The short answer: a typical ADU needs a refrigerator, a range (or a cooktop and oven), a range hood, a dishwasher, a washer and dryer, and a water heater. Most ADU builders choose compact 24-inch appliances and stacked or all-in-one laundry to save space. The items that most often hold up an install are the small parts: dishwasher kits, dryer cords and vents, and gas connectors.

1. The core checklist

Start with the appliances every livable unit needs. In a small kitchen, width and clearance matter more than features, so pick sizes before you pick models.

• Refrigerator: a 24-inch counter-depth or apartment-size model. Check door swing and clearance against cabinets and walls.
• Cooking: a 24-inch range, or a cooktop plus a wall oven. Gas or electric has to match the utility plan for the unit.
• Range hood: a 24-inch under-cabinet hood or insert. Decide early between ducted and recirculating, and check local code.
• Dishwasher: 18-inch or 24-inch. The installation kit and power cord are often sold separately.
• Laundry: a 24-inch stacked pair or an all-in-one washer-dryer combo. Plan venting, the dryer cord and the stacking kit.
• Water heater: heat-pump or tankless. Confirm space, airflow, electrical capacity and any local rebates.
• Microwave: over-the-range or drawer. If it goes over the range, check it meets your hood requirements.

For compact appliances, our top recommendation is Summit. It specializes in compact and specialty appliances, including 24-inch refrigerators and dishwashers, small cooktops and ADA-compliant models that fit tight ADU kitchens.

Other major brands make compact versions too. GE Appliances and Bosch both offer 24-inch dishwashers, and LG makes compact laundry, including all-in-one combos. For ventilation, Broan-NuTone hoods are a common choice for small kitchens.

2. Size everything to the plan, not the showroom

ADU kitchens are often a single run of cabinets or a small L. A few inches can decide whether a door opens fully or a drawer clears a handle. Pull the cutout dimensions from each spec sheet and check them against the cabinet drawings before anything is ordered.

Check these three things on every unit:

• Cutout and depth: counter-depth refrigerators and 24-inch ranges vary by model, so confirm the exact dimensions.
• Electrical: induction ranges, electric dryers and heat-pump water heaters can add up quickly on a small panel. Confirm the load with your electrician.
• Venting: a vented dryer needs a clear path outside. Ventless and combo units avoid that but dry more slowly.

3. Don't forget the install parts

Appliances often ship without what's needed to hook them up. Add these to the same order so the installer isn't waiting on a second trip:

• Dishwasher installation kit and power cord
• Dryer cord (3- or 4-prong to match the outlet) and vent kit
• Gas flex connectors for gas ranges and dryers
• Water supply lines for the refrigerator ice maker and the washer
• Stacking kit for stacked laundry
• Anti-tip bracket for the range

Tip: put the install parts on the same line as the appliance they belong to. When the appliance changes, the parts list changes with it, and nothing gets ordered for a model you no longer use.

4. Standardize across units

If you build more than a few ADUs a year, pick a standard package and reuse it for every unit. Many builders keep two or three tiers, such as standard, premium and luxe. You negotiate pricing once, installers learn the products, and ordering the next unit takes minutes instead of days.

From a Bundle project: the ADU builders we work with often keep packages like this. A complete unit typically runs 25 to 40+ line items once appliances, plumbing fixtures and lighting are included, so reusing a saved package removes most of the ordering work.

5. Plan around lead times

Compact and specialty appliances can be harder to find than full-size models, and availability changes. Confirm stock before you finalize selections, and keep an approved in-stock alternate ready for anything on backorder.

Time the order to the schedule, too. Appliances that arrive months early take up space and risk damage on site. Order once rough-in is done and set delivery for when cabinets and counters are ready.

Common questions

Do ADUs need full-size appliances?

No. Compact 24-inch appliances are common and save space. Check your local rules and what renters or buyers in your market expect.

Is a heat-pump water heater a good fit for an ADU?

Often, yes. It's efficient and may qualify for rebates, but it needs enough space and airflow, so check the specs against your plan.

Can I use the same appliances for every unit?

Yes, and it's one of the easiest ways to save time. Save the package once and reorder it for each new unit, swapping only what a specific site requires.

How Bundle helps

Bundle Procure quotes compact appliance packages across suppliers, adds the install parts to the same order and lets you reuse your standard package for every unit, with a project manager sourcing anything outside the catalog. See how it works for ADU builders →