The Best Kitchen Furniture for Apartment Living
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The kitchen is all about being a utilitarian. Don’t worry about tile backsplash colors until after you’ve got your workstation in place. Otherwise, you’re committing yourself to a life of (increasingly expensive) takeout because you never want to cook. Luckily, the design world has caught up in lightspeed with beautiful pieces that—yes, perhaps cost a few extra dollars now—but are worth every cent long term. For example, are ceramic plates from East Fork cheap? No. Nobody said that. But when it’s easier to scrub grease or sauce off them because there’s no waxy seal of resin tracing every errant fingerprint, you’ll be more likely to cook at home and admire them. That saves money from going to restaurants.
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Once you’ve got the essentials, there are tons of pieces out there that break down design to the simplest shapes, which is all anyone wants in the kitchen. What good is the gadget that julienned carrots if your water glasses are awful? This selection will keep your work flowing nicely prepping dinner while looking great on the countertop when you’re not chopping away.
BEST WINE RACK
IKEA Ivar Storage Rack
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Too often, wine racks are these wrought iron deals with flares and curly Qs and are way too audacious. This IVAR rack from Ikea is perfect in its simplicity. Its shape lets it fit perfectly into corners to make efficient use of the space and the rack heights are customizable. The light color of the wood also makes it easy to paint or draw on and make it a little more funky to fit any kind of interior.
BEST PLATES + BOWLS
East Fork Pottery Set
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Dining sets are typically terrible. They’re oversized, uneven, and always have a waxy finish on them that grease and grime just seem to cling to for dear life. East Fork’s wares come in beautiful, saturated colors without the glossy finish—meaning the color stands out more and they’re easier to clean after a dinner party. These sets all come with a dinner, salad, and dessert plate, along with two bowls.
BEST COFFEE MUGS
RW Guild Rinka Mug
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A coffee mug needs to stike a delicate balance between weathered and worn. Mugs should feel cozy and used but also, well, dainty – as far as that goes with a functional device. This one, from Roman + Williams nails it and gets the volume right; enough coffee to wake up without going full goblin mode.
BEST WINE GLASSES
Hawkins New York
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Visit France—where wine is just better and cheaper (sorry California)—and you’ll notice something pretty quickly. The glasses are smaller. Only in America are wine glasses the size of a child’s head. It’s bizarre honestly. These ones from Hawkins New York have a continental feel. Not good for goldfish, but good for savoring, which is supposed to be the point.
AP GLASSES
HAY Glasses
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These simple glasses work for everything: a cup of water on the bedside table, orange juice in the morning, and a mixed drink after work. Stock up on a bunch of them and they can be used for whatever the moment calls for. The colored rim also is a nice design touch that proves a little goes a long way when it comes to glassware.
BEST CUTTING BOARD
Crate and Barrel Cutting Board
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Logic might tell you to opt for a plastic cutting board that can be thrown in the dishwasher, but wood is better. The knicks and cuts in plastic become safe harbor for bacteria, and a wooden one can be scrubbed clean in the sink with a brush just as well. This bigger block also looks handsome left out on the counter—it shows people, “look at Dave, he cooks a lot…”
BEST CABINET HARDWARE
Amazon Cabinet Pulls
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Why so many rentals come without hardware on the cabinets, the world may never know. Don’t spend tons of money on designer brand knobs to screw into cabinets either though. There are plenty of simple, matte options on Amazon like these ones.
BEST GARBAGE CAN
Allmodern Barbantia Can
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A garbage can should be easily found, but not showy. “Where’s your garbage,” should not be asked. This slender red can is tall enough that it won’t need changing out every single day, but is thin enough that it’s not going to obstruct pathways or take up too much space in a kitchen. The red also makes it very visible to guests who need to toss anything out.
"THE BIG BOWL"
Crate and Barrel Mixing Bowl
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Everyone has one “Big Bowl.” It’s the one that’s used for mixing when you attempt baking once every four months because you remember dates like it when you know how to make a pie. It’s the one filled with oranges and leaves that falls off the coffee table and breaks. It’s the one that can accommodate a whole box of Froot Loops for that LOTR marathon. This Crate and Barrel option is that bowl, which is to say, all you need.
BEST LIGHTING
Schoolhouse Plug-In Pendant
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In cramped apartments, lighting is at a premium, and kitchens rarely have enough of it. This plug in pendant light can be fixed to wherever your work surface is in the kitchen by screwing a small loop the cord rests on into the ceiling. After that, it’s as simple as plugging in an iPhone charger. Schoolhouse also has great colorways like this green and brass lamp.
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