The Future is Tiny

Our oldest is 19, living with us currently, but moving in just a few months to the big city to begin making a life for herself. Our youngest is 15, finishing his sophomore year in high school, and dreaming big dreams of college. We’re currently renting a lovely old, craftsman (built in 1917) with a newer add-on in the back. 4 bedrooms, a bonus room, and an office. 2200 Square Feet. Two furnaces. Not the most efficient, but it’s working for now. With both kids out (mostly) in just a couple years, we’re thinking more and more about what might be next.

So many conversations we’ve had over the past couple years. Some having to do with the direction we want our business to go (semi-traditional graphic design/web development moving into ???). Some having to do with the more and more eminent growing up of our kids. And recently, the distraction of the tiny home movement, and how attractive that is.

Though we may be a few years away from our own move to a tiny abode, that doesn’t mean we can’t start planning for it! Since I love my kitchen more than any other room in the house, and I love food more than… wow, more than just about anything, my thoughts on tiny homes seem to gravitate to the possibilities that can be in a tiny, galley kitchen.

From what I’ve seen so far, tiny homes can run the gamut of kitchen flexibility — large or small, one burner to an entire full-sized oven and range. What they all have in common is limited storage space. Shopping at Costco may just become a thing of the past. My initial idea, today anyway, is to come up with some recipes, shopping lists, and weekly menus that work for cooks with small to tiny kitchens. In addition, I’m planning on researching the best, high quality, compact kitchen tools and appliances that will enhance the tiny cooking experience.

It’s sort of funny, really. In the past, I’ve always enjoyed cooking for large groups, and large gatherings of people sharing meals. Now, the challenge of cooking small has me chasing recipe ideas down a maze of rabbit holes… Some first thoughts are:

• Finding great single-pot recipes that are healthful and delicious.
• Planning meals to maximize a limited number of food items (so your shopping list might have 15 items on it instead of 50)
• Maximizing the uses of the best small appliances (to limit the number of gadgets needed to store).

Here are some super cool tiny homes… right here in Oregon (check out these kitchens!):

http://www.ideabox.us/