What Kind Of Appliances Can You Really Use In A Tiny House?

Tiny living has its perks, but as with any type of housing, there are some downsides — one of the most common being a lack of suitable appliances. When purchasing a tiny home, understand you won't have the same luxuries compared to living in a single-family residence. 

More often than not, homeowners of mini homes don't realize standard appliances have certain power requirements that their bite-size house simply cannot support, according to Tiny House Bloom. This means doing some serious thinking about which appliances you'll be giving up and the ones you can't live without.

In addition to the electrical obstacles, consider spatial limits as well. For example, the average size of a refrigerator is 30 to 36 inches wide and 67 to 70 inches high, with a depth of 29 to 35 inches, notes Thor Kitchen. Trying to fit this large appliance in a 70-square-foot kitchen will be next to impossible, especially when you have other necessities to consider (cabinets, sink, stovetop). Due to a lack of square footage and electrical limitations, what type of appliances are best suited for a tiny house?

Because energy consumption is often an issue with tiny living, two of the best options for any homeowner of a mini house are gas-fueled and propane-fueled appliances. Hot water heaters and gas-fueled cooktops are especially popular in this living community, per Tiny House Society. While they work for any type of tiny home, propane heaters are particularly beneficial for those who choose to live off-grid because they don't require any electricity.

Now, if you're really pressed for space, you'll likely have to settle for a portable burner plate. It might not be ideal, but portable burner plates work just as well as a regular stovetop — they just require less general real estate, meaning you'll have more room for other necessities, like cabinets or a kitchen sink. By using gas and propane appliances, no matter where you park your tiny home, you can count on having some type of heat source.

As a general rule of thumb, for a small family of four or fewer people, purchase a refrigerator that fits within a 7- to 12-cubic-foot space. Larger families will need one that comfortably fits in an 18-foot capacity, says Tiny House Bloom. That being said, if you're someone who loves food and cooking, you may want to rethink the idea of a tiny home. 

Should you choose to live the tiny house lifestyle, though, Tiny Life Consulting suggests purchasing a refrigerator that's gas and electric-powered, as they are generally smaller and cost much less compared to single-powered refrigerators. 

Just because you don't have the advantage of a full-sized kitchen doesn't mean you still can't have the appliances you need. Yes, they may be a bit smaller than you're used to, but they have the same capabilities as your everyday kitchen appliances. If you're considering a move into a mini home, keep these things in mind before the big purchase.