If you’ve ever tried to wedge a “real” kitchen into a not-so-real amount of square footage, you know the struggle. Squeezing a sink, storage, dishes, and a spot for coffee into a guest cottage can feel like a Tetris game you’re losing. That’s exactly why the famous Remodelista guest cottage kitchenette by Ikea has become such a cult favorite: it’s tiny, chic, and wildly practical all at once.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how that compact kitchenette works so well, which Ikea pieces (or equivalents) you can use to recreate it, and the key design principles that make it perfect for a guest house. We’ll also pull tips from small-kitchen designers, Ikea’s own planning ideas, and real-life Ikea kitchen makeovers across the U.S. so you can confidently steal the lookwithout stealing your whole budget.
Inside the Remodelista Guest Cottage Kitchenette
The original space is a tiny summer guest cottage of around 186 square feetbasically the size of a generous walk-in closet with big dreams. Along one wall, a slim Ikea base cabinet with stainless fronts, a beech butcher-block countertop, and open metal shelving form a hardworking kitchenette that looks both minimal and warm.
Key Elements of the Look
- Stainless-front base cabinet: The core is a freestanding Ikea base cabinet with stainless-steel doors (originally Rubrik, now similar to Grevsta or other stainless Sektion fronts). The metal fronts echo pro kitchens while bouncing light around a small room.
- Wood countertop: A solid beech Karlby countertop adds warmth and a natural texture that keeps all that stainless from feeling cold. Wood is easy to cut to size for tiny guest spaces.
- Compact sink and faucet: A single-bowl stainless sink and simple chrome faucet keep plumbing simple and leave more counter space for prep (or for staging that welcome tray of snacks).
- Wall-mounted dish rack: Instead of devoting counter space to a drying mat, the design uses a rail-mounted dish drainersimilar in spirit to Ikea’s Fintorp or Hultarp systemsso plates drip neatly into a tray while the work surface stays clear.
- Open shelving: Two stainless shelves above the counter hold everyday dishes, glasses, and a few good-looking pantry items. Guests instantly understand where everything lives.
- Neutral envelope: White paneling on the walls, pale finishes, and integrated shelving next door (hello, built-in bookcase) make the space feel like part library, part retreat, not just a mini kitchen.
What’s clever here isn’t just the Ikea shopping list; it’s the way every inch is asked to work hard while still looking calm and uncluttered.
Why Ikea Kitchens Are Perfect for Guest Cottages
Ikea’s systems weren’t invented for tiny cottages, but they might as well have been. Designers and homeowners love using Ikea cabinets as a base because the modules are standardized, budget-friendly, and surprisingly flexible.
Modular, Mix-and-Match Components
With the Sektion system, you can choose narrow base cabinets, tall pantry units, or shallow upper cabinets and reconfigure them until they fit your odd-ball guest-house wall. Several remodelers have used this approach to squeeze serious storage into small kitchens while keeping pathways clear and comfortable.
For ultra-tiny setupsthink garage apartments or detached studiosfreestanding mini-kitchens like Ikea’s Sunnersta or other compact units combine a sink, small counter, and storage in one piece. These are especially handy when you don’t want to commit to a full remodel or built-in plumbing run.
High-Low Style Potential
Designers routinely pair Ikea cabinet boxes with custom doors, hardware, and high-end counters to get a luxe look on a reasonable budget. Swapping in custom fronts, for example, is one of the most common upgrades that instantly makes an Ikea kitchen read “bespoke” instead of “flat-pack.”
In a guest cottage, you might skip full custom fronts but still upgrade with pretty knobs, a unique faucet, or a statement backsplash. That way, your visitors remember the mood of the space, not just where you hid the trash can.
Design Principles to Copy for Your Guest Kitchenette
Even if you don’t copy the Remodelista kitchen ingredient-for-ingredient, you can steal its underlying design rulesand combine them with current small-space wisdom from interior designers and Ikea planners.
1. Think Vertical, Not Just Horizontal
In a small kitchen, the walls are prime real estate. Ikea’s own design guides emphasize using every inch of wall space with shelves, hooks, and rail systemsespecially when countertop depth is limited.
- Install one or two long shelves instead of several short ones; the uninterrupted line makes the room look wider.
- Add a rail under the shelves for mugs, utensils, or a slim dish rack.
- Use the underside of shelves for hooks or small LED puck lights to brighten the work area.
Designers also recommend borrowing tricks from small-apartment kitchens: run cabinets or shelving higher than you think you need, and reserve the very top for rarely used items like extra vases or seasonal serving pieces.
2. Zone a Single Wall for Maximum Function
The Remodelista kitchenette keeps everything on one wall: sink, mini fridge, drying rack, storage, even a small counter for prep. This “one-wall kitchen” layout is ideal for guest suites because it leaves the rest of the room flexible for seating, a bed, or a dining table.
To copy this idea:
- Place the sink near the center, with a small stretch of counter on one side for dish stacking and a landing spot on the other for a coffee maker or kettle.
- Use a panel-ready or undercounter fridge below the counter to keep the visual lines consistent.
- Skip bulky ranges and rely on an induction hot plate, toaster oven, or microwave where code allows.
3. Keep the Palette Calm (But Not Boring)
Small kitchens feel bigger when the color scheme is simple and cohesive. Many designers recommend soft whites, pale wood, or barely-there pastels for the envelope, with deeper tones reserved for hardware, accessories, or a single accent appliance.
The guest cottage kitchenette leans into this strategy with white walls, stainless details, and warm wood, then layers in personality through books, ceramics, and a green tea kettle. Your version might add a patterned runner or colorful mugs while keeping the bones of the space restrained.
4. Prioritize Everyday Essentials for Guests
A guest kitchenette doesn’t have to handle Thanksgiving dinner; it just needs to support coffee, snacks, takeout, and maybe simple breakfasts. Design accordingly:
- Stock two to four place settings, not twelve.
- Choose a small but deep sink for easy dish rinsing.
- Include a kettle, coffee maker, or French press as a non-negotiable.
- Reserve a shallow drawer for tea, sugar, and utensils so guests aren’t rummaging through your spice hoard.
Modern kitchenette advice from small-space experts focuses on these “essentials first” decisionsplanning storage around what guests will actually use instead of what you think a kitchen “should” have.
Shopping the Look: Ikea Pieces and Affordable Alternatives
Let’s break down some of the core items you can use to recreate the guest cottage kitchenette by Ikea, plus a few up-to-date alternatives that echo the same feel. Pricing fluctuates, but the general idea stays the same: slim, durable, light-reflecting, and easy to clean.
Cabinets and Countertops
- Sektion base cabinet with stainless fronts: Choose a 30-inch-wide cabinet and pair it with stainless doors or drawer fronts to mimic the pro-kitchen vibe. Stainless Ikea fronts are still widely available in various lines, and many third-party front makers offer brushed-metal door options that fit Sektion boxes.
- Karlby or other wood countertop: A beech or oak wood top balances the stainless and softens the room. You can oil it for a matte, natural look or seal it if you’re worried about heavy use.
Sink, Faucet, and Fixtures
- Single-bowl stainless sink: Compact but deep, it’s easy to drop into a narrow base cabinet and still have room for an under-counter fridge.
- Simple chrome faucet: A basic, dual-control faucet is both budget-friendly and timeless. Think of it as the white T-shirt of fixtures.
Storage and Organization
- Wall-mounted dish rack: Modern Ikea dish racks like Hultarp can be wall-mounted and include a tray for drips, which is a lifesaver in small kitchens with limited counter depth. Tech and home editors in the U.S. have called these wall racks must-haves for tiny spaces.
- Rail systems and hooks: Rail systems like Kungsfors or similar let you hang utensils, pans, or even a small caddy for sponges and dish soap.
- Counter organizers: Compact organizers such as Ikea’s wood caddies help corral oils, spices, and coffee supplies so surfaces feel intentional instead of cluttered.
Bonus Pieces That Elevate the Look
- Mini fridge with a clean front: A stainless or panel-ready undercounter fridge keeps lines tidy.
- Small table or round café table: In the original cottage, a small white table sits in front of the kitchenette, doing double duty as dining table and landing zone.
- Open shelving next door: A nearby bookcase or tall shelf visually ties the kitchenette to the living area, giving the room a “tiny library with snacks” vibe instead of feeling like a utilitarian galley.
Styling Touches That Make It Feel Like a Retreat
Once the bones are in place, the magic happens in the styling. The best Ikea kitchens we see in design media rarely stop at “just cabinets”; they layer in textiles, art, and personal objects that make the room memorable.
Lean Into Simple, Everyday Objects
Because the space is small, everything on display counts as decor. A row of white mugs, a stack of classic plates, a green kettle, or a jar of tea can become the “artwork” of the kitchenette. Keeping the color palette tightsay, white, stainless, wood, and one accent colorprevents visual chaos.
Layer Soft Textures
Add a small rug, woven stool, or linen dish towels to warm up all the hard surfaces. Even in micro-kitchens, designers often recommend natural fibers to keep things feeling cozy, not clinical.
Think Beyond the Kitchen Zone
What makes the Remodelista guest cottage so charming is that the kitchenette is seamlessly integrated into the overall room: the bookshelves, the reading chair, the round table. Your guest kitchenette should feel like part of a tiny, well-designed studio, not a random chunk of cabinets glued to a wall.
Practical Tips for Hosting in a Mini Kitchen
Once your guest cottage kitchenette is up and running, think about how it will actually function during a visit.
- Create a welcome tray: Gather coffee, tea, mugs, and instructions into one spot so guests don’t have to snoop through cabinets.
- Label discreetly: A few subtle labels inside doors (“extra towels,” “snacks,” “trash bags”) make guests braver about using the space.
- Plan for cleanup: Keep a lidded trash can, an extra sponge, and a compact drying towel handy so surfaces don’t get cluttered with random packaging and wet dishes.
- Use multi-purpose appliances: A microwave that also bakes, an induction plate with multiple settings, or a small toaster oven gives guests more flexibility without crowding the counter.
Most small-kitchen experts agree: when storage is limited, it’s smarter to invest in a few multitasking tools and keep the rest of the space open.
Real-Life Experiences with Ikea Guest Kitchenettes
Design theory is great, but what does living with an Ikea-based guest kitchenette actually feel like? Here are a few composite experiences, inspired by real small-space projects and owner reports, that show how these spaces work day-to-day.
The Over-the-Garage Studio
One homeowner added an Ikea kitchenette to a studio apartment above their garage so family and friends could stay for longer stretches. They used a 30-inch base cabinet with drawers, a wood countertop, an undercounter fridge, and two open shelves. The footprint: under six feet wide.
What surprised them most wasn’t how small it wasit was how complete it felt. The drawers swallowed coffee pods, snacks, and even a small set of pots. Guests loved that they could slip downstairs, grab groceries, and stash them in the mini fridge. Mornings became quiet rituals: make coffee, open the window, sit at the small table and look over the trees. The hosts, meanwhile, weren’t constantly running up with forgotten spoons or sugar packets.
The only regret? They initially skipped a wall-mounted dish rack. After a few visits, they added one, freeing up half the precious counter. That single upgrade made the kitchenette feel less like a prop and more like a real, functioning mini kitchen.
The Backyard Office Turned Guest Suite
Another household converted a backyard office into an occasional guest suite. Because they didn’t want a full kitchen for zoning reasons, they opted for a “hospitality wall”: a narrow Ikea cabinet with sink, a Sunnersta-style freestanding mini-kitchen beside it, and a rail system with hooks for mugs and utensils.
During the workweek, the owner uses the kitchenette as a coffee station and quick lunch prep spacesandwiches, salads, reheated leftovers. On weekends when friends stay over, it transforms into a self-service breakfast bar. Guests can toast bread, brew coffee, and rinse dishes without stepping into the main house in their pajamas.
The biggest lesson from that setup: lighting matters. Adding an LED strip under the shelf above the sink turned a dim corner into a cheerful prep zone, and made early-morning coffee runs feel luxe instead of camping-style.
The Basement In-Law Suite
In a suburban home, a basement in-law suite got a serious upgrade with a small Ikea kitchenette. The owners used white cabinet fronts, a light wood counter, and stainless hardware to keep things bright in the naturally darker lower level. A slim open shelf holds everyday dishes, while deeper storage lives in a nearby wardrobe cabinet.
Long-term guests appreciated having “their own little apartment”they could make tea late at night, keep leftovers without climbing stairs, and spread out their groceries without mixing them into the family’s main fridge. The hosts noticed that visits felt more relaxed on both sides. A simple kitchenette had given everyone just enough independence.
The practical takeaway: if you’re building a guest kitchenette in a basement or lower level, prioritize good ventilation (especially if you’re adding cooking appliances), bright task lighting, and an easy-to-clean backsplash. Painted beadboard, tile, or even stainless panels behind the sink can handle splashes while nodding back to that Remodelista cottage vibe.
What All These Spaces Have in Common
Across these different setups, a few themes repeat:
- Clear boundaries: Each kitchenette lives on a single wall or in a defined niche, which keeps the rest of the room flexible.
- Thoughtful storage: Drawers, wall racks, and small organizers prevent clutter from taking over.
- Simple materials: Wood, white, and stainless are doing most of the heavy lifting; decor comes from everyday objects.
- Guest autonomy: Visitors can make a snack, grab a drink, or make coffee without asking for help, which feels like a luxury in a small space.
That’s the true genius of the Remodelista guest cottage kitchenette by Ikea: it proves that hospitality doesn’t require a full-size kitchen. With smart planning and a few strategic Ikea pieces, you can offer guests a space that’s compact, beautiful, and genuinely useful.
Conclusion: A Tiny Kitchen with Big-Cottage Energy
Stealing this look isn’t about copying every mug and dish rack; it’s about embracing a mindset. Use standardized, budget-friendly Ikea components as your toolkit. Pay attention to vertical space, calm color, and everyday essentials. Layer in personal touches so the space feels like a small, thoughtfully curated retreat, not a showroom corner.
Whether you’re outfitting a detached guest cottage, a basement in-law suite, or a multi-purpose den, a well-designed kitchenette gives your visitors independence and your home a surprising dose of boutique-hotel charm. And who knowsafter a few weekends of coffee at that little wood counter, you may find yourself sneaking away to the “guest” space just for the pleasure of living small for a moment.