While I feel I’ve almost over-covered the wheeled version of tiny housing, it also seems that some of the best examples of truly tiny homes are in mobile form. Michelle Boyle’s Empty Nest is no exception, and it sports one of the nicer, more realistic kitchens I’ve seen in some time. The notion of “living tiny” may be frequently rooted in thrift, but there’s nothing wrong with spending a little extra on some select high-end elements. In Michelle’s home it would be her matching vintage kitchen appliances. Yes, these items took a long time to track down, and they cost more than their modern counterparts, but the look and effect are great and, more importantly, just what Michelle wanted. And that’s really what the self-designed home is all about, isn’t it? Building and creating what suits you .
While not extravagant, the Empty Nest doesn’t cheap out in other areas, either. The dual lofts, with ample room for both storage and sleeping space, are well worth the time and lumber. The high-backed stuffed chairs look inviting and comfortable. And it’s the little touches that make the difference: the small eye-candy appeal of license-plate siding, the lighting, the reclaimed barn wood on the walls, and the classy kitchen tile work on the backsplash all add to Boyle’s kettle of coolness.
The Inside Story
Michelle Boyle
Whether you’re a creative chef type or prefer takeout, you’ll likely need a kitchen in your tiny house. If you have a full-size house, your appliance collection is pretty standard: a four-burner stove with an oven, and a refrigerator. Even if you never use them, you have them. In a tiny house, space is at a premium, so your decisions about what you include and what you omit become very important. And whether you finally settle on a galley-style, L-shaped, or U-shaped kitchen, making the most of this frequently used space will likely mean the difference between loving and hating your tiny home.
But where to start? How to decide?
During the 15 months it took me to build mine, and since, I have learned so much about tiny house living and space utilization. I made mistakes, sure, but hopefully you won’t have to make the same ones.
So, without further ado, here is my tiny house kitchen advice.
Layout and Design. Nowhere is layout more important in a tiny house than in the kitchen. Knowing your own cooking and entertaining habits will be the key to your sanity and success. If your prep space is too small, you’ll end up constantly moving around ingredients and dirty dishes. If your floor space is too small for the number of cooks in your kitchen, one bump between butts could lead to spilt milk or, worse, a knife dropping on your foot!
Not Too Big, Not Too Small, But Juuust Right. If you’re not a self-described “culinary enthusiast” and/or cannot remember the last time you cooked for anyone but yourself, you can probably get by with a single-burner countertop stove, no oven, and a dorm-size refrigerator. If you’re going to be cooking for two, you should consider at least two burners and a midsize refrigerator. But if you’ll be cooking for more than a couple of people or love the flexibility that a full-size kitchen will provide, pencil one in! There’s no need to sacrifice your passion for food while living in a tiny house.
Cupboards or Shelves. A good way to keep your kitchen area open but also have plenty of storage is to use shelves instead of upper cabinets. And, in keeping with the everything-should-have-more-than-one-purpose mantra, your dishes can easily serve as colorful decor. Using shelves also forces you to monitor your storage and dish-cleaning habits in real time instead of allowing you to shove whatever wherever and close the door. If, however, out-of-sight-out-of-mind is your goal, cabinets are your pal (assuming you have also considered their additional weight).
Garbage and Compost. When cooking, the one thing you’ll access more than your refrigerator is your garbage can and/or compost bin. And, since floor space is at a premium in tiny kitchens, you’ll need to plan for a very handy and accessible area for them both. For instance, a space under the countertop will fit the bill. I have a curtain that I can pull back when I’m cooking, and when I’m done, I close it and don’t have to see the ugly, gray 30-gallon can (and neither do my guests).
Nowhere is layout more important in a tiny house than in the kitchen.
Cans, Boxes, and Fresh Food. Tiny house enthusiasts are well known for their passion for all things environmentally responsible. When planning your trip to the grocery store or farmers’ market, have a mental picture of your tiny food storage area to help keep you from overbuying. The less food you buy, the less likely you’ll have to throw some out before you consume it. And besides, fresh food is just so much better. I’ve found that having a tiny kitchen has made me more intentional about what I buy. My advice: buy fresh, buy often, and consume canned goods rarely and boxed foods even less.
Cleaning and Sanitation. You don’t need chemicals to clean your tiny kitchen. Very hot water and sulfate-free soaps are your sanitation friends! To avoid attracting little pests, clear your countertops once a month and clean under and behind every nook and cranny and countertop appliance.
Utensils. Your grandmother, and likely your mother, has at least three of every single kitchen utensil imaginable. And while a garlic press is pretty handy, you can peel and chop a clove just as easily with a paring knife. You don’t need six spatulas, because you’ll be washing dishes as you go. Right? Keeping utensils in a countertop crock or bin is a great way to ensure that you won’t keep more than you need. No cheating by sticking them in the drawer!
Pots and Pans. Vertical storage is your best asset in a tiny house. Don’t waste your precious drawers, cupboards, or cubbies by storing pots and pans in them. Besides, ergonomically, accessing pots and pans hung near to the stove is so much easier. No bending or risking a bumped head on your way back up from under the countertop. And, if you’re washing your pots and pans with very hot water, you can just hang them to dry, right where they’re stored. I love my pot rack!
Prioritize Your Space. If you have a chance to help design your tiny house, you totally should do it. I have dedicated shelf and display space for my wine collection, glasses, and liquor. I don’t imagine everyone would, but I love entertaining, and my kitchen practically says “welcome” to
Tiny houses aren’t for everyone. And isn’t that the point? But if you’ve chosen this path, and you’re looking for an intentional lifestyle full of creative space and freedom, then you’ve come to the right movement! Tiny kitchens aren’t for everyone, either. And even though my 8 × 9-foot kitchen is considered huge by tiny house standards, it did require a plan to maximize every square inch.
It took me over two years to locate my collection of vintage appliances. I spent months and over a thousand dollars refurbishing them. The tile on my kitchen wall fell off so many times during installation, I had to go to therapy to recover. My countertops had to be cut three times to fit just perfectly. Sourcing my red dish set and little red owl teapot was truly a labor of love. But in the end, my tiny kitchen is my favorite room in my tiny house.
I cook.
I clean.
I entertain.
I’m in tiny house kitchen heaven.
If you love to bake or brew or can or ferment or grow, prioritize your tiny house kitchen space accordingly.
journey to tiny started long ago with her fascination with an old farmhouse that she would ride by on her bike on her way to work. Ever since, she’s been sketching floor plans and decorating small, intimate spaces. Her tiny house, aptly named “Empty Nest” Tiny House Podcast, as well as a passionate tiny house advocate, designer, builder, and occupant.
