Everything you need to outfit your tiny apartment kitchen

Everything you need to outfit your tiny NYC apartment kitchen

March 15, 2022

If you’re outfitting a new kitchen in New York City, chances are you don’t have endless cubic feet of storage space or a Kardashian-style pantry to fill with every snack you crave. If you’re working with limited space but want to have the necessities to whip up an impressive meal for date night, we’ve rounded up the must-have kitchen products. Ahead, find the easy-to-store essentials that every NYC apartment kitchen needs, regardless of culinary skills or kitchen space.

All of these products have been hand-selected by Team 6sqft. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these affiliate links. All prices reflect those at the time of publishing.

Photo courtesy of Made In	A do-it-all frying pan The Made In Blue Carbon Stainless Steel Frying Pan is lightweight, slim enough to store in a narrow cabinet, and highly versatile on the stove (or oven). Plus, this sleek little skillet will have you feeling (and looking) like a professional chef. Blue Carbon Steel Frying Pan, from $69 at Made In
	The right set of utensils Instead of wondering how you ended up with five rubber spatulas but no ladle, get all of your must-have cooking tools in one pop with this prep toolset from Umite Chef. The kit includes essential cooking, baking, and measuring tools like tongs and pastry brush, to cover you whether you’re going sweet or savory. Umite Chef Kitchen Cooking Utensils Set, $33.99 at Amazon
Photo courtesy of Our Place	A highly versatile pot The Always Pan from Our Place will quickly become your go-to for everything from pasta to Trader Joe’s frozen dumplings. It even comes with a steaming basket and a wooden spoon that won’t scratch the ceramic non-stick surface. Plus, the pan comes in 10 colors to match your aesthetic. Always Pan, $145 at Our Place
	A great chef’s knife Chopping, slicing, dicing, and chiffonading will feel natural with the right chef’s knife. This one from Misen is a great size for most cooks, well balanced, and razer sharp. Misen 5.5 Inch Utility Knife, $55 at Amazon
Photo courtesy of Made In	An apartment-sized sheet pan If you simply have no place to store a large sheet pan, Made In makes a darling 1/4 Sheet Pan that’s perfect for one to two people. It has nice high sides to prevent spills and is way easier to clean in a small sink than a half sheet pan. 1/4 Sheet Pan, $19 at Made In
	A trusty cutting board Instead of a collection, equip your kitchen with one high-quality cutting board that’s easy to keep clean. If you have the space, bigger is better here because it keeps food from bouncing all of the counters or onto the floor. This plastic board from Kikcoin has nice rubberized edges to prevent sliding. Kikcoin Cutting Board, $16 at Amazon
	Drawer organizers Don’t let your one kitchen drawer become a wasteland. A simple bamboo drawer organizer keeps everything in its place so you don’t have to dig through butter knives to find your favorite ice cream spoon. Bamboo Kitchen Drawer Organizer, $26 at Amazon
	A collapsible colander Whether it’s pasta, berries, or blanched veggies, you’ll need some kind of strainer. This set collapses closed for easier storage. Colander Set, $11.99 at Amazon
	A grater You’ll need a grater for freshly shaved parm on your spaghetti and for zesting citrus. Opt for a box grater with various size holes for maximum versatility. OXO Good Grips Box Grater, $22.95 at Amazon
	A coffee maker with a small footprint Get your daily caffeine fix without shelling out at the coffee shop every morning. This highly rated drip machine has a small footprint and is programmable so you can wake up to a freshly brewed cup every day. Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, $99.95 at Amazon
	Compact food storage Keep your leftovers fresh with a set of reusable and easy-to-clean food storage containers. This 18-piece set has a range of sizes and everything nests together for compact storage. Glasslock 18-Piece Assorted Oven Safe Container Set, $52 at Amazon
	Nesting mixing bowls A set of nesting mixing bowls is essential for when that homemade cookie craving strikes. This set is unbreakable, stackable, and comes with matching lids for food storage. Cook With Color 12-Piece Nesting Bowl Set, $18.70 at Amazon
	Oven mitts Speaking of baking, protect your hands with a pair of quality oven mitts. These are made with heat-resistant silicone and have extra grip to prevent any disasters. Gorilla Grip Heat Resistant Silicone Oven Mitts, $18.89 at Amazon
	Drinkware Stock your cabinet with a set of wine glasses that won’t break the bank (because they will get broken), as well as everyday drinking glasses. Plus, a few cozy mugs for that morning joe. JoyJolt Spirits Stemless Wine Glasses, $17.95 at Amazon Drinking Glasses 10-piece Set, $34.98 at Amazon Large Coffee Mugs 16 oz, $19.99 at Amazon
	Dinnerware Find a set of durable plates and bowls good enough for everyday and special occasion meals. This 16-piece set has a nice modern shape and is dishwasher safe. Stone Lain Madeline Formal Bone China Dinnerware Set 16 Piece, $129.99 at Amazon
	Flatware Stop stealing plastic utensils from the deli downstairs. Do yourself a favor and invest in a comfortable and stylish set of forks and knives. 45-Piece Silverware Flatware Cutlery Set in Ergonomic Design, $37.99 at Amazon
	A serving platter Whether you plan to entertain or not, having at least one spacious serving vessel is a must. This set of two oval platters has a pretty organic shape that looks exclusive but doesn’t cost a fortune. And don’t forget a pair of serving utensils. Mora Ceramic Large Serving Bowls Set of 2, $34.99 at Amazon Lianyu Serving Utensils Set, $28.99 at Amazon