There are BARE essentials, and there are the barest essentials to feel home, or to not get ultra depressed over time feeling like you're just shacked up in a big room. That last bit is subjective.
When I started living on my own, I had a giant beanbag that was a catch-all sitting sleeping thing. My cardboard boxes from moving were covered with sheets or bare and served as my tables. I bought some hangars for my uniforms, so that was nice.
I agree with the good GOOD chef's knife, a toaster oven and hot plate. These allow a variety of food, and a variety of food will greatly enhance your emotional and physical well-being. You could totally sleep on the floor pretty comfortably, but get a great pillow (i really like these buckwheat pillows, and they'll last a long time). If you're really bare, an old GI poncho liner is a phenomenal piece of kit for sleeping. Some hangars. A cast iron pan and a pot. A small set of glassware for both microwaving and storing food. A plate (frisbee!?). A bowl. A spork. A glass. Maybe a smaller knife. These can be cleaned after each use. Some books? A few bath towels. Some cleaning gear, i.e. multi-surface spray, a rag, a vacuum, a mop, etc. A couple dish rags/towels for cleaning and drying.
Seating can be over rated, depending on how bare you're going. But you can often get furniture so cheap that it's well worth the boost you get in creating a bit more of a "home".