Tiny homes are a great way to live simply and minimally. If you’ve seen any of the tiny home shows on HGTV or another network, you are probably aware of how amazing living in a tiny home can be. They are small, easy to clean, easy to decorate, and a much cheaper way of living.
However, many people automatically begin to worry if they will be able to cook and make stellar meals in a tiny kitchen like they would in a kitchen that is in a regular-sized home. The great news is that cooking in a tiny house kitchen can be just as easy and fun as if you were in a normal size kitchen. The key is just to design the kitchen correctly.
A good tiny house kitchen will feature many tricks and tips to keep your kitchen fully equipped and safe to use. With the right design and storage, a tiny house kitchen is a fantastic way to cook with maximum function and flexibility.
Safety is first
As with any kitchen, your tiny home kitchen will need optimized safety features. This is especially key in a tiny house because fires and smoke can spread much faster in a tiny home. Gas stoves have become especially trendy in the last few years and the tiny home kitchen is no exception. Always ensure that you know how to light the gas and turn it off correctly.
Consider switching to smart ovens or stoves that you can operate from an app. This will keep your mind at ease both when you are at home and when you are away.
Always keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen that you know how to operate. A fully automated smoke alarm is also a great idea.
Since tiny home kitchens are much smaller, it is potentially easier to be exposed to foodborne illnesses in your prep area since meat could be accidentally mixed with other fresh ingredients. Since more counter space is not an option, try to get dedicated cutting mats or chopping blocks. This will ensure that all food is kept separate and clean even though your space is tiny.
Special pot and pan storage
The best tip for a tiny home is to build up instead of across or out. Hanging pots and pans from above the stove or another area of the kitchen is a great way to open up more of your cabinets to food or utensil storage.
Since most tiny homes do not have dishwashers, you will probably be hand washing most of your dishes and then drying them after. Pots and pans that hang will not have to be fully dried because they can be hung instead and left to air dry. This also saves precious counter space.
Designated garbage drawer or cabinet
Having the garbage can underneath the cabinets is very important in a tiny house kitchen. Floor space is minimal so there will not be enough space to keep a full-sized bin. Awesome designed tiny kitchens usually have the garbage and compost bins in a pull-out drawer.
This frees up all your floor space. Keep in mind that smells can travel quickly in tiny homes as well. Keeping a garbage bin out in the open could potentially stink up the whole home. Always get a garbage can with a lid to trap smells inside the bin itself.
Invest in quartz countertops
The best tiny home kitchens have quartz countertops. This is because they are stain, scratch, and dent resistant. When your kitchen is small, the more likely you may be to spill something or have a piece of furniture bump into the counter.
With quartz countertops, these issues will never cause any damage. Caesarstone is the best option when it comes to quartz countertops because they have a wide variety of colors and designs. In a tiny house, everything matches and must have a theme since the whole house will need to tie together in some way.
No matter the color scheme or theme of your tiny home, Caesarstone will have something that matches your home perfectly. Keep in mind that quartz never needs to be resealed, so your counters will be extremely low maintenance and be very durable.
Limit utensils
Since your drawer and cabinet space is limited, try to just keep a few of everything. A tiny home kitchen only needs a few spatulas, wooden spoons, bowls, plates, etc. Having a trendy bucket or container to hold all your large cooking utensils is a great way to save space and stay organized.
Instead of having several cheaper items, try to invest in just one or two better quality items of each individual piece. This will ensure that your utensils have a long cooking life and that they look great displayed on your counter.
Design with your needs in mind
Every tiny house kitchen will be designed according to your needs and preferences. If you and your significant other often cook at the same time or love to cook together, your kitchen may need to be a little bigger than other tiny homes.
If you cook from scratch often, you may want to consider additional prep space or a butcher block where you can chop your ingredients. This is great to minimize spilling or overcrowding.
Consider your appliances
Some people opt for a fully equipped tiny kitchen, while others decide that there are a few appliances that they can do without. If you do not cook often, you may benefit more from a microwave than from a large oven.
If your cooking focuses on many fresh ingredients, you could opt for a taller fridge with no freezer or a small freezer at the bottom, rather than a full-sized side-by-side fridge.
There is no right or wrong design when it comes to tiny home kitchens. It all depends on your lifestyle and your day-to-day cooking needs. Always invest in what’s right for you so that you can enjoy your tiny home kitchen every day.