This Is the Difference Between a Kitchen and a Kitchenette

If you’ve ever seen a real estate listing that highlights a “compact kitchen” or “combination kitchen,” you’ve caught a glimpse of a kitchenette. As the name suggests, kitchenettes are essentially smaller versions of a kitchen, but with some important distinctions. The reason for these small kitchens can vary. Many studio apartments or even just small apartments in big cities save on space by adding in kitchenettes, while shared apartments (like dormitories) may use them so the residents don’t fully go without some sort of cooking space.

Kerry Melcher, once the Head of Real Estate and now the Head of Customer Success at Opendoor, gave Apartment Therapy the lowdown on exactly what makes a kitchenette different from a standard kitchen.

The main defining characteristics of a kitchenette, vs. a kitchen, are as follows:

• Smaller appliances
• Half a stove
• No oven
• Minimal counter space

Though it may seem like it, size isn’t actually the true differentiator between a kitchen and a kitchenette, Melcher says. It’s more about what is in the space, and the types and sizes of those appliances.

“While kitchens feature countertops, shelves, and full-size appliances like a stove and refrigerator, kitchenettes mostly include a few small essentials,” Melcher says. Think: a mini fridge and a cooktop.

You can certainly cook in a kitchenette. You may not have all the big, grand appliances and counter space that would come in a fully decked-out kitchen, but you have everything you need to create a hearty meal — so long as you’re the only cook in the kitchen!

As far as appliances and features, a kitchenette is limited — but it still has the essentials that you need.

“A kitchenette may have a microwave, sink, hot plate, and a small fridge,” Melcher says. “They often feature some storage, such as one or two cabinets or shelves. Many people who live in homes with a kitchenette also invest in appliances like a food steamer, electric kettle, toaster, and Instant Pot for food prep and cooking.”

The most important things to look for in a kitchenette, she says, are good counter space and an abundance of outlets. And if you want to make your kitchenette your own, Melcher suggests changing out the storage shelves to something more unique, and then taking those with you when you eventually move.

Kitchenettes aren’t all the same size, but they’re definitely too small for full-size appliances. Often, you’ll find them in corners of a larger living space, allowing enough room to bring in a wheeled island as well.

Kitchenettes show up in a range of properties and spaces — everywhere from guest rooms and in-law units to short-term rentals and smaller homes. They also appear in backyards, Melcher says, especially in homes with larger yards that include an outdoor kitchen.

Ultimately, though, whether there’s a kitchenette or not comes down to zoning.

“In many cases, if you see a kitchenette, it means that the unit probably isn’t zoned for a range or oven, as that crosses the unit over to a different dwelling type and many properties have restrictions,” Melcher said.

You mean aside from eating out all the time? Some renters probably don’t need to pay for a place with an entire kitchen that they’ll likely never use.

“Kitchenettes are ideal for those who don’t need a full kitchen for cooking or entertaining,” Melcher said. “They are able to accommodate different living situations, like for a college student, nanny, friend, or grandparent, and their needs for privacy and autonomy.

The key to living in a space with a kitchenette is maximizing storage and minimizing clutter. Consider what you truly need to make your kitchen livable: Not everyone needs a microwave, for example, while someone else couldn’t do without one. The same goes for blenders, KitchenAid stand mixers, full chef’s knife sets, or cutlery sets for having 8 people over at a time.

Consider adding a movable kitchen island to the space if possible, especially if the kitchenette opens directly into your living space. That will add counter space and storage (and is great for clunkier, but must-have, kitchen appliances).

Some of the most successful kitchenette layouts featured on Apartment Therapy pack storage and organization hacks into every possible space; in one small East Village rental, rattan storage baskets line the top of kitchen cabinets and the stovetop is covered with a wood board. That wood board is actually a countertop of sorts — when the stove is not in use, the renter stores dry goods, a French press, and more right on her stovetop.

In another NYC studio on the Upper East Side, the renter in question added a spice rack from Bed Bath & Beyond above the stovetop, attached to the wall. It creates spice storage out of thin air — without utilizing any precious cabinet or drawer space. 

And some problems require more dramatic solutions. Another New York resident on the Upper West Side had to deal with a small kitchenette in her otherwise spacious 1,000-square foot apartment; the tiny galley kitchenette couldn’t fit a fridge, so it was on the other side of the main kitchen space, left out in the fight for space between the sink, microwave, stovetop, and a washer/dryer.

With a little elbow grease (and about $1,000) the couple replaced their fridge with a thin, tall, retro model and added a totally removable shelf and cabinet to the space to maximize storage outside of the kitchenette.