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Ultimate Tiny House Kitchen Guide

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Ultimate Tiny House Kitchen Guide

Staying in a tiny home means living with only the necessary amenities, and that naturally includes the kitchen. Here is everything you may need to know about kitchens for small houses and some tips on making the most of you space for it.

Preparing the kitchen for your tiny home does not differ much from how you do it in an average-sized house. It is just that you will have to workaround the limitations in the available space. While doing so can be a challenge, a tiny home kitchen has benefits of its own as well. One of the most apparent advantages would be the lesser expenses, as you will be urged to buy fewer cooking appliances. You will even be decreasing your electricity consumption in the process. With that said, here is everything tiny homeowners need to know when preparing their compact kitchen.

Table of Contents

Do Tiny Homes have Kitchens?
What is a Typical Size for a Tiny Home Kitchen
Are Kitchen Tables still Possible in a Tiny House
Tiny House Kitchen Design Ideas
Traditional Kitchen vs. Compact Kitchen

Do Tiny Homes have Kitchens?

Living in a tiny home promotes a minimalistic lifestyle, but that does not mean you should hold yourself back from the necessities, like the kitchen. Your goal is to best use your space, not to give up on some amenities when your small house gets too crowded. So yes, tiny homes come with kitchen, just slightly smaller than usual.

The galley or corridor layout is a popular simple kitchen design in tiny homes. For this, the working spaces with the counter tops and cabinets are on both sides of the walkway. This is the most practical for tiny houses as it allows you to make the most of the room while leaving enough breathing space. You can also go for the Pullman or one-wall kitchen layout, where the countertops are only on one side of the wall. It will not five you as much room for cooking and storage, but it keeps everything within easy reach.

What is a Typical Size for a Tiny Home Kitchen

If you already have a layout for your tiny home, work around with what is available. However, to those who are still planning how much space to dedicate to the kitchen, the answer usually varies. Although tiny homes are fundamentally small, some units are on the even smaller side. In such cases, a 30 to 50 square feet compact kitchen would suffice. However, if your house has enough space to allow you to expand more, you can go for 60 to 70 square feet. Going for more than that can make your kitchen stand out too much from the other areas of your tiny home and is therefore not recommended.

The standard depth for countertops and cabinets is 24″, but for your compact kitchen, 18″ o 21″ would be more ideal for saving space. You can go for even smaller ones, but you will have to compromise storage. Meanwhile, for the kitchen sink, having a 33″ double sink would be most practical for tiny homes. Use the other side to soak the dirty plates or hang them on an over-the-sink dish drying rack after rinsing them. You can then utilize the other side of the double sink for your other businesses, like cleaning your hands or washing some cooking ingredients.

Are Kitchen Tables still Possible in a Tiny House

A kitchen table may look impractical in a tiny home where you make the most of the limited available space. However, there is actually a way to make it work. In fact, kitchen dining is a great idea to save space. For this, you will need a slide-out table, which you can simply store when not in use. A fold-out table would also be a great alternative, as you can fold and hide it when you are not eating.

Tiny House Kitchen Design Ideas

As mentioned, it is recommended for tiny homes to follow the galley or corridor and Pullman or one-wall layout, given the limited space. However, if you wish to push through with a kitchen island for additional workspace, you must think outside the box to make that work. Instead of stationary, get a moveable island that you can store or tuck away when not in use. Alternatively, a kitchen cart can do the job, plus it even has cabinets for additional storage. Besides the layout, here are more small kitchen ideas for tiny homes.

install wall-mounted cabinets to make use of the wall and ceiling space.
Use under-cabinet racks for storage and to eliminate clutter.
Get pot racks or vertical pan holders with hooks below for other cooking tools.
utilize backsplashes and wall hooks or rails to attach your cutlery to the wall.
Keep your fruit and vegetables elevated from the counter with hanging baskets.

To make a tiny home appear more spacious than it is, think of following a small house open concept kitchen and living room. Install open shelving, choose white or cheery yellow paint for the walls, and go for bohemian or chevron patterns for the floor. In addition, to liven up the room, nothing screams “open kitchen” like greenery. you can even use air-purifying plants to improve the air quality in your kitchen.

Traditional Kitchen vs. Compact Kitchen

With traditional kitchens in average-sized homes, you get more freedom with the layout and what appliances to have. However, it can get expensive and challenging to maintain. On the other hand, compact kitchens are more cost-effective and result in less clutter. Having fewer appliances also means lower energy use, which does not only save money but is better for the environment as well. However, it also has its own set of disadvantages.

minimal storage and workspace
limitation in appliances you can have
lack of enough walking space

A kitchen is essential in a tiny home, but you do not necessarily have to allot ample room for it. Instead, make do with what you have by choosing a suitable layout, limiting your appliances, and being creative with your space. Allow Small House Solutions to accompany you in this journey of preparing the perfect compact kitchen for your tiny home by booking a free consultation now!

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