While it’s fairly obvious that these terms refer to some sort of smaller-scale kitchen setup, you might be wondering what exactly makes a kitchenette different from a full-fledged kitchen. Have you ever been looking at a house or apartment and come across listings that mentioned a “compact kitchen” or “kitchenette” on the property? It turns out that square footage isn’t the only factor!
It’s fairly easy to identify a kitchen by its large countertops, numerous cabinets, and ample space for full-sized appliances that can be used to prepare any meal you’ve seen in a cookbook. Houses and high-end apartments where space isn’t at a premium tend to have these fully functional kitchen areas.
Kitchenettes, on the other hand, are basically smaller kitchens. Appliances would still normally be included, but they would be smaller or countertop models. They are also characterized by a small counter area and little storage. Kitchenettes are ideal for studios and small homes where every square foot counts, which may sound restrictive, but that’s actually their main selling point. However, the distinctions are not limited to that. We must examine the features, advantages, and lifestyles that each cooking space best supports in order to fully comprehend what makes it special (and what best suits your needs).
Kitchenettes are built for compactness and convenience
A kitchenette is what you get when space is at a premium. Some kitchenettes are smaller than walk-in pantries, but most are 80 square feet or less. Nevertheless, a well-designed kitchenette should be able to fit all of the necessities for preparing meals, regardless of its size. This entails having a small cooktop, a mini-fridge, and a sink integrated into simple counters with either open shelving or sparse cabinets.
It’s good to know that there are ways to make your kitchenette more useful if you recently moved into a new apartment with one. Your small cooking space would benefit from an air fryer that we rated highly, an electric kettle, or a cheap toaster oven. But the biggest drawback is that full-sized appliances like a typical oven or dishwasher are rarely able to fit in there.
Kitchenettes present a cost-effective and tidy alternative to comprehensive kitchens, primarily due to their diminutive dimensions. In scenarios where an individual resides solo or demonstrates limited enthusiasm for cooking, a kitchenette may meet their specific needs. On the other hand, for families of considerable size or avid cooks, the restricted space of a kitchenette may lead to feelings of constriction. Under these circumstances, a full-sized kitchen, assuming financial constraints are not a factor, would be a more optimal choice.
Kitchens remain the heart of the home
It’s more than 80 square feet, with plenty of countertop space for mixing and chopping, cabinets for all your spices, and enough space for any appliance you could possibly need—a large refrigerator, a real oven, dishwashers, etc.—making it ideal for anyone who enjoys cooking or has a large group of hungry people to feed. And with any luck, you might even come across one that doubles as a casual dining area with an integrated island or breakfast bar.
And if you enjoy reading a lot of magazines about interior design, a large kitchen will be the ideal space for you. Would you like to have those gorgeous hardwood floors? You have plenty of space to move around and truly personalize the area, unlike a small kitchenette, which is why you’re eyeing some of the best electric ranges. All of this awesomeness, however, has a real cost. Complete kitchens increase rent or home values, and remodeling one can be extremely expensive. More room also means more cleaning, which is a pain.
You must consider size, functionality, cost, and convenience when deciding between a kitchenette and a full kitchen. You are the only one who knows what works for you, but our advice is to just choose a location that makes feeding your family and yourself as simple and convenient as possible. Even a tiny kitchenette can feel like the center of the house if it’s used well!