What You Need for a First Kitchen

Outfitting your first kitchen can seem like a daunting task. The trick is to make a list, stick to it, and buy things a little at a time. You'll want to buy the most essential things first, items that are infrequently used can be purchased at a later date.

This list is broken down into major categories: appliances, furniture, tableware, pots and pans, utensils, essentials, and groceries. It's best to go through and rate each item with a number: 1 for the things you need to buy first, 2 for the things you'll immediately start saving your money to buy 'next time', and 3 for things that would be nice to have but you don't have to have them now/can't afford them yet.

You may even be able to cross out some items completely (like if your kitchen already has a refrigerator, or there's no way you'll ever use a waffle iron). Don't forget that you can sometimes purchase kitchen wares at garage sales and second-hand stores, and there's always the possibility of using hand-me-down kitchen wares for a while.

Essential kitchen appliances:

oven/stove

refrigerator/freezer

coffee maker (for me, at least)

garbage can

can opener

Nice-to-have kitchen appliances:

toaster/toaster oven

microwave

crock pot

electric mixer

teapot

dishwasher

Luxury kitchen appliances:

waffle iron

George Foreman grill

deep fryer

blender

food processor

Essential kitchen furniture:

table and chair(s)

bar stool(s) (if there's a breakfast bar already there)

floor mat for shoes (if the kitchen has a door to the outside or garage)

Nice-to-have kitchen furniture:

microwave cart

extra shelving (baker's shelves)

extra seating

throw rug for in front of the sink

coat rack/coat hooks

pictures/wall hangings

curtains or blinds

Essential kitchen tableware:

plates

cups

glasses

bowls

silverware

knife set

Nice to have kitchen tableware:

saucers

luncheon plates

stem ware

pitcher

carafe

serving bowls/platters

Luxury kitchen tableware:

tablecloth(s)

linen napkins

centerpiece

ramekins

sundae glasses

napkin rings

candles/candle holders

Essential kitchen pots and pans:

1 big pot with cover

1 small to medium pot (saucepan) with cover

1 or 2 frying pans

9X13 pan

Nice-to-have kitchen pots and pans:

covered casserole dish

large roasting pan

cookie sheets

cupcake pans

round cake pans

9X9 pan

extra pots and pans of varying sizes

lobster pot

stove-top griddle

Essential kitchen utensils:

large serving spoons

ladle

meat fork

measuring cups

measuring spoons

rubber spatula

spatula

tongs

Nice-to-have kitchen utensils:

meat thermometer

ice cream scoop

rolling pin

cookie cutters

Essential kitchen essentials:

Mixing bowls

storage containers (Glad ware, etc)

pot holders

Essential kitchen grocery paper goods/non-perishables:

napkins

paper towels

saran wrap

foil

sandwich bags

gallon bags

coffee filters

dish detergent

sponges

Essential kitchen grocery staples:

salt

pepper

butter/margarine

Nice-to-have kitchen grocery staples:

Adobo, Lowry's, or Mrs. Dash

mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise

salad dressing

sugar/artificial sweetener

coffee/tea

The very last things you'll want to get for your first kitchen is food items. Non-perishable grocery items include things like cereal, crackers, cans of tuna, peanut butter, dry pasta, and jarred spaghetti sauce. Most non-perishables have a shelf life of several months, so it's a good idea to stock up when they're on sale. Perishable grocery items include things like milk, juice, bread, eggs, meat, cheese, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Because perishable food items 'go bad', you want to avoid over-buying and having to throw them away because they've spoiled. You know what foods you like, so use your best judgment based on your financial and dietary needs.

Getting everything you need for your first kitchen can be a big job, but if you do it little by little you'll find it a lot easier!