Teen Vogue's Twentysomethings Guide is your go-to resource for the more confusing parts of going out on your own.
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Congratulations, you just signed the lease on your very first apartment! We’d never dream of interrupting a twentysomething's canon event, but we can’t in good conscience let you move into your brand-new home without suggested a few must-have items for your kitchen.
Whether it's a six-in-one toaster oven, a dual-lid trash can, or a 35-piece utensil set, this list has everything you need to enjoy homemade meals in your new home. We’re talking about trendy air fryers, an instant coffee machine that actually makes decent brews, and space-saving solutions to make your kitchen even more functional. (Pro tip: You should make a registry and request these items from your family and friends as housewarming gifts.)
Read on for 15 of Teen Vogue’s recommended kitchen essentials for your first apartment.
Nespresso is the best instant coffee maker I’ve tried. Not only are the pods fully recyclable, the company's customer service is exceptional. My machine broke down once — in the middle of the pandemic, no less — and the company repaired my year-old coffee maker within just a few weeks. This is the ultimate kitchen must-have for any coffee lover looking to save money on their morning beverage. (If you’re a latte person, I also highly recommend snagging the frother. It makes the perfect foam in under a minute.)
If you’re going to splurge on one kitchen necessity, let it be this ultimate cookware set from Our Place. It comes with the brand’s eight essential pots and pans, plus a large oven mitt, steamers, and wooden spatulas to help protect the nonstick cookware. It also comes in six colors, so you can match the set to your new apartment’s aesthetic. (Personally, I love my Blue Salt Always pan.)
Ideally, your kitchen essentials should allow you to do more with less. That’s exactly what this six-in-one toaster oven does. Compact and counter-friendly, this appliance can air fry, roast, bake, reheat, broil, and toast. It’s the perfect tool for even the most inexperienced cook.
Made with heat-resistant, food-grade silicone, this 35-piece set has everything any at-home cook needs to make magic in the kitchen. From nonstick spatulas and a handheld strainer to a pizza cutter and bottle opener, this is the perfect collection of kitchen essentials for any first apartment.
By far this is one of my favorite kitchen items ever. My last strainer was functional but took up tons of space in my already limited cabinets. This collapsible strainer saves so much space, doubles as a steamer, and is extremely easy to clean.
It might be a growing-older thing, but having the right temperature for my tea and coffee makes a world of difference in how the beverage tastes. Unlike other kettles that boil water to only one specific temperature, this kettle has six brewing pre-sets, can stay warm for up to four hours, and boils within three to five minutes.
I swear by everything made by the brand Ototo, which went viral on TikTok, and these snail measuring cups are no exception. I’ve found measuring cups are an often overlooked kitchen essential and necessary for almost all your cooking needs. This set is as functional as it is cute.
Look, we’re not talking grandma’s fancy china here, but good dishes will make your kitchen feel more put together and functional. I particularly like the minimalist design of this Corelle set, which includes 18 pieces, and it's dishwasher and microwave safe. This dinnerware is also chip-resistant, which is a massive bonus for anyone who just about tosses their plate into the sink (guilty!).
Brita’s pitcher is the best affordable option for having filtered water in your fridge at all times. The filters last up to two months, so you don’t have to worry about replacing them every few weeks.
One of the greatest gifts I ever bought myself was a dual trash can: One side is dedicated to, well, trash, and the other is for recycling. It may seem rather trivial, but this is one of the most complimented items in my kitchen.
If you’re not ready to commit to a full set of dishes, these eco-friendly bowls will do just fine. They’re made from a wheat material (read: no plastic here!) and are super lightweight.
A set of good cutting boards is a game changer when cooking, and these pastel cuties are a triple threat. Not only do they look good (a major plus in my book), they’re reversible, made of antibacterial plastic, and dishwasher safe. That they are also odor and stain resistant and BPA free is the icing on the cake (which you could *definitely* cut on these babies).
Dish towels can add a ton of personality to your kitchen space, but they’re also a good way to avoid using more paper towels. Whether you’re washing your hands or cleaning up a mess, these dish towels are a kitchen workhorse. This set of three from Wrapables is serving cottagecore babe in the cutest way. And they’re 100% cotton, so they’ll only get softer with each wash.
Sure, you could opt for standard lowball glasses that come in a pack of eight for $20, or you could invest in a set of day-to-night cups that are chic and versatile. I constantly get compliments on these handmade tumblers, which are made from recycled glass and sand. They’re a bit pricey, but I’ve had my set for more than three years and they’ve never chipped or bubbled. I use them for cocktails, water, you name it. And the best part, aside from the fact they’re dishwasher safe, is that they can all stack together, which saves so much cabinet space.
Make the most use of your cabinet or counter space with these three-tiered spice racks. I have two of them in my kitchen to help hold a portion of my many, many seasonings. I love them because they help make my space look more organized, and it’s so much easier to grab my most- used spices (Diaspora Co., if you’re reading this, I love you!) while cooking.
