One of the biggest fears people have when downsizing is the kitchen. We are conditioned to believe that to cook good food, we need a six-burner range, a walk-in pantry, and endless countertops.
But at Dream Tiny Houses, we know the truth: You don't need more space; you need smarter gear.
Whether you are in a van, a container home, or a 200 sq. ft. tiny house, cooking gourmet meals is entirely possible. It just requires following the Golden Rule of Tiny Living: If it only does one thing, it doesn't belong here.
The Heat Source: Induction is King
Gone are the days of bulky propane ranges that heat up your entire tiny house in the summer. In 2026, the standard for tiny living is the Portable Induction Cooktop.
Why switch?
- Safety: There is no open flame, which is crucial in small spaces with curtains nearby.
- Efficiency: It boils water in half the time of gas.
- Space: When you aren't cooking, you can unplug the burner and stash it in a drawer, instantly reclaiming 2 feet of counter space.
The "One-Pot" Wonder
If you only have space for one appliance on your counter, it shouldn't be a toaster. It should be a Pressure Cooker / Air Fryer Combo (like the Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot Duo Crisp).
This single machine replaces a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, oven, and dehydrator. You can roast a whole chicken or make yogurt in the same footprint. For van lifers, this is non-negotiable.
Cookware: Nesting is Essential
In a standard house, pots and pans are a chaotic jumble in a deep cabinet. In a tiny house, that chaos is a dealbreaker.
Invest in a set of Nesting Cookware (brands like Magma are the gold standard for sailors and RVers). These sets include saucepans, stockpots, and skillets that stack perfectly inside one another like Russian nesting dolls, with removable handles. You can fit an entire chef’s arsenal into a space no bigger than a dinner plate.
Vertical Storage Hacks
When you run out of horizontal counter space, look up. Your walls and the undersides of your cabinets are prime real estate.
- Magnetic Knife Strips: Ditch the bulky wood block. A magnetic strip on the wall holds knives safely and looks professional. You can also use heavy-duty magnetic strips for spice jars.
- Under-Cabinet Hooks: Screw hooks into the bottom of your upper cabinets or shelves to hang mugs, bananas, or utensil baskets.
- The "Over-the-Sink" Cutting Board: This is a classic tiny house hack. Get a cutting board custom-fitted to sit on top of your sink. It instantly extends your countertop when you are chopping vegetables.
What to Avoid (The "Do Not Buy" List)
To keep your tiny kitchen functional, you must be ruthless. Avoid these single-use items:
- The Microwave: Unless you live off frozen burritos, it takes up too much space for what it does. Reheat food on the induction burner or in the air fryer.
- Standard Toasters: Use a pan or the air fryer function.
- Knife Sets: You only really need three knives: a Chef’s knife, a Paring knife, and a Bread knife.
Final Thoughts
Cooking in a tiny house forces you to be organized and intentional. It brings the focus back to the ingredients rather than the gadgets. Once you have your kitchen dialed in, you might find you enjoy cooking more than you did in a massive kitchen.
Now that your kitchen is sorted, are you wondering about the other "plumbing" in your house? Stay tuned for our upcoming guide on the best toilet options for tiny living.
