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6 Appliance Essentials for Small Space Living

Stacked washer and dryer in kitchen

Choosing the ideal appliances for homes with limited space

Whether you’re thinking about downsizing your home or moving to a new property with limited square footage, you might be wondering how you can still have high-functioning appliances that are big in features but small in footprint. Fortunately, the latest models of compact appliances are just as efficient as their full-size counterparts.

Designed specifically for small spaces, these modern machines mean that you don’t have to sacrifice quality with a reduction in size. Keep reading to discover 6 essential appliances for small-space living.

For the kitchen

1. Small-space refrigerator

One of the most important kitchen appliances is a refrigerator. And just because your space is limited, it doesn’t mean you have to settle for daily trips to the grocery store in order to have fresh food on hand. At the top of your small kitchen appliances list should be a small-space refrigerator with plenty of room for all your groceries.

These slim refrigerators for small spaces measure anywhere from 21 to 24 inches wide and come in a variety of finishes to match your kitchen décor. Even at their smaller width, most compact refrigerators feature either a top or bottom freezer in addition to the refrigerated section. Many people who design tiny homes rely on these models along with other small-space major appliances like ovens and ranges. 

2. Single-serve coffee maker

Next to food and water, some say that coffee is also essential for daily survival. But when you live in close quarters, you can’t afford to take up valuable countertop space with a huge coffee machine. Which is why single-serve coffee makers are the caffeine connoisseur’s best friend.

Single serving coffee machines are perfect whether there is only one coffee drinker in the house or if there is limited room on your kitchen countertop. There are one-cup coffee makers that use coffee grounds and others that use single serving coffee pods. Plus, it’s compact enough to put away in a cabinet when not in use.

3. Pressure cooker or air fryer

If your prep space is at a minimum, making a complete meal can prove to be challenging. However, if you have a pressure cooker, you can maximize your space and prepare delicious dinners at the same time. Pressure cookers are like a slow cooker in that there is only one step required: adding all the ingredients at once.

The big difference between the two is that pressure cookers take much less time; you can often enjoy a hot meal in mere minutes as opposed to the several hours that slow cookers need. An added bonus of both of these small kitchen appliances is that cleanup is a breeze since only one pot is used.

Another time- and space-saver is an air fryer. These devices are also easy to clean and can prepare healthy meals in no time. One popular benefit of air fryers is that the food doesn’t need to be submerged in oil to cook. All you need is a light spraying of oil, or you can opt for no oil at all and just rely on the unit’s heat to crisp your snacks and entrees.

4. Blender or food processor

Today’s blenders can do more than just whip up smoothies. With multiple settings and speeds, you can make soups, puree sauces, and chop up vegetables to prep for other cooking. Since they don’t take up much space, they are ideal appliances for smaller kitchens. They can either be left on the counter or easily stored on a cabinet shelf.

If you need more prep ability than a blender provides, consider buying a food processor. These versatile appliances often come with different attachments to vary the size and shape of the finished product. For example, you can grind grains for baking down to a powdery consistency or slice vegetables for salads and other recipes. Food processors come in a variety of sizes, even as small as one cup, which make them especially handy in kitchens where space is limited.

For small-space laundry solutions

6. Portable air conditioner and space heater

Do you live in an area of the country where there’s a full range of seasonal weather? If you don’t envision frequently using air conditioning but want to stay cool when the temperature rises, consider a portable air conditioner. These essential appliances are small enough to move from room to room, but powerful enough to cool entire rooms and even whole small houses.

For smaller homes, using a space heater can help cut down on your utility bills during cooler months. Rather than paying to heat every room in your home, a compact space heater only heats the rooms you need to be warm. This can save you money on your monthly utility bills, which can add up to a significant amount over time.

Get the most out of your small space

Another advantage of having a smaller home is that your carbon footprint is smaller. Since your appliances are compact, they’ll use less energy than their full-size counterparts, which is great for sustainable living.

While you’re focused on maximizing space and minimizing clutter, consider other ways that you can make the most out of your small space. Consider mounting your TV on the wall to make more floor space available in your living room. Or buy an all-in-one printer for your office that can handle multiple jobs in a single unit.

No matter what room you’re buying an appliance or electronic device for, you’ll see for yourself that bigger isn’t always better. Thanks to the plethora of products for small spaces available, there are lots of high-quality options to choose from that take up less room in your home.