Curate Your Dream Home: My Kitchen Picks as a Design Student
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
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Dreaming of the day you get to have your ideal kitchen? Whether you’re moving into the your first apartment or dream home, these products are perfect.
I’m so excited for the day I get to move into my big girl apartment—so different from my college apartment or parent’s house. This is a space I get to make completely my own. One area in particular I’m so excited about is the kitchen—a space that feels so homey and warm. I’ve curated a list of products I’m already loving—both practical and decorative—that I hope to order for my space. In addition, I’ve started collecting items at thrift stores for my future kitchen!
Utensils/ Appliances
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet – cast iron is so much healthier to cook with. Non-stick pans contain harmful chemicals such as Teflon which can negatively impact health. Plus, food cooked using cast iron just tastes better (to me at least). Ground beef and broccoli are two of my favorite things to cook in cast iron.
Tips for cooking with a cast iron skillet: make sure the pan is oiled or has butter in it. Let the pan heat up first before placing food in, this will help with sticking.
Cast Iron Scrubber – this seems like an essential for cleaning a cast iron, especially if there is food stuck on the pan. You cannot clean a cast iron with soap. The method I use is soaking it in warm water for a bit, then scrubbing with baking soda. Be sure to add oil after cleaning and rub it in to protect your skillet!
A set of wooden cooking spoons – plastic doesn’t belong in the kitchen! There is so much talk about micro plastics in the kitchen lately, so if you can avoid it, why not? Besides, the idea of using a plastic utensil in a hot pan or with hot food just doesn’t sit right. This set of utensils is on my list because they’re wooden, and I love the color.
Wood cutting boards – no plastic cutting boards either! I love this pack of three cutting boards and the sizes it comes in.
Cuisinart Block Knife Set – I love all of the colors this knife set comes in, especially the white (it just feels clean to me). Plus, it’s affordable and the knives are dishwasher safe.
Over the Sink Colander – I love how this colander fits over the sink. This is ideal for washing a bunch of produce when you bring it home from the grocery store.
Decor Pieces
Matcha/ tea cabinet – this tabletop cabinet is so adorable, and would be perfect as a matcha/ tea/ coffee station. I personally love to drink matcha, and this is the perfect storage for everything you need (mugs, cups, matcha tins, whisks, bowls).
Small lamp for countertop – having a small lamp on your countertop makes your kitchen feel cozy and warm. I love the idea of having it on in the early morning while you make your morning drink, or in the evening as a complement to a delicious-smelling candle. I have yet to find an option I’m obsessed with, but am going to keep an eye out at local thrift stores!
Cutting board – The look of layered cutting boards leaning against a backsplash is just dreamy. This cutting board is a gorgeous piece, that would also be functional for serving charcuterie.
Some Thrifted Treasures
Mugs – mugs are one of the easiest items to thrift. I guarantee your local Goodwill is jam-packed with some beautiful options. I found a set of two Anthropologie mugs at Goodwill, and another set of four mugs that were crafted and painted in Italy from Affordable Finds Family Consignment in Pine Bush.
Saucepans and pots – these are also another great item to find second-hand. I recently found a saucepan and pot from an estate sale in excellent condition. They just needed a quick cleaning!
Glassware – Your local thrift probably has a plethora of glassware. I adore these juice glasses with cherries and strawberries I found at Blooming Grove Antiques, which used to be in New Windsor.
At Goodwill, I found a set of basic bar glasses (below, perfect for iced coffees or matchas).
And lastly, I found a set of three “ice cold drink” glasses at a local estate sale (the same one where I got the saucepan and pot), they’re super trendy and perfect for iced lattes or lemonade.
Baking pans – I’m always using baking pans for cookies and other random recipes. I found a set of two from the same estate sale I had mentioned earlier. Baking pans are another excellent item to be on the lookout for secondhand.
Cuisinart toaster – this was $11 at Goodwill! It’s in excellent condition—and yes it works! Once I brought it home, I took some time to clean out the crumbs and carefully sweep it out with a small paint brush. I also cleaned and polished the outside with Bar Keeper’s Friend.
I hope this list is helpful as you look to curate your dream kitchen!
-Olivia
P.S. You’ll also love: Picnic Perfection: Easy Tips For a Stylish Outing
