My tiny kitchen is less than 55 square feet, but I still have room for these 7 essentials

I've lived in several different apartments throughout my adult life, and each apartment's kitchen presented its own set of challenges. There wasn't enough cabinet space for all the dishes, food storage containers, and bulky pots and pans that my roommate and I shared, or the outdated, noisy dishwasher that looked like it was preparing to fly to the moon at any second. Was it? That was the beginning of the cycle. I learned to work with what I have. But the kitchen, tucked away in the corner of my current studio apartment, is the smallest I've ever had, at less than 55 square feet.

I've lived in this apartment for two years now and am still learning how to work with limited space. And we had to make some sacrifices in terms of what we could keep on hand. But even in such a small kitchen, there are some essentials you can't live without. From a compact cookware set to a personal blender that makes the best smoothies, these seven products have become must-haves for me. Even if space is very expensive, it's worth having on hand.

7 essentials for living rent-free in my tiny kitchen

Instant Vortex 2 Quart Mini Air Fryer

I used to think of air fryers as an unnecessary luxury (and one that didn't deserve to take up prime real estate on my already limited counter space). However, I found a good deal on his smaller 1.1 quart model a few years ago and decided it was worth a try considering its then $20 price tag and small footprint. Surprisingly, I used this often to crisp up everything from golden fries to air fryer fried chicken. (Yes, I fried chicken legs in this little thing. And it can fit two at a time!)

I've since upgraded to a slightly larger model, and the Instant Vortex Mini has become my go-to when I want a quick, easy, and delicious meal. The touch control panel and dials are very intuitive. Plus, it has air fry, roast, bake, and reheat modes for added versatility. Sure you can't cook a whole chicken, but it's the perfect size for one or two people and doesn't take up much space.

Primula Bark Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker

This pitcher for making cold brew is virtually in your fridge 24/7, taking up little extra space in your kitchen. I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but I love making cold brew tea. This versatile pitcher makes it incredibly easy to maintain a consistent amount of coffee. Whether you want a juicy hibiscus or a more adventurous blend, simply fill the mesh brewing basket with tea, fill with water, and let steep overnight in the refrigerator. It is also very easy to clean as the bottom of the mesh filter can be unscrewed and you can empty the coffee grounds and tea leaves without any extra effort. You can also remove the brew basket completely and use it as a pitcher for homemade cocktails (or mocktails).

Fullstar tumbler with lid

I'll admit that my main motivation for purchasing this set of tumblers was the trendy shape and cute design, not how much space the tumblers would or wouldn't take up in my cabinet. But every kitchen needs a set of glasses, and the fact that this one came with a bamboo lid and matching glass straw was an added bonus. Some people may prefer simple glassware, but when I saw that this set was multicolored, I was instantly hooked. Perfect for enjoying iced drinks during the warmer months, it instantly makes the drink you're drinking feel classy. Plus, it's pretty durable and easy to clean in the dishwasher. You won't find anything better for less than $20.

Instant Pot 4-in-1 Electric Milk Frother

I bought this Instant Pot Milk Freezer at a huge discount during Black Friday and it's been on my counter ever since. With the push of a button, it heats and froths milk for a decadent Rooibos Chai Latte. Plus, it makes great cold suds. I love the simplicity and ease of use as it does all the work for you, making it a breeze to prepare drinks for your afternoon pick-me-up. And it's so quiet you won't even know it's on. The frequency with which I use it and the fact that it takes up so little space both mean that it quickly earned a coveted spot on my countertop.

Carote Granite Nonstick Pots and Pans Set of 11

Choosing cookware was a unique challenge for this space. Pots and pans were already very bulky, and finding enough storage space in those few precious cabinets wasn't easy. I thought about hanging a pan or two, but wall space is also limited (where to put the pans wasn't a solution). To make matters worse, most traditional cookware doesn't stack well. Needless to say, I was overjoyed when I found this nonstick 11-piece set from Carote. It has two removable handles so all components can be easily stacked for very easy storage. It also means that you can use it in the oven as well as on the stovetop. We're very impressed with its non-stick performance when cooking everything from fried eggs to seared salmon, and it's also induction cooktop compatible. This set is currently on sale for more than 40% off, so if you're looking for compact cookware, this is a great time to buy.

Nutribullet Pro 900 Watt Personal Blender

I've been addicted to smoothies for the past few years, so a blender is a necessity. Luckily, personal blenders are becoming increasingly popular, so there are plenty of space-saving options. However, I've been battling weak models that struggle to blend frozen fruit or hide chunks of unblended ingredients in the finished smoothie. However, since using the Nutribullet Pro 900, that hasn't been a problem for me. With just the right amount of liquid, even the most difficult ingredients will power through, yielding an irresistibly creamy and, well, smooth finished product. I usually leave it on the counter with the blender cup on top, but you can also separate the two and store them in the cabinet.

Hamilton Beach digital program rice cooker

A rice cooker may not be a necessity, but it's nice to have. That's why I decided to create a space for it. I'm not much of a fan of cooking rice the old-fashioned way, but this Hamilton Beach rice cooker takes out most of the guesswork and hassle. Although the capacity is small at 8 cups, it is still plenty for me. That's a fair trade-off for the smaller footprint. It's less than 10 inches in diameter and height, so it's very easy to store. The programmable settings allow you to cook all kinds of rice and grains, and you've never been disappointed with its performance. I used the included steamer basket to cook vegetables at the same time as rice.