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!