What are the essential cookware items for a first apartment kitchen?

A basic cookware set should include a 24-28 cm frying pan, a 2-3 L medium saucepan, and a 4-5 L pot, which typically costs between R600 and R2,000.

What small appliances should I prioritise when moving into my first apartment?

Start with an electric kettle and one multi-purpose appliance, like a toaster or basic blender. Add a microwave later if your budget and counter space allow.

What should I include in my move-day musts list?

For the first week, have a kettle, at least two plates and mugs, cutlery for two, one frying pan, one saucepan, a basic knife, a cutting board, dish soap, a sponge, a bin, bin liners, and a tea towel.

What kitchen safety essentials are recommended for an apartment?

Consider a fire blanket and a small kitchen fire extinguisher (check your building rules first), a heat-resistant trivet or mat, and a basic first-aid kit for minor cuts and burns.

First apartment kitchen checklist PDF - essential items for your new kitchen

A printable, South African-focused checklist for your first apartment kitchen. Budget estimates in R, space-saving tips, and step-by-step move-day planning.

Published:June 18, 2026

Updated:September 9, 2026

5 min read

Photo by Rachel Claire on Pexels

Pack smart for move-day

A short 'open first' list ensures cooking, cleaning and coffee on day one.

First apartment kitchen checklist (PDF-ready)

Moving into your first apartment means making the kitchen work for real life - weekday dinners, early-morning coffee, and quick clean-ups. We’ve written this checklist so you can copy it, edit it to fit your habits, and save or print a PDF for moving day. Items are grouped by purpose so you can shop in sensible stages rather than all at once.

Everyday cooking & preparation

Essential cookware set: 1 frying pan (24-28 cm), 1 medium saucepan (2-3 L), 1 pot (4-5 L). (Estimate: R600-R2 000 for a basic set; prices vary by brand and material.)
Basic knife + small cutting board for everyday prep.
Mixing bowl (medium), wooden spoon, heat-resistant spatula.
Measuring cups and spoons, can opener, peeler.

Small appliances to prioritise

Electric kettle (for quick water): handy for early mornings and instant meals. (Estimate: R200-R800.)
Toaster or 2-slice toaster, depending on breakfast habits.
Microwave (optional - useful when counter space and budget allow).
Basic blender or hand mixer if you cook often.

If you’re deciding between fitting an appliance now or later, think about how often you’ll use it in the first three months. Start with a kettle and one multi-purpose appliance, then add more from the Appliances selection as needed. Appliances and our Kitchen & Dining articles offer quick reads on what to pick for small spaces.

Eating, serving and storage basics

Plates, bowls, a set of 4 mugs and glasses.
Cutlery set for four (forks, knives, spoons).
Food storage containers (a mix of sizes) - stackable to save cupboard space.
Cling wrap, foil, beeswax wraps (reusable option).

Cleaning and kitchen upkeep

Dishcloths, scrubber, dish soap and multipurpose cleaner.
Bin + bin liners sized for your kitchen unit.
Small drying rack (collapsible models save counter space).

Budget note: a sensible starter kit (basic cookware set, kettle, cutlery, plates for two, storage containers and cleaning supplies) can often be put together from R1 200 to R3 000 depending on brand choices. These are estimates to help plan a reasonable moving budget.

Kitchen safety and essentials for apartment living

Fire blanket and a small kitchen fire extinguisher (check your building rules first).
Heat-resistant trivet or mat for hot cookware on countertops.
Basic first-aid kit for minor kitchen cuts and burns.

With smaller countertops, prioritise flat, stackable storage and items you can store under the sink or in a single cupboard. If you need tips on choosing cookware materials (non-stick vs stainless) or space-saving gadgets, our Kitchen & Dining articles cover trade-offs and maintenance advice in plain language.

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How to turn this checklist into a PDF and a shopping plan

Make the checklist your own: copy the sections above into a simple document, remove items you already own, and add brand or size preferences. On most phones and laptops you can then choose Print → Save as PDF. Keep two lists: "Move-day musts" (items you can’t do without the first week) and "First-month adds" (nice-to-have or bulk purchases).

Move-day musts (quick starter list)

Kettle, at least two plates and mugs, cutlery for two.
One frying pan and one saucepan, basic knife and cutting board.
Dish soap, sponge, bin and bin liners, a tea towel.

First-month adds (comfort & upgrades)

Microwave or toaster, stackable storage containers, better cookware set.
Coffee maker or French press if you drink coffee daily.
Small items for home organisation: spice rack, utensil holder, under-sink caddy.

Space-saving tips for tight countertops

Use vertical space: wall hooks or a slim rail for utensils and oven mitts.
Choose collapsible items (collapsible colander, folding drying rack).
Store less-used appliances in high cupboards or a small trolley on wheels.

When you’re ready to shop category-by-category, it helps to compare one practical item at a time - for example, a budget non-stick pan versus a heavier stainless model - and match that choice to how you cook. Browse curated cookware and product pages on Bash for local price ranges and stock: Kitchen & Dining and for cleaning and upkeep tools, see Cleaning & Homekeeping articles.

A simple packing order for moving day

Pack a clearly labelled "kitchen essentials" box you open first - include kettle, a pan, plates, cutlery, one set of cleaning supplies, and a dish towel.
Keep perishables and dry goods in a separate bag that’s easy to check when you arrive.
Take photos of any appliance serial numbers and installation points if you need landlord permissions or replacements later.

We’ve kept this checklist printable and flexible - edit quantities and price expectations to suit your chosen brands. If you prefer to start with ready-made bundles, look at cookware starter sets and small-appliance combos in the Appliances and Cookware categories, then add storage and cleaning items separately to spread the cost.

Sources

If you want, we can help turn this into a downloadable PDF with a compact move-day checklist and printable shopping list tailored to two budgets (starter and upgraded). For now, save or print this page and edit the quantities to match how you like to cook - quiet weekday dinners or lively weekend braais - and you’ll be ready for the first week in your new kitchen.

Last updated: September 9, 2026

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First apartment kitchen checklist PDF - essential items for your new kitchen

Pack smart for move-day

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Why Choose Bash?

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Buy in stages

Design for small counters

First apartment kitchen checklist (PDF-ready)

Everyday cooking & preparation

Small appliances to prioritise

Eating, serving and storage basics

Cleaning and kitchen upkeep

Kitchen safety and essentials for apartment living

How to turn this checklist into a PDF and a shopping plan

Move-day musts (quick starter list)

First-month adds (comfort & upgrades)

Space-saving tips for tight countertops

A simple packing order for moving day

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