They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home, but living in tight quarters can be challenging especially when it comes to having a well-stocked kitchen. You want to be able to cook and clean with ease, without your appliances taking up too much space. Here are my top five recommendations for small kitchen appliances:

Countertop Dishwasher

Unfortunately, a dishwasher is one of the first things to go in a small kitchen. But, who wants to spend their evening hand-washing all of your dirty dishes? A countertop dishwasher can be your saving grace. It fits easily on most countertops and hooks up to almost any faucet.

This particular Koldfront model, pictured on the left, holds up to 6 place settings and has a cutlery basket. It also conserves water and energy.

Compact Refrigerator

Luckily, appliance manufacturers have recognized the need for a refrigerator between full-size and mini. Apartment-sized refrigerators are just slightly smaller than regular fridges and most feature all of the same amenities: vegetable crispers, extra storage in the door and an auto-defrost freezer. The only thing you might have to sacrifice (besides a little space) is an ice maker in the freezer section.

This MicroFridge apartment refrigerator/freezer pictured is perfect for a small space. Not only does it fit in tight spaces, but it has great storage for everything you need, plus a 0 degree, auto-defrost freezer and a unique design.

Portable Ice Maker

Often times, smaller, compact refrigerators do not come with ice makers. Save yourself the trouble and space of ice trays with a portable ice maker. These fit easily on a countertop and you just need to add water and plug it in to create a good amount of ice. It works well for everyday use or entertaining.

The EdgeStar stainless steel portable ice maker pictured can make ice in under 10 minutes and comes with a set of 10 ice bags for storing the ice in a freezer.

Cooktop

If your kitchen space is too small for a stovetop oven, the next best thing is a portable cooktop. These cooktops heat food with ease and can be stored elsewhere when not in use, saving your countertop space. You can also choose from a wide variety of models ranging from double burners to induction heating.

Pictured to the left is the Broil King Professional Double Burner Range. It features durable construction, high-watt heating and non-skid feet so it doesn’t move while in use.

Convection/Microwave Oven

A microwave is an essential appliance in any kitchen, but can be even more necessary in a compact kitchen space that doesn’t have room for an oven.

This Sanyo 3-in-1 microwave oven allows you to microwave, grill and bake all in one unit. The compact design fits easily in a small space and is easy to use and clean. It cooks a large selection of dishes and has a wide temperature range. This works well to cook all your favorite foods without taking up a lot of room.

Having a small kitchen does not need to be the end all be all to having a functional kitchen. With a few simple adjustments and products you will be cooking gourmet meals and cleaning like a pro in no time!