Final time you looked for an condo, rental house, or perhaps a resort room, did phrases like “compact cooking space” or “efficiency kitchen” catch your eye? What you’re doubtless coming throughout is a kitchenette.
A kitchenette is basically a smaller-scale model of a full kitchen, however with some key distinctions. These compact cooking areas serve a spread of functions, whether or not you’re renting a studio condo in New York Metropolis or constructing a home in Indianapolis, IN. Right here’s every little thing it’s essential learn about kitchenettes and the way they maximize each sq. foot.
On this article:What’s a kitchenette?The place are kitchenettes often discovered?What are key options of a kitchenette?Kitchenette vs full kitchen: what’s the distinction?How you can combine a kitchenette into any spacePros and cons of a kitchenetteSpace saving hacks for small kitchens and kitchenettesIs a kitchenette best for you?
What’s a kitchenette?
A kitchenette is just a compact kitchen. They’re often positioned in open areas and have minimal home equipment and streamlined performance. Not like a full kitchen, kitchenettes typically lack full-sized home equipment, however they often embrace necessities like a mini fridge, sink, stovetop, countertop, and restricted cupboard area, explains Matthew Sherborne, proprietor of house design agency Designing Concept. Different kitchenettes would possibly embrace a small oven or go for a convection microwave or sizzling plate as a substitute.
Since area is proscribed, kitchenettes are frequent in city residences, condos, and different small residing areas. They’re additionally widespread additions to spare rooms, basements, and different gathering areas for straightforward entry to meals and drinks with out the necessity of a full kitchen.
However kitchenettes aren’t simply restricted to small areas, say DIY renovation specialists Jen and Trent Fancher at Noting Grace: “A kitchenette is a great addition to any living area that is an inconvenient distance to the main kitchen, or for spaces where you want a little convenience without a full-blown kitchen.”
The place are kitchenettes often discovered?
Whereas kitchenettes may be related to small residing areas, they are often present in quite a lot of settings. Suzanne Taylor at Taylor Made Contracting, who remodels properties for individuals ageing in place, has utilized kitchenettes in a number of initiatives. Moreover being widespread in studio or micro residences, she explains a kitchenette may be an excellent match for:
Basements or in-law suites: Kitchenettes in a visitor room or mother-in-law suite present visitors a spot to arrange small meals or drinks while not having to entry the primary kitchen space. “If the home has a separate living area for guests, extended family, or rental purposes, a kitchenette provides convenience without needing a full kitchen,” says Taylor.
Tiny properties or ADUs (accent dwelling items): When your total house is just a few hundred sq. toes or much less, kitchenettes develop into an excellent resolution for meals preparation. “A small, independent living space on a property may include a kitchenette instead of a full kitchen to save space and meet zoning requirements,” Taylor shares.
Rental items, Airbnb areas, and school dorms: Taylor explains that kitchenettes in short-term leases assist to make the area extra self-sufficient for visitors or tenants, including worth to the general expertise.
Bonus rooms: Moist bars in bonus rooms or completed basements have been widespread for many years, however full kitchenettes go a step additional with a extra full area. “We personally added a kitchenette to our home to create a functional refreshment area without taking up too much room,” the Fanchers reveal.
Out of doors areas: Bigger yards, visitor homes, poolside areas, and even out of doors kitchens can profit from the comfort of a kitchenette.
What are key options of a kitchenette?
Most kitchenettes embrace some kind of sink, fridge, and cooking equipment. “The most popular appliance choices in kitchenettes are a microwave, mini refrigerator, and a cooktop,” Sherbone notes. Frequent kitchenette options may be:
Centered round a compact structure: Not like full kitchens with work zones, a kitchenette is often located straight in opposition to one wall or nook. This design permits most performance within the smallest area.
Compact home equipment: Mini fridges, small sinks, and two-burner cooktops are frequent. Equipment types also can range relying on the structure. For instance, a slimmer kitchenette fridge may very well be positioned to the aspect, or a shorter mini fridge would possibly sit beneath the countertop.
Creatively configured: When area is at a premium, kitchenettes might be constructed into numerous totally different configurations and designs.
Kitchenette vs full kitchen: what’s the distinction?
FeatureKitchenetteFull KitchenSizeCompactSpaciousOvenSometimes includedStandardStovetopLimited burnersMultiple burners + ovenRefrigeratorMini or small fridgeFull-size fridgeStorageLimited cabinetsAmple storage spaceVentilationOften lacking a spread hoodFull air flow system
How you can combine a kitchenette into any area
With any kitchenette design, maintaining issues cohesive is vital. “We recommend keeping the design style, color palette and materials consistent with the surrounding space,” Jen shares. “Using the same cabinetry style, hardware, or even a complementary backsplash can help the kitchenette blend seamlessly.”
Open shelving and utilizing a mixture of ornamental and purposeful components are surefire methods to assist a kitchenette really feel intentional, moderately than an afterthought to an area, explains Jen.
Defining zones with delicate boundaries, like throw rugs or slight variations in wall shade, is one other technique to outline the kitchenette area with out breaking the circulate, Taylor shares. “Bar stools, a small island, or a nearby dining table can create a seamless transition.”
Professionals and cons of a kitchenette
Whereas each kitchens and kitchenettes function meal prep areas, kitchenettes are designed to be extra compact and space-efficient. For those who’re contemplating one on your house or rental, weighing the professionals and cons might help you determine if it’s the best match.
Professionals
Minimal area necessities: Having a kitchenette means extra room for a residing area, eating room, and different areas basically.
Low upkeep: Much less countertop area, fewer home equipment, and a smaller footprint can result in much less time repairs and fewer time cleansing.
Value-effective: The mini-sized nature of a kitchenette is often much more reasonably priced to put in and outfit than a standard kitchen.
Can add worth: By maximizing performance in small areas, kitchenettes improve comfort and livability whereas rising attraction to renters or consumers in search of versatile, space-efficient residing options.
Cons
Doubtlessly pricey set up: For those who’re including a kitchenette to a residing area, a whole set up typically prices a minimum of $10,000 once you begin from scratch.
Restricted home equipment: Kitchenettes often don’t have sufficient room to suit issues like dishwashers or sinks with rubbish disposals. Much less counter area additionally means much less room for small home equipment, like a espresso machine or toaster oven.
Quick on storage: Kitchenettes naturally don’t have a lot room for cupboards, drawers, and different cupboard space.
Laws generally is a drawback: Relying on the constructing code or rules in your metropolis, city, or neighborhood affiliation, a whole kitchenette set up could or is probably not permitted.
@Taylor Made Contracting
House saving hacks for small kitchens and kitchenettes
Small-space kitchen design is evolving to incorporate extra all-in-one home equipment and multi-functional options, in addition to convertible and hidden options to assist maximize total area, explains the staff at Taylor Made Contracting. However taking advantage of a small area is all about small kitchen group and design options.
Vertical storage: The Fanchers say that when counter and cupboard area is proscribed, ”assume up.” Set up floating cabinets, magnetic knife strips, and wall-mounted racks to retailer regularly used gadgets with out cluttering your workspace. Vertical pantries or stackable shelving inside cupboards also can show you how to double your storage and maximize area.
Multipurpose furnishings and home equipment: “Go for furniture that does double duty, like a fold-down table that functions as both a prep area and a dining space,” suggests Taylor. Compact, multi-functional home equipment—like a mix microwave/convection oven or a single unit with a sink, fridge, and cooktop—also can save area.
Drawer and cupboard organizers: Use pull-out cabinets, stress rods to separate baking sheets, and stackable bins to maintain every little thing simply accessible. Lazy Susans in nook cupboards also can make use of in any other case wasted area.
House-efficient options: As a substitute of a full-sized drying rack, attempt an over-the-sink roll-up drying mat. Use nesting bowls and stackable cookware to cut back cupboard litter. And should you’re brief on counter area, says Sherbone, a pull-out chopping board can immediately develop your prep space.
Inside cupboard doorways: Set up hooks for measuring spoons, a slim rack for chopping boards, or adhesive organizers for spices and cleansing provides.
Further floor area: Wall-mounted, fold-down tables and extendable counter tops supply further workspace when wanted however tuck away seamlessly when not in use, counsel the Fanchers. A rolling cart is another choice as further storage, a prep station, or perhaps a house espresso bar.
Visible enlargement: Go for gentle colours, reflective surfaces, and open shelving to create an ethereal, open really feel. Underneath-cabinet lighting and mirrors also can assist make the area really feel bigger.
@Noting Grace
Is a kitchenette best for you?
When deciding if a kitchenette is the best selection, it comes right down to prioritizing your wants. Take into consideration the way you’ll use the area and what options are most essential to you. Even in a compact setup, small conveniences can considerably influence performance.
“Honestly, we love how our kitchenette turned out,” Jen shares, “but if we could do one thing differently, we would have added a dedicated water line for an ice maker. Even in a small space, convenience is key.”
Kitchenettes generally is a little restricted in dimension, however they nonetheless supply improbable performance for small areas and may enhance your own home’s worth. For those who wish to prepare dinner huge, advanced meals with many substances, a full-sized kitchen may be a greater possibility. However should you simply want the fundamentals, are staying someplace short-term, otherwise you’re after extra comfort in an additional residing area, a kitchenette and a bit creativity might be the right match.
FAQs about kitchenettes
1. Are you able to prepare dinner in a kitchenette?
Sure. When you received’t have a full range or oven, you’ll be able to nonetheless prepare dinner utilizing a microwave, sizzling plate, sluggish cooker, or air fryer.
2. What’s the distinction between a kitchenette and a kitchen?
A kitchen is a full-sized cooking area geared up with important home equipment like an oven, stovetop, full-sized fridge, and ample counter area, designed for making ready all kinds of meals. A kitchenette is a compact model with restricted home equipment, typically together with only a small fridge, microwave, and sink, making it splendid for small areas or easy meal prep.
3. Do kitchenettes have dishwashers?
Most kitchenettes don’t include dishwashers resulting from area limitations, however compact or countertop dishwashers might be added.
4. Is a kitchenette cheaper to put in than a full kitchen?
Sure! A kitchenette is considerably extra reasonably priced because it requires fewer home equipment, much less cabinetry, and minimal area. “But the cost largely depends on your room size, features, and chosen appliances,” Sherbone says.
5. Can I add a kitchenette to my house?
Completely! Many owners set up kitchenettes in basements, guesthouses, or house places of work so as to add comfort and worth to their property.
