re so excited to help get you all of your apartment kitchen essentials!
I’ve moved twice a year since I was 18 years old, so I know what it’s like to start from scratch…quite a few times actually.
We’ve compiled the best kitchen essentials list to start your kitchen off strong !
This post is all about apartment kitchen essentials!
All products featured on Cailey Maclean are independently selected by our editors. Cailey Maclean is not sponsored by any of the following gift suggestions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MOST ASKED QUESTIONS FOR APARTMENT KITCHEN ESSENTIALS
How Do You Stock A Kitchen With The Right Equipment
I’ve had my fair share of dud gadgets that didn’t do what was promised by the influencer or commercial. Reviews are going to be your best friend particularly from Amazon. The second factor I consider is brand awareness. I know Instant Brands is a well-established company known for longevity and good quality products. Also, ask your parents and friends who have been using their kitchen essentials for a while. Learn from them on which gadgets have remained true to their original promises and haven’t worn away over the years.
What Does A Fully Stocked Kitchen Have?
A brief idea on what you could include for a kitchen would be:
- Bakeware set such as cake pans, muffin tins, etc
- Cutting boards
- Knife set
- Measuring spoons + cups
- Dinnerware plates
- Drinking cups
- Can opener
- Meat thermometer
What Pots & Pans Are Essential?
You can really go down the rabbit hole when it comes to evaluating the best pots and pans for your cooking scene. It greatly depends on what types of foods you cook on a regular basis. For myself I find a dutch oven and a large frying pan are my go-to for the type of recipes I make. However, the Serious Eats have listed nonstick skillet, iron skillet, sauté pan, dutch oven, wok, saucier, and stockpot as the most used / needed pans for your cooking toolbelt.
49 APARTMENT KITCHEN ESSENTIALS
What Do You Need For A Kitchen When You First Move In?
We’ve curated a list which will walk you through the best gadgets, organizers, and cooking essentials, so you’ll know exactly what you need for your first kitchen.
KitchenAid Hand Mixer
“I was looking for a new hand mixer because mine that I had didn’t work right with the speed settings, but this one is just perfect and the speed settings work good price love it” – Amazon Review
If you’re like me, you’re borrowing a hand mixer from one of your relatives to make delicious goodies in the kitchen. Since we’ve moved, I don’t have access to a hand mixer. I’ve learned the hard way that cheesecake just doesn’t taste as great when you try to literally ‘hand’ mix it. lol
Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set
“My wife says, “what’s not to love! I am in love with these bowls. These bowls are so light compared to my glass bowls. I have used every size bowl in baking or cooking.” Needless to say she is very happy with this purchase.” – Amazon Review
Mix, mix, and more mixing bowls! Various nesting bowl sizes especially come in handy when you need to store leftovers in the fridge and are limited on space.
Cutting Boards
“They store very easy in a small kitchen. I like that they have not warped yet. I have had these things for right at a year and they are still in great condition. Great buy.” – Amazon Review
When you have a small space, you want a lightweight cutting board that can store in small spaces.
“Love this Brita filter system. It’s durable and made out of very strong materials. The filter is easy to install. It fits conveniently on my refrigerator shelf. The water flows great out of the system. Very glad I purchased it.” – Amazon Review
Super easy to refill and use! You want to ensure you’re drinking filtered water and this dispense fits perfectly beside our fridge for easy access.
Dish Drying Rack
“Love this. Goes on top shelf of dishwasher for cleaning. Easy to roll up when I need the counter for cooking. Will become a gift idea for all those I know who also have tiny kitchen spaces” – Amazon Review
If your apartment doesn’t have a dishwasher than a drying rack is extremely beneficial and easy to clean.
Cuisinart Knife Set
“I bought a set for my wife, she absolutely loves the knives. You can tell these are a high quality item. They look and feel good when you use them. The set comes with a Steel to keep knives honed and also a wood stock to store the knives. We liked this set so well that we bought a set for one of our daughters for Christmas.” – Amazon Review
100% this item ranks among the top apartment kitchen essentials for us! Invest in a good quality knife set that won’t wear out in the short-term. This is the set we’ve used for two years now and it’s still going strong.
Oven Mittens
“I got these to replace a worn out set and love them. They have grippy hands to make it harder to drop things. Work very well.” – Amazon Review
Buy yourself a pair of oven mittens before you need them. That awkward moment when you’ve heated a dish at 450 degrees in the oven and are scrambling to utilize your dishtowels for mittens. Yeah, let’s avoid that situation. 😉
Tea Towels
“If you want unique and chic hand towels, those are the ones. They are soft cotton and the right size for bathroom hand towel or kitchen hand towel but more importantly they are pretty.” – Amazon Review
I do not use my tea towels for cleaning as I like to use them to decorate the space with the theme I’m going with. Decorating your space is 100% an apartment kitchen essential. lol
Beige Trash Can
“I’ve never thought I would be so excited and happy for a trash can. It is so sleek, modern and matches my home. The smaller one is the cutest and it’s in my bathroom. Stays super clean and I love how the lid closes so gently.” – Amazon Review
Trash cans may be the last thing on our minds until we have something in our hands we have to throw away. With a beige aesthetic, this trash can would fit in so well for your new apartment kitchen.
Shark Steam Pocket Mop
“Cleans the floors with super hot steam. It does get very hot so watch out for any pets or kids when using, it’s very useful, works great, light weight, stores easy, the reusable mop heads are super thick and the velcro is very strong. They are machine wash save and very easy to use. No buttons required.” – Amazon Review
Remove dirt and hard to get grime from your flooring with this Shark steam mop!
Collapsible Strainers
“I was a bit concerned these might be too small, but they work perfectly for draining pasta, vegetables, etc. Love the colors. Easy to clean and dishwasher safe.. Good quality for the price. The fact that they fold and unfold so easily is terrific.” – Amazon Review
Apartment kitchen essentials would be nothing without collapsible strainers! It is the best choice when you live in a small apartment. They’re easy to use, clean, and store in tight spaces.
Toaster Oven
“Had been using this brand before moving to Canada, though not the same model but it remains a very user friendly and reliable device producing fantastic food for us.” – Amazon Review
Toaster ovens are a great addition when you want to quickly bake, toast, and even air-fry in a hurry.
Salt & Pepper
“Feel and look good. High quality and good choice of colours to suit any kitchen. Note they both have cover caps over the bottom so remove first before use!! Had to explain this to my husband as he was complaining nothing was coming out 🙄😂” – Amazon Review
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Silverware
“These are a good buy cause of the different sizes and collapsible since I don’t have alot of cabinet space in my kitchen.” – Amazon Review
Yes, you 100% need silverware! BUT, I don’t think it’s an online purchase you should make! I recommend you go to the store and shop for your silverware. You need to feel the weight and see which option you prefer the most.
Measuring Spoons
“These are a good buy cause of the different sizes and collapsible since I don’t have alot of cabinet space in my kitchen.” – Amazon Review
Measuring spoon is a complete must when you’re cooking or baking.
Measuring Cups
“These are a good buy cause of the different sizes and collapsible since I don’t have a lot of cabinet space in my kitchen.” – Amazon Review
In love with all things silver? I’ve got you. These silver measuring cups are a great pick for your kitchen essentials.
Glass Measuring Cups
“Durable, sturdy, useful, easy to read and use, good value, pours easily.” – Amazon Review
When you’re baking, you’ll need all sorts of various measuring tools and they all really come in handy too! Glass measuring cups are a must for when you need to microwave the contents inside and are super easy to clean.
Beige Clips
“These clips are easy on the fingers and have rubber-tipped jaws. I didn’t realize when I bought them that they also have a magnet, so they can stick to my refrigerator, which makes them even more useful.” – Amazon Review
I’ll admit I wasn’t introduced to clamps for closing food bags until I married my husband. Now I can’t see myself not using them!
Kitchen Utensil Set
“Every kitchen tool you’d ever need is included in this fabulous set! I’m so pleased with this purchase! Would be a great gift purchase for anyone” – Amazon Review
Garlic Press
“So glad I bought this! It is so easy to use and clean. I got the copper color, perfect. As I get older, I appreciate having something that’s easy to use. Very comfortable grip.” Amazon Review
Don’t skip on a good garlic press. It will save you a ton of time when adding garlic to your recipes and the clean up is surprisingly easier than you’d think.
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Keurig Mini Coffee Maker
“I had a bigger Keurig before and decided to downsize to save space and I like the idea of fresh water poured for every cup. Set up was quick and easy, a quick cleaning run through, and then a great cup of coffee,” – Amazon Review
Small apartment but still want a quick cup of coffee? Keep your morning coffee simple with a space friendly Keurig!
Vegetable Chopper
“Gadgets often don’t meet expectations and are not as easy to use as the supplier would have you believe. This gadget, however, exceeded expectations. It is substantial, secure feeling, works exactly as advertised and is so much fun and useful I had to write a review.” – Amazon Review
Do you hate chopping onions? Me too. I have loved our vegetable chopper specifically for when I need to chop a lot of onions. Keeps the tears away. lol
Cushioned Kitchen Mat
“I have this mat at my sink and I love it. Super comfy and easy to clean.” – Amazon Review
Have a load of dishes to clean? Support your feet with a cushioned mat in your kitchen. I’ve never regretted getting mine for my kitchen.
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Dishcloth Towel Set
“I use these Sticky Toffee Cotton Terry Kitchen Dishcloth Towels as washcloths. They are more abrasive than regular washcloths, which is why I like them. Some exfoliation and invigoration with each use. Perfect size for a washcloth, too.” – Amazon Review
Get yourself a wide variety of dish towels because messes happen all the time and you don’t want to be caught without one.
Dishcloth Towel Set
“Got Thai set washed them and started using right away! I never had such nice set that is soft, dries wonderful and washes dishes great!! Wonderful size, highly recommended to anyone need to buy!” – Amazon Review
Here’s a tip that helps me organize my dish towels. I keep one color of towels specifically for dishes and another color set for cleaning counters and stovetops. Easier organization to know what towels to grab or not grab for each chore.
Tea Kettle
“This is a very attractive kettle in person. Heats quickly and relatively quietly. The cord storage in the base is a nice touch. If you fill it to the max level, you have to be careful as the water pours out very quickly. Overall a great product.” – Amazon Review
A cute tea kettle to match your space and elevate your tea time!
Butter Dish
“Very sturdy ceramic. Holds roughly 3 sticks of butter at a time (without overflowing). Has a cute butter knife that sits on top of the lid.” – Amazon Review
If you want something to taste good you add butter…if you want something to taste even better you add more butter. Make sure that butter has a home.
Glass Food Container
“I love these glass food storage containers. They are replacing yucky plastic containers that after a few times in the microwave look pretty used up. Boo more stained plastic containers for me!” – Amazon Review
Bakeware Dish Set
“Not only are these beautiful, durable, and high-quality, but they cook and bake SO EVENLY! I can see these lasting for many years. SO happy with this purchase and would absolutely buy these again.” – Amazon Review
Invest in good quality bakeware dish set that will last a long time!
Dinnerware Set
“Love the pattern and style of these dishes! Perfect for a country home and everyday use. They appear to be well made.” -Kirkland Reviews
White or ivory colors are a good choice for dishes as you can take them throughout the seasons. This set will look attractive for Thanksgiving and Christmas table settings as well as spring and summer holidays.
Personalized Recipe Book
“I purchased two of these personalized cookbooks for my SIL and MIL for Christmas. I already gave my MIL her present and she was SO obsessed with it!” – Etsy Review
Add to your space with a personalized recipe book you can display in your kitchen. This isn’t just a kitchen decoration, but a family heirloom you can pass down to your children.
Pots & Pans Set
This Cuisinart set has all of the pots and pans you could ever need when kickstarting your cooking collection. You’ll absolutely love the quality of Cuisinart Pots & Pans 17 piece set.
Meat Thermometer
“Been looking for a meat thermometer for a bit now. This is really simple to use and very quick.” – Amazon Review
Honestly, don’t go without this. It’s easy to overlook a meat thermometer, but until you try it you don’t realize how much easier it makes your cooking life.
Paper Plates
“I absolutely love these plates. They are very sturdy and don’t leak. And the bonus is that they are biodegradable. I try to use products that are eco friendly. This is my second order of these plates. 5 stars all the way.”- – Amazon Review
Trust me, you’ll want to buy yourself paper plates. There will be nights you don’t want to do the dishes and that’s when paper plates save the day!
Toaster Oven
“I have to admit that it’s on the high end of what I would spend for a toaster, but the color got me! Purchased the kettle too. Love them both.” – Amazon Review
If you are a huge toast for breakfast fan then you know a toaster appliance is a must for the apartment kitchen essentials.
Spice Drawer Organizer
“Great for small, narrow drawers. Now my spices are more accessible when I’m cooking. I like that they’re not very tall, as my drawer is not very deep. They’re also in 4 separate pieces so if you can’t fit all 4 in one drawer it isn’t a problem.” – Amazon Review
One of the easiest ways to store your spices and the best option when you’re trying to reserve your pantry space.
Enameled Cast Iron Oven
“Gorgeous color, cooks quicker than others I’ve used so saves on energy, easy to clean with no staining from things like tomato or curry paste. So glad I spent that bit extra to get this top quality cookware.” – Amazon Reviews
Cast irons are your go to for baking sourdough bread or a quick grab for making soup and sauces on the stove.
Stainless Steel Box Grater
“Excellent quality grater and storage container. Both hold up perfectly through all dishwasher cycles (even on the bottom rack). Easy to hold and produces perfect grated cheese.” – Amazon Review
We love the accessory that comes with this cheese grater for when we have excess cheese to store in the fridge for later.
Secura Milk Frother
“Oh man, I love this thing. In my endless pursuit to never go to Starbucks again, this handy little device takes care of the hardest part. This makes perfectly heated milk and, if you want, thickly frothed as well” – Amazon Review
Homemade hot or cold foam? Sign me-up! You will elevate your coffee, tea, or hot cocoa routine with this milk frother machine.
Nutribullet Blender
“This is a great blender! I’ve never owned a full size blender and got by with immersion blender for ages. This is minimal and can stay out on the counter. It’s so powerful and couldn’t be easier to clean.
Great purchase!” – Amazon Review
I’ve come to learn blenders are not one of those pieces of equipment you want to get off-brand. I’ve done this and then I’m stuck with a piece of machinery that can’t blend frozen fruit or ice. Nutribullet has a good reputation and is worth your investment.
Bread Knife
“I bake a lot of sourdough bread and needed a good sharp knife to slice my baked bread. I find this knife to work very well. It cuts well and looks to stay sharp over time. It is also heavy enough to feel solid in my grip. Highly recommend.” – Amazon Review
Do you make bread? You need a bread knife! Gosh, I can’t live without my bread knife! It cuts just beautifully. I’ve had this knife for about 3 years now and it’s still doing really good after being used almost weekly.
Sourdough Baking Kit (Starter Not Included)
“Great set that comes with everything you need. Performed well and appeared well made. The size is what I was looking for. Could be used for sourdough or yeast dough.”
If you’re looking into baking bread, then you’ll probably need a starter kit for your new apartment. This is similar to the starter kit I used for when I got into baking sourdough.
Quality Can Opener
“This is my second KitchenAid can opener. Bought my first one in 2010 and it finally bit the dust a couple of weeks ago. Pretty good run for a product under $20! I will never buy or use any other brand but KitchenAid. Would definitely recommend to everyone!”
Trust me when I say you don’t want to buy your can opener from the Dollar Tree store. Quality means longevity in the can opener game.
Coffee Mug Set
“Beautiful cups. Sturdy, not too heavy, the colors are adorable. I love neutrals 😍 I actually bought the white ones too. They were packed perfect. I would buy them again and again and again.’ You won’t regret it!” – Amazon Reviews
These lovely stoneware mugs are perfect for hosting when your friends come over to see your new apartment! Trust me when I say you don’t want to get stuck with no mugs when you have visitors over for tea or coffee.
Glass Set
“I bought these glasses to replace others I had bought in at set years ago. They are a perfect match. I really still love these glasses and was so happy to find them on Amazon.” – Amazon Review
Adjustable Apron
“I’ve used this apron for over a year and it’s still going strong. I love it. Because it goes down below the knee, it is great for preventing spots on both your top and pants. It’s also easily adjustable and, best of all, can be bleached after any serious baking/cooking projects.” – Amazon Review
Believe me when I say you will WANT an apron on stand-by in your kitchen. I don’t want to do the dishes when I’ve got my nice clothes on. Or I’ll get ready last minute for a party I’m hosting because I don’t want to get food stains on my nice clothes. Aprons make these problems magically go away lol.
KitchenAid Mixer
“I love mine so much that I purchased one as a gift for my mom! I love that these are serviceable. Mine is 15 years old and still going strong!” – Amazon Reviews
I almost always in support of theming your kitchen and getting appliances that match your colors. However! I don’t recommend this when it comes to expensive equipment like the KitchenAid Mixer. Your taste will likely change as you get older, so I suggest sticking to basic colors on equipment that will stay with you for years (or decades) to come.
Refrigerator Organizer Bins
“I have two of them. They organize my fridge, create more space, make it look cohesive and keep items fresh. What’s there not to like!” – Amazon Review
When I first got into fridge organization, my husband wasn’t 100% on board. He was worried it would take up more space then free up what little shelf room we had. Wow, was he pleased after I was finished organizing our fridge! We saved money as a disorganized fridge can result in not seeing food that is expiring in the back. This is a MUST!
Door Pantry Organizer
“We love this over-the-door storage rack for our pantry. It gave us some additional storage space in the pantry at a very reasonable price. Installation was easy and the product quality is good!” – Amazon Review
When you’re getting your first apartment, you may be getting a space that is smaller than you would prefer. A small apartment means door, shelf, counter, and corner is an opportunity to optimize more storage space! Hanging door organizers is like gaining six more shelfs in a tight space!
This post is all about apartment kitchen essentials!
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