5 Favorite Kitchen Items That Make Life Easier

Like many of you, I’m always looking for ways to simplify and organize my home…especially in the new year.  As I’ve been working in my kitchen, it occurred to me that I have a few favorite kitchen items that make my life easier.  Since these products work for our family and the way we live, I thought I’d share them with you!  Maybe they’ll make your life easier too!

*For your convenience, please note that this post contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase after clicking my links below, I will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you).

5 Favorite Kitchen Items That Make Life Easier:

Below, I’ll share my exact items along with some suggestions for some similar items…

5 Kitchen Items that Make Life Easier

1.  Whistling Tea Kettle:

Since I prefer tea over coffee, start my morning with a cup of tea.

With tea, I love all the flavors and levels of caffeine available.  Sometimes, I go for a simple green tea but most mornings I need a stronger dose of caffeine from an Earl Grey or English Breakfast.  

Recently, I purchased a whistling tea kettle (similar whistling tea kettle).  And why am I mentioning that it’s whistling?  Well…a few months ago, I turned on my stove to heat some water (with my old tea kettle) for my morning tea.  Then I walked into my home office and started working…

Stainless steel tea kettle on stove - one of our favorite kitchen items

After awhile I noticed an awful burning plastic smell.  So, I strolled into the kitchen and that’s when I remembered I had the stove on!  Luckily, I didn’t burn down the house!  By then, the plastic on the top of the lid was completely melted and all the water had boiled away.  Obviously, I had to throw that tea kettle out! 

After that close call, I made sure that I bought a whistling one so that would never happen again!  Actually, my old one might have been a whistler at one point but it no longer worked.  I guess, sometimes you have to replace things! 

So to make a long story short, a whistling tea kettle has made my life easier!

Shop more whistling tea kettles:

2.  These Non-Stick Cookie Sheets:

Quality makes all the difference…

For years, I’d buy those cheap aluminum cookie sheets from the grocery store.  Unfortunately, they never lasted long and food would stick to them forever.  Then I discovered these wonderful cookie sheets and I’ll never go back!

Cookie sheet with chocolate chip cookies - favorite kitchen items

They’re made from thick aluminized steel and they have a corrugated texture which supposedly helps with airflow.  Plus, the non-stick silicone coating is eco-friendly too – and they clean up so easily.  Obviously, I highly recommend them!

What I don’t recommend is that you forget to add the correct amount of flour to your chocolate chip cookies!  What can I say, it was the only photo I had with my favorite cookie sheets “in action”! Ha!

3. These Shelf Liners:

A simple way to protect your cabinets…

And while we’re talking textures, I want to recommend my favorite shelf liners.  These shelf liners come in a roll and you simply cut them to fit your shelves.  They’ve made our lives easier because they keep my kitchen cabinets looking fresh and new.  Apparently, the ribbing texture helps with airflow under your dishes and they are easy to wipe clean. 

Ribbed shelf liners

I’ve added the shelf liners to every cabinet but they’re especially useful in my cabinet next to the stove.  In that cabinet, I store my overflow of spices, oils and vinegars.  Obviously, that’s a spot I need to wipe down regularly!

4. Cork Placemats:

Even though I still use cloth placemats on occasion, I prefer cork ones for everyday use. 

With a busy family, I already have enough laundry to do each day.  Obviously, I don’t need to add placemats to the pile!  Years ago, I bought my checked placemats from Pottery Barn but they’ve been discontinued.  Though, I did find these placemats that are very similar!

Tablesetting with favorite blue and white cork place mats

Cork placemats are so easy to clean too.  After each meal, I just wipe them down and I’m done.  In our house, this is definitely a product that makes life easier!

Shop more cork placemats:

5. This Granite Cleaner:

Smells great…works well…

Over the years, I’ve tried several granite cleaners but the Method Daily Granite Cleaner is definitely my favorite.  Not only does the “apple orchard” scent smell great but it cleans really well.  Actually, it probably cleans as well as any granite cleaner but I love the scent – and I love all the Method products.  Since I try to avoid a lot of chemicals, I like that they use biodegradable ingredients that are pet friendly too!

Method granite cleaner next to paper towels

And since I’m a bit of a hypochondriac, my husband surprised me with a whole variety of their products for Christmas!

Cleaning products lined up on table - things to make life easier

favorite cleaning products

Yes, he also bought me a hazmat suit and helmet/face shield.  Gotta love that guy!  If you’re also a hypochondriac, (or just need a good laugh), check out my gift guide for the hypochondriac.

Hopefully, some of my favorite kitchen items can make your life easier too! 

While we’re discussing the kitchen, be sure to check out my 3 spare items that you should keep in duplicate.

Do you have any favorite kitchen items?

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5 Favorite Kitchen Items that Make Life Easier

 

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13 Comments

  1. These are great items, Shelley. I really need to get myself some decent cookie sheets. Mine are not only cheap aluminum, but they’re warped too. I spend as much in aluminum foil lining them as I probably would just to buy new ones like yours!
    Whistling tea kettle is definitely on that list of must haves. I have one similar to yours. I don’t think I could live without my crockpot or OXO apple slicer either. Even with all the instapots and air fryers, the crockpot is my go to for extra appliances worth the space they take. Lol, maybe I should look into a hazmat suit. I’m a bit of a germophobe.

    1. Thanks Rita! Oh, yes the crockpot – another great one! I need to use mine more because every time I do, I remember how easy it is to make dinner! Yes, I think I’ll be wearing my hazmat for awhile…lol!

    1. Ha – thanks Kim! Yeah, those cookies were a bit of a disaster…somehow we forgot the extra cup of flour! Ironically, they tasted pretty good! Thanks for swinging by!

  2. I have two recommendations for kitchen necessities. I love parchment paper liners for my cookie sheets. I use parchment for all kinds of things. And I also suggest an electric hot water pot. I bought the AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Fast, Portable Electric Hot Water Kettle for Tea and Coffee, 1.7-Liter, Silver. It is amazing! Holds a lot, keeps the water hot for a good while, and it automatically shuts off when it gets up to boiling temp. I enjoyed your article!

    1. Thank you – and great ideas, Nita! I forgot about parchment paper liners. They really do make clean up so easy. Also, I never thought about the portable hot water kettle. If it shuts off automatically, that’s wonderful for those of us who forget! lol Thanks for your input!

  3. Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn

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