With Australia amid a housing crisis, interest in tiny homes has skyrocketed recently throughout the country. Australians are demonstrating that a minimalist, sustainable, and financially independent lifestyle is in high demand. In the context of high property prices and land scarcity, tiny homes provide a much-needed alternative housing option.
Due to their limited size, the design and spatial layout of tiny homes need to be carefully considered. The challenge is to maximise the available space without compromising on functionality. In this compact world, the kitchen continues to be the focal point of the home, blending charm and utility in a small package.
Many tiny house designs include a kitchen that serves multiple functions, including cooking and food preparation, as well as dining, work, and entertainment areas. The key to a successful tiny kitchen is an efficient layout combined with space-saving appliances, equipment, and storage.
Designing a tiny home kitchen
A tiny kitchen does not mean owners need to sacrifice on functionality or quality. Even when space is limited, custom cabinets, compact appliances and cooking equipment, and smart storage options can support a comfortable and ergonomic workspace that is suited to a minimalist lifestyle.
Layout
With the right layout, a smaller kitchen layout can work ergonomically. The principles of the kitchen work triangle still apply, allowing for the efficient use of space between sink, cooktop and fridge.
A galley-style layout, with benchtops and appliances on opposing walls, allows for an efficient path between work areas.
A U-shaped or L-shaped layout may be used if the kitchen is located on the corner of a room.
Where space is even more limited, single-wall kitchen layouts provide a solution by situating appliances, storage and workspace along one wall only.
Kitchen sink
Larger-sized sinks will take up too much space in a tiny home kitchen. Fortunately, there are compact kitchen sinks available to help make the most of the space.
Compact kitchen sinks are smaller and shallower than traditional sinks. In some ways, they are better ergonomically than traditional sinks, as they allow users to spend less time bending down while using the sink.
Compact kitchen sinks can be made from the same materials as traditional sinks. Stainless steel is a popular material, as are ceramic, granite and solid surface. A wide range of colours and finishes are available.
Storage
Storage can make or break a small kitchen space. Successful tiny kitchens will feature clever storage solutions, built-in cabinets, hidden compartments and storage concealed within furniture. In addition to providing functional storage, these elements can enhance the visual appeal of a space and reduce clutter.
Custom cabinets are generally a necessity for tiny kitchens. They can be designed and built to meet any size requirements or aesthetic preferences. As no kitchen is the same, choosing a custom cabinet will ensure that it will fit seamlessly into the space.
Tiny kitchen cabinets will often incorporate specialty hardware to maximise all available storage space within the cabinet. Examples of such hardware include pull-out shelves and pantry units, vertical storage solutions, and corner pull-outs.
For accessing hard-to-reach corner spaces, the most popular solution is the corner pull-out. The Magic Corner, for example, is a smartly engineered kitchen corner storage solution that includes a slide-out mechanism that allows easy access to the blind corner under the kitchen counter.
This innovative design provides a clear view of the entire storage space from three sides. Simply open the door and pull the handle to make the front shelves swing out of the unit. The back shelves are pulled out individually for easy loading and unloading.
Benchtops
While a fixed benchtop will take up too much space, there are modular options available that provide access to bench space when required. Pull-out, pull-down and fold-up benchtops are types of “instant” benchtops that allow you to access more bench space when needed.
Where you want to use space above or below a benchtop, a wall-mounted or adjustable-height benchtop are useful options. A compact rolling benchtop could also be used as a multi-functional space for more than just kitchen tasks.
As bench space needs to be multifunctional in a tiny home, it is important to specify the right materials. Look for benchtop materials that are hygienic, especially if they will be used for food prep or dining, but also durable and easy to maintain.
Appliances
Prioritise lifestyle needs when selecting which appliances to install in a tiny kitchen. It is important to be realistic about what the kitchen can accommodate, especially if there is not enough space to put away appliances when they are not in use.
Compact and multi-functional appliances are ideal tiny kitchen solutions. Leading manufacturers offer half-sized dishwashers, slim fridges, mini cooktops, and multi-function ovens that will help free up bench space.
Solutions for tiny kitchens
Finding everything you need for your next tiny kitchen project may be challenging, especially if you are seeking space-saving solutions that do not compromise on aesthetics, performance or functionality. With Nover, you have a wide range of kitchen products all in one place, with the guarantee of excellence.
The Nover product range includes: panel products, bins, storage solutions, hinges, sliding & folding systems, drawer systems, runners, handles, sinks, taps, basins, appliances, hardware & fittings, adhesives, doors, benchtops, consumables, lighting, shopfitting products, office & wardrobe products, & more. Below are some of their best tiny kitchen solutions.
Platinum Appliances
Platinum Appliances are sourced specifically for Nover’s customers to ensure they are stylish & suit modern lifestyles & needs, while also being effortlessly functional & representing outstanding value for money.
The Platinum 380 Sink is an elegant & functional European-made sink that has been engineered for everyday use, complete with a 10-year Australian-based manufacturer’s warranty. Its compact size (27L capacity & 380 x 440 x 200mm dimensions) provides a practical undermount solution for smaller spaces. Manufactured with durability in mind, the single-bowl sink is high strength & resistant to impact, heat & stains. It has also been tested to ensure it is antibacterial, non-porous & odour free.
With built-in dimensions of W268 x D490 mm, the Platinum 300 Ceramic Cooktop is the ultimate space saving cooktop. Featuring two cooking zones, sensor touch controls & nine power levels, this compact cooktop supports a variety of cooking methods. Additionally, the easy-to-clean ceramic glass makes cleaning fast & simple.
The Platinum Freestanding Stainless Steel Dishwasher 450 mm is a slim 45 cm dishwasher that is ideal for tiny spaces. With nine place settings & four programs (intensive, eco, 90 min & rapid), this slim dishwasher packs ample functionality into its compact profile, while its 3-star WELS & energy rating make it an efficient solution for eco-conscious consumers.
Peka Storage Solutions
Introduced to the Australian market by Nover, Peka is an international brand & a market leader when it comes to kitchen storage solutions. A top market provider of larder unit pull-out, slide-out corner systems, & ecologically designed waste sorting systems, Peka’s storage solutions combine smart, innovative design with world renowned Swiss quality.
The Peka range includes versatile & durable pull-out systems for kitchen & cleaning cupboards, including the Extendo Pull Out Shelf, Kitchen Tower Pull-Out, & Pinello Inside. Providing easy access to high shelves, the Peka Pegasus Shelf Lift offers a premium shelf-lift system that helps you make full use of all your kitchen’s storage space. These innovative storage solutions cater to a wide range of storage requirements, suit any size kitchen & are easy to retrofit or install as part of a new build.
Evostone Benchtops
With help from Nover, you can bring your kitchen interiors to life with their innovative range of Evostone benchtops & surfaces. Available in a wide range of colours, textures & materials, Evostone enables designers to create a consistent aesthetic throughout the kitchen, whether it be the warmth of natural materials or the sophistication of contemporary finishes.
With the look & feel of real quartz stone, Evostone solid surface benchtop is a unique, innovative, & versatile solid surface material that is durable, waterproof & silica-free. Harmful germs & bacteria cannot penetrate the non-porous (chipboard free) construction.
Colour all the way through the 20mm thick pre-finished slabs, allowing for scratches or marks to be easily polished & removed. Evostone slabs come pre-finished & install ready in sizes designed for optimum usage. Evostone can easily be cut or trimmed with no expensive machinery required, making it suitable for all cabinetmakers or DIY projects without the need for external contractors.
Hideaway & Krome Compact Bins
Compact pull-out bins are an innovative hidden waste system that ensures your kitchen stays clean & hygienic. To save space, these bins can be mounted easily under sinks, counters or inside cabinets, pull out fully for easy access, & tuck away discreetly when closed. Nover stocks a large range of compact bins to fit a cabinet width of 260 mm to 300 mm from Hideaway & Krome, both brands known for their intelligent & stylish design & high quality. With the variety of sizes & widths available, you can tailor these bins to fit the exact layout of your space.
DesignerSplash
A flame-retardant aluminium composite splashback & wall panelling solution. It is the ideal alternative to glass, acrylic, & porcelain tiles & can be used for Kitchen Splashbacks, Shower Linings, Retail Fitouts, Laundry Areas, Feature Walls, Wall Linings. Its features & benefits include; cost effective, flame retardant (suitable behind cook tops), easy to install & fabricate, water resistant, mirror-like gloss & seamless finish, low maintenance & lightweight & durable.
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