Got this great list of Household Essentials over at Pine Creek Style...my moms blog.
BASIC KITCHEN ESSENTIALS
Basic Set of dishes, service for 6-8 minimum, (up to 12)
set should include: Dinner plate, bowl &/or salad plate,
Coffee cup with or without saucers
Serving Bowls/Dishes in several sizes
Casserole Dishes with Lids, several sizes
(*Colors should blend nicely with your dishes)
Pitchers for Drinks
Gravy Boats, 1 or 2
Gravy Boats, 1 or 2
Sugar and Creamer containers
Salt and Pepper shakers or mills
Silverware, service for 6, 8 or 12
Serving utensils, to match
such as spoons, forks, serving spatulas
Drinking Glasses 6-12, in two sizes
Wine Glasses, 12-24
(*You may choose to use different sizes, white & red wine glasses)
Various cocktail & beer glasses to suit your needs
BAKING AND ROASTING PANS...
12-15" open roasting pan
9x13 baking pan, 1 or more; metal, glass, stoneware
5x9 bread pan, 2 in metal, glass or stoneware
2 - 8 or 9" round layer cake pans
2 - 8 or 9" square layer cake pans
1- 8 or 9" round cake pan
1 - 8 or 9" square cake pan
1 - 9 or 10" tube pan
Bundt Style pan, 1 02 more
Cookie sheets, 2 or more
8-10" Pie Plates, 2 or more
Muffin/Cupcake Pan, 1 or 2
Springform pan, 1 or 2
2 - Pizza Pans
POTS AND PANS...
1, 2 and 3 quart pans with lids
2 or 3 quart with steamer basket and lid
(*Boiler insert would be great too!)
1 or more, 7-9" fry pan, lid
1 or more, 10-12" fry pan, lid
6 quart dutch oven
Stock pots, heavy gauge with lids, 2 sizes
APPLIANCES...
Coffee Maker
Mixer, Stand and/or Hand
Toaster
Toaster Oven
Crock Pot
Tea Kettle
Electric Skillet/griddle
Waffle Machine
Blender
Food processor/chopper
Grill Press
COOKING AND KITCHEN ESSENTIALS...
Heat resistant Spoons and Rubber Spatulas in various sizes
(*at least 2 of each)
Large Slotted spoon
Large Solid spoon
Cooking Spatulas, solid and slotted
Pizza Cutter
Pie Server
Desert Server
Can and Bottle openers
Ice Pick
Wine openers
Corks for bottles
Cooking Bands
Gravy & Soup Ladles, various sizes
Vegetable peeler
Set of Knives, various sizes
Steak Knife set
Funnels, various sizes
(narrow and wide mouth)
Measuring Spoons & Cups
Liquid & Dry measuring pitchers
Thermometers; cooking, meat, candy
Graters of several sizes; 4 sided & flat
Tongs; for cooking and serving
Baking Timer
Baking Timer
Shelf Liner: for cupboards, drawers...
(*also see "Cook with Style" section for more ideas)
Drink containers: 2 or more, various sizes
Long Handled Cooking Forks
Large and Small Strainers
Long Handle Strainer (spoon/dipper style)
Rolling pin
Pastry Blender
Pastry Brush
Cake/Cookie Racks (for cooling)
Potato Masher
Kitchen Shears
Knife Sharpener, Steel or Stone
Cutting Boards, various sizes
Whisks/Whips, various sizes & styles
Various sizes of containers/lids or jars/lids
Trivets for Hot Dishes, several
Pot Holders & Oven Mitts
1 dozen dish clothes
1 dozen dish towels
Dish Strainer: for hand washed items, traditional or cloth pad
PAPER & SUCH...
Aluminum Foil, roll and/or sheets
Plastic wrap
Zip top bags, all sizes
Toilet paper
Facial Tissues
Napkins
Paper Hand Towels
Paper Towels
Wax paper, roll and/or sheets
Paper plates
Paper or Plastic Cups, drinking and bathroom sizes
Plastic silverware
Coffee filters
Paper Coffee Cups with Lids for travel
Trash bags. various sizes
Store leftover grocery bags for later re-use
*save left over party supplies: plates, napkins etc. in an open basket for later use
CLEANING SUPPLIES...
Floor Cleaners
Dish Soap
Hand Soap
Hand Lotion for kitchen and bathrooms
Dishwasher soap, rinse aides and cleaner
Scrub pads
Sponges (*Personally, I don't care for sponges because of bacteria)
Disinfectants: for counters, cleaning etc.
Room Air Fresheners and Disinfectants
Window cleaners
Woolite (*see my section on "windows")
Laundry Soaps
Fabric Softeners
Downey Spray ( I use this to Iron clothes & linens)
Bleach: regular and color safe
Spot Removers, rug and laundry
Furniture polish & wax
Leather cleaner
Scotch Guard ( or simular)
Fabric Freshener, antibacterial
Leather cleaner
Scotch Guard ( or simular)
Fabric Freshener, antibacterial