It doesn’t matter if you’ve just moved into your first home or have been living there for more than a decade, every kitchen has a few must-have elements in order to make that heart of the home really pump. Now, we’re not saying to rush out and go buy all of these things at once (some are really more optional extras than required tools), but it’s good to know what’s required to make a kitchen more practical.
Something to keep in mind the next time your birthday / housewarming party / any occasion requiring a gift rolls around…
It goes without saying that the most crucial elements are stoves, ovens, and fridges (some would also add a dishwasher to this list, and we tend to agree). But there are a few other smaller appliances that will also make your kitchen life so much easier.
The basics:
• Toaster
• Microwave
• Mixer/blender.
Optional extras:
• Juicer
• Rice cooker
• Ice cream machine
• Food processor
• Egg cooker
• Coffee machine (some can’t do without it!)
• Bread slicer
• Waffle iron.
The basics:
• Bottle opener
• Corkscrew
• Can opener
• Spatula
• Wooden spoon
• Noodle tongs
• Peeler
• Grater
• Whisk
• Potato masher
• Scissors
• Pasta strainer.
Optional extras:
• Meat fork
• Salad spinner
• Mortar and pestle
• Pepper mill.
Sauté pans, pressure cookers, steamers, a grill pan… these can all help make your kitchen cooking so much easier (and more fun). Just remember that it all adds up and before long you could sit with a huge clutter problem.
The following are sure to form a firm foundation that’ll go quite far…
The basics:
• Small pot with lid
• Big pot with lid
• Medium pot with lid
• Pan
• Trivet.
Optional extras:
• Wok
• Kettle
• Steaming insert
• Crepe pan
• Pressure cooker.
The basics:
• Baking tray
• Oven grate
• Casserole dish
• Springform pan
• Mixing bowl
• Baking paper
• Rolling pin.
Optional extras:
• Muffin tin
• Cookie cutters
• Dough scraper (sometimes a spatula also does the trick)
• Baking brush.
The basics:
• Potholders
• Dishtowels
• Cloths for cleaning/wiping.
Optional extras:
• Apron
• Tablecloth
• Napkins.
You don’t an entire knife set for your onions and another one for your tomatoes, for example. The following should be quite sufficient:
The basics:
• Bread knife
• Small paring knife
• Bigger meat knife
• Big cleaver
• Knife block
• Cutting boards in different sizes.
Optional extras:
• Poultry shears
• Filleting knife
• Knife sharpener.
Because we all know that recipes require precise measurements of ingredients!
The basics:
• Big measuring cup
• Small measuring cup
• Kitchen scale.
Optional extras:
• Egg timer
• Thermometer.
When it comes to storing flour and pasta or leftovers, the following can make a big difference.
The basics:
• Bowls in different sizes
• Sealable Tupperware in different sizes
• Cutlery insert for drawers
• Aluminium foil
• Cling film
• Bread box.
Optional extras:
• Mason jars
• Butter dish.
Neatness and hygiene play major roles in any space where food is present.
The basics:
• Sponge
• Dishwashing brush
• Kitchen paper roll/towels
• Scouring cream
• Trashcan
• Garbage bag.
From practicality to style, let’s check out 10 contemporary kitchen colour schemes to think about.