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Congrats, You Have One Fork — Let’s Fix That

A simple approach to buying what you need — without overbuying or starting from scratch the wrong way.

If you’re a newly single guy, chances are your ex-wife kept most (or all) of the kitchen gear.
No shame in that — it happens to nearly everyone.

The good news?
You don’t need a chef’s kitchen.
You don’t need matching sets of everything.
And you definitely don’t need to buy every gadget in the aisle at Target or the entire cookware wall at Williams Sonoma.

You just need to approach rebuilding your kitchen with intention — simple, functional, complete, without duplicates or clutter.

This is the DS1 way:

Rule #1: Don’t Buy Randomly — Start With What You Actually Cook

Most divorced men walk into a kitchen section and panic-buy:

  • three spatulas
  • odd pans
  • two knife sets
  • random gadgets
  • and stuff they’ll never use

DS1 rule:
Buy for the meals you actually make.

If you cook:

  • eggs
  • pasta
  • chicken
  • basic dinners
  • simple breakfasts

…then build around that.
If you want to expand later, great — but start with what fits your current life, not what a catalog tells you.

Rule #2: Quality Over Quantity (No Duplicates)

You do not need:

  • three frying pans
  • five spatulas
  • four cutting boards
  • eight mismatched mugs
  • duplicate stuff that clutters drawers

You need one good version of each major item.

One great knife > ten mediocre ones.
One solid pan > a whole stack of cheap ones.
One cutting board > four leaning against the wall.

The DS1 mindset:
Own fewer things, but better things.

Rule #3: Get Enough for Your Family + Two Guests

This keeps your kitchen functional without turning into a dish museum.

The DS1 formula:

  • Plates, bowls, glasses, silverware: enough for your family + 2
  • Cups/mugs: 4–6 total
  • Pots/pans: only what you cook with
  • Serveware: minimal, unless you host regularly

This way your kitchen feels put-together, not sparse — but you’re not overbuying and filling cabinets with things you’ll never use.

Rule #4: Mix Your Stores — You Don’t Need One Source

The best thing about rebuilding a kitchen today?
You can get great essentials at every price point.

Solid places to shop:

  • Target — great basics that don’t look cheap
  • Walmart — surprisingly good cookware and budget-friendly sets
  • Amazon — instant replacements, organization, specialty tools
  • Williams Sonoma — splurge on 1–2 items that actually matter (like a pan or knife)

DS1 rule:
It’s not where you buy — it’s what you buy.
Mix and match freely.

Rule #5: Cover the Basics of What You Can Cook

To keep it simple, buy around your skill set:

If you can cook:

  • eggs → nonstick pan + spatula
  • pasta → pot + colander
  • chicken/pork → skillet + tongs
  • tacos → baking sheet + skillet
  • breakfast → cutting board + knife
  • vegetables → knife + sheet pan

Just make sure you have one of each essential piece.

You don’t need more until your cooking expands.

Rule #6: Keep the Countertops Clear

A clean counter = a functional kitchen.

Limit what stays out to:

  • toaster or air fryer
  • knife block
  • coffee setup
  • one nice cutting board for texture

Everything else goes in a drawer or cabinet.

Clutter is the enemy of a “grown-man kitchen” look.

Final Thought: Build It Intentionally, Not Emotionally

Rebuilding your kitchen after a divorce can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be.

Start with:

  • what you actually cook
  • what you actually use
  • just enough for real life + a couple guests
  • no duplicates
  • quality basics from stores that fit your budget

This is how you build a kitchen that feels masculine, functional, and put together — without spending a fortune or buying 50 things you don’t need.