Kitchen renovations are a great way to make form and function work in your home. Since kitchens are considered the command center of the household, it is important to pay particular attention to detail when building them. So, choosing the right appliances is paramount whether you’re planning a mini makeover for your kitchen or a complete overhaul. After all, appliances are how we cook, store food, and wash our dishes. Read on to learn how to choose appliances for kitchen renovations and some appliance-specific tips to help you along the way.
Decide on the Floor Plan First
New appliances can transform your kitchen, but you have to know how to choose the right ones. However, before you can choose your perfect fridge or dishwasher, you should have an idea of where everything will go. This is easy if you’re just replacing appliances but keeping your overall floor plan. But if you are not, you want to consider the kitchen triangle when determining location.
Prioritize Function
While aesthetics are important, the function should take priority. Having your dishwasher to the left might look better, but storing all your dishes on the right could make more work for you. The appliances in your kitchen need to flow in the design. For example, if you have a large family, investing in an extra large fridge might make senseada. Or, if you bake a lot, have dual ovens instead of a stove/oven combo. Consider what you want and how you want it to work.
Consider Kitchen Size
The size of your kitchen is usually the first aspect to consider, but often not the most important. While it plays a big role in determining what you can do with the space, creativity can always find workarounds. For example, use an oven/cooktop/microwave hood if you’re tight on space. Also, you don’t necessarily need a full-size dishwasher. Instead, you could consider a drawer dishwasher. On the other hand, if you have room to spare (and a large family), you can always install two dishwashers to keep up with your family’s demands.
Create a Cohesive Image
Your kitchen should look cohesive, no matter what your personal style preferences are. Choose appliances that match each other and the rest of your kitchen’s overall style. This doesn’t mean you need the same brand name, though. Many appliances have similar finishes, especially if you are going to stainless steel. However, you could also go with a custom cabinetry look that hides your appliances altogether.
Consider Your Budget
You can’t forget about your budget when choosing appliances for kitchen renovations. Create a list of “must-have” features and “bonus” features for each appliance on your shopping list. This ensures you have what you absolutely need and helps you choose what bonus features are worth splurging a little extra on.
What Are the Must-Have Appliances for Kitchen Renovations?
While there are needs and wants, there are certain things you expect to find in a kitchen. Below are four must-have appliances for any kitchen and some quick tips for choosing the right ones.
Refrigerator
When it comes to refrigerators, there are a lot of configurations to choose from. As a general rule of thumb, you should look for a fridge with about five cubic feet of room for each person in your family. That means a family of four should have at least 20 cubic feet of space in their fridge.
Oven and Cooktop
If you’re looking to save space, opt for a range that combines the oven and stove into one appliance. However, if you have room to spread out, a separate oven and stove can make sharing the kitchen a little easier. Especially if you want to include dual ovens in your design.
Dishwasher
If your family goes through a lot of dishes, consider investing in a high-capacity dishwasher to lighten your domestic workload. Try to keep the dishwasher as close to the sink as possible. You don’t want to have to walk back and forth across your kitchen to load the dishwasher.
Microwave
The microwave is an afterthought for many homeowners, but it shouldn’t be. If you plan for every other appliance in your floor plan except the microwave, it could be left sitting on the counter, sticking out like a sore thumb. Consider adding a specific nook in your cabinetry to incorporate your microwave into the rest of your kitchen and make it look like it really belongs.
Custom Kitchens in Maryland
If you need help designing your custom kitchen on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, reach out to the experts at Friel Kitchen & Bath Design today. You can also stop by one of our two convenient showrooms in Chester and Easton, Maryland. We work with homeowners and contractors alike to create custom, beautiful kitchens.
