My Hoosier

We all know who organization and craft guru Martha Stewart is. If you’ve ever watched her on television, quickly whipping together some amazing creation in her kitchen, you’ve maybe rolled your eyes, thinking that there’s no way that you have time to make that meal. When you take a few tips from the master, you can be the Martha of your own new home. Here’s how to outfit your kitchen to make it easier to use and, ultimately, one of your favorite rooms:

1.Pantry

When you move into your new home, it’s essential that you stock your pantry and cupboards with the staples. When you have a well-stocked pantry, you can whip up a meal without having to make a run to the grocery store for simple ingredients. At a minimum, your pantry should be full of pastas, rice, beans, canned soups and vegetables. If your family has particular favorites, like couscous or barley, for example, make sure you have plenty of those things as well.

2.Tableware

Chances are that you won’t want to eat off of paper plates forever. Fiesta ware is a wonderful addition to any kitchen. These plates and bowls, along with other accessories, come in a wide range of colors, made to suit any design scheme. You can buy a complete set in your favorite color or mix and match the colors to create your own, unique look.

3.Baking Cupboard

Miss Martha suggests creating a baking cupboard for your kitchen, especially if you have children. Choose one cupboard and stock it with cookie sheets, cake pans and cupcake tins. You may want to consider including measuring cups, a rolling pin or two, and your favorite cake decorating accessories. If you have enough room, you can store your flour, sugar and extracts in the cupboard as well. Whenever you feel like making a batch of cookies, you can open up one cupboard and have access to almost everything that you need.

4.Gadgets

You don’t have to turn your kitchen into a room a professional would drool over if you don’t spend much time cooking. You should, however, have a few essentials. Every kitchen should have a blender, a toaster and a microwave. You may also want a coffee maker and an electric mixer. Even if you don’t use these items on a daily basis, having them on hand will prevent you from having to spend money on them later. If you think you won’t use them often, put them on your house-warming registry; let someone else buy them for you.

5.Pots and Pans

You aren’t going to use your microwave for every meal, are you? Look for a great set of pots and pans that you can use to wow your partner with. Remember that you aren’t in college anymore; a single sauce pan isn’t going to fit the bill. To cook a great meal, you’ll need several pots and pans in different sizes. Think about buying a beautiful set and hanging them from a rack in your kitchen. Your pots and pans will serve double duty: useful kitchen items and lovely decorations.

If you’re just moving into the world on your own or with your partner, you’ll want to stock your kitchen with great supplies. If you use the tips above, you’ll have a kitchen that is both fun and functional. You can add accessories and other items over time; the five items above should be at the top of your “get it now list.”