Buying appliances for small spaces or a small room can be a challenge when space is at a premium. On top of looking for appliances that suit your budget, you also have to keep the dimensions of your home areas in mind when making a purchasing decision. After all, you don’t want to buy a refrigerator, a range and oven, or a washing machine with dryer that you can’t fit into the home you’re living in. So how do you choose the right appliances for small spaces if you have a home with very limited space? Here are a few tips:
Consider the Spaces Where Your Appliances Should Be Placed
Half of the work you need to do when shopping for space-saving appliances is done in the comfort of your own home. First things first: consider where you can place the new appliances that you will be shopping for. Are you on the lookout for a new refrigerator or a range and oven? These appliances often occupy a large amount of floor space in your kitchen. If you’re looking for a washing machine and dryer, is there room in your toilet and bath for it? You also have to determine which appliances will need a permanent location on your countertop or can be stowed away in your cupboards if not in use.
Once you’ve determined where the new addition to your home will be placed, the next step—and this is very important—is to measure the exact amount of space that you can free up for your new appliance. Get your trusty tape measure out and take note of the dimensions of the available space. This will dictate the maximum length, width, and depth of the appliances that make it to your shortlist of options.
Be Mindful of the Space Needed to Operate the Appliances
In addition to the space that the appliances will occupy, take into consideration the space that you need in order to use and maintain the said devices. Do you have enough space to fully open the refrigerator door and clean its various compartments? If the washing machine is placed in a narrow room, will you be able to put in and remove your clothes from the unit without standing in the way of other people in the same room? If the device needs to be connected to the water system, is there a faucet and a drain in the area where you’re planning to place your new washer? If there’s none nearby, would the addition of hoses and pipes give the room a higher risk of causing injury or property damage?
Before finalizing your purchase, check out if there’s enough room for you to use the appliances in a convenient manner. If not, then you might need to adjust the size requirements for the item you’re looking for. This way, you can use your new appliances safely and conveniently without compromising your comfort or mobility.
Determine What You Need and What You’re Willing to Compromise
After checking out the space where you’re going to put your newest appliances and getting the dimensions, it’s time to list down the non-negotiable qualities of your new appliances. If you’re buying a refrigerator, for example, how big does the freezer need to be and does it need its own door? Are you perfectly fine with a typical refrigerator, or do you need one with an inverter that will help you save on electricity costs in the long run? After listing down the qualities that you want your new appliances to have, determine which of these qualities are must-haves and nice-to-haves. Having a list of your needs will help you choose which among the options in the market is the best fit for your home and the lifestyle that you lead.
On top of having a list of qualities, it’s also a good idea to prepare your budget. Setting your budget before doing your shopping will help you steer clear of making rash purchasing decisions.
Don’t Forget to Check Out Different Styles and Colors
Finally, check that the appliances that you are planning to buy complement the existing look of your home. You don’t want your new appliances to end up making your home look smaller than it already is and for you to feel even more cramped after completing your purchase. Perhaps you can choose appliances with lighter colors to give the illusion of a bigger space, or you can select a brightly-colored piece that can serve as the focal point of your otherwise plain-looking kitchen. Just because you’re short on space and working with a budget doesn’t mean that you should compromise the overall look of your home.
Knowing exactly what you need, down to the dimensions of the items, will give you an easier time shopping for appliances that will fit small spaces. Follow this guide and you’ll be able to find compact kitchen appliances and other devices that will complement your home and improve its functionality without making you feel closed in.
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