9 Things Americans Have in Their Kitchens That Would Never Fit in the Average British One

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Have you ever noticed how some kitchens just seem to have it all? In the United States, kitchens are often packed with features that might astonish someone from the UK. The size and scale of American kitchens allow for many elements that are rare in British homes. Here’s a look at some of the typical things you’ll find in an American kitchen that would be a tight squeeze across the pond.

1. A refrigerator wide enough to dominate an entire wall

Imagine a fridge so big it takes up an entire wall. That’s a common sight in many American kitchens. These refrigerators can store everything from party platters to enough milk and eggs for a large family. They often feature ice dispensers and water filters. This is super handy but requires a lot of kitchen space, something that’s harder to find in the typically smaller British kitchens.

2. A huge kitchen island

A massive center island not only provides extra counter space but also serves as a gathering spot. In American homes, this is where breakfast is often served, homework gets done, or friends gather for a chat over coffee. The size of these islands means you need a big kitchen to begin with, which can be a luxury in space-conscious Britain.

3. A walk-in pantry

Walk-in pantries are a dream for anyone who loves to cook or hoard groceries. These roomy spaces can stock all sorts of kitchen goods, hiding away bulk purchases and keeping your kitchen organized. While British kitchens might have a cupboard or two dedicated to food storage, the walk-in pantry is on another level of storage luxury.

4. Double wall ovens

For those who love to cook or bake, double wall ovens are a godsend. Hosting a dinner party? No problem. These allow you to manage multiple dishes at various temperatures simultaneously. Such appliances are often considered too bulky for the more compact kitchen designs usually found in the UK.

5. A large American-style range cooker

American-style range cookers are typically broader and come with more burners or even additional features like grills or griddles. This can be fantastic for cooking large family meals and adds a professional touch to your home cooking. However, they take up a lot of space, which can be hard to come by in British homes.

6. A separate drinks refrigerator

Why have one fridge when you can have two? Many American kitchens include a separate refrigerator just for drinks. This means you can keep your beverages chilled without cramming them into the main fridge. It’s a nice luxury but not something you’d often find in a British kitchen where space is at a premium.

7. An enormous farmhouse sink

Larger than your average sink, the farmhouse style is deep and wide, perfect for handling large pots and pans. Its style also adds a rustic charm to the kitchen. In the UK, where kitchen space is more limited, a smaller, more standard sink is common.

8. Several metres of uninterrupted worktop

The luxury of spreading out your ingredients as you cook is something that many American kitchens afford with long stretches of uninterrupted worktop. This is great for meal prep and makes the kitchen a more functional workspace. British kitchens, with their more conservative layouts, often can’t accommodate this feature.

9. A coffee station with its own dedicated area

For coffee lovers, nothing beats having a special area in the kitchen dedicated entirely to brewing the perfect cup. Complete with its own sink, storage for mugs and coffee beans, and sometimes even a built-in water line, these stations turn your kitchen into your favorite café. It’s a delightful feature seldom seen in the smaller kitchen designs of the UK.

10. Enough cupboards to store bulk purchases

Storage space is something you can never have enough of, especially in the kitchen. American homes often feature an abundance of cupboard space, making it easy to store bulk items and keeping countertops clutter-free. This contrasts with the more limited storage options typically available in British kitchens.