When outfitting a tiny house, choose appliances that maximize space and pack a big punch
Invest in long-lasting, quality appliances to save money long-term.
Choose appliances your tiny home’s power supply can handle.
Consider the outlets, ventilation, and plumbing you’ll need.
Save on space and energy by choosing compact appliances.
Using multipurpose countertop cooking tools helps save space.
If you’re making the leap to tiny house living, you’re not alone. Many homeowners are considering trading in square footage for the affordability and efficiency of a tiny home lifestyle. Tiny houses offer a minimalist approach to the amenities of full-sized homes, which includes more compact versions of common kitchen appliances. Our guide breaks down how to pick the right tiny house appliances to meet the unique needs of your new, smaller space.
Before you make any purchase—and if possible, before you even begin construction on a new tiny house—do some research and carefully consider the following tiny house factors. And, if you need help planning the new space, you may want to consider consulting with a home builder near you or a tiny house dealer.
Budgeting is often a top priority for tiny home dwellers seeking an affordable alternative lifestyle. Low-cost appliances might be tempting, but long-lasting high-end appliances will save you money on maintenance and replacement. Expect new appliances to cost at least $450 apiece, although high-end appliances can cost into the thousands.
Consider whether your tiny home’s power supply can handle the appliances you want to install. Kitchen appliances can be a significant power drain, so find out whether your home can handle 120-volt or 240-volt power connections. Most inverters for off-the-grid builds are limited to 120-volt options.
Determine the number of outlets you have and their location. It’s helpful to plan these out during the building process, as they’re inexpensive and easy to install. It is much more challenging to add extra appliances and new plugs after the walls, floors, and ceilings are in place.
Your final electrical consideration is choosing between a direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) power system. AC appliances are less efficient but also tend to be less expensive while offering a wider range of size and style options. Cost savings can be reinvested in renewable energy, like solar panels, to make up for any energy inefficiencies.
You’ll likely be cooking in your tiny house, so you’ll need suitable ventilation. This is crucial in a small space where bad air or smoke can quickly accumulate. Ventilation tubing is bulky and requires careful planning in a tiny home. Ideal ventilation placement is directly over the stove, so you don’t scatter oil particles around the house while cooking.
If you’re installing appliances that use water, such as laundry and dishwashers, you’ll need a water source and drainage for each. Be sure you’ve got a pipe or tank to connect to for water supply, as well as an obstacle-free path for water to drain out and be properly stored or disposed of.
If one of the reasons you chose tiny home living was to reduce your home’s environmental footprint, your appliance purchases can play a part in your goals. Look for the newest Energy Star labeled green appliances, which use less energy and water and help to reduce your overall carbon output. You can also upcycle by opting for used or refurbished appliances.
One key to enjoying tiny home living is not feeling restricted by a smaller space. Your home should still function the way you need it to, and that includes giving you the freedom to cook and clean the way you want. The following major appliances are all well-suited to a tiny house layout.
If you like to bake, maximize your cooking space with a narrow three-burner stove over an oven just large enough to fit a chicken. If you don’t bake often, you may be content with a portable propane stovetop range that you can stow away when it’s not in use. Another option is a built-in electric stovetop, which is less efficient but far more cost-effective, especially with solar power.
A quality compact range oven retails around $600 to $2,300.
Another alternative to an oven is a smaller countertop appliance that serves many functions. For example, a high-end convection toaster oven can often bake, grill, and even air fry. Some high-end pressure cookers are also slow cookers and steamers. These stowable appliances are another way to maximize space, especially if you have plenty of storage in your home.
Convection toaster oven models range in price from $100 to $1,000. The average pressure cooker costs $100 to $300.
Cold food storage is important, but fridges also run continuously and drain a lot of power. Make sure the model you choose fits within your layout and works with your power set-up. You can avoid electrical logistics with a propane fridge, but these tend to be very expensive. A few more affordable options include:
Mini fridge: Ideal for one adult, but generally not large enough for families. They cost $100 to $250 on average.
Small standard fridge: You’ll pay more up-front for a high-efficiency electric model, but it can pay for itself over time with solar energy. They cost $400 to $3,500.
Refrigerated drawers: These built-in units are installed directly into your counters and offer stylish convenience that uses space efficiently. They cost $1,500 to $4,000 retail.
To save space and energy, many tiny house dwellers hand-wash their dishes, factoring in extra room for a large sink and enough counter space for a movable drying rack on the side. If you still prefer to have a dishwasher, you can find small countertop dishwashers that connect directly to your sink. These are easy to store and don’t require any additional plumbing.
A compact dishwasher costs $750 to $1,500 on average. Depending on the material you choose for your sink, you’ll spend anywhere from $100 to $3,000.
Weekly laundromat visits can add up, so in-home laundry is a valuable amenity. Of the several compact laundry options, the best for a tiny house is a stackable unit with a separate washer and dryer for small loads. These vertical models take up less floor space. Alternatively, you can choose a portable washing machine that operates by hand- or foot-pump—you’ll just need space to hang-dry your garments.
Stackable compact washer–dryers range in cost $1,900 to $2,250 on average.
