Final time you looked for an condominium, rental residence, 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 actually a smaller-scale model of a full kitchen, however with some key distinctions. These compact cooking areas serve a variety of functions, whether or not you’re renting a studio condominium in New York Metropolis or constructing a home in Indianapolis, IN. Right here’s all the pieces it is advisable 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 situated in open areas and have minimal home equipment and streamlined performance. In contrast to a full kitchen, kitchenettes typically lack full-sized home equipment, however they often embody necessities like a mini fridge, sink, stovetop, countertop, and restricted cupboard area, explains Matthew Sherborne, proprietor of residence design agency Designing Thought. Different kitchenettes would possibly embody a small oven or go for a convection microwave or scorching plate as a substitute.
Since area is restricted, kitchenettes are frequent in city residences, condos, and different small dwelling areas. They’re additionally well-liked 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 consultants 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 is perhaps related to small dwelling areas, they are often present in quite a lot of settings. Suzanne Taylor at Taylor Made Contracting, who remodels houses for folks growing older in place, has utilized kitchenettes in a number of tasks. Apart from being well-liked in studio or micro residences, she explains a kitchenette is perhaps a great match for:
Basements or in-law suites: Kitchenettes in a visitor room or mother-in-law suite present friends a spot to organize 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 houses or ADUs (accent dwelling models): When your complete house is a couple of hundred sq. toes or much less, kitchenettes change 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 models, Airbnb areas, and school dorms: Taylor explains that kitchenettes in short-term leases assist to make the area extra self-sufficient for friends or tenants, including worth to the general expertise.
Bonus rooms: Moist bars in bonus rooms or completed basements have been well-liked 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 embody 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 is perhaps:
Centered round a compact structure: In contrast to full kitchens with work zones, a kitchenette is often located straight towards 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 may also 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 variety 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 parts are surefire methods to assist a kitchenette really feel intentional, quite than an afterthought to an area, explains Jen.
Defining zones with refined boundaries, like throw rugs or slight variations in wall coloration, is one other strategy to outline the kitchenette area with out breaking the movement, Taylor shares. “Bar stools, a small island, or a nearby dining table can create a seamless transition.”
Execs and cons of a kitchenette
Whereas each kitchens and kitchenettes function meal prep areas, kitchenettes are designed to be extra compact and space-efficient. In the event you’re contemplating one to your residence or rental, weighing the professionals and cons might help you resolve if it’s the correct match.
Execs
Minimal area necessities: Having a kitchenette means extra room for a dwelling area, eating room, and different areas normally.
Low upkeep: Much less countertop area, fewer home equipment, and a smaller footprint can result in much less time maintenance 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 conventional kitchen.
Can add worth: By maximizing performance in small areas, kitchenettes improve comfort and livability whereas growing attraction to renters or patrons in search of versatile, space-efficient dwelling options.
Cons
Probably pricey set up: In the event you’re including a kitchenette to a dwelling area, an entire set up typically prices no less than $10,000 whenever 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.
Brief on storage: Kitchenettes naturally don’t have a lot room for cupboards, drawers, and different cupboard space.
Rules could be a drawback: Relying on the constructing code or laws in your metropolis, city, or neighborhood affiliation, an entire kitchenette set up might or is probably not permitted.
@Taylor Made Contracting
Area 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 general area, explains the group 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 restricted, ”suppose up.” Set up floating cabinets, magnetic knife strips, and wall-mounted racks to retailer incessantly used gadgets with out cluttering your workspace. Vertical pantries or stackable shelving inside cupboards may also 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 mixture microwave/convection oven or a single unit with a sink, fridge, and cooktop—may also save area.
Drawer and cupboard organizers: Use pull-out cabinets, stress rods to separate baking sheets, and stackable bins to maintain all the pieces simply accessible. Lazy Susans in nook cupboards may also make use of in any other case wasted area.
Area-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 reducing board can immediately increase your prep space.
Within cupboard doorways: Set up hooks for measuring spoons, a slim rack for reducing boards, or adhesive organizers for spices and cleansing provides.
Additional floor area: Wall-mounted, fold-down tables and extendable counter tops provide further workspace when wanted however tuck away seamlessly when not in use, recommend the Fanchers. A rolling cart is another choice as further storage, a prep station, or perhaps a residence espresso bar.
Visible enlargement: Go for gentle colours, reflective surfaces, and open shelving to create an ethereal, open really feel. Beneath-cabinet lighting and mirrors may also assist make the area really feel bigger.
@Noting Grace
Is a kitchenette best for you?
When deciding if a kitchenette is the correct selection, it comes all the way 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 impression 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 could be a little restricted in measurement, however they nonetheless provide improbable performance for small areas and may improve your property’s worth. In the event you prefer to prepare dinner massive, complicated meals with many elements, a full-sized kitchen is perhaps a greater possibility. However should you simply want the fundamentals, are staying someplace short-term, otherwise you’re after extra comfort in an additional dwelling 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. Whilst you gained’t have a full range or oven, you possibly can nonetheless prepare dinner utilizing a microwave, scorching plate, gradual 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 ideally suited 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 residence?
Completely! Many householders set up kitchenettes in basements, guesthouses, or residence workplaces so as to add comfort and worth to their property.
