Moving into a new home is already difficult enough, why not make your life easier with a foolproof list on kitchen essentials for new homeowners/ renters!? Well, don’t fret. We’ve put together our top choices for your new home, so you don’t have to. Keep on scrolling for an effortless transition into your new space!
We don’t know about you, but moving is one of the most difficult tasks out there. From scheduling the movers, to packing, and setting up all your new bills, while trying to enjoy your new adventure… the list for new homeowners/ renters is long enough.
Besides the obvious necessity items like cutlery, bowls, plates, glassware, and larger appliances, it becomes difficult to navigate just what you might need in your future kitchen. That’s why we’ve curated our top must-have items for your new home- so you can cut down your to-do list just a tiny bit.
This post is all about our must-have kitchen essentials for new homeowners (and renters)!
15+ Kitchen Essentials For New Homeowners and Renters
1. Silicone Cooking Utensil Set
You need a silicone cooking set, seriously.. trust us on this. Making sure your kitchen is stocked with the essentials beforehand will save you when trying to cook your dinner, but cant seem to find a spatula or tongs anywhere. This one is a favourite of ours, it’s not only an essential, but it’s also super trendy. We snagged the black, because we eat TOO much pasta for white to ever stay, well, white. The silicone is also really easy to clean!
2. Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
There is nothing like a good stainless steel mixing bowl. The clean up is easy, they store flawlessly, take up less space, and are very conventional! Whenever we utilize a plastic mixing bowl, we always found it SO hard to clean if any type of oil was involved. It’s almost like it was forever greasy afterwards, then we were left scrubbing our lives away. We love how practical the stainless steel ones are for our kitchen, they’re also way lighter than glass ones.
Click Here to Purchase on Crate & Barrel
3. Colander
If you’ve ever tried to drain your pasta without a colander and just the lid of the pot, then you understand the struggle of not owning one of these. We personally prefer an over-the-sink colander like the one you see down below, we swear this is so much more sanitary than the ones you can just plop into the sink. But, regardless of which type you do choose, any is highly recommended as a new homeowner!
4. Utensil Drawer Organizer
There is no explanation necessary, you just need a drawer organizer for your cutlery. Otherwise, it’ll look like an extremely hazardous not-so-junk junk drawer (if you catch our drift). This wood one is super elegant and trendy, and amazingly inexpensive! Don’t allow clutter to take over your new home, start off the right way.
Click Here to Purchase From Amazon!
5. Kitchen Towels
This might seem obvious to some, but new homeowners might not be “in the know”. So, here’s a tip! Buy several different hand towels, you won’t regret it. Keep the expensive and more trendy looking ones for your “company” towels and the cheaper ones as every day use. Have a ton on hand! Especially if you plan to use the kitchen a lot, expect to be washing these more than you think.
Click Here to Purchase on Linen Chest!
6. Sponge Holder
Simple, but necessary. A sponge holder can seem like something you can easily pass on, but we always suggest it. This guarantees your sponges dry perfectly, without leaving a puddle on your countertop (or forever sopping wet in your sink). It also keeps it out of the way and in close use when needed!
Click here to purchase on Simons
7. Pan Set
Even if you live by yourself, having a basic pan set is extremely necessary… especially for your mac and cheese you may or may not be whipping up from the box. From a simple pot for pasta or soup, to a pan for your morning (or evening- no one’s judging) eggs. Pots and pans are just something you can’t skip on, sorry folks!
Don’t feel threatened by the ongoing debate on whether it’s safe to use non-stick, if cast-iron is really a good idea for daily use, or if stainless steel is the way to go. Truthfully, it’s best to do your own research! We use all of the above for different scenarios. So, again- completely subjective to your own findings. We have provided two options (based on reviews/our recommendations) down below.
Click here to purchase from Le Creuset
Click here to purchase from The Bay
8. Food Storage Containers
Whether you order take-out or cook for yourself, you will need food storage containers! Using a bowl once or twice and wrapping it with plastic wrap is no biggie, but more than once is a sign to invest in some containers. They are amazing to store left over food, or even when packing your lunch. We love these from Rubbermaid (tested, tried and true). They don’t spill, are BPA free, clear and easy to see what’s within, and haven’t altered in colour (we hate when our red pasta sauce discolour everything we own). However, any type of container works just the same, and is just as good.
9. Glass Storage Jars
If you’re looking to make your kitchen look super trendy, but also more convenient, then this is perfect for you! Once you open something, unfortunately, it won’t stay fresh for too much longer. This is why storage containers or jars are perfect for organizing your pantry! Not only will it keep it fresh, it will also eliminate clutter, allows you to see what you have on hand, and they are just super aesthetically pleasing.
We love using these jars for sugars, flours, rices, pasta’s… realistically any dry ingredient we have on hand- we store in these containers. The small ones are perfect for spices, where the bigger ones can store cereals/bigger items.
Click here to purchase on Amazon!
TIP: To go perfectly with these jars, you can also purchase a pre-made label kit (like the one we included below). This one is specifically for spice jars, but there are others you can purchase as well. You can always also DIY your own, super fun and easy!
Click here to purchase on Amazon
10. Drying Mats & Stands
Drying your dishes on a drying mat is just so much easier and more practical. A kitchen essentials for new homeowners (or new renters) list should always suggest ways on how to dry your dishes without leaving you hanging. Unless you shove every pan and dish in the dishwasher, you’ll obviously need some type of drying mat to assist you. Whether you immediately dry your dishes or leave them until they’ve air dried themselves, a drying mat or rack (or both) is super helpful to place those dishes on while you do other things.
There are a ton out there, so we’ve provided 3 amazing options we are loving currently. From silicone, to microfibre, to even one that folds over your sink…. The options are endless. Here are 3 we think would help you a ton with your new home.
Purchase from Amazon! (over the sink version)
Find this on Amazon! (microfibre)
Shop this on Simons! (foldable drying rack)
11. Bakeware Sets
Depending upon what your plans in the kitchen are, we always suggest snagging a few bakeware pieces. Great for late night cookies, oven roasted potatoes or even warming up that pizza from the store around the corner you had for last nights dinner. You can buy these separately, but personally, we always find great use for each item that comes in the set, so we always suggest buying the full set.
TIP: We also recommend a Splatter Screen if you cook with oil a lot- this minimizes the splatter from your pans onto you, your countertops and your floor.
Purchase From Bed, Bath & Beyond
12. Oven Mitts & Pot Holders
These are super essential!!! Don’t forget to purchase a pair of oven mitts and some pot holders to keep your hands safe and countertops/tabletops free from heat damage.
Purchase here on Crate & Barrel!
Click here to purchase from Crate & Barrel!
13. Measuring Cups
Obviously important for measuring purposes, we recommend investing in both dry and liquid versions. Don’t get caught unsure of what a “cup of milk” is! We have linked an option for both down below.
Click here to purchase from Williams Sonoma
14. Your Applicable Appliances
You know what you love and what you use most. For some, it might be an air fryer, for others- a Nespresso. Depending upon what you do on the daily, you should purchase the appliances you can’t live without. That could range from a blender, to a toaster, to even a slow cooker. Trust us, if you’ll use it- purchase it. Check out sites like Amazon, Walmart, Canadian Tire, The Bay, etc for the latest appliances on the market today!
15. Cutting Boards
You should have a ton of different cutting boards, for different types of food. We like to designate a specific cutting board for meat, fish, fruits & vegetables, cheeses, onions & garlic… etc. You get the gist. Personally, we like a good thick plastic cutting board that has a nice grip on the bottom. Easiest to manage, store and clean. If you are looking to be a little more “trendy” and spend a little more money, then go for the wood! We don’t however like those flexible plastic ones… the amount of times we’ve cut ourselves on those after they’ve slipped… too many to count!
Click here to purchase on Crate & Barrel
Click here to purchase from The Bay
BONUS Kitchen Essentials for New Homeowners: Pan Rack & Lid Holder
Okay, this is a personal pet peeve of ours. Imagine, you open your cupboard and all those pesky pans and pots you have (that just create an absolute disaster and mess) staring back at you. Falling, not fitting right, completely in the way, just an overall danger zone with heavy objects that are just waiting to drop on your toes. This is why we always suggest organizing your space with a lid holder, it just cleans it all up and minimizes the time you spend in trying to find what you need.
Click here to purchase on Amazon!
Okay… this product might seem strange and your parents might’ve never brought you up using one (ours didn’t either) BUT this is a MUST. It also relates to the one just above! If you own more than one pan, we highly suggest investing in a pan rack. It will help your cupboards stay organized, while also will eliminating the noisy/drastic tumble everything takes when you need that one pan that happens to be under all the others.
Click here to purchase on Amazon!
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