The Best Appliances for Small Spaces

In case you haven't heard, bigger isn’t better anymore. Many more people are discovering the joys of tiny living, and finding out that simplifying their lives can create big savings. You don’t need a lot of space to live—all you have to do is learn how to maximize the space you've got with small appliances that won't take up any excess room.

Appliance Solutions for Small Spaces

Many appliances considered standard are actually optional. Start thinking small, and you might quickly discover you don’t really need a washer and a dryer, a refrigerator with double doors, or even a stove with an oven. Small appliance solutions are often more practical than larger options.

Multi-Cookers

Substitute one device for multiple pots, a pressure cooker, and a steamer. With a multi-cooker, you can sauté, steam, or slow cook almost any kind of food. It saves cabinet space, and it plugs right into an outlet. You don't need a stove, a built-in range, an oven, or anything else to cook with this bad boy, just electricity and a small corner of counter space.

Toaster Ovens and Hot Plates

Fantastic solutions for a small space with no full-sized stove, hot plates and toasters can make many meals on their own. For people and couples who live alone, this is actually more practical than having a full oven. Everything from cupcakes to pizzas to biscuits can be cooked in a toaster oven, and many packaged frozen foods have cooking directions specifically for these small appliances. You'll wonder why anyone has a full-sized oven after you use a toaster oven a few times.

Mini-Fridges

These have been the solution for dorm rooms and efficiency apartments for decades, and for good reason. If you don't have a lot of cold items to store, a mini fridge is perfect. You can always get a small freezer for cold storage, and keep your fresh foods cool in a fridge small enough to fit right on a kitchen counter.

Washer/Dryer Combos

Miracle two-in-one devices are great for any space, large or small, and many combination washer and dryer machines come in compact designs specifically made for small spaces. If you can't find a combination machine you like, think vertically and look into a stacked washer and dryer unit that puts one machine right on top of the other. Vertical living is a wonderful solution when space is at a minimum.

Space Heaters and Compact Air Conditioning Units

You don't need a whole furnace and air conditioning setup if you only have a few rooms to heat up and cool down. Modern space heaters feature highly efficient designs that can heat up large areas quite well. With a good space heater or two, you can keep your small space nice and toasty without the expense and space of a big furnace.

Think Small

Because smaller living is such a huge trend, more and more manufacturers are designing compact appliances rather than enormous, full-sized models. There are many small dishwashers, ovens, and other appliances available. Start shopping around—you’ll be surprised how small you can go. Consolidating functionality and choosing compact designs will give you a whole lot more actual living space, and isn’t that what it’s all about?