I set up house a few months ago and this is my essentials list:
note: I cook at least 5-6 nights a week and bake weekly also. If you don't cook as much you probably won't need as many items
3 knives – I have a 7” Global Chef’s knife and 2 smaller Wusthofs.
Good pair of kitchen shears – I like the Wusthof pull-apart ones
Set of steak knives – have the Ikea ones right now and they aren't bad.
3 bamboo cutting boards - one for meat, one for veges and one for bread
3 saucepans – small, medium and large, all with lids. Plus 1 large stockpot
3 skillets – small, medium and large. Plus one griddle pan for pancakes, french toast, etc
Spatulas, spoon, soup ladle, turner, slotted spoon, whisk, rolling pin, ice cream scoop, etc
Can opener, fruit & vege peeler, wire cheese slicer,
2 large rectangular baking trays
12 pce muffin tray, rectangular loaf pan, and round bundt pan
Set of measuring cups and measuring spoons
Pyrex glass measuring jug
2 stainless steel mixing bowls – one small and one large
Salad spinner
Stainless steel colander
Box grater - Oxo does a good one
Bag clips - again I like Oxo
Pyrex rectangular glass dishes – I have a set of 3 with lids. Good for baking & storage
Plastic storage containers – I keep both a good set of air tight ones and an extra set of those Glad ones
Set of kitchen scales, an instant read digital thermometer, oven thermometer
Utensil holders, pot holders, tea towels, oven mitts – I like Ikea for these
And appliances: microwave, stand mixer, blender, rice cooker and toaster
I use every single thing in my kitchen and have no useless/regret purchases. As my kitchen grows I would like to add a few more items like le creuset dutch oven, more global knives, pie dishes, etc