Dishwashers for a small kitchen

Are there any types of dishwashers for small kitchens? This question can be found on various thematic forums on the Internet and, unfortunately, people do not receive a comprehensive answer to it. This is quite strange, because the answer lies on the surface, although it all depends on the individual characteristics of a particular small kitchen, because it’s one thing to just have a small room with a standard rectangular shape and quite another to have a room with a non-standard configuration. So, about dishwashers for a small kitchen.

If the dishwasher doesn't fit in the kitchen

Who doesn't dream of a full-size dishwasher that will once and for all solve the age-old family question: whose turn is it to wash the dishes? The only question is where to put the dishwasher in a small kitchen, where two people have difficulty turning around, maneuvering between the refrigerator and the electric stove. What to do? Should I give up on the idea or use my wits as always? We are for the second option, especially since this problem is completely solvable.

In houses built by Khrushchev, there are very small kitchens, but even in such a kitchen you can properly organize the space, which will allow you to install a dishwasher and other necessary equipment.

There are several ways to solve the problem. Not all of these paths are low-budget, but we will consider everything, and you will choose the most suitable option for yourself.

1. Calculate the space in the kitchen so that the dishwasher fits. Quite often we think that there is no way we can fit a dishwasher in our small kitchen.However, when we begin to calculate every centimeter of space, it turns out that space can still be carved out. If you don’t like to bother with calculations yourself, invite an experienced designer.
2. Consider buying built-in appliances. A built-in dishwasher does not take up extra space in the kitchen. If everything is calculated correctly, then it can be placed in a cabinet specially made for it or tucked under the countertop, so that the dishwasher will not interfere.
3. Miniature dishwasher. This, of course, is a radical solution, but an effective one, because a small dishwasher won’t take up much space, which means it can be placed in a small room where free space is a problem.

Built-in technology

A dishwasher in a small kitchen can be a nuisance, not to mention the fact that it may simply not fit into the interior composition. For some people, interior issues are of paramount importance, so manufacturers have developed built-in dishwashers especially for them.

Fully built-in dishwashers are standard, that is, having a width of 60 cm, and narrow, having a width of 45 cm. Narrow machines can also be classified, but we will not dwell on this now. If you're interested, what types of narrow built-in dishwashers are there?, read the publication of the same name, which we previously posted on our website.

From the point of view of saving space, narrow dishwashers are better, but they lose in capacity, and in addition, it is difficult to wash large dishes in them.

Fully built-in machines are quite unsightly in appearance.The top of the body is covered with thermal insulation materials, and the facade is a piece of painted metal with hooks and latches. Everything will change when the dishwasher is in place. The door will have a furniture facade that will be completely compatible with the rest of the furniture in the kitchen, and the entire body will be hidden in a furniture niche, which you will have to prepare in advance.

In this form, the dishwasher will be indistinguishable from any other part of the kitchen unit, but just open the door and you will immediately have access to the wash tank baskets in which you can put dirty dishes. Very comfortably. From the point of view of caring for equipment, there are also no problems - I wiped the dust off the furniture façade and the job is done.

Miniature equipment

If you don’t know how to place a dishwasher in a tiny kitchen without making repairs or changing furniture, look at compact models of machines and you will immediately understand everything. Indeed, with the modern level of technological development, the owner of a small kitchen does not necessarily have to give up some benefits and wash dishes by hand. You can buy a compact dishwasher and enjoy life, because you can put such equipment in a variety of places:

• on a countertop or table;
• on the stand;
• on the refrigerator;
• hang on the wall using special brackets.

The prices for compact dishwashers are quite reasonable, so almost everyone can afford them.

The dimensions of compact dishwashers are truly impressive; their average dimensions are 55x50x44 cm, and their weight is only about 20 kg. Cramming such a “home assistant” even into a small kitchen is not a problem, however, such equipment will have very limited functionality.Firstly, it is too small to wash a large number of plates and glasses in it. A maximum of a compact dishwasher can wash 6 sets of dishes.

Secondly, it is impossible to wash a large pot, pan, tray or sheet in such a dishwasher, so you won’t be able to completely forget about manual washing. Such a limited-functionality dishwasher will not allow you to do this.

Hybrid solution

There is another expensive, but quite original solution to the problem of placing a dishwasher in a small kitchen - buying hybrid appliances. What does it mean? This means that you can buy a gas or electric stove, which will have a built-in oven and dishwasher. Sounds like fantasy? Nothing of the kind; such equipment has been sold quite successfully on the market of the CIS countries for a long time. The advantages of hybrid technology are obvious.

1. There is no need to install the hob, oven and dishwasher separately, which will save you not only centimeters, meters of space in the kitchen.
2. There is no need to jump around the kitchen to use this or that appliance - everything is in one place and everything is convenient.
3. Hybrid appliances will cost you slightly less than a new hob, oven and dishwasher.

However, let’s not lie; in addition to its advantages, this technique also has disadvantages and they must be described. Firstly, this is a rather complex technique; there is always a significant risk that it will fail. Secondly, almost every segment of the hybrid, be it a dishwasher or an oven, with the possible exception of the hob, has limited functionality. Oven for one sheet, dishwasher for 6 sets, in general, the same problem that was already described above in relation to compact appliances.

Summarize. No matter how sad it may sound, there is no universal solution to the problem of placing a dishwasher in a tiny kitchen. Every solution has shortcomings, but some shortcomings can be tolerated, while others are completely unacceptable. In any case, the final decision is yours. We hope we managed to give you some food for thought, good luck!

Reader comments

• Share your opinion - leave a comment