Compact Kitchen Appliances for Today’s Small Kitchens

When it comes to outfitting urban apartments, condominiums, and tiny homes with appliances, it’s vital to select items that provide full functionality in a fraction of the space. Considering the way the space is used is the first step in determining the appliance needs when planning any kitchen, big or small. The number of people using the space, frequency of cooking, and dishware storage needs are all factors for laying out an ideal kitchen floorplan.

Essential Compact Appliances for Every Kitchen

In a well-appointed kitchen with thoughtfully arranged cabinets and appliances, even the smallest of spaces can be an efficient place to cook, bake, and welcome friends and family for a delicious meal.

If possible, arrange the key appliances in a triangular work area. Arrange the refrigerator, range, and dishwasher in a way that allows for a smooth transition from one to another. Make sure that the floor plan allows for all the doors of the appliances to open without hitting one another or the cabinets.

With so many different styles, colors, and sizes to choose from, it’s easy to find a combination of appliances to fully outfit any kitchen or kitchenette.

Refrigerator

The refrigerator is perhaps the most important appliance in a kitchen of any size. Proper refrigeration helps to extend the life of food. Under-cabinet refrigerators are the most minimal in design, offering just enough room for some drinks and a few food essentials. If more space is required, consider a compact refrigerator that offers full height but a narrow width. Many designs also include an integrated top-mount or bottom-mount freezer.

Pro tip: Take note of the internal storage components for the refrigerator to select a design that provides the best storage solutions. Vegetable crispers, adjustable height shelves, door cubbies, and segmented drink holders keep things organized and easy to find, all within easy reach.

Oven

Compact ovens are specifically designed to provide maximum functionality using minimal space. A single oven is an excellent choice for the occasional cook. A double oven offers twice the space for the avid chef while minimizing the footprint. When selecting the right compact oven for your small kitchen, look for one with additional features, such as convection cooking, self-cleaning, and child safety locks.

Pro tip: Take a look at the rack dimensions and make sure to choose baking sheets that fit within the available space.

Cooktop

A cooktop is a compact stove top that nestles into the countertops at a different location than the oven. They sit above a standard cabinet and feature anywhere from one to four burners. Both square and rectangular options are available. Consider the meals most frequently made and choose a cooktop with the number of burners to accommodate that style of cooking.

Pro tip: Save space on pots and pans as well by selecting a style that stacks inside one another, making them a better fit for limited cabinet space.

Range

A range combines the oven and cooktop in one compact unit. Options with single ovens and a lower storage drawer help to maximize storage space. When baking space is a priority, choose a range with a double oven below and a cooktop with four burners. Some styles even feature broiler drawers for crisping toast and adding a little color to roasted vegetables.

Dishwashers

Of all the kitchen appliances, the dishwasher is often the favorite luxury for a busy household. Let’s face it, the hard truth is that we can wash our dishes by hand if the space demands it. Many compact kitchens choose to omit dishwashers from the design entirely.

While dishwashers make easy work of cleaning up after a big meal, they also take up a spot for a lower cabinet. Choosing the wrong size dishwasher in a smaller kitchen space means sacrificing storage for the benefit of convenience.

Dishwashers come in multiple widths and holding capacities, from large to small. In a compact kitchen, a dishwasher as small as 18” wide can offer 9 cu. feet of washing space inside to hold multiple place settings. For some, the time saver is worth losing a little storage, while for other households it might be unnecessary.

Be sure to consider the space you have available and your lifestyle before overlooking the dishwasher. Small sinks can only handle so many dishes, and limited space often means hardly any room for a drying rack.

Pro tip: Purchasing smaller dinner plates, cups, and mugs will help to maximize dishwasher space, especially in compact dishwashers.

Designing a Compact Laundry Room

No matter how small a home may be, having a washer and dryer is a major convenience. A whole room doesn't need to be dedicated to oversized washers and dryers. Keep your clothes clean with compact washers, dryers, or combo units designed to slip into a closet, kitchen, or bathroom.

Before selecting any compact laundry system, consider how many people are living in the space and choose a unit with a capacity that accommodates the amount of laundry produced. Look for styles with reversible doors that allow you to change the direction the washers and dryers open.

Compact Washers

When it comes to washers of any size, there are two main styles from which to choose: front-loading and top-loading. Front loading washers are often designed to be stacked, allowing you to place them directly above or below the dryer. Top-loading washers provide a more traditional look, but they need to be used side-by-side with a dryer.

Compact Dryers

Compact dryers can be optional, as clothes fresh out of the washer can always be line dried, but if convenience is key, there is no faster way to get clean, wrinkle-free clothes. Like the washers, dryers are available in stand-alone or stackable varieties depending upon the layout of the space. Look for special features, such as steam technology when looking for

Compact Washer/Dryer Combinations

When space is at a premium, there is no better solution than a washer/dryer combo unit. These machines go right from washing clothes to getting them nice and dry in one appliance. The benefit is that they offer all the functionality in half of the square footage. The drawback is that only one load of laundry can be done at a time, making the chore take longer if multiple loads need washing.

Additional Considerations for Selecting Compact Appliances

Once you've determined the type of appliances needed, narrow the search for the ideal fit by considering a few features:

Measurements

When space is at a premium, careful measurements need to be made prior to appliance selection. Narrow the search for each appliance by selecting the width, depth, and height range that will fit well in your home. When measuring depth, take into consideration the space needed for proper appliance door or drawer openings, as well as any walking traffic.

Style

In addition to adding valuable function to a multitasking, smaller room, the appliances should still add positively to the atmosphere of the room. Consider the overall style of the room and select appliances that elevate the look. Opt for a sleek and modern unit, or bring a little vintage farmhouse style with a retro-inspired range or refrigerator. Fun, vintage designs also come in unexpected colors, making them a fashionable focal point in the space.

Finish

For a cohesive look in the kitchen, select a finish that coordinates with the design of your space. Jazz up the look by selecting an appliance in a bold accent color, or choose a finish that effortlessly coordinates with your existing kitchen design, such as:

• Black
• Matte Black
• Chrome
• Stainless Steel
• White
• Pewter
• Neutrals

Consider the way each of these finishes would look up against the paint color, cabinet finish, countertop, and floor. When trying to integrate new appliances with old, choose a stainless steel appliance with black trim to help transition the space between the two finishes.

Energy Usage

Many smaller homes are designed with a focus on environmentally friendly design and energy conservation. Whether trying to lower the carbon footprint of the property or simply lower operating costs, choosing ENERGY STAR rated appliances is a great option to consider.

Energy efficient versions of all kitchen and laundry appliances are readily available. The variety in different types of energy saving appliances makes it a great factor in doing an initial narrowing of a search. Look for an ENERGY STAR rating on light bulbs and other household electronics to maximize savings on monthly electricity costs.

Electric Vs. Gas

When properties are built, they are designed to accommodate either electrical or gas appliances. In some cases, a property can call for electric appliances in some areas and gas appliances in others. Do an initial narrowing of the search based on the fuel method needed.

Brand

There are a wide variety of compact appliances available by the top name brands, including Bosch, Frigidaire, GE, LG, and more. Keep the finish and style consistent throughout each room by selecting coordinating items from the same brand.

ADA Compliance

If the space is going to be a rental unit or used by many guests, it is essential to choose ADA compliant appliances. These appliances offer features that make them easy to use for anyone with limited mobility and can help to set the property apart from others in the market on a rental search.

Get Maximum Use Out of Minimal Space

When it comes to tiny home or condo living, everything put into the space needs to serve a purpose or two.

Begin the decorating or redesign process with a careful evaluation of how the space needs to be used.

• Make a list of the furnishings and appliances that will help accomplish those goals. For instance, cabinets without hardware can help expand the walking area in a small kitchen.
• Complete the design with innovative storage solutions, such as a pot rack hanging from the ceiling, a hanging herb garden on the wall, or adhesive hooks on the inside of the cabinet doors for measuring spoons.

These steps help ensure that, with a little bit of planning, even small spaces can meet the needs of busy homes. Every square inch can be used to the best advantage with the help of the right sized compact appliances.