What Is a Kitchenette? The Difference Between a Kitchen and a Kitchenette

Kitchenettes are miniature versions of full-size kitchens, but don't let their tiny footprint confuse you. They can be just as efficient and have everything you need to make some simple meals.

Kitchenettes are often found in hotels, RVs, short-term apartments, and in areas far away from the main kitchen in the home, like a game room or in-law suite. Despite their small size, they're surprisingly space-efficient.

Kitchenette vs. Kitchen: What's the Difference?

Think of the kitchenette as the kitchen's pint-size sibling. Kitchenettes have a smaller footprint, less cabinet and counter space, and fewer appliances, but they can still be quite the food-prep-powerhouse.

While kitchens may include a full-size fridge, a dishwasher, oven and microwave, a kitchenette may only have a mini-fridge, sink and a toaster oven or microwave.

Kitchenettes are not substitutes for the main cooking space of a home, but they can provide helpful food prep and storage to other areas of the home, like an in-law suite, an outdoor living area, or a game room with a wet bar.

How Big Are Kitchenettes?

The size of kitchenettes vary depending on the size and needs of the surrounding space, but most are about five to eight feet long. They're often tucked in corners or into awkward nooks, making use of otherwise-wasted space.

Additionally, some may have the floor space for a rolling island, cart, or table to add functionality as needed.

Where Are Kitchenettes Found?

In the home, kitchenettes often serve as additional cooking space in areas far away from the main kitchen. These include guest suites, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), outdoor living spaces, or large bonus or game rooms.

Outside the home, they're common additions to hotel rooms (especially extended-stay hotels), RVs, dorm rooms, studios, or temporary living spaces.

You'll find kitchenettes more often in living spaces with an extra-tight floor plan, as they balance convenience with space considerations well.

Can You Cook in a Kitchenette?

Kitchenettes don't shut down any delicious dinner plans, though you may need to simplify them a little bit.

Most kitchenettes include some type of stovetop, fridge, and microwave, so they're great for cooking stovetop-friendly meals like pasta, sautéed veggies, and pan-fried proteins. Make good use of the microwave too by picking up steam-in-the-bag rice and veggies.

Another thing to consider when cooking in a kitchenette is the dishes. Most kitchenettes do not include a dishwasher, and your sink space will probably also be limited. Therefore, stick to meals that make use of one pan repeatedly, use minimal cooking utensils, and don't make a huge mess. Consider washing dishes as you go to keep your dirty dish mess manageable in this smaller space.

What's Included in a Kitchenette?

Kitchenettes often include miniature versions of many standard kitchen appliances, like a mini-fridge, an extra-narrow dishwasher, a small microwave, and a stovetop with one to two hobs. Some kitchenettes include small wall ovens, or convection ovens that double as a microwave.

Most commonly, you'll find a sink, microwave, mini-fridge, and a stovetop in your average kitchenette. If you're staying in a hotel or other short-term rental space, expect there to be a coffee maker as well.

The Benefits of a Kitchenette

Kitchenettes are a great choice when trying to add more functionality to a small space. They can fit in small spaces, and they provide enough basics for the average person to make simple meals. They're cheaper to install than a full-size kitchen, and they're a great addition to a guest suite or bonus room.

Kitchenettes are also easy to add to small vacation cottages or tiny homes, as they provide the space and function for some simple food prep. They are also a great solution if you're not a big home cook either, as they provide the basics and not much more, ensuring you don't waste space (or money) on a full-size kitchen that will barely get touched.

Thanks to their small footprint, another benefit of kitchenettes is how easy-to-clean they are. A full-size kitchen may take an hour or two to deep-clean, but a kitchenette may only require a half-hour (if that).