You’re fitting out an existing kitchen area
There’s already a sink, cabinet or recess in place. Measure it and check there’s enough room for doors to open and for ventilation before choosing built-in or freestanding appliances.
Who are these kitchen layouts for?
You’re adding to a furnished rented studio flat
Check the inventory and make sure you know which appliances are already there and working. That way, you can focus your purchases on what’s missing and avoid buying duplicates.
You cook regularly in a small room
As well as making room for refrigeration and cooking, you’ll need a usable surface for preparing meals. Choose the number of appliances to suit how you cook and the storage space available.
What should you check before choosing?
First decide whether a fitted unit is right for your home. Then check the space and installation requirements for each appliance individually.
Fitted unit
Worth considering: if a kitchen wall and water supply let you bring food preparation, storage and cooking together in one place.
Bear in mind: the unit may not include a sink or appliances, and every item needs to be compatible with the space.
Separate appliances
Worth considering: if you’re using an existing recess or want the flexibility to replace your refrigeration and cooking appliances independently.
Bear in mind: each appliance needs a suitable space, without taking up all your food preparation area.
| Priority | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | Measure the recess, clearance beneath the worktop and free surface area. Allow room for doors to open and for meal preparation. | I want to be able to move around and cook without an appliance taking up the whole worktop. |
| Hob connection | For a built-in hob, have the circuit, its protection and the available power checked. Promotelec specifies a 6 mm² cable outlet with a 32 A circuit breaker for a hob; a professional should check the installation in your home. | Before choosing a built-in hob, I need to know whether the studio’s electrical installation can accommodate it. |
| Refrigeration | Compare the capacity and dimensions of the exact model. Check its clearances and ventilation: Bosch’s installation advice recommends at least 200 cm² of free space behind and beneath the fridge. Check this against the instructions for the model you choose. | I need enough room to store my food, but the fridge also needs to fit properly in the recess. |
| Airflow and cooker hoods | Check the existing ventilation and keep its openings clear. Electrolux says that choosing between an extraction and a recirculating hood depends, among other things, on your home and whether an external vent is possible. | When I cook in my living space, I want to be able to refresh the air without relying on a cooker hood alone. |
| Noise and energy | Check the stated noise level and the label for the exact model. ADEME notes that the energy label lets you compare the performance of relevant appliances on a scale from A to G. | My kitchen shares my living space, so the fridge’s noise matters as much as its size when I’m choosing one. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a kitchenette unit comes with all the appliances
A unit on its own won’t necessarily provide facilities for washing, storing and cooking food. IKEA, for example, says the sink, taps and appliances for the KNOXHULT are sold separately.
Make a list of everything you need, then check there’s room for it and the right connections in your proposed layout.
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Treating a built-in hob like a portable appliance
A built-in hob requires you to check that the electrical installation is suitable. Promotelec specifies a dedicated circuit and protection for this type of appliance.
Before choosing a built-in model, ask a qualified professional to identify the connection and protection at the consumer unit.
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Filling the fridge recess completely
Clearance is part of the installation requirements. Bosch’s advice states that free space behind and beneath the fridge helps it to ventilate.
Compare the recess with the instructions for your chosen model, and don’t cover any specified ventilation openings.
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Relying on a cooker hood to replace your home’s ventilation
The Ministry for the Ecological Transition highlights the importance of continuously refreshing the air and maintaining the ventilation system. Your cooker hood must also suit your home’s layout.
Keep grilles and air vents clear and working, and check what extraction options are available before choosing a hood.
Brands to know
These brands offer specific units and appliances to consider, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be compatible with your studio flat.
Bosch
Worth looking at for an integrated under-counter fridge if your studio has a suitable cabinet.
- Bosch provides ventilation guidance in its installation advice.
- The recess dimensions and the requirements in the instructions for your chosen model are key.
IKEA
An option for creating a fixed kitchen area with a worktop and storage.
- The KNOXHULT unit, measuring 120 × 61 × 220 cm, combines a worktop with storage.
- According to IKEA, the sink, taps, appliances and lighting are sold separately for this configuration.
Candy
Worth considering for a built-in induction hob once you’ve worked out your cooking needs and checked the installation.
- Candy features a power adjustment function in its induction hob range.
- Check the features of the exact model, the worktop cut-out, the electrical circuit and the cookware you use.
Electrolux
Worth looking at to compare cooker hood options for a small kitchen area.
- Electrolux distinguishes between extraction and recirculating hoods to suit different home layouts.
- Check the installation dimensions and ventilation requirements in the instructions for your chosen hood.
Joybuy appliances for your kitchen area
These options cover food storage and cooking with a portable hob. They could work as part of a separate-appliance setup or complement an existing kitchen area, but none of them is a complete kitchenette on its own.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L silver fridge freezer
Add refrigeration and freezing to a setup with a separate cooking appliance. The product title states that the fridge has a capacity of 153 L and the freezer 74 L, and gives a width of 54 cm and a reversible door. Also measure the available height and check the instructions for ventilation clearances before deciding where to put it.
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WOOX MX0237 RapidTherm, 2000 W portable induction hob
This hob gives you a cooking option on your worktop without replacing your fridge. The product title lists eight power levels, four programmes and a 1.5 m cord. Check the available space and the connection requirements in the instructions, and make sure your cookware is suitable for induction.
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ochama, 2000 W portable induction hob with 10 settings
Worth considering if you’d rather cook on the worktop than use a built-in hob. The product title lists 10 settings, six functions and a control lock. Check the dimensions and connection requirements before buying. You’ll need induction-compatible cookware and a separate appliance for food storage.
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Hisense RB3B250SAWC, 252 L integrated fridge freezer
This model is for a kitchen area with a cabinet designed to house an integrated appliance; it doesn’t provide a cooking function. The product title mentions No Frost and energy rating C. Before choosing it, compare its dimensions and the installation and ventilation requirements in the instructions with the actual recess.
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SMEG S4C122E, 188 L integrated fridge freezer
Worth considering if you already have a cabinet designed for an integrated fridge, alongside a separate cooking appliance. The product title specifies a top-mounted freezer and energy rating E. Before buying, check the recess measurements, door fixing system and required clearances in the instructions.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check before buying appliances for a furnished rented studio flat?
Start with the inventory, tenancy agreement and condition of the appliances already there. Check the hob, oven or microwave and fridge before buying anything extra.
Can I use an existing socket for a built-in hob?
Don’t assume that the socket is suitable. Promotelec specifies a dedicated circuit, a 6 mm² cable outlet and a 32 A circuit breaker for a hob. Ask a qualified professional to check your home’s installation and the requirements for the model.
What should I measure for an under-counter fridge?
Measure the recess height, width and depth, then allow for the door to open and for ventilation. Bosch’s advice recommends at least 200 cm² of free space behind and beneath the fridge. Follow the specific requirements in the instructions for your chosen model.
Is a recirculating cooker hood enough to ventilate a studio flat?
No. A cooker hood doesn’t replace your home’s ventilation. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition highlights the importance of continuously refreshing the air and maintaining ventilation systems. Choose a hood to suit the existing installation.
How can I compare the noise and energy use of appliances?
Check the information for the exact model, including its stated noise level and energy label, where applicable. ADEME notes that the label shows performance on a scale from A to G. In a studio flat, also consider fridge noise, as the kitchen is next to your living space.