Compact Appliances for Apartment Living
July 9, 2020
We'll help you find the perfect compact appliances that offer all the luxuries, comforts, and versatility of a modernized kitchen for small space living.
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Just because apartments are often more limited in available space doesn't mean that you can't find great compact appliances that balance style, space, and functionality at Howard's.
Luckily, most major appliance manufacturers have responded to the increased demands and growth of the small space appliances market. Even standard-size homeowners are learning to take advantage of compact appliances, as they can make kitchens appear more spacious and proportioned.
Obviously, the most significant demand for compact appliances is from owners of small homes, apartment dwellers, and condominium owners who care about food prep and need a kitchen that feels proportional and works for their needs.
What are Compact Appliances?
Compact appliances, also called slim-fit or small-space appliances, are smaller, space-saving versions of a standard full-size appliance. They offer the same, or similar, performance and versatility within a smaller package. Compact appliances are an excellent fit for small kitchens. Many manufacturers provide complete collections of small space kitchen appliances like slim refrigerators, compact ranges, and slender dishwashers as well as space-saving laundry options that are the perfect size for smaller living spaces.
With our selection of compact appliances, you can enjoy the luxuries and comforts of a modernized kitchen with the same power, performance, and versatility of their full-size counterparts.
Slim Refrigerators
A standard refrigerator measures a whopping 36-inches wide. Small kitchens can't afford that much room for one appliance, so consider 24-inch wide units available in both bottom freezer and standard top-mount refrigerator configurations.
Apartment size refrigeration is slimmer than full-size refrigeration, but if you feel you must go smaller, two other options include mini-fridges and refrigerator drawers. But these space-savers are best utilized for temporary situations, like a guest house, Airbnb, or college living.
The key to maximizing the space in your small fridge is proper organization. With a bit of practice using bins and labeling, you'll learn to best utilize your space and reduce clutter.
Cooktop
Howard's offers compact cooktops in one, two, three, and four-burner configurations bringing you the flexibility you need, even in tight spaces. These compact appliances may be smaller in size. Still, they offer unparalleled flexibility and performance of low, even heat for simmering or high heat for searing and broiling capable of whipping up a single plate or dinner for four. Additionally, these compact cooking appliances are much easier to keep clean even after a big meal.
Low-Profile Microwaves
While commonly thought of as the standard countertop appliance, low-profile microwaves offer newfound flexibility and space-saving. Better yet, these compact appliances are available as over-range vent hoods with vibrant lighting and robust ventilation systems that capture cooking fumes, smoke, and prevent odors. They offer plenty of space to cook meals beneath their slim design.
Another option is mounting it to the cabinetry, pictured above, as a means to save precious counter space.
Dishwashers
Washing the dishes is one of the most dreaded chores. It doesn't matter if it's in a restaurant, a home kitchen, or a cozy apartment, people don't like washing dishes. The compact appliance for the job? A small space dishwasher. 18-inch-wide dishwashers offer enough capacity to get the job done, so if you don't have to punish your hands in hot, soapy dishwater, or let the dishes pile up for a full load.
The best thing about compact dishwashers is that they're efficient and energy saving. A compact dishwasher will often use less water than you would use washing the dishes by hand.
A bonus feature of a compact dishwasher is that they double as extra storage space. Once the dishes are washed, you can lift clean dishes out of the dishwasher as needed.
Honorable Mention: Laundry
Apartments often have a shared laundry room, but if your complex doesn't, or you have a dedicated laundry closet, a few square feet or even inches of extra space can go a long way. With limited floor space, the best option is to make use of your vertical space. Front-loading washers and dryers are often stackable, and with the help of a laundry stacking kit, two units can stack securely together. Best yet, these space-saving models often benefit from improved water and energy efficiency over their top-loading counterparts. If you're worried about stacking units yourself, stacked laundry combos are becoming increasingly popular and available compact appliances.
But if you really want to minimize the space your compact appliances take up, a washer and dryer combo machine can revolutionize the way you do laundry. Clothes are put in the unit for washing then stay in the unit for drying, saving you space, time, and effort.
Talk to a Designer
Speaking to a designer can be an eye-opening experience if you're having a lot of trouble visualizing your kitchen and how to best utilize your space and compact appliance layout. Contact Howard's and ask how we can work with your designer to help them deliver the compact kitchen of your dreams. After all, it would be better to have a second opinion now than realize you forgot to plan for something or missed a critical need after you're all settled in.
