Mini Kitchen in a Closet – One Room Challenge Week #7

Creating a mini kitchen in a closet is a clever way to make the most of a small space. This project was part of our transformation of an old pool house on our property into an Airbnb guest cottage. Here’s how we created a compact kitchen that makes the most of every inch.

Turning a Closet into a Mini Kitchen

The closet originally had bi-fold doors that were in disrepair. The old doors did not allow for full access to either side of the closet. Here’s the before:

We replaced them with two sliding louvered doors which allows for full access to one side of the closet at time. We kept the left side for clothes storage and turned the right side into a mini kitchen setup.

Making the Most of Vertical Space

Inside the closet we used the vertical space to stack a mini fridge, microwave and an area above and below for storage of kitchen items. I repurposed a side table to elevate the fridge to a convenient height.

Choosing Appliances for Our Mini Kitchen

We purchased a 3.2 cubic foot refrigerator with freezer from Walmart to provide an ample amount of storage. The microwave, also from Walmart, sets securely on top of the fridge. Rubber feet, along with the shelf above, keep it from sliding around.

Below the refrigerator there’s a Keurig type coffee maker, along with a cutting board and paper cups and other supplies corralled in a thrifted basket.

While I plan to provide our guests with coffee and muffins from our local bakery each morning, I thought it would be nice to give them the means to make a cup of coffee in the evening or very early morning. And while they obviously won’t be able to cook a meal here, at least they can store or heat up their take out leftovers and enjoy some microwave popcorn!

Defining the Dining Space with a Rug

The new rug is actually a Ruggable that can be thrown right into the washing machine! We wanted a rug that could be easily cleaned between guests as it will likely see some coffee and food spills, as well as dirt from foot traffic.

A Mini Kitchen Hidden Behind Closet Doors

I’m still awaiting a few more furnishings for the cottage before calling this project done. One of these is a small bistro table and chairs that will fold up and be stored in the closet when not in use. Everything is taking a whole lot longer to arrive nowadays.

Part of Our One Room Challenge Guest Cottage Renovation

This mini kitchen was part of our 2021 One Room Challenge, when we transformed an old pool house on our property into an Airbnb guest cottage. If you’d like to see how the project came together, you can revisit the earlier weeks here: as well as the Final Reveal!

• Week 1: Getting Started
• Week 2: The Vibe
• Week 3: DIY Leather Headboard
• Week 4: Design Tips for Small Bathrooms
• Week 5: Guest Cottage Bathroom Reveal
• Week 6: Five Easy-to-Find Thrift Store Items
• Final Guest Cottage Reveal

Thanks for stopping by!

Debra