Small homes and studios

Kitchen Appliance Fit for Small homes and studios

Coordinate appliance dimensions, ventilation, doors and service access with the cabinet plan.

Explore the ideas
White L-shaped kitchen with gold-tone handles, under-cabinet lighting and a chimney
Kitchen inspiration: an L-shaped work surface and integrated lighting.

Walkthrough checklist

  1. Use the selected model's installation drawing and account for handles and door swing.
  2. Check adjacent landing space and whether doors can open fully in the planned position.
  3. Coordinate power, water, drainage and ventilation with the installer.
Worked example

A refrigerator model has a deeper handle and wider hinge swing than the cabinet schedule assumed.

Use its installation drawing to check full opening, ventilation and landing space before setting cabinet depth.

How to test it

Review the appliance schedule against final cabinet drawings before fabrication.

Apply it to this space
Layout
Group cooking and cleanup together and reserve a clear landing surface beside the refrigerator.
Detail
Use compact, full-extension drawers and continuous under-cabinet task light.
Trade-off
Open shelves make a small kitchen feel lighter but expose visual clutter.
  • Measure appliance doors when open
  • Check counter landing space and task light
Parallel kitchen with teal cabinets, a pale backsplash and profile lighting
Kitchen inspiration: two opposing work runs in a compact plan.

The Elixir portfolio

Details worth a closer look

Photographs for design inspiration
L-shaped kitchen with pale green lower cabinets, white upper cabinets and a tiled backsplash
Kitchen inspiration: a light palette and continuous counter run.
Straight kitchen with sage base cabinets, white wall units and under-cabinet lighting
Kitchen inspiration: a single-wall arrangement with task lighting.

Related design guides

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