Top-Rated Appliance for Small Spaces
May 5, 2023
More people are living in compact apartments and homes. If you are looking to maximize your space and make things easier, here are the top-rated appliances for tight quarters.

Home living situations are shrinking, but that does not mean you cannot fit a high-end kitchen or laundry station in your apartment, condominium, small home, or guest house. These dwellings’ precious limited space can make shopping for appliances torturous.
Many homeowners prefer smaller appliances in their kitchens as well to create more open space and reduce clutter.
Luckily, appliance manufacturers have responded to the growth of the small space appliances market and more options are available on today’s market. With the right small space appliances, people can drastically increase the space in their homes without sacrificing performance.
Multifunctional and Vertical
With countertop space at a premium and measuring square inches, as opposed to the usual square footage, multifunctional and vertical are keywords for designing small spaces. Combining multiple appliances into one is a necessary space-saving solution. And often overlooked and underutilized vertical space is your best friend.
With these things in mind, here are Howard’s tips and suggestions for small space appliances.
Refrigerators
If you are shopping for a refrigerator that will work well in a small space, we suggest shopping for a refrigerator that is 24 inches wide or smaller. These are some of the top-rated refrigerators for small spaces.
- Frigidaire 10.1 Cubic Foot Top Freezer Apartment-Size Refrigerator
- Haier 9.8 Cubic Foot Top Freezer Refrigerator
Other options for small spaces include refrigerator drawers, under-counter refrigerators, and smaller beverage coolers. These space savers are great temporary spaces, like a guest house or an Airbnb.
The key to maximizing your small fridge is proper refrigerator organization. With a bit of practice and labeling, you will have plenty of room and will not feel like you are missing anything.
Bonus tip: With all small space appliances, an overlooked area of design are the handles. Many manufacturers offer recessed or low-profile handles and drawer pulls for their products that give your home a sleek, unobtrusive appeal.

Laundry
Even a dedicated laundry room can use a few square feet or inches of extra room. When floor space is at a premium, the best thing to do is think vertically. Front-loading washers and dryers usually come with the ability to stack atop one another with a laundry stacking kit to secure the units together.
If you’re worried about stacking units yourself, stacked laundry centers are becoming increasingly popular small-space appliances. Our favorite, top-rated stacked laundry centers for small spaces are:
- LG Single Unit Front Load LG WashTower™
- Whirlpool 3.5 Cubic Toot Electric Stacked Laundry Center
- Speed Queen SF7 Stacked White Washer with Pet Plus Sanitize
Microwaves
While not the first thing you think about in terms of small space appliances, picking the right microwave can save you precious counter space. Rather than having a vent hood and a microwave in the kitchen, look for an over-the-range microwave that can double as your range hood to help save even more space.
Our top-rated over-the-range microwave ovens are listed below.
- Samsung 1.9 Cubic Foot Over-the-Range Microwave with Sensor Cooking
- Kitchenaid 30" 1000-Watt Microwave Hood Combination
- GE 1.6 Cubic Foot Over-the-Range Microwave Oven
Dishwashers
Good small space appliances for compact kitchens are 18-inch-wide dishwashers, especially if sink and drying rack space are limited.
Bosch dishwashers consistently receive top ratings from consumer magazines. Bosch appliances are extremely popular in Europe where kitchens are smaller. So, as American homes begin to replicate that lifestyle it is best to learn from what works.
Primarily the 800 Series gains praise because it is quieter, which is invaluable in a small home, but options like a water softener and models with smartphone connectivity increase the value. The series offers a cornucopia of options and models to fit any home’s needs.
Get Appliances for Your Small Space at Howard’s Appliance
A small home does not have to feel like it is missing style, functionality, and comfort. With the right small space appliances, you can maximize your use of space and design your home around your life and not the other way around.
With over 75 years of experience pairing our customers with the perfect appliances, we are ready to help you. Stop into one of our conveniently located appliance stores in Southern California to speak with an expert today. Browse our list of appliance store locations in Agoura Hills, Covina, Riverside, Los Angeles, Victorville, and the surrounding areas today.