apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I can't vouch for any of these products but I have always been fascinated with all in one built in kitchens such as these:
http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/item_list/cat00329/Compact_Kitchens.html

No ovens in any of them though. Just microwaves.

And I I had bothered to click on Maxwell's links I would have known he already linked to two sites that offer such kitchens.

Check out the kitchen layout for 20 Pine Street. Absolutely stylish and compact.

http://www.20pine.com

although they are not specifically for small spaces, a lot of the pieces by Green Tea Design are very compact:

http://www.greenteadesign.com/kitchen-guide/collection.html

I saw a compact kitchen unit with sink, cooktop, undercounter refrigerator, etc... at PC Richard & Son on 23rd St.

My kitchen is 5'x7'. I plan to get an LG 24" refrigerator (I am debating getting an undercounter refrigerator) and an Avanti 20" stove to place next to each other on the 7' wall. Along the 5' wall will be the cabinets and sink.

Unfortunately, the only piece of countertop will be at the corner between the sink and the stove. This is the best I can come up with for now. Lets brainstorm together.

My kitchen is only 6x8, but it feels much bigger because it's open to the living room on one side and the refrigerator is stashed around the corner. My advice would be to either stash the refrigerator elsewhere or go with an undercounter one.

Here's a pic:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/booizzy/93921651/

I am putting in a very space-efficient kitchen in my new brooklyn apartment this spring. The space is about 6x4 L that opens up to the livingroom. The ceilings are 14' high so I'm putting in cabinets all the way up in a soft butter color. I'm looking at a tall thin refrigerator by Liebherr (but only if I can get it in white; I feel stainless is going to be the avocado of our decade). I definitely want the combo washer/dryer from LG (had it in my last place and loved it). An 18" dishwasher from Miele a friend has recommended. A gas cooktop over the only base cabinet with a GE profile microwave/convection oven over it. I'm having custom cabinets built above the washer that will have a hinged table top that when down, becomes a breakfast bar/counter space.

I got a lot of inspiring ideas looking at Time Shares in Florida. Some of the kitchens were tiny but very sleek and efficient with top of the line appliances.

I really LOVE the 28" AGA Companian. The colors are fabulous and it's a REAL STOVE. And if there is any way on earth I can fit it in I will, but I don't think I can. :(

Consider your actual needs when choosing kitchen items. Do I need a full-size or even smaller-size fridge? I personally don't, and an under-the-counter deli-style fridge, with the glass door would be splendid for me. I don't keep much in the fridge. For a freezer, a small/tiny model would be fine, because I don't always need/use it...I could unplug it or turn it off when not in use.

Go all the way to the ceiling where possible for your storage needs. There are always a few things we have that we don't use daily, but still use often enough to require storing.

Over at IKEA, you can download their Kitchen Planner to create your own kitchen with their products, and see it in 3-D:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=12&langId=-1&catalogId=10103&cattype=top&identifier=00014_irwtree003

Don't be afraid to spread out your kitchen needs into an adjacent area. You may need the full kitchen space, if you are a serious cook, but you may also be able to utilize an area as your "prep" center.

Here is their Free-Standing Kitchen area:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=12&catalogId=10103&langId=-1&topcategoryId=15576&parentCats=15576*15729&cattype=sub&categoryId=15729

The VARDE line has all sorts of goodies that would be great for using in a smaller kitchen and using for a nearby area.
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=12&catalogId=10103&langId=-1&topcategoryId=15576&parentCats=15576*15729&categoryId=15732&cattype=sub&pageNumber=0

Use the VARDE base cabinet ($349) or counter storage unit ($499) for your prep area, and attach (if necessary) a multiple plug unit (those six outlet surge protector things) to the side of the item.

This allows you to have your blender or food processor out in the open, available for use at any time, without taking up valuable counter space in your kitchen.

Pots and pans can stored below on that base cabinet. Or you store all your glass ware below.

Note the handy drawer you can buy separately to store items beneath the free-standing unit:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15576&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=11368&langId=-1&parentCats=15576*15729

Not that it would slide easily on a carpeted floor, but it would be additional storage as needed.

try Compact Appliance
http://www.compactappliance.com/

Dwyer had some interesting offerings -- definitely worth pursuing... however its too bad that their website had no real pictures of the products installed. Acme and Cervitor also did not seem too DIY friendly either and lacked a variety of pix of installed products as well. I also found www.kitchensystems.com which had some potential solutions - but the design options are limited.

I've built and designed lots of small kitchens.

The cheapest way to go is Home Depot. Once you decide the exact placement of your kitchen, it shouldn't be a problem finding suitable cabinets at Home Depot. The fancy combined units people describe above are MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE.

I'd get a small, but extra deep kitchen sink, and definitely go for a regular size apartment refrigerator, not a tiny below cabinet one. There's nothing worse than not having enough space for your food and the tiny refrigerators have even more minute freezers.

Decide what your personal needs are and go from there. I can tell you from personal experience that if you ever plan to rent your apartment, a tiny refrigerator will be a turn off to many people.

Good luck!

KitchenLav.com carries a wide selection of stock and custom built compact kitchen units. You may get more information at: http://www.kitchenlav.com/compact_kitchens.htm

Absolutely avoid Avanti appliances, You might die before they can get around to helping you. I put an Avanti range into an apartment I own. It looks great however it was dead on arrival in May and I have yet to beat them into helping me let alone answer the "service" phone number.

At YesterTec, we make a 70" wide complete kitchen in an armoire. We designed it for smaller, one- room living areas when you don't want to see a typical kitchen when it is not being used. Safety features allow the cooktop and Advantium Oven to operate only when the pocketing bi-fold doors are opened. Many styles are available. See http://www.yestertec.com/media/press.php for pictures.

Have you seen the sinkwasher concept a dishwasher
integrated into a deeper sink on 1000inventions.com or search sinkwasher on google