Are you in the process of building a new home or renovating your kitchen? Or are you finally getting around to upgrading or replacing some of your older kitchen appliances? Choosing the right appliances will significantly enhance the overall functionality of your kitchen.
One of the easiest ways to find the perfect appliance upgrades is to visit your local home improvement store, where you will find a wide selection to choose from. Choosing appliances isn’t a one-size-fits-all task, which means you need to give some thought to what suits your needs, budget, and décor style.
Appliances Can Make or Break Your Kitchen Style
Renovating a kitchen or building one from scratch can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to fit your dream appliances into the perfect space. Our renovation experts have compiled a few tips that will help you make appliance planning quick and easy.
Establish Your Style
The number one step for choosing appliances is to decide what style you want to create in your kitchen. Common choices include traditional, modern, or transitional. Knowing this will help you choose the right appliances.
Modern appliance options are available in a wide range of styles and even colours, meaning it’s easier than ever to find models that accentuate your overall aesthetic. Keep in mind that trends come and go very quickly, which means the red fridge you love today may be boring and dated a few months down the line. Consider neutral colours that will blend in no matter how often you change décor styles and colours.
Functionality is Crucial
Your next step involves assessing the functionality of any potential appliance. Ideally, you don’t want to have an appliance taking up space, yet it’s hardly being used. There are a few key pointers to help you choose the most functional appliances:
- Establish which appliances you’ll be using the most frequently. Consider the features you want them to have.
- Consider where each appliance will be positioned in your space. This should enhance the workflow in your kitchen, allowing you to move around freely without feeling as though you’re running from pillar to post.
- Appliances that need to be connected to taps or water pipes should be placed close to these fixtures. This will ensure that you don’t have to move appliances around to use them. It’s a good idea to enlist the help of a plumber if you need to relocate or add pipes and taps.
- Check the reviews and quality ratings for each appliance on your shortlist.
Consider Energy Efficient Options
Upgrading your appliances provides the perfect opportunity to switch to modern, energy-efficient models. These appliances have been designed to use less electricity, which not only saves you money in the long run but also helps to reduce your overall carbon footprint.
Energy-efficient appliances are easily identified as they feature an “Energy Rating Label” and will also have a star rating, which represents the appliance’s annual energy consumption. Typically, higher star ratings mean that the appliance uses much less energy and also costs less to operate.
Check Brands and Warranties
Choosing a kitchen appliance should be about a lot more than opting for the cheapest unit in the store. Doing this will see you settling for models that need to be replaced sooner than you had anticipated.
Our experts advise taking the time to review different brands. Compare prices, features, and warranties. Opting for modern appliances will keep your kitchen current for longer. This will help you find appliances that will last longer, be more functional, and ensure that you get value for money. Remember to keep your warranty documents in a safe place.
Correct Measurements are Essential
Modern kitchens often boast retrofit designs. This means that designated spaces are created for specific appliances. Units such as fridges, microwave ovens, oven and hob sets, and dishwashers are usually slotted into the space. This means that appliances must be the right size.
If you’re building from scratch, experts recommend leaving enough space for ventilation and ease of access. Not leaving enough space can cause damage to the appliance or the cupboard it slots into. Keep in mind that these styles can limit future upgrades. If you think you may want to upgrade to a larger appliance down the line, be sure to design a bigger space from the get-go.
Don’t Forget the Small Appliances
Appliance planning isn’t just about finding the best fridges and dishwashers. You should also give some thought to smaller appliances such as blenders, toasters, and air fryers. You will need to establish whether you’ll want these units to stand on counters or be stored in cupboards or on shelves between uses.
Where possible, our experts recommend storing your smaller appliances in cupboards rather than cluttering counters. With this in mind, give some thought to where you’re going to place your smaller appliances before adding them to your cart.
Final Thoughts
Appliance planning doesn’t have to be challenging. Use our tips and guidelines to help you plan and find the perfect appliances for your kitchen. Be sure to compare the options on offer at your local home improvement store, and you’ll soon have a functional and stylish kitchen!