A yurt cabin embodies a unique blend of traditional and modern living, offering a minimalist lifestyle without sacrificing comfort. But can you add a kitchen to your yurt cabin? The answer is a resounding yes! Learn what you need to know about adding a kitchen to your yurt.

Permits Required

Before starting any construction, make sure you have the necessary permits. Regulations vary by location, so check with local authorities about the requirements for installing a kitchen in a yurt. This step will ensure the project complies with all local building codes and safety standards.

Plumbing and Electrical Systems

Adding a kitchen means you need to establish a reliable system for plumbing and electricity. These services often come up through the floor in a yurt cabin. Professionals must install these systems to guarantee they function correctly and safely. Water and electricity do not mix well, so careful planning and execution are paramount.

Dividing Walls

Adding a kitchen to a yurt cabin usually involves adding a wall that bifurcates the interior space for the length of the radius of the yurt’s circular shape. You would frame up such a wall just as you would when adding a wall to a traditional home. The wall’s structure allows for a separation between the kitchen and other areas, such as the bathroom. If you want to maximize space, consider adding a loft above this division. This design provides extra room for sleeping or storage without compromising the open-layout characteristic of yurt living.

Essential Ventilation

Proper ventilation is crucial for a yurt cabin kitchen. Cooking produces heat, steam, and sometimes smoke, which need to escape. Ventilation is essential to safety, so enlisting the help of professionals is best to make sure your yurt’s kitchen doesn’t pose a risk. The ventilation system must exhaust harmful gasses and moisture that could endanger your health and your yurt’s components with smoke stains, oily cooking residue, or mold and mildew from steam.

Range hoods can vent out the roof dome. Alternatively, a downdraft vent system can send gasses and moisture out through the floor—you’ll just need to ensure the exhaust doesn’t reenter the yurt another way. Ventilation can also go out through the sides of the yurt cabin. Even strategically placed windows can help facilitate airflow and dissipate cooking odors, but that’s not an optimal solution for a four-season yurt in a snowy area.

Yurt Kits That Include Kitchen Plans

Some yurt manufacturers offer yurt building kits with floor plans that include kitchens. Freedom Yurt Cabins provides signed plans in several states. Yurt kits let you customize the layout, fixtures, and appliances so you can tailor the kitchen to your preferences and needs.

Adding a kitchen to your yurt cabin is not only possible but also can significantly enhance your yurt living experience. With careful planning, adherence to local regulations, and attention to plumbing, electricity, ventilation, and spatial design, you can install a cozy, functional, and aesthetically pleasing kitchen in your yurt cabin.