What Is a Kitchenette? The Difference Between a Kitchen and a Kitchenette
Petite kitchens are miniature versions of full-size kitchens, but don’t be fooled by their small size. They work great and have everything you need to prepare simple meals.
Kitchenettes are often found in hotels, RVs, short-stay apartments, and in areas away from the main kitchen of the home, such as playrooms or in-law rooms. Despite their small size, they are surprisingly space-saving.
Kitchenette vs. Kitchen: What’s the Difference?
Think of the kitchenette as the kitchen’s little cousin. Kitchenettes take up a smaller footprint, have fewer cabinets and countertops, and fewer appliances, but they can still be very effective cooking tools.
A kitchen may have a full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, and microwave, while a kitchen may only have a small refrigerator, sink, and toaster or microwave.
Kitchenettes are not a replacement for the main cooking space in the home, but they can provide healthy food preparation and storage in other areas of the home, such as the in-laws room, an outdoor living room, or a games room with a drink dispenser.
How Big Are Kitchenettes?
The size of kitchenettes varies depending on the size and needs of the surrounding space, but most are between 5 and 8 feet long. They are often hidden in corners or awkward nooks, using up wasted space.
Additionally, some may have space for movable islands, carts, or tables for additional functions when needed.
Where Are Kitchenettes Found?
In homes, kitchenettes often serve as additional cooking space away from the main kitchen. These include guest suites, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), outdoor living spaces, or large bonus or game rooms.
Outside the home, they are a popular addition to hotel rooms (especially extended stay hotels), RVs, dorm rooms, studios or temporary living spaces.
Kitchens are more common in living spaces with very tight layouts because they balance convenience and space well.
Can You Cook in a Kitchenette?
A small kitchen won’t hurt your dinners, although you may have to simplify them a little.
Most kitchenettes have a stovetop, refrigerator, and microwave of some type, so they’re ideal for preparing stovetop-friendly dishes like pasta, roasted vegetables, and sautéed proteins. Make the most of your microwave by purchasing pre-packaged rice and vegetables.
Another point that you should pay attention to when cooking in a small kitchen is the utensils. Most small kitchens don’t have a dishwasher, and space under the sink will likely be limited, too. So cook meals from the same pan multiple times, use minimal utensils, and don’t make too much of a mess. Consider washing dishes along the way to keep dirty dishes organized in that small space.
What’s Included in a Kitchenette?
Kitchenettes often include miniature versions of many standard kitchen appliances, such as mini-refrigerators, very narrow dishwashers, small microwaves, and one- or two-burner ranges. Some kitchenettes have small wall ovens or convection ovens that double as microwaves.
Most often in a typical small kitchen you will find a sink, microwave, mini-fridge and stove. If you’re staying at a hotel or other short-term rental, expect there to be a coffee maker there, too.
The Benefits of a Kitchenette
Kitchenettes are a great option when you’re trying to add more functionality to a small space. They can fit into small spaces and provide the average person with enough to prepare simple meals. They are cheaper to install than a full-size kitchen and make a great addition to a guest suite or extra room.
Kitchenettes are also easy to add to small country homes or cottages as they provide space and functionality for simple meal preparation. They’re also a great solution if you’re not much of a home cook, as they only provide the basics and nothing more, ensuring you don’t waste space (or money) on a big kitchen that hardly anyone touches.
Another benefit of small kitchens is that they are easy to clean as they take up little space. A full-size kitchen might take an hour or two to deep clean, but a small kitchen might only take half an hour (if that’s the case).