For a young person, starting out on their own, setting up their first home can be a very exciting time. Some aspects of this can be particularly intimidating, such as the kitchen area. It is very difficult to know what you need, what you will get a lot of use out of, and what you will hardly touch.
Of course you will want to keep the basics on hand. This would include plates, cups, and eating utensils. Some people prefer all disposable items, so that they do not have to worry about doing dishes. Other, more eco-conscious people prefer the opposite and refuse to buy disposables. A few pots and pans for cooking are also recommended. A baking sheet can also be grouped this way.
Carefully consider your needs. There is no need to go and out buy expensive sets of things if all you are worried about is yourself. Think about how many people will routinely be in your kitchen.
Your eating and lifestyle will have a large effect on whether some your more specialized purchases are worthwhile or not. For example, having a Sanyo rice cooker is great if you eat rice very often. In that case you will enjoy using it and it will be worth the money spent on it. On the other hand, if you buy one, but do not eat rice often, then it could end up being just a waste of space.
Having a good kitchen hand mixer around can also be considered a staple item. While many culinary delights may not be in your skill set, keep one around anyway. This can simplify many projects, even if all you are doing is putting something together out of a prepared mix. It can also make things easier should you decide to host a small party.
A Kitchenaid hand mixer can really come in handy for late night snacks or cravings. While you might not be overly interested in baking, you may have an interest in cookie dough or brownie batter. Late at night, or the wee hours of the morning, you will be thankful that you have this around.
While the task may seem daunting, stocking your kitchen does not have to be a painful experience. If you check out yard sales, auctions, online listings, and thrift stores you can easily pick up many of these items for a fractions of the retail cost. The endeavor does not have to break your bank account. You can do this comfortably, and gradually, and end up with quite an impressive kitchen stock.