Pros and cons of a small kitchen

Wangeci Njogu
4 min readApr 12, 2021

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We all love the kitchen. Not only do we get to fix a meal but also hang out and catch up with friends and family as we snack and sip our favorite drinks. However, residences come with different kitchen sizes. Before you make that big move and purchase a home or rent an apartment, you need to know the kitchen size that you will be working with. Will the kitchen space accommodate your kitchen appliances? While some homes have large fit-in kitchens, others have small kitchens.

So, what do you do if you find yourself in a tight spot, where everything in your apartment is perfect but the kitchen is small? While this can be a deal breaker for most people, you can still work it out. Let’s look at some pros and cons of a small kitchen.

Let’s start with the pros.

A small kitchen may not be preferable for most people. However, if you live alone or have a small family, it may be the perfect setup.

  1. A small kitchen saves up on space

Picture this. Your studio apartment has a small kitchen. However, every kitchen appliance sits perfectly. Although the space could be limited, you get to enjoy extra space in other rooms. You can even combine your kitchen and the dining area to save up on space.

2. You require less energy as you work in the kitchen

A small kitchen means that your movement will be limited. As such, you get to save on energy that would otherwise be spent moving around. This is a top pro for folks with little ones running around.

3. Saves time

With limited movement comes increased efficiency. Thus, you will save tons of time since you know where everything is placed. If the toaster, refrigerator, and spices are within reach, then your efficiency triples as opposed to when working with a large kitchen.

4. Less clutter

A small kitchen is a perfect setup for a hoarder. Due to the limited space, you will be forced to hold on to only the functional equipment. This is a great option for someone who wants to embrace a minimalist lifestyle. The limited space also makes it easier to find what you need, especially in the middle of preparing a meal.

5. Fosters a sense of togetherness

A small kitchen is a perfect setup for romantic evenings, not forgetting that it can bring a family closer.

6. You no longer take ages to clean up

No one wants to spend two hours cleaning the kitchen after a full day of work. A smaller space is easier to clean since it has less clutter and fewer spaces to organize and clean. With a small kitchen, you probably have fewer dishes to clean, less floor to mop, and less counter space to clean. If you do not want to spend hours daily cleaning up, then a smaller kitchen will do the trick.

So, what are the cons?

  1. Limited countertop space

A countertop space not only adds to the functionality in a kitchen but also the aesthetics. With small counter space, you might find it difficult to prepare meals especially when hosting a large number of people.

2. Just how many people can fit?

If you like having several people around as you prepare meals, then you may want to think twice before settling for a home with a small kitchen. You might find yourself squeezing your way between the guests or family members while grabbing something.

3. What of safety?

A small kitchen is not safe, especially for kids. Also, ample space is safer to work with more so where heat is involved. Small kitchens are also prone to more accidents like spillages.

4. Less storage space

While a small kitchen can help you declutter and embrace a minimalistic lifestyle, storage issues can be a drawback. The small space might not be enough for storing essential appliances, especially with a large family. The less storage also means you get limited space for essentials such as pans, pots, knives, and other essential kitchenware.

Conclusion

Given the pros and cons of a small kitchen, the decision on the ideal kitchen size ultimately lies with you. While a small kitchen can be quite limiting especially for large families, it is the perfect pick for one person or a small family. Please remember that it will only accommodate the essential appliances. However, you will love the minimalistic lifestyle.

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Wangeci Njogu

Content Writer, Marketer, and strategist | Finance | Tech