Please welcome my guest today,
Katie from Making This Home!
BBigger is supposed to be better. We’ve all heard it: a bigger house, a bigger car, and especially a larger kitchen are signs of a better life. I’m learning that bigger doesn’t always mean better.
This is my kitchen:
It’s the smallest kitchen I’ve ever had—at least 60 percent smaller than my previous one—and it’s my favorite. My husband and I built it ourselves. With such limited space, every inch had to count. Below are photos from the start of the project so you can see the before:
We had to decide what to include and what to leave out. Some things were non-negotiable; others were luxuries we didn’t need. For example, a countertop mixer is lovely, but it didn’t earn its place. We considered each appliance carefully and chose what suited our lifestyle.
We also pushed back on expectations. Most kitchens have four- or five-burner stoves, but how often do you use every burner? We rarely did, so we chose a compact two-burner cooktop that fits our needs and saves space and cost.
Full-size ovens take up room and use a lot of energy. Living in Germany—where electricity can be pricey—we opted for a smaller oven that also functions as a microwave. It took some adjustment not to rely on a microwave while baking, but I’ve adapted. I melt butter on the stovetop like my grandmother did. Choosing simplicity over convenience feels unexpectedly rewarding.
Every time I cook in this small kitchen, it feels like a celebration. Preparing meals isn’t a chore. Because counter space is limited, I clean as I go. Unloading the dishwasher is quick and everything stays within reach. The layout encourages efficiency and an appreciation for the process rather than the gadgets.
Every item in our kitchen has a purpose. We use and value each piece because it contributes to our daily life and meals. I expected to miss extras, but I found I don’t. Living with less has made me more mindful and grateful.
Simple pleasures become more visible now. I grate cheese with sunlight on my hands and watch people cycle past on the cobblestone streets of Berlin. Small moments that went unnoticed before are now part of the experience. A kitchen’s greatest feature isn’t a fancy gadget—it’s a window to the world outside.
A compact, well-designed space that meets your needs and reflects your personality is worth far more than a room ten times the size.
Katie, author of the blog Making This Home, is an American living in Berlin. Her home is 480 square feet; the kitchen is 36.
—–
For more tips on making the most of a small kitchen, check related posts and ideas from small-space living resources.