How to make space in a small kitchen, and the fridge warranty fiasco

February 24th, 2012

Thin is in with appliance makers turning to smaller, more space efficient appliances that make living in units, condos and apartments easier.

Looking around it seems as if we’re all trying to save things. We are saving time, saving money, we’re even saving sharks. What about saving space?!

It is a particularly valued commodity in the city where some of us are only using the fridge for a loaf of bread and a six-pack – we don’t need to biggie-size our appliances.

Is your kitchen feeling a little cramped?

But size isn’t the only factor being taken into consideration, two-in-one appliances can also provide more room. Designers figured this one out a long time ago when they began offering fridge-freezer combos, a standard today.

If a small kitchen is cramping your style, read on.

Space saving appliances for a small kitchen

A narrow fridge is ideal for a small kitchen. But squeezing the fridge into an alcove is a no no, says Colin Jones, an appliance expert with over 20 years of experience in the industry.

“A fridge needs air space around it,” Jones told this Blog. “Otherwise it can overheat and render your warranty useless.”

“You need at least 10 to 15 millimeters – at least – around the fridge to prevent it from overheating. If a serviceman comes out to check why your fridge has overheated and if he finds that there wasn’t enough airspace you’ll most likely void the warranty and get stung for the call out.”

Maybe not infinate, but our tips will help you find space in the kitchen!

Fridges barely over half a metre wide are readily available, suitable for the smallest of kitchens.

Have you read What are the best appliances for an apartment?

The customary width of an oven is 600 millimeters – but why not double up with a combination convection oven and microwave. “These are often slimmer and some will even offer a trim kit around the oven to give it a nice finished off look,” says Colin.

Take this a step further and get a mini oven with a couple of burners on top. They’re not too small to fit a large dinner plate in, either (perfect for reheating leftovers).

If benchtop space is a premium then why not do away with kettles altogether and invest in a boiling and chilled filter water tap. They offer instant cold or boiling water at the press of a button.

Slimline dishwashers are available at less than half a metre wide, or simply take away half a dishwasher with a DishDrawer. This will also give you room for an extra drawer – very handy in small kitchens.

Omega combo oven

: Fisher and Paykel Dishdrawer

Keri Algar

Having once had to sit on the washing machine to stop it from bouncing into oblivion, Keri is today delighted with the new (smoother running) technologies that make housework easier every day. A self-confessed lazy-bones, Keri seeks out quirky inventions that ease the human workload, such as the robotic vacuum cleaner (wow). And as soon as someone figures out a Jetsons-like self-cleaning house, she will happily lay her pen to rest and retire from appliance journalism. Until then, her pick is a fridge that will tell her smartphone when it's time to pick up more beer on the way home. Magic.