The Tiny Home movement has been building up for a few years now. When I first heard of tiny homes I immediately downloaded the catalog and was in love with the simple, small designs. It might not be do-able if you have 4 kids (and all of their stuff) under your roof, but these cute, quirky homes are perfect for a single person, small family, or seniors who want to live independently.
Not all Tiny Homes are created equal – to qualify to be a ‘tiny home’ the house must be between 100 – 400 square feet total. Some people choose to build their tiny home off the grid and live without septic fields and electricity, others build them on lots with full services and live in the same way as someone who has a 2600 square foot house.
There are hundreds of plans for tiny homes online, and when I browse through them, I’m always fascinated by the tiny kitchens. No matter if you’re in 3000 square feet or 400, kitchens really are the heart of the home. Because tiny homes have to make do with less space, people get really creative and really precise when it comes to their kitchens. That means utilizing appliances to their full potential and being selective about the appliances you buy.
If you’re considering a tiny home and are wondering what type of appliances you’d stock your kitchen with, here’s a few you should look out for:
Microwave
A must in a tiny home, the microwave will be your best friend when it comes to whipping up a quick meal or doubling as a warming drawer when you want to keep your meal warm before you eat it. When looking for a microwave for a tiny home, be sure to choose a small size like the Panasonic 0.8 cubic foot microwave.
Refrigerator
In a tiny home, the refrigerator is the most important appliance you’ll buy, but what size you’ll choose depends on whether you’re a tiny home living family or live solo. You can choose from a wide variety of bar fridges if you don’t plan on having a lot of groceries in the house, or a full sized fridge with a freezer. Most tiny homes I’ve seen choose the refrigerator with top freezer, but it really depends on your preferences. For size, I’d stick with 20 – 28” refrigerators.
Cooktop
Although some will like a full sized range with oven, other people are content with a cooktop. If you’re choosing a cooktop for your tiny home, keep in mind the amount of counter space you have and choose a size based on that. Most tiny homes would suit the Total Chef Induction Cooktop – it’s small enough for a tiny home, heats up to 450°F in minutes, and only heats the pan instead of the entire cooktop.
Don’t forget about the range hood
Proper ventilation is really important in a tiny home, so remember you’ll need to choose a range hood. It will redirect smoke or steam, and have rear vent and front fans to ensure your home is adequately ventilated when you’re cooking.
There’s just something about tiny houses people are catching onto, and this growing movement is crossing Canada and the United States in terms of house plans, small lots, or pre-built options. Whether you just want to live away from it all or you want an affordable home for your small family, tiny houses are something everyone should take a good look at.
Looking for more appliances for a small home, dorm room, or tiny apartment? For some ideas on what works best in tiny spaces, take a look at my topic on small appliances for the dorm room, then grab your list and check out all of Best Buy’s small kitchen appliances.
