Portable Dishwashers for Small Kitchen Remodeling

Many homeowners find that smaller kitchens need to be remodeled to get the most from the available space. In smaller kitchens, storage is often inadequate, and foot traffic is all but forbidden while someone is cooking. Still, you don't want to give up every measure of luxury. Dishwashers are treasures, and many homeowners can't resist the temptation to install a dishwasher in even the smallest kitchens. That said, you shouldn't have to sabotage your entire cooking space just to fit a dishwasher into your already small kitchen. Portable dishwashers are convenient and efficient. While they don't have the same load capabilities as permanent dishwashers, they get the job done better than most people believe.

Benefits of a Portable Dishwasher
Besides the obvious space-saving properties of a portable dishwasher, they're great for homes that have a high dish turnover. Dirty dishes can sit in a larger dishwasher for days before it's time to run, causing odor problems and requiring more thorough pre-washing. Portable dishwashers will allow you to keep your kitchen consistently clean without wasting extra water and dishwashing detergent. Their smaller capacity makes them ideal for singles or smaller households, but people who eat out on a somewhat regular basis may also find a portable dishwasher meets their needs.

Portable dishwashers tend to run on the lower end of a couple hundred dollars while permanent dishwashers run closer to a grand. Not only are they smaller and cheaper, they can be wheeled in and out of your kitchen as the need arises. Nearly all portable dishwashers still have a heavy-duty wash cycle for your pots and pans, and several even offer a hot water booster for homes that tend to run out of hot water. You won't sacrifice any part of dishwashing performance if you buy a quality portable dishwasher.

Countertop Dishwasher
Countertop dishwashers are another version of the portable dishwasher. These dishwashers typically don't have wheels. Instead, they are designed, naturally, to sit on your kitchen countertop. If you have no interest in taking your dishwasher in and out of your kitchen, this might be the right choice for you. While a countertop dishwasher takes up counter space, there's no reason you can't use the top of the dishwasher as its own counter. You can put a fruit bowl, wine or knife rack, or any other small kitchen item on top of your countertop dishwasher.

Other Space Saving Ideas for Small Kitchens

• Use the space you do have. Install kitchen cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling.

• Use your walls. Hang small storage devices, like a spice rack, on your walls to supplement your kitchen cabinets. Built-in storage and small appliances can be invaluable to a small kitchen.

• Move as many items out of the kitchen as is reasonable. This can mean placing common items in the dining room or in roll-out pantries or kitchen carts. Auxiliary refrigerators can be placed elsewhere in the house. Be smart when doing this. You probably don't want to move items you use every day.

• Use lighting and other decorative elements to emphasize any open spaces. You don't necessarily want to pack items into every last square inch. It's good to have adequate storage, but you don't want to feel claustrophobic, either. Good lighting design and color will make your small kitchen look bigger than it actually is.