LOS ANGELES — Unlike European kitchens, which are designed for efficiency over luxury, American kitchens often favor open-concept design simply because they're bigger.
But now, as more people are building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in their backyards to house their families or generate passive income, the European model is becoming more attractive to homeowners struggling to fit everything they need on small lots.
“I wish appliance manufacturers would make cooler, more compact appliances,” says designer Samantha Karim, who added an ADU to her Mid-Wilshire backyard, “especially as people are looking for smaller living spaces.”
Los Angeles architect Bo Sundius agrees. “No one makes cheap mini-fridges,” he says. “We have to rely on European models. We'd love to build undercounter refrigerators and freezers, but there aren't any affordable options on the market.”
Designing an ADU kitchen requires careful planning, says Kirsten Blazek, designer and author of the new book, “A 1000 X Better. A Rebel by Design.” “I like to start by really thinking through what the primary purpose of the space is and plan accordingly,” she says. “Will you have long-term guests? Who would benefit from having a full kitchen? Is this extra space, a space to entertain, or a space to work? Space planning and functionality are important, so don't forget to get the right sized appliances. Measure everything carefully, and be sure to pay the same attention to design detail as you would with a full-sized kitchen.”
Blazek isn't the only one looking to make her kitchen more efficient, and here, architects and homeowners share their small-space tips for ADUs to make the most of your space and living experience.
Modern and minimalist galley kitchen
Project: Two-story permanent home behind rental property in Echo Park
ADU size: 740 square feet
Total cost of ADU: $575,500 (the site is on a hillside, which made foundation work more expensive).
Kitchen Details: Homeowner Gail Otter's chic galley kitchen is equipped with a Liebherr 24-inch wide refrigerator, a GE Profile 18-inch dishwasher and a Holman range.
Pros: “I like the refrigerator because it's tall and narrow, with plenty of counter depth. I also like the size of the dishwasher; it's 18 inches instead of the standard 24 inches, which is perfect for someone living alone. I also chose this model because it was white, and there were no other white options available at the time,” Otter says.
Cons: “I wish I'd bought a Miele or Bosch dishwasher that had a cutlery drawer on top instead of a cutlery basket,” says Otter. “I didn't buy either because they only come in stainless steel. I like the hidden controls on top and the built-in handles instead of protruding ones. It's more aesthetically appealing to me.”
She also wasn't too keen on the series and wishes it had more European-style white options. “Bertazzoni also made a white option, but it didn't get very good reviews. After I bought it, [the Hallman oven]I spotted a white Viking range and wish I had bought it. The Holman oven was complicated to use and I had to laminate the instructions and keep them handy so I would always get it out when I needed to use the oven. Ridiculous!”
IKEA kitchens designed with disabled people in mind
Project: New construction ADU designed for a disabled family in Culver City
ADU Size: 500 sq. ft.
Total cost of ADU: $260,000
Kitchen details: The IKEA kitchen comes equipped with an electric stove, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher and sink.
“We love our ADU kitchen,” says homeowner Andrea Villicana Chavez. “Our architect suggested we get an IKEA kitchen, but it's bigger than we thought it would be and has plenty of countertop space. It takes up two walls. We could have made it smaller and taken up less space, but in the end it turned out to be better this way.”
The Pros: Villicana Chavez was pleased with the design and overall price of her kitchen. “It was very affordable compared to other kitchens,” she says.
Cons: “The only con is the electric stove, which can be hard to clean with just soap and water. I ordered some glass-top stove cleaner to see if it would help remove the burnt-on food that won't come off.”
Clean Efficiency for Your Flexible Studio
Project: Multi-use garage renovation in Mid-City
ADU Size: 300 sq. ft.
Total cost of ADU: $180,000
Kitchen Details: The studio kitchen features a full-size elongated refrigerator, single sink with garbage disposal, two countertop gas burners, an over-the-counter microwave and an elongated dishwasher.
“So far, the microwave and stove have both been well used, so it was a good idea to install them,” says homeowner Nicole LeMoyne. “We typically use the stove or microwave when staying with other people. There is also an Instant Pot and toaster in the unit, but I don't think they're used yet. Maybe for longer term guests, but for now, guests are buying items that can be easily heated from the local store, bringing leftovers while they're out, or making quick meals on the stove.”
Pros: “It's easy to clean,” says Lemoine's husband, Alex Mason.
Cons: No oven. “We welcome people who want to cook in our small space, but we can't really have gatherings, so we don't have a lot of single people or couples who want to make full roasts and stuff like that,” Mason says. “For those who want an oven, we have the option of a toaster oven.”