Chances are you’ve been on your own for quite some time, so naturally, when it comes to ensuring you have all the things you need to make your home functional and comfortable, you think you’ve got it all figured out. But the reality is, for many of us there are still a few items that we’re missing, especially in our kitchens. Pots, dinnerware, utensils, a toaster, a cute apron and some kitchen towels are all you really need, right? Think again.
We’ve rounded up a few affordable basics for you, and once you add them to your home, trust us, you’ll never want to live without them again.
01
Oversized Eat Laugh Live Kitchen Mat
You’re probably wondering why on earth you would need a mat in your kitchen. Well, a kitchen mat can actually be very helpful. In addition to providing you with cute decor, a well-padded kitchen mat, like this Oversized Eat Laugh Live mat, can provide your feet with a little cushion while you throw down. The mat is also super easy to clean, so you don't have to worry about ruining it with food spills.
02
Fresh Food Storage Sealing Bag Clips
How many times have you opened a bag of chips or popcorn, snacked until your heart was content, rolled the top down tight to close the bag and then—bam!—the bag uncurls. Keeping your snacks safe from going stale is serious business, so that's why you need these Fresh Food Storage Sealing Bag Clips in your home. Chips, coffee, bread—the clips hold everything in.
03
Cuisinart Immersion Hand Blender
You probably have a blender, but if there’s limited room in your cabinets or you live in a cozy apartment, that blender is probably taking up a lot of space. Immersion blenders are handheld, which means they don’t take up a lot of space but still do the same work as a traditional blender.
04
Stainless Steel Spoon Rest
How many of you never thought about where to rest your spoons after you finished stirring the pot? Spoon rests are a kitchen must-have because not only do they keep you from messing up your kitchen counters with sauces and gravy, but they also keep you from contaminating your meal. With a spoon rest, you’ll avoid transferring germs from the counter to your pot.
05
Round Cork Trivet
If you’re like many people, you tend to move your hot pans from the oven to the counter or stovetop without a second thought. But with cork trivets, you can safely and evenly cool your hot dishes on your counter or table, and because the cork trivets are so slim, they're space savers as well.
06
Ivation 12 Bottle Thermoelectric Red and White Wine Cooler
You've graduated from drinking cheap wine out of a box stored in your refrigerator. These days you're taking wine tours in Cape Town or doing your best Liv impression on the couch for Shonda Thursdays. Trouble is, you've still been treating your wine as if it comes out of a box. Say goodbye to putting your good wine in the fridge next to the Pepsi and say hello to the Ivation 12 Bottle Thermoelectric Red and White Wine Cooler. It’s compact, which makes it perfect for small spaces, and unlike that trip to Cape Town, the cooler is easy on the pockets. Cheers!
