The Ultimate New Apartment Kitchen Checklist

December 13, 2022

No home is complete without a well-stocked kitchen. A great cook (or not-so-great cook) needs a good tool. Furnishing your kitchen with the right essentials and products can revolutionize how you experience your kitchen and how you cook. There is just something special about taking ingredients and spices and using the right products and kitchen essentials to create that perfect dish. Having exactly what you need precisely when you need it will transform your kitchen.

So, if you are trying to figure out where to begin with the kitchen essentials, I have got you covered. I’ve compiled a comprehensive checklist of kitchen essentials and supplies for your new apartment kitchen. It includes everything you will possibly need to satisfy your kitchen needs. So if you are starting from scratch, looking for a fresh start, or just want to create a more well-equipped robust kitchen, this new apartment kitchen checklist is for you.

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List of Kitchen Essentials for New Home

This comprehensive list has over 100+ items. It contains all the kitchen items you will possibly need to fully stock and equip your new kitchen.

How to use the kitchen checklist

While you may want to stock your kitchen with all these essentials, buying all these items for your first apartment can add up and become very costly. So, rather than buying everything all at once, set a budget and gradually buy the essential items you need.

You may even find that you don’t need some of these items immediately. Some items may be considered “like to have” versus “need to have” based on your cooking style. So it’s a good idea to get a feel of your kitchen before buying the different items. Start with your “need to have” essentials and purchase the remaining apartment essentials over time.

If you want to get the list right to your inbox, download the checklist today for easy access when you shop.

Appliances for New Kitchen

Appliances you need for a new apartment.

The first step is to identify the bigger ticket items you need for the kitchen. Appliances are like the heartbeat of the kitchen. The right equipment makes all the difference in how you function in your kitchen.

When choosing your kitchen appliances, you must consider the functionality of the particular appliance, the aesthetics, and the overall budget. While your kitchen may already come equipped with a stove, refrigerator, and even a dishwasher, there are some small appliances that you may want to add. From small time-saving appliances needed to create a coffee bar station for the coffee lover in you to a crockpot to slow-cook your favorite stew or soup, here are some appliances to consider for your kitchen:

Coffee Maker, cappuccino or espresso machine, Keurig, or Pour-over coffee maker
Air Fryer
Toaster or Toaster Oven
Electric Kettle or Stove Top Kettle
Crockpot, Instant pot, Pressure Cooker, or Slow Cooker
Blender or Magic Bullet Blender
Juicer
Milk frother
Coffee Grinder
Waffle Maker
Popcorn Maker
French Press
Microwave
Hand Mixer
Food Processor
Griddle
Rice Cooker
Panini Press
Kitchen Scales

Kitchen Essentials Cookware

All the cookware for your everyday cooking

Once the appliances are covered, it’s time to focus on the cookware. Cookware may include everything you will need to fry, boil, sauté, steam, toss and slow cook. So whether you are sauteing fish or vegetables, frying an egg or searing a piece of porkchop, here is the essential cookware to incorporate into your kitchen:

Pot (large and small) – purchasing a full pot set with various pot sizes and styles might be the most cost-effective option. Alternatively, you can mix and match your pot pieces.
Stove Top Kettle
Frying Pan (small, medium, and large sized)
Saucepan (small and medium-sized)
Wok
Grilling pan
Glass baking dish or Casserole dish
Non-stick cookware such as non-skillet and non-stick pan
Large Stockpot – For bigger batches of soups, stews, and pasta.
Roasting Pan
Grill Pan
Griddle
Cast iron skillet
Dutch Oven
Pizza pan or pizza stone

Drinkware

For all things drinking

This List includes everything you need for drinking. From curating the perfect alcoholic beverage to drinking water and savoring your morning cup of coffee or tea, this List has it all.

Drinking glasses (short and tall)
Red wine glasses
White wine glasses
Stemless glass
Beer glasses
Coffee mugs
Teacups
Champagne glass
Shot glasses
Jug
Margarita Glasses
Travel Mugs
Water Bottles
Whiskey Glasses

Dishware

All things dishes

Dinnerware helps to enhance your meals. From casual dining at home in front of the tv to elegant dinner parties, dishware is an essential part of your kitchen. Make sure to consider classic or traditional dishware instead of trendy types that can also transition from everyday use to special occasions (especially if you are on a budget).

Salad plates
Dinner plates
Bowls
Salad bowl
Fruit Bowl

Silverware

All the eating utensils and silverware you will need

Having the right flatware or silverware will improve your eating experience in the kitchen. From cutting the steak to devouring a bowl of soup or your favorite pasta dishes, silverware is needed to round out your kitchen.

Dinner Forks
Salad Forks
Butter Knives
Dinner Knives
Steak Knives
Teaspoons
Tablespoons
Bouillon Spoon or Soup Spoon
Cocktail Fork

Kitchen Knives

Conquer your cooking with the right blade

From slicing and dicing to boning, carving, chopping, and paring, every kitchen needs a quality knife set. While different knives serve different purposes, you don’t need to be a chef to have a quality knife set. A knife set will make food preparation easy – from simple everyday meals to more complex, entertainment-like meals. Choosing suitable knives will depend on the types of meals you plan to cook.

Knife Set – A full set will give you a variety of knives to choose from for everyday cooking. A good set will come with a chef’s knife, a Paring knife, and a Bread knife. Some may even have a santoku knife, kitchen shears, steak, and utility knives.
Palette knife
Chef’s Knife
Paring Knife
Utility Knife
Santoku Knife
Steak Knife
Bread Knife or Cake Knife
Carving knife
Boning knife
Cleaver Knife or Butcher Knife
Cheese Knife
Sharpening Rod
Kitchen scissors or shears

Bakeware

For your baking needs and recipes

Grab your bakeware and oven-safe cookware for the perfect dessert and delicious treats. From banana nut bread to chocolate chip cookies, you’ll need the best bakeware tools for your baking needs.

Baking Dishes
Baking Pans
Loaf Pan
Cake Pans
Pie Dish Pan
Baking Sheet Pans
Round Baking Pan
Muffin and Cupcake Pan
Quiche and Tart Pans
Ramekins and Souffle Dishes
Mixing Bowls

Serverware

For your gatherings at home

These are the essentials you need for hosting and serving friends and family in your home. Serverware are made to hold large portions of food and assist in serving the food.

Serving bowls
Large wooden bowl
Salad Bowl
Platters
Wooden Cutting Boards (large and small)
Serving spoons
ladles
Tongs
Pitcher
Water Jug
Gravy Boat
Carafe
Cake or Pedestal Stand
Cheese Boards

Kitchen Utensils, Tools, and Accessories

For everything else needed to delicately prepare your meals in the kitchen

All the little accessories you need to prepare meals in the kitchen. From the wooden spoons that are not abrasive on your cooking surfaces, the spoon that acts like a miniature strainer to the meat mallet to pound down on beef or steak, and the measuring cups or spoons for when you need that precise amount of ingredients.

Mixing Spoon
Serving spoon
Wooden spoon
Slotted spoon
Spoon rest
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Wine Opener
Garlic Press
Ladle
Meat Mallet
Kitchen Timer
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Kitchen mortar and pestle
Brita Water filter
Grater
Colander
Strainer (various sizes)
Potato Masher
Vegetable Peeler
Pizza cutter
Rolling Pin
Spaghetti server
Metal Spatula
Silicone spatula
Turners
Whisk
Zester
Ice cube trays or reusable ice cubes
whiskey cubes
Food trays or a serving platter
Parchment paper
Foil wrap
Wax paper
Meat thermometer
Salad spinner
Turkey baster
Splatter guard
Oven mitts
Dish Towels
Hot pot stand
Cork trivet
Cupboard liners
Kitchen mat or rug
Placemats
Barware set
Apron
Basting brush

Kitchen Condiments

Add a little spice to your kitchen

salt and pepper shaker
spice rack
Chili Powder
Cinnamon
Garlic Powder
Ginger
Pepper
Salt
Thyme
Turmeric
Ketchup

Kitchen Storage & Organizers

The ultimate organization for your kitchen

Mason Jars
Canisters
Olive Oil or Syrup dispenser
Food containers
Sealable containers
Bins (small, medium, and large)
Baskets (small, medium, and large)
Ziplock bags
Flatware tray or drawer organizer for utensils
Dish rack
Paper towel holder
Chip clips
Aluminum Foil

Kitchen Cleaning Supplies

Everything must be cleaned

Mop or Swiffer
Disinfectant Spray
All-purpose spray cleaner
Dish soap
Windex
Clorox wipes
Garbage can
Garbage bags
Broom
Duster
Magic Eraser
Vacuum
Dish Rags
Laundry detergent
Sponge
Steel Wool Scrub
Gloves
Paper towels
Dishwasher detergent or pods
Baking soda and white vinegar

Where to shop for kitchen essentials on a budget

There are several places to consider when shopping for kitchen essentials on a budget for your apartment or home. The best deals can be found at the following online or in-store retailers:

Amazon: Amazon is a great choice because it has every single kitchen essential you may possibly need to fulfill your cooking needs.
Target: Cooking enthusiasts will love the vast array of modern selections of kitchen essentials from Target. Target offers the perfect opportunity to get popular appliances at a reasonable cost.
Walmart: Walmart is a warehouse of affordable, stylish, and useful kitchen tools.
Macy’s: Macy’s tends to be on a higher price when it comes to cookware, but its products are of substantial quality. That said, whenever they have a sale on home goods and cookware, it is usually a steal. Definitely worth a shot when purchasing kitchen essentials.
Dollar stores: I love good dollar stores, from Dollar Tree to Dollar General. If you are on a budget, dollar stores can help you stock your kitchen with plenty of items for just $1. You can find all sorts of silverware, glassware, food storage containers, mason jars, and dishware. The dollar store is a good starting point if you need items quickly and for cheap.
Ikea: Ikea has a smart mix of kitchen staples that is super affordable and trendy. Their selections are unmatched.
Facebook Marketplace: Facebook Marketplace is an excellent resource for finding used kitchen items.
Goodwill Stores: The Goodwill stores have an extensive selection of donated kitchen items to choose from, including pots, pans, small kitchen appliances and so much more. It is definitely worth a trip!
Salvation Army: Similar to the Goodwill stores, The Salvation Army offers a wide selection of kitchen items for a fraction of the cost.
NextDoor: Nextdoor is an excellent resource for finding kitchen appliances.
Garage Sales: Garage Sales are great for finding furniture to kitchen stuff people no longer want. ‘ve been lucky enough to find dishes and glassware from garage sales that were brand new.
Flea Markets and Swap Meets
Other local Thrift Stores

Please drop a comment below to let me know what you think of this kitchen essentials list. Feel free also to follow me on my social media pages – Pinterest and Instagram or subscribe to my mailing list for other design inspiration, DIY projects, and home decor ideas.