Choosing the Best Appliances for a Small Kitchen

Many homeowners and renters live in small spaces. For this reason, appliances for small kitchens became popular. Even if the house is not small, the kitchen layout may be narrow. The space may be tight – hence, moving around is usually frustrating, especially if you consider that most home appliances are bulky.

When buying kitchen appliances, “size and space” should be your priority. The goal is to make the most out of your small space and if possible, use compact appliances over large ones. All the same, sometimes big-size appliances cannot be avoided. For instance, if you have to store lots of food in a fridge, you may need to get a side-by-side or French-door refrigerator.

Check out the following tips to determine which kitchen appliances make the most sense for your home:

Choosing refrigeration appliances

Below are the types of refrigerators you might want to consider when choosing one for your small kitchen:

• Small-sized fridges- Small or apartment-style refrigerators are typically 12 cubic feet tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. These fridges look like the little brother of their standard-sized counterparts and act like one. While they save so much space for other home appliances, they’re not enough if you have loads of stuff that need to be refrigerated.

• Counter-depth refrigerators- This type of refrigerator allows for better traffic flow in your small kitchen. It also provides unique storage capabilities and allows easier access to contents.

• Drawer refrigerators– They could be the answer if it’s impossible to fit in a standard refrigerator in your small kitchen. They are usually 24 inches wide.

• Dorm-style refrigerators- This compact appliance is ideal for one person only. If you want to save more space, opt for a micro refrigerator instead. It is a small refrigerator with a microwave on top.

Oven and range options

Take note of the following when choosing cooking appliances for your small kitchen:

• Modular cooktop- It is a custom-designed cooking appliance that includes different cooking elements in one. A modular cooktop could consist of an electric and gas stove, induction and electric, and other combinations that suit you best.

• Petite oven- You can think of this oven as the smaller version of a standard-sized oven. Some models, however, can open on the side.

• Induction cooktops- Cooking with induction cooktops provides better efficiency than using a stove. They are usually around 60 cm in width, making them compact and space-saving. However, your cookware should be suitable for induction cooking. Otherwise, you have to buy new cookware to use an induction cooktop.

• Ultra-compact range- For better flexibility, choose an ultra-compact 12 to 15-inch range with two burners that you can install wherever you want in your kitchen. This range will still allow you to save space while providing enough burners for cooking.

• Multi-cooker- This kitchen appliance is also known as an all-in-one kitchen machine. If you wish to reduce the size of the cooking appliance in your tiny kitchen, this would be your best choice. You can use it as a slow cooker, rice cooker, and pressure cooker. It also comes with features that could replace your yogurt maker, electric frying pan, and steamer.

Dishwasher options

For washing dishes, below are the types of dishwashers for small kitchens you can choose from:

• On-the-go– Choose a dishwasher with wheels or a countertop version if you only want it around the kitchen when you need it. It will allow better mobility if you use the kitchen space for cooking first.

• Cabinet size- This type of dishwasher has every feature a typical dishwasher has. The only difference is that it’s as massive as a standard cabinet, making it ideal for small kitchens.

• Double or single drawer- Choose a single dishwasher if you don’t have to wash many dishes at once. Otherwise, a drawer dishwasher suits you better as it has more capacity.

• Slimline dishwasher- As its name suggests, slimline dishwashers have a slender or slim design. They are ideal for studios, one-bedroom flats, tiny mobile homes, narrowboats, and anywhere where space is limited.

Less is more, as they say. Carefully consider which kitchen appliances suit not only your small kitchen space but also your needs.

Overall, smaller appliances aren’t always the best choice for small kitchens. So, list all your requirements first before shopping for kitchen appliances. When buying a particular item, it is also best to have a size range in mind.