The first-apartment kitchen checklist
Everything the room needs, in buying order, with a pick and a live price on every line — plus a running total so you know what you are committing to before you start.
Kitchens are where move-in budgets get away from people, because the list is long and every individual item looks cheap. The way to keep control of it is to split the list in two: what you need to eat a meal on day one, and what you can add over the following fortnight.
Everything below links to the full roundup it came from, so you can see the alternatives rather than taking our word for a single pick.
Day one: enough to cook and eat a meal
This is the genuine minimum. With these you can cook dinner, eat it, and wash up the same evening.
| What you need | Our pick | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cookware setOne frying pan, one saucepan, one pot and lids is the real requirement | CAROTE 20-Piece Detachable-Handle Nonstick SetSee all our picks | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| KnivesA chef's knife, a paring knife and a serrated knife do nearly everything | Henckels Dynamic 5-Piece Knife SetSee all our picks | $46.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| Cutting boardsTwo minimum — one dedicated to raw meat. Never glass | Totally Bamboo 3-Piece Reversible Board SetSee all our picks | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Dish rackThe most-used object in a kitchen with no dishwasher | Kitsure Compact Dish Drying Rack, 12 × 15.5 inSee all our picks | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Trash can13 gallon, because that is what tall kitchen bags fit | Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can with Clorox Odor ProtectionSee all our picks | $37.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Plates, bowls, mugs, cutleryFour of each. Buy a cheap set or inherit — there is no insight to add here | Whatever you already own works | — | |
| Dish soap, sponges, a dish towelGrocery store, under $10 total | Whatever you already own works | — | |
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Week one: the appliances
None of these is needed to eat on night one, and all of them will transform the room. Buy in this order.
| What you need | Our pick | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microwave0.7 cu ft / 700 W. The single most-used appliance in most apartments | Toshiba 0.7 cu ft Countertop Microwave, 700 WSee all our picks | $69.33 | Buy on Amazon |
| Food storage containersAbout a dozen. Latching lids if lunch leaves the house | Rubbermaid Brilliance Tritan Plastic Container SetSee all our picks | $23.73 | Buy on Amazon |
| Coffee makerPod machine if one of you drinks it, drip if two do | Keurig K-Mini Single-Serve Coffee MakerSee all our picks | $75.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| Air fryerOnly if your oven works badly, or if you have the counter | Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, 4 qtSee all our picks | $79.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| #ad — Amazon links in this table are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this site is funded. | |||
Week two and beyond: the cheap things that matter
These are mostly under $20 each and collectively make the kitchen work. There is no pick worth arguing about on any of them — buy whatever is cheapest from a brand you recognize.
- A sheet pan (~$12) — probably the best value in any kitchen.
- A cast-iron skillet (~$20) — see how many pans you need.
- A can opener, a vegetable peeler, a box grater (~$15 together).
- Measuring cups and spoons (~$10) — needed the first time you follow a recipe.
- A colander (~$10) — and it doubles as a steamer insert.
- A mixing bowl or two (~$12).
- An electric kettle (~$20) — if you drink tea or make pour-over coffee.
- A knife sharpener (~$15) — matters more than which knives you bought.
- Oven mitts and a trivet (~$12).
- Aluminum foil, parchment, zip bags, cling film (~$15).
What to leave off the list entirely
- A stand mixer. A wonderful object that most first apartments have no counter for and no use for. Buy it when you bake weekly.
- A blender and a food processor. Pick one later based on what you actually cook. Buying both at move-in is how counters disappear.
- A matching canister set. Attractive, and occupies counter you need.
- A spice rack with 20 pre-filled jars. Buy six spices you use. The rest go stale unopened.
- A dish drying mat and a dish rack. One or the other.
The short version
- Split the list: enough to cook a meal on day one, appliances in week one, the rest later.
- Day one is about seven items. Everything else can genuinely wait.
- The best-value week-two purchases are a sheet pan, a cast-iron skillet and a sharpener.
- Leave out the stand mixer, the second blender and the 20-jar spice rack.
Common questions
What do I need for a first apartment kitchen?
For day one: cookware, knives, a cutting board, a dish rack, a trash can, and plates, bowls and cutlery for four. That is enough to cook a meal and wash up. Appliances — microwave, coffee maker, air fryer — can all wait a week without affecting anything.
How much does it cost to set up a first apartment kitchen?
The day-one list on this page comes to roughly $200 to $250 at current prices, and adding the week-one appliances brings it to roughly $400 to $450. A deliberately minimal version is possible for well under $200 — see the budget kitchen starter kit.
What kitchen items do people forget to buy?
A can opener, measuring spoons, a trivet, and a second dish towel. Also, consistently, a knife sharpener — people buy knives and nothing to maintain them. None of these costs much; they are just invisible until the moment you need one.
Should I buy new or used for a first kitchen?
Used is excellent for plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery, mixing bowls, sheet pans and cast iron — none of which wear out in ways that matter. Buy new for knives, anything nonstick, and cutting boards, where condition directly affects performance and hygiene.