What to buy for your student kitchen

Whether you’re moving into a house share for the first time, or moving into student accommodation, it is important to have all the student kitchen essentials when you move!

Packing all your stuff to move can feel incredibly stressful, but creating a list will make it a lot easier. If you’re trying to get the final few items together, but feel as though you may have forgotten something, take a look over our university packing list.

If you have some kitchen items already, that’s great, make sure to tell your housemates so you can all share different things. However, if you’re starting from scratch, it can be a lot to take in.

It’s very easy to forget things that will be essential when you’re at university! So, we have provided a student kitchen checklist below to help out.

Student kitchen appliances

In some cases, a house share or accommodation may provide certain kitchen appliances. If you are unsure, make sure to check before you spend money on new things. If you have already signed, or are considering signing for a student house share with Pickard Properties, all our kitchens are equipped with a microwave.

Here are some kitchen appliances that you should have in your kitchen:

• Toaster
• Kettle
• Kitchen scales
• Microwave

As previously mentioned, many house shares or accommodation may provide some of these appliances already. So, make sure to contact your letting agency or student accommodation hub to avoid wasting your money!

If you know the people in your house share, it is a good idea to message the group chat and split the price. If you do this before you move in together, all your essentials will be ready to go.

Kitchen utensils and cookware

If you have never lived out before, it’s normal not to understand which bits and bobs you will need to have a functioning kitchen. Although the first week or so might be takeaways, you are going to need utensils and cookware! Believe it or not, university might turn you into a chef.

When buying some kitchen utensils, you can be environmentally friendly at the same time. By using paper, metal straws, or a reusable water bottle, you will cut down on single-use plastic and create less rubbish to take out to your bin!

Again, it is a great idea to discuss with your housemates who is bringing what, so you don’t end up with too much of everything! Below is a list of some utensils and cookware you will need in your kitchen.

Cooking

• Oven gloves
• Baking trays
• A set of pans (frying pan, saucepan & wok!)
• Mixing bowls

Drinking

• Mugs
• Drinking glasses
• Paper or metal straws
• Reusable water bottle

Utensils

• Colander
• Sieve
• Spatula and wooden spoons (you can never have enough wooden spoons, they disappear!)
• Chopping board
• Bottle opener
• Draining rack
• Scissors
• Tin opener
• Grater
• Peeler

Tableware

• Plates and bowls
• Cutlery
• Sharp knives
• Coasters

Kitchen cleaning and storage

With the kitchen being one of the main communal points in shared housing or accommodation, it’s going to need a lot of cleaning. With everyone in the house share making food, it will inevitably get a bit messy. By having all the relevant cleaning supplies, it will encourage each member of the house to do their bit!

Usually, in a house share, you will find the washing machine in or around the kitchen. So, it makes sense to store your laundry supplies in a kitchen cupboard. If you’re in accommodation, you may have a separate laundry facility.

As well as cleaning supplies, you will need storage! Don’t waste food, and if you have leftovers, store them in some tupperware or wrap them up in some tin foil.

Kitchen cleaning

• Surface cleaner
• Washing up liquid
• Sponge or cloth
• Kitchen roll
• Bin bags
• Tea towels
• Mop and bucket

Laundry essentials

• Laundry powder, liquid, or pods
• Fabric softener

Storage

• Tupperware
• Foil, cling film or an alternative

Cupboard essentials

Although you might go with your housemates to do a ‘big shop’, it is important to have some cupboard essentials. Having a few items in your cupboard will ensure you always have something to eat in the house and spice up your meals.

Here are some cupboard essentials you shouldn’t miss out on:

• Chopped tomatoes
• Tomato puree
• Tinned soup
• Salt and pepper
• Flour
• Spices
• Stock cubes
• Tomato ketchup (Or, should it go in the fridge? You decide!)
• Baked beans
• Pasta
• Rice
• Cooking oil
• Mixed herbs

Have a good year

If this is the first time you have moved out, there might be things you didn’t even think of on these lists, but don’t worry. As time passes, you will master ‘adulting’ and end up creating gourmet meals for you and your housemates.

As we have mentioned a few times, communication is key when moving into a new place with other people. If you have a group chat, make sure to triple check who is bringing what. By doing this, you and your housemates will save a bit of money and have the appropriate amount of kitchen supplies!

Keep checking our student blog for lots of tips about uni life and living out. If your circumstances have changed and you’re in urgent need of a house share in Leeds, check out our selection and get in contact with us.