Looks aren't everything, but these eye-catching kitchen finds deliver on all fronts. (Amazon)(Amazon)
As shopping writers and product testers, we know we're supposed to prioritize function over form ... but if we're being honest? Preparing food with pretty cookware and appliances makes the job so much more enjoyable! Lucky for us, we don't always have to choose — there are so many kitchen products on the market that work well and look good doin' it.
Take the celeb- and editor-approved Our Place Always Pan, for instance. At first glance, you'll think, "Now that's a looker." And upon first use, you'll think, "Now that's a solid piece of cookware." We're also big fans of a gorgeous, compact blender beloved by Oprah herself, as well as a stunning set of stainless steel pots and pans — and there's more where those came from.
You see, appearance is more important than you'd think — especially for those of us with limited cabinet space. Sometimes, appliances and cookware are too large to stow away, and if we're going to leave them on our counter or stovetop, they'd better be eye candy! Keep scrolling to see some of our faves that take the "kitsch" out of kit(s)chen.
Le Creuset who? I cook with Lodge Dutch ovens at home, and this one is just the right size for a smaller household. The slick enameled interior cleans like a dream, while the sturdy cast iron offers excellent heat distribution and retention. Plus, it's so pretty you won't mind leaving it on the stove for everyone to admire.
At nearly 50% off, this is the best price we've seen in years. Read my full Lodge Dutch oven review for more details.
Prefer nonstick? I own this multi-use beauty, and it just might become your most-utilized piece of cookware, thanks to its thoughtful design. It took the internet by storm a few years ago and quickly became a favorite of home cooks and celebrities alike. (Selena Gomez did a collaboration with the brand, and Oprah has called it "the kitchen magician.")
Its ceramic coating is slick and free of PFAS, while the handle smartly doubles as a spoon rest. Speaking of utensils, it comes with a wooden spatula and metal steamer basket that can be used as a colander, and it's oven-safe up to 450°F for added versatility. It's not often on sale, so grab it while you can save a few bucks.
Check out my full Our Place Always Pan review for more.
Shiny stainless steel pots and pans are timeless kitchen staples that will never go out of style, and Yahoo editors Lisa Schweitzer and Kristin Granero named this collection the best cookware set overall out of the many they tested.
They wrote, "Cuisinart is a trusted name in cookware, and this 12-piece triple-ply stainless steel set offers a ton of value. With two skillets, three pots and a steamer insert (hello, broccoli), you're ready for almost any cooking task. And at $300 — when it's not on sale for even less — it's truly a steal. All the pieces can go from stovetop to oven and can even withstand a blast under the broiler."
Check out our roundup of the best cookware sets for more.
(To keep them looking oh-so-spiffy and stovetop-ready, might I recommend some Barkeeper's Friend? It's truly my favorite.)
"Since receiving the Perfect Pot, I've made everything from stews and braises to steamed vegetables, baked pastas and even fried doughnuts!" wrote one Yahoo shopping editor, Britt Ross. "You could also use it for baking bread or cooking rice — the limit does not exist. It can conveniently go from stove to oven (it's safe up to 450°F), and its aluminum construction means it heats up in no time. Most importantly, no matter what I'm making in it, I find that the heat is consistent, which results in evenly cooked food."
Check out our full Our Place Perfect Pot review for more.
As an Ina Garten obsessive, I trust her entirely when it comes to kitchen gear — and as reported by The Kitchn, this beautiful maple cutting board is her standby. "Butcher blocks ... they're really important," she says in a New York Times video about her kitchen essentials. "I have lots of them, and if you take care of them, they last forever."
Giada De Laurentiis is a fan too. "A good cutting board is often overlooked, but it makes all the difference at prep time," says the Food Network star, via the same article by The Kitchn. "Boos Boards are made of solid hardwood (I love the maple) and are a favorite among professional chefs."
I was influenced enough that I now have one of these beauties on my counter — when it's not on chopping duty, I use it to hold decorative bowls and flower vases. But it's more than just a pretty food prep tool; its heft keeps it from sliding around the counter when I chop, and the wood is much gentler on my knives than plastic.
Check out my full Boos Block Cutting Board review for more.
The Beast's infuser bottle might also help you achieve your hydration goals this year.
If you're wondering why Our Place keeps popping up on this list, it's because we Yahoo editors can't get enough of the brand's clean, minimalist aesthetic.
Shopping writer Kristin Granero named this attractive appliance the best air fryer toaster she tested, saying, "[It's] an expert at multitasking ... It has a 12-liter capacity that supports four slices of toast, 1 pound of french fries or a 9-inch pizza, and a 4.5-pound chicken with only the bottom tray in place. It also performs six duties: air frying, baking, toasting, broiling, reheating and roasting, with the option to infuse steam, for different texture preferences and appetites. ... We prioritized performance in our evaluations, but we'd be remiss if we didn’t point out that this oven comes in [many] beautiful shades." (You can find it in blue and coral hues at Amazon, and in additional colors at Our Place.)
Check out our roundup of the best air fryers for more.
Last, but certainly not least, my KitchenAid stand mixer is my pride and joy, thanks in no small part to its striking appearance. I find its elongated neck far more elegant than the tilt-head variety, and this feature allows it to mix with up to twice as much power as its counterpart.
With baking season on its way, this machine will make mixing up cookie dough, cakes, whipped cream, breads and more a super-speedy task, and with much less exertion on your part. Because it was built to last, it's too heavy for me to haul in and out of a cabinet every time I use it, which makes me grateful that it's good-looking enough to leave out. I have the classic stainless steel version, but it comes in eye-popping pastels and brights as well.
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