Tiny Home Appliances
Tiny home appliances need to be that - tiny. Regular sized appliances rarely will work well. You'll want to check out the 'apartment' sized or college dorm sized options for many items.
Washer-Dryer: Combination washer dryers allow users to wash and dry clothes right in the same machine. They are the perfect all-in-one laundry solution for a tiny home. Vent connections aren't required for all combo units. If your combo unit isn't vented, then the drying process may take a little longer. If you have the space, a stacking washer/dryer unit might be a more cost effective possibility.
Countertop and Compact Dishwashers: Compact dishwashers range from portable countertop units with sink connections to 18' units that look and perform like a full sized dishwasher. A full-sized dishwasher in most homes is 24' - that extra 6' can be storage or better used in a small home.
Compact Refrigerators: These will probably be the easiest appliance for you to find 'off the shelf' at Lowe's or Home Depot. Small fridges for college students may be all you need. About the largest fridge that will fit comfortably in a tiny home is a 14 cubic foot model. Anything larger tends to look out of place.
Air Conditioners / Heaters: Depending on where you plan to live, these may or may not be critical components. I live in Michigan so the heater is far more important than the A/C - though A/C can be a lifesaver on humid summer days! Your options vary from mini-splits, window A/C units, to portable units. Mini splits and window units use energy more efficiently than portables. A mini split requires a licensed HVAC contractor to install. A window unit you can install yourself. PAC's are the easiest to use option and require no installation. If you opt for a wood burning stove over. propane make sure the walls and floors are properly protected from sparks and heat. And always have your chimney cleaned out once a year to prevent flue fires.
Ice machines: Smaller fridges tend to be lacking in amenities. Likely it won't have an ice machine built in. For ice, you'll need an ice machine or be willing to fill up trays. From small countertop units that are easy to move around to units built directly into the countertop. Ice machines that can make over 20 pounds of ice per day can be purchased for a little over $100.
Other possibilities: Don't always assume you MUST have a stove - other cookware can do the job of a stove. If you mainly grill steaks, maybe all you need is a George Foreman grill! An electric fry pan or wok might be sufficient. Without a "stove" you'll have more counter space and if you're mainly into chopping veggies, that may be more important. You can always buy a one-burner cook top for boiling water.
Microwaves: Microwaves tend to use a lot of electricity so despite their small size, unless your tiny house is 'on the grid' it may not be as useful as you'd think. Most people in tiny houses are trying to avoid utility bills so require appliances that can be run by solar, wind or off a 50 amp service.
Water heating: The most efficient way to heat water (and space saving) is an on-demand unit. It doesn't require a tank (space saving) and no energy is spent just keeping water warm when you aren't using it. We offer several on-demand units to choose from depending on the capacity you need.
Full sized appliances: This can be accomplished but you must plan ahead and allow for this in advance. Some of the nicest kitchens use a combination of large and compact appliances.
