What Are the Best Small Kitchen Appliances for Your Home?

You don’t have to live in a tiny house to understand the frustrations of navigating a small kitchen. Fortunately, though, because of the trend of renters and homeowners choosing smaller spaces over larger ones, compact appliances for small kitchens have become more popular — and much more capable — in recent years. Learn from this guide what the most sought-after small kitchen appliances are and which ones make the most sense for your home. The best part? An American Home Shield^® Home Appliance Warranty has no size (or lack of size) limits, so your eligible appliances are covered, no matter how tiny they are!

Refrigerator Options

Counter-depth: Plenty of wall space but not enough space to move around. Consider a counter-depth refrigerator. Rather than jutting out in the kitchen, this version fits seamlessly with the surrounding counters and cabinets.

Mini-me: Typically, 18 to 24 inches wide with twelve cubic feet, these apartment-style fridges are like the little brother version of their regular-sized counterparts — they look and act just like them; they just don’t have quite the same stature.

Dorm-style: If the apartment-style fridge is the little brother to a regular one, the dorm-style is like the family dog. These compact appliances for small kitchens typically only offer two to five cubic feet of capacity, perfect for a single person. Want to kill two birds with one stone? Opt for a “micro” refrigerator: a compact refrigerator with an attached microwave on top.

Drawer: Heard of the microwave drawer (another space-saving appliance option)? This is the same concept. If you don’t have the space for a standalone fridge/freezer, this one (typically 24 inches wide) fits in the cabinetry.

Range and Oven Options

Wherever-you-want-it range: These days, you aren’t automatically stuck with four burners in a designated spot in your kitchen (although you can get a four-burner that’s only 24 inches wide). Instead, you can get the ultra-compact 12- to 15-inch version with one or two burners and install it wherever it makes the most sense in your space.

Modular cooktop: Speaking of what you want, a modular cooktop can be customized with exactly the type of heating elements you want (a deep fryer, grill, and gas cooktop, for example).

Petite oven: Just like the apartment-style refrigerator, this option is simply a smaller version of a typical oven. As a bonus, though, some models can open on the side, depending on what’s best for your layout.

Dishwasher Options

Cabinet size: This option has all the wash cycles and features you expect from a typical dishwasher. However, it’s only as wide as a standard cabinet, making it the perfect appliance for small kitchen spaces.

On-the-go: Only want the dishwasher in the kitchen when you need it? Consider a countertop version or one that’s on wheels.

Single or double drawer: The single-drawer option is perfect for smaller households that don’t dirty up a lot of dishes at once. The double-drawer option, however, can wash as many as 14 place settings, making it just as effective as a standalone dishwasher!

Need Even More Ideas for Small Kitchen Appliances?

When it comes to compact appliances for small kitchen spaces, it doesn’t get any more compact than the all-in-one countertop cookers. And we’re not just talking about toaster ovens and slow cookers anymore (although they’re still kitchen rock stars!). Take a minute to read up on the latest multi-tasking masters — the updated pressure cooker and all-new air fryer. Then, sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your small kitchen appliances’ labor!

AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.