The appeal of micro-units is increasing, especially in urban centers where young professionals are willing to sacrifice square footage in exchange for a highly walkable, amenitized lifestyle. With the building as their living room and city as their backyard, residents spend very little time in the unit itself, reducing the amount of space they require.  Micro-units range in size from 200 to 400 square feet and are being programmed into more luxury rental towers and high-end condo buildings. For developers, these small floor plans present a jigsaw puzzle-like challenge as they look to maximize efficiency while maintaining a sophisticated design aesthetic. As cabinetry experts, we employ four strategies to incorporate appliances, workspaces and storage into an economic, cohesive design: Select smaller appliances European-sized appliances create an illusion of space. Typically, European appliances are 24 inches wide compared to the standard 30- to 36-inch width commonly found in the U.S. While a difference of 6 to 12 inches might not seem like a lot, this “found” square footage allows us to add additional cabinetry and workspace, which not only makes a kitchen more functional, but also makes the apartment appear roomier because it creates space between appliances. Fortunately, these smaller-sized appliances have become more...