Your tiny house kitchen will probably get more daily use than any other area. This is where you make coffee each morning, prep meals, wash dishes, and often hang out while food cooks. A poorly designed tiny kitchen makes every day harder. A well designed one makes tiny living feel easy.
Tiny House Kitchen Design & Appliance Guide (2026)
Design a functional tiny house kitchen with our 2026 guide. Covers layouts, counter depths, compact appliances, storage solutions, and off grid cooking setups for small spaces.
TLDR: Tiny Kitchen Design
Plan for 30 to 50 square feet of kitchen space in your tiny house layout
Galley and L-shaped layouts maximize efficiency in narrow spaces
24 inch counter depth is standard, but 18 to 20 inches works in tight spots
Choose appliances sized for 1 to 2 people rather than full size residential units
Prioritize counter space over storage since you need room to prep food
Ventilation is essential to prevent moisture and odor buildup in small spaces
Top Priority
Counter Space
You can reduce storage, but you cannot cook without counter space.
Kitchen needs vary based on cooking habits. Serious home cooks may need more space than occasional cookers.
Designing a Kitchen That Works
The challenge is fitting everything you need into a space that might be smaller than a standard bathroom. Full size appliances will not fit. Standard cabinet depths eat too much floor space. You need creative solutions that work for how you actually cook and eat.
This guide walks through layout options, appliance sizing, counter strategies, storage solutions, and plumbing considerations. We will cover both on grid and off grid setups so you can build a kitchen that matches your lifestyle.
Kitchen Layout Options
Your layout determines how well your kitchen flows during cooking. The right layout depends on your tiny house width, where you place plumbing, and how much you cook at home.
| Layout Type | Space Needed | Counter Space | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galley (two walls) | 6-8 ft length | Most efficient | Serious cooks, 8.5 ft wide houses |
| L-Shaped | 6x6 ft corner | Good | Open floor plans, socializing |
| Single Wall | 8-10 ft wall | Limited | Very small builds, minimal cooking |
| U-Shaped | 8x6 ft area | Maximum | Wide houses, multiple cooks |
Galley Layout
Two parallel walls
Everything within easy reach
Most counter and storage space
Works well in narrow builds
Can feel closed off from living area
Need 3 to 4 feet between counters
Best For: Daily cooking, meal prep
L-Shaped Layout
Two perpendicular walls
Opens up to living space
Good traffic flow
Corner can be wasted space
Less counter than galley
Works in wider builds
Best For: Social cooking, open plans
Work Triangle
The work triangle connects your sink, stove, and refrigerator. In a traditional kitchen, you want 4 to 9 feet between each point. In a tiny house, everything is already close together. Focus on keeping the stove and sink near each other since that is where you spend most time. Put the fridge at the end where it is accessible but out of the main cooking flow.
Counter and Cabinet Dimensions
Standard kitchen counter depth is 25 to 26 inches. That is too deep for most tiny houses. Reducing counter depth to 18 to 22 inches saves significant floor space while still providing enough work surface.
Standard Depth
25-26 in
Regular homes
Tiny House Depth
18-22 in
Recommended
Counter Height
36 in
Standard
Upper Cabinet
12 in deep
Maximum
Cabinet Strategies
- 1.Open Shelving: Costs less, feels more open, but shows everything. Keep dishes and food tidy or it looks cluttered.
- 2.Floor to Ceiling Cabinets: Maximize vertical storage. Upper cabinets should not block head room or loft access.
- 3.Pull Out Drawers: Easier to access than shelves in base cabinets. Worth the extra cost for heavy items like pots and pans.
- 4.Corner Solutions: Lazy susans or pull out trays prevent losing items in corner cabinet dead space.
Counter Space Priority
Do not sacrifice counter space for more storage. You can find creative storage solutions but you cannot cook without prep space. Aim for at least 3 feet of clear counter next to the stove and 2 feet next to the sink. Anything less makes meal prep frustrating.
Tiny House Kitchen Appliances
Choosing the right appliances is the biggest decision in tiny kitchen design. Oversized appliances waste space and energy. Undersized ones limit what you can cook. Finding the right balance takes some research.
Refrigerator Options
Compact Fridge
Size3-5 cu ft
Cost$150-$400
Power Use200-300 kWh/yr
Best ForSingles, frequent shopping
Apartment Size
Size7-10 cu ft
Cost$400-$800
Power Use300-400 kWh/yr
Best ForMost tiny houses
RV Propane Fridge
Size6-10 cu ft
Cost$800-$1,500
Power UseZero electricity
Best ForOff grid living
Cooking Appliances
| Appliance | Cost | Size | Power Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Burner Cooktop | $100-$300 | 12-24 in wide | Electric or propane |
| 20-24 in Range | $400-$900 | 20-24 in wide | Electric or gas |
| Induction Cooktop | $100-$500 | 11-24 in wide | Electric only |
| Countertop Oven | $100-$300 | Portable | Electric |
| RV Propane Range | $300-$800 | 17-21 in wide | Propane |
Appliance Priorities
- •A good two burner cooktop handles 90 percent of cooking needs
- •Consider a countertop oven instead of built in oven to save space
- •Induction cooktops are efficient and cool down fast, great for small spaces
- •Instant hot water dispensers eliminate waiting for water to heat
- •Drawer dishwashers exist for tiny kitchens but are expensivekitchen appliances
Storage Solutions
Small kitchens require smart storage. The goal is to store everything you need without cluttering your limited counter space. Every inch matters, so think vertically and use hidden storage wherever possible.
- •Magnetic knife strips and spice racks on walls or inside cabinet doors
- •Hanging pot racks above counter or stove if ceiling height allows
- •Toe kick drawers under base cabinets for rarely used items
- •Pull out pantry between fridge and wall in narrow spaces
- •Over the sink cutting boards that cover the basin when not washing
- •Fold down tables that create extra prep space when cooking
- •Under cabinet hooks for mugs and utensils
- •Stackable containers that fit your cabinet depth exactly
Must Have Storage
- Dedicated space for pots and pans
- Accessible spot for daily dishes
- Dry food pantry area
- Under sink for cleaning supplies
- Drawer for utensils and tools
Nice to Have
- Pull out trash and recycling
- Dedicated baking supplies area
- Appliance garage for toaster and blender
- Wine or beverage storage
- Separate food prep station
Declutter First
Before designing storage, get honest about what you actually use. Most people keep kitchen items they have not touched in years. In a tiny kitchen, you only have room for what you use weekly. Donate or sell the rest. A tiny kitchen with 20 items you love beats a cramped one with 50 items you never touch.
Plumbing Considerations
Kitchen plumbing in a tiny house presents unique challenges. You need hot and cold water to the sink, drainage, and possibly a connection for a dishwasher. Keeping plumbing runs short saves money and reduces the chance of leaks.
- 1.Sink Placement: Position your sink on an exterior wall if possible. This makes venting and drainage easier. Interior sinks work but need longer drain runs.
- 2.Hot Water: A point of use water heater under the sink delivers instant hot water and eliminates waiting. Tankless models work well for tiny houses.
- 3.Drainage: Most tiny house sinks drain to a gray water tank. Some areas allow gray water to drain to landscape. Check local codes.
- 4.Water Supply: Plan for both hookup living and off grid. Include a fresh water tank connection and external hookup option.
Water System Planning
Your kitchen sink connects to your overall water system. Plan kitchen plumbing alongside bathroom plumbing to keep pipe runs short and simple.
Off Grid Kitchen Setup
Off grid tiny house kitchens need appliances that work without utility hookups. Propane is the most common fuel for cooking and refrigeration. Solar power can run some appliances but cooking uses a lot of energy.
Off Grid Kitchen Setup
Propane Cooktop (2-burner)$100-$300
Propane Refrigerator (8 cu ft)$800-$1,500
Hand Pump Sink (no electricity)$50-$150
Propane Lines and Regulator$100-$200
Total Setup$1,050-$2,150
Monthly Propane$20-$40 typical use
Propane Safety
Propane appliances produce moisture and carbon dioxide. Install a propane detector and carbon monoxide alarm in your kitchen area. Make sure you have adequate ventilation when using gas appliances. Never use outdoor propane stoves inside your tiny house.
Kitchen Cost Summary
Kitchen costs vary widely depending on your finish level and appliance choices. Here is a breakdown of typical budget ranges for a complete tiny house kitchen.
Complete Kitchen Costs
Cabinets (base and upper)$800-$3,000
Countertops$200-$1,000
Sink and Faucet$150-$500
Refrigerator$300-$1,500
Cooktop or Range$200-$900
Ventilation$100-$400
Plumbing Rough In$300-$800
Total Range$2,050-$8,100
Budget TipIKEA cabinets save 30-50%
Save on Cabinets
Cabinets are often the biggest kitchen expense. Consider open shelving, used cabinets from salvage stores, or IKEA flat pack cabinets to cut costs. You can also build simple cabinets yourself with basic woodworking tools. Use our cost calculator to budget your full build.