You don’t have to surrender flavor when cooking in a small-scale kitchen
Learning how to deal with a simple tiny house kitchen kitchen doesn’t have to be a major headache. Whether you’re a design-focused minimalist, flavor pioneer, or storage solution connoisseur, you don’t have to give up your traditions to enjoy your small-scale space. Follow along to discover how to make your small kitchen work for you regardless of its size.
What is a Small Kitchen?
There’s no precise measurement for what comprises a “small” kitchen. The size of your kitchen doesn’t correlate to the tastiness of your dish, but it can impact the ease you feel (or are missing) while you prepare your meals. With a few changes and a new perspective, you may find the space you have is all you need! If you decide expanding your kitchen is the right choice, these tips can help you enjoy your current kitchen in the meantime and ensure your new kitchen feels as expansive as you imagine.
Small Kitchens are a State of Mind
Do you feel like there isn’t enough counter space in your kitchen whenever you make dinner but find yourself in a friend’s smaller kitchen eating a delicious meal and wondering, “How can you work in a small kitchen?” Your frustration may be clouding your ability to see what your kitchen has to offer. There are practical changes you can make to see your kitchen differently.
Small Kitchen Ideas
If space allows, you may be able to increase storage and counter space by adding a rolling kitchen cart. These come in a variety of sizes and styles and can seamlessly integrate with the design of your kitchen. The mobile nature of a kitchen cart makes it versatile–try using it as an island, a butcher block, or a temporary dining area. If space is maxed out, create visual tricks–such as displaying a cohesive set of white dishes–that can make it look like there’s more space.
Would it Be Better to Expand the Kitchen?
While you may be unable to demolish your kitchen and create the industrial kitchen of your dreams, you can use your space more efficiently. Immediate and inexpensive solutions include using your oven as a temporary cupboard (just make sure that you remove any items before preheating, to save melting the plastic packaging onto your Thanksgiving buns). Try placing butcher block cutting boards over your sink or stove burners when not in use to increase prep space.
If you can modify the cabinets, see if you can turn that unused space beneath your cupboards right above the floor into kick drawers–this is a great way to store canned items, dry goods, or cleaning supplies! You may be able to create small drawers or cabinets in the space between your refrigerator or oven and the surrounding cupboards or walls; this can be a great place to store spices and oils. Adding drawers and organizers to any cupboard allows for better use of space and helps to avoid forgetting about those items in the back of the cupboard.
Making a Simple Tiny House Kitchen Feel Bigger
There are infinite ways to make a small kitchen seem bigger. You can hang items! Think pots, pans, and knives. You can use pegboards, magnetic strips, hooks, or a combination, depending on your style and the available space in your kitchen. Adding lights underneath the cabinets or a mirrored backsplash will increase the light in your kitchen and make the space appear larger.
It can be relieving to declutter a kitchen. Switching out single-use countertop appliances for multi-use versions can free up a lot of space. consider smaller versions of appliances you use daily, such as a smaller single-cup coffee brewer or switching to a french press or pour-over. If you have many pots and pans and find yourself gravitating to the same few, consider donating those you rarely use or switching to cast iron. Cast iron pans serve many purposes and can even be used in the oven! If you have seasonal items taking up valuable space, consider storing them in another part of your home or that hard-to-reach space on top of your cupboards right below the ceiling. Cookie cutters, bulky turkey pans, and blenders are some examples.
Tiny House Kitchen Pros and Cons
A feeling of frustration about your kitchen may have brought you here, but small kitchens aren’t all bad! There are inherent pros, and even the cons are relatively few if you are open to adjusting your expectations and workflow in the kitchen.
Pros
- Easy to find and access what you need and use
- A smaller pantry leads to less food waste
- Use visible items to make a statement and show off your unique style
Cons
- May not have the perfect tool for every dish
- Harder to cook together or socialize while entertaining
- Prep work may need to be done before you begin cooking
Appliances for a Simple Tiny House Kitchen
You may be wary of the low-wattage microwaves found in dorm rooms and break rooms, but there are plenty of high-quality small appliances. I’m not encouraging any bakers to switch their ovens for a child’s toy, but consider which countertop appliances you could transition to multi-use appliances. For instance, you may be able to replace a pop-up toaster and pizza oven with a nice convection or toaster oven.
Many countertop appliances come in a variety of trendy colors and eye-catching designs. A small appliance for a small kitchen can be the perfect design element when kept on the counter or on open shelving.
ZLINE 24″ Dual Fuel Range in Black Stainless Steel
How to Deal with a Simple Tiny House Kitchen
Whether you’ve drawn up a blueprint for custom cupboards and clever storage solutions or simply have a few hours to declutter and reorganize, you can get started on creating a useful and comfortable kitchen. You might feel like a magician procuring ingredients from your new secret kickboard drawers or show off your impeccable style with a sculptural teapot easily mistaken for an expensive work of art. Either way, even making simple adjustments will help you discover delight in your small kitchen and is likely to develop into more inspired ideas. When you’re happier in your space, the satisfaction will be noticeable in the flavor of your meals, and your personal flair will shine through.
