Kitchen Necessities - Cooking Light

Living without these nifty little items is possible—but we don't recommend it.

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Our Favorite Necessary Luxuries

Photo: Randy Mayor

You would never gift a bottle of detergent—atleast we hope not—but, miniature packages of Soak Wash can be a thoughtful choice. How about giving a broom? We wouldn't hear it! But, present us with an itsy whisk sweeper and we will swoon. These gifts are everyday housewares with a special mix of function and fabulous.

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Créa Créa Butterfly Clips

Photo: Randy Mayor

Don't you love it when something as pedestrian as a chip clip gets a stylish update? So do we.

Price: $14

Shop: Pylones

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Soak Wash Travel Packs

Photo: Randy Mayor

Individual capsules of gentle detergent are tailor-made for travelers who won't let busy schedules stand in the way of workouts.

Price: $10/pack of 7

Shop: Soak Wash Inc.

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Sweep Dreams Whisks

Photo: Randy Mayor

Little messes deserve little brooms. Sweep Dreams' colorful wee whisks can make fast work of spilt sugar.

Price: $13

Shop: Sweep Dreams

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Jonathan's Coffee Scoop

Photo: Randy Mayor

Each Pennsylvania-made cherry or maple coffee scoop measures 2 tablespoons

Price: $18–$22

Shop: Jonathan's Wild Cherry Spoons

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Yoshii Chambray Kitchen Towels

Photo: Randy Mayor

Yoshii towels have peach-skin-soft chambray on one side, absorbent terry on the other.

Price: $10

Shop: Rikumo

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Toast Coasters

Photo: Randy Mayor

A touch of breakfast-table whimsy.

Price: $10 (Set of 8)

Shop: Organize.com

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Foxgloves Original

Photo: Randy Mayor

A touch of Jackie O. elegance: Wrists stay covered to avoid bug bites or poison ivy.

Price: $20

Shop: Foxgloves Inc.

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F.A. Seeds Co. Parlor Maid's Helper

Photo: Randy Mayor

F.A. Seeds' old-school-style kit includes polishes for silver, brass, copper, marble, and wood. Your kitchen will positively gleam.

Price: $40

Shop: F.A. Seeds Co.

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Lovell Bins

Photo: Randy Mayor

Sturdy canvas bins are perfect for pantries—store magazines, dish towels, onions, whatever...

Price: $64-$70

Shop: Lovell

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TableArt In & Out Trivet

Photo: Randy Mayor

TableArt's flexible silicone version turns inside-out for bigger dishes.

Price: $38

Shop: TableArt

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Zip & Dry Apron

Photo: Randy Mayor

There's no need to sling a dish towel over your shoulder if you're wearing this apron, which includes an absorbent terry cloth towel attached by zipper.

Price: $40

Shop: Just Perfect Inc.

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Ring Vegetable Brush

Photo: Randy Mayor

Recycled bristles and a bamboo handle are worked into a lovely easy-to-grip design.

Price: $5

Shop: Full Circle

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Hapeez Clipper Trios

Hapeez clips adhere to an array of kitchen surfaces, notably magnet-unfriendly glass and stainless steel. And you can fearlessly put a recipe where you can see it: These clips unstick without leaving any residue.

Price: $15/set of 3

Shop: Mayfair Lane

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Patina Onion Saver

You'll never waste a half-used onion again with this shapely airtight keeper.

Price: $6

Shop: Patina

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Megan Auman Coffee Cozy

Photo: Randy Mayor

Trade wasteful cardboard for a reusable felt coffee cozy.

Price: $25

Shop: Megan Auman

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Oots Lunchbox

Photo: Randy Mayor

Oots' cute but sturdy lunch box prevents sandwich smush. They also have handy containers for sides and salads.

Price: $30

Shop: Oots!

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Bleach Safe Kitchen Towels

Photo: Randy Mayor

Swipe chicken-y countertops without fear—bleach-safe colored kitchen towels are here.

Price: $5

Shop: Bleach Safe Home

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Box Appetit Lunch Container

Photo: Randy Mayor

If toting lunch is a resolution for health or money, you might as well feel stylish doing it.

Price: $22

Shop: MoMA Store

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Crate and Barrel Sparrow Clips

Just right for keeping the chips closed.

Price: $8/12 clips

Shop: Crate and Barrel

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Necessary Luxuries

1 of 21

Our Favorite Necessary Luxuries

2 of 21

Créa Créa Butterfly Clips

3 of 21

Soak Wash Travel Packs

4 of 21

Sweep Dreams Whisks

5 of 21

Jonathan's Coffee Scoop

6 of 21

Yoshii Chambray Kitchen Towels

7 of 21

Toast Coasters

8 of 21

Foxgloves Original

9 of 21

F.A. Seeds Co. Parlor Maid's Helper

10 of 21

Lovell Bins

11 of 21

TableArt In & Out Trivet

12 of 21

Zip & Dry Apron

13 of 21

Ring Vegetable Brush

14 of 21

Hapeez Clipper Trios

15 of 21

Patina Onion Saver

16 of 21

Megan Auman Coffee Cozy

17 of 21

Oots Lunchbox

18 of 21

Bleach Safe Kitchen Towels

19 of 21

Box Appetit Lunch Container

20 of 21

Crate and Barrel Sparrow Clips

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