Updating a tiny kitchen in a rental apartment (on a budget)

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the tips. I need to go in and take measurements again so that I can get a sense of exactly what is possible, but these suggestions are super helpful. I actually have never considered a smaller dishwasher or putting a smaller fridge on the same wall as the sink. I like both of those ideas. My one concern is whether the smaller dishwasher and fridge would be too small for our tenants. It is a 2 bedroom apt., so generally 2 people are living there. Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the tips. I need to go in and take measurements again so that I can get a sense of exactly what is possible, but these suggestions are super helpful. I actually have never considered a smaller dishwasher or putting a smaller fridge on the same wall as the sink. I like both of those ideas. My one concern is whether the smaller dishwasher and fridge would be too small for our tenants. It is a 2 bedroom apt., so generally 2 people are living there. Any thoughts?

if they're 2 young professional people, it's likely they're eating out a lot. if a family -- different story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the tips. I need to go in and take measurements again so that I can get a sense of exactly what is possible, but these suggestions are super helpful. I actually have never considered a smaller dishwasher or putting a smaller fridge on the same wall as the sink. I like both of those ideas. My one concern is whether the smaller dishwasher and fridge would be too small for our tenants. It is a 2 bedroom apt., so generally 2 people are living there. Any thoughts?

People who are ok with that size kitchen to begin with are probably not big cooks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the tips. I need to go in and take measurements again so that I can get a sense of exactly what is possible, but these suggestions are super helpful. I actually have never considered a smaller dishwasher or putting a smaller fridge on the same wall as the sink. I like both of those ideas. My one concern is whether the smaller dishwasher and fridge would be too small for our tenants. It is a 2 bedroom apt., so generally 2 people are living there. Any thoughts?

if they're 2 young professional people, it's likely they're eating out a lot. if a family -- different story.

OP. I probably should have mentioned: The apartment is in Adams Morgan, so the tenants probably eat out a lot. My perspective is skewed, because I lived in the unit for 10 years when I was younger (at one point with my husband and our first kid) and I tend to cook a lot. I need to remember that the current renters are probably looking for something else.

[Anonymous]

I'd definitely vote for moving the fridge if at all possible. It's really hard to say anything in terms of designing the layout with only one bad picture. If possible, it certainly could be worth opening up the kitchen by removing part of the wall where the fridge is, but we'd need a full layout. If you're going to fully redo the kitchen, now is definitely the time to consider it..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd definitely vote for moving the fridge if at all possible. It's really hard to say anything in terms of designing the layout with only one bad picture. If possible, it certainly could be worth opening up the kitchen by removing part of the wall where the fridge is, but we'd need a full layout. If you're going to fully redo the kitchen, now is definitely the time to consider it..

OP again. I have to go look at the space with a more critical eye. I'd love to take out walls, but I'm pretty sure there are electrical wires in the wall on the right. and the wall on the left. When I lived in this apartment I used to have dreams in which I "found" a secret room that I had never known about. lol. I really need to go into it and start measuring!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd definitely vote for moving the fridge if at all possible. It's really hard to say anything in terms of designing the layout with only one bad picture. If possible, it certainly could be worth opening up the kitchen by removing part of the wall where the fridge is, but we'd need a full layout. If you're going to fully redo the kitchen, now is definitely the time to consider it..

OP again. I have to go look at the space with a more critical eye. I'd love to take out walls, but I'm pretty sure there are electrical wires in the wall on the right. and the wall on the left. When I lived in this apartment I used to have dreams in which I "found" a secret room that I had never known about. lol. I really need to go into it and start measuring!

Hope that secret room thing works out! LOL!

If there is wiring in the wall on the right/left, you could think about a pass-through window on which you could balance a ledge with bar stools under it. Would give you more light, slightly more counter space (depending on the height) and a place to sit for breakfast if there isn't a lot of room for a dining room table. Your contractor may be able to tell you if this is feasible. Also, remember to factor in the condo board -- not only for process (they may need to be consulted) but they also may have some helpful ideas or schematics of the walls.

[Anonymous]

You need much better lighting, at different levels. Overhead, undercount er, spotlighting, etc.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. Thanks for all the suggestions. I found this kitchen, which looks to be about the same size (and approximate layout) as what I have. I don't have a window, but I wonder if I could do something like this. The half wall by the oven is interesting, though I don't like the open shelving above the oven:



http://freckleschick.blogspot.com/search/label/kitchen

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. Thanks for all the suggestions. I found this kitchen, which looks to be about the same size (and approximate layout) as what I have. I don't have a window, but I wonder if I could do something like this. The half wall by the oven is interesting, though I don't like the open shelving above the oven:



http://freckleschick.blogspot.com/search/label/kitchen

That's a really cute kitchen! As someone who used to live in apartments with similar sized kitchens, and ate out a lot, I would have appreciated such an attractive looking space in which to prepare my coffee, cereal, and spaghetti.

That's hilarious (and relatable!) about the extra room dream. But now I have to ask - how big is the space where you're living now, and do you have dreams about this house, too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. Thanks for all the suggestions. I found this kitchen, which looks to be about the same size (and approximate layout) as what I have. I don't have a window, but I wonder if I could do something like this. The half wall by the oven is interesting, though I don't like the open shelving above the oven:



http://freckleschick.blogspot.com/search/label/kitchen

That's a really cute kitchen! As someone who used to live in apartments with similar sized kitchens, and ate out a lot, I would have appreciated such an attractive looking space in which to prepare my coffee, cereal, and spaghetti.

That's hilarious (and relatable!) about the extra room dream. But now I have to ask - how big is the space where you're living now, and do you have dreams about this house, too?

We are in a townhouse (not in DC) and it is much bigger, though our kitchen is of the same aesthetic quality as the apartment (which is to say, it's pretty damn ugly.) And yes, I still have dreams of an extra room. Apparently, that's a thing (who knew?):

The finding of extra or secret rooms: A common dream theme – recognition or discovery of previously unnoticed aspects, abilities, fears, or traits in yourself.

http://dreamhawk.com/dream-dictionary/room/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. Thanks for all the suggestions. I found this kitchen, which looks to be about the same size (and approximate layout) as what I have. I don't have a window, but I wonder if I could do something like this. The half wall by the oven is interesting, though I don't like the open shelving above the oven:



http://freckleschick.blogspot.com/search/label/kitchen

This looks deeper than your kitchen based on the space in it from the dishwasher to the refrigerator. In your kitchen, what is on the other side of the wall behind the refrigerator and the wall behind the range? Can you rearrange the opening to the kitchen to either of these sides to take advantage of the depth that way?

[Anonymous]

If there is any way to wall mount a microwave, that would be my wish. I was in a tiny kitchen apartment once. Having a microwave was more crucial to me than an oven. But once I put that microwave on the counter, there was no more space. I would have gladly sacrificed cabinet space for that microwave when I was in my early 20s

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there is any way to wall mount a microwave, that would be my wish. I was in a tiny kitchen apartment once. Having a microwave was more crucial to me than an oven. But once I put that microwave on the counter, there was no more space. I would have gladly sacrificed cabinet space for that microwave when I was in my early 20s

OP. This is really good feedback. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. Thanks for all the suggestions. I found this kitchen, which looks to be about the same size (and approximate layout) as what I have. I don't have a window, but I wonder if I could do something like this. The half wall by the oven is interesting, though I don't like the open shelving above the oven:



http://freckleschick.blogspot.com/search/label/kitchen

Really cute. I like how the half-wall gives a little more light. I agree about the open shelving - some folks can make it work but I think I would find it sloppy or messy. In one of my first townhouses after college, that was where the built-in microwave went. I know a lot of folks like a different floor in the kitchen but I prefer it to be the same (wood) as the area outside of the kitchen because it elongates the space.