It's often a problem in tiny kitchens ... to fit in all the appliances that the owners would like. Two new models, which might help, are the little wine cooler and dishwasher shown above. Both are "compact" appliances at 450mm high. They can be teamed with a warming drawer - as shown in the top picture of the dishwasher - to make them the same height as a standard single oven ... or they can be fitted individually ... one on top of the other in a tall housing, for instance.

Of course, you need to be careful, when fitting appliances into tall housings, that you can actually reach them well enough to use them easily. I've seen a few microwaves fitted at a height which I'd find uncomfortable. Test out the height first. And just bear in mind - if you're a family of six foot giants, planning to sell your house in the near future - that it might put off potential purchasers of smaller stature.

You've been able to get microwaves, steam ovens and coffee machines at this size for some time but the models shown above are quite new.

The wine cooler is a Liebherr WKEes 553. It has room for 18 normal size wine bottles at a temperature anywhere between 5 and 20 degress C.

The dishwasher is a Neff S65M63 which holds 6 place settings and has 6 programmes, from "intensive" at 70 degrees to "delicate" at 40 degrees. It also has an electronic time delay of 1 - 24 hours (so you can set it to come on at night) and A ratings for energy use, washing and drying performance.

I saw both appliances at recent shows at the NEC - and took the photos myself - can you tell? (The reflection of men in suits is a bit of a giveaway).