Appliances may be the most important aspect since the main function of a kitchen is food preparation. Chefs and bakers who plan to use restaurant-quality features on professional models can justify the hefty price tags. So, seriously think about how much of your budget you want to spend on appliances.
When it comes to small appliances, you should strive to continue to prioritize the functionality of your kitchen. Particularly with small appliances, it is very easy to waste space. The space used for a high-quality built-in coffee maker or wine storage may well be worth it, but these types of appliances are certainly not for everyone.
Ideally, you should first choose your kitchen layout and then choose your appliances.
What household appliances should I equip my kitchen with? Choosing kitchen appliances
Hob . Gas, electric or induction? The choice is personal, although you don't often hear about people switching from gas to electric. When choosing a cooktop for performance, consider efficiency: How much heat are you losing from burner to pan? With gas you lose about 40 percent.
On the other hand, with induction heating—a flat cooktop similar to an electric one that operates like fast-heating gas stoves—you waste the least amount of heat. Induction is not mainstream, but now it is returning to the Russian market. Induction is definitely a time saver because you can bring a pot of water to a boil faster.
When shopping for gas cooktops, ask about variable control, which means how long you can maintain a “simmer” without the flame escaping. Look for burner grates made of cast iron or metal that conducts heat for better transfer from burner to pan.
Stoves and ovens . A high-efficiency convection oven that circulates heat with a fan to cook food faster and more evenly will help you get dinner on the table faster than a traditional oven.
Hood. A serious hob requires a ventilation system that will accompany the exhaust from the kitchen silently. If you hear the sound of suction (not the engine running), that's good. If noise bothers you, consider units that can be installed with external motors. External and built-in hoods provide high-performance ventilation.
Fridge. When evaluating refrigerator performance, quality comes down to the compressor. A two-compressor unit is more expensive, but will allow you to store fresh food longer. It may be worth it if you spend a lot on groceries. The ideal (and most expensive) situation is completely separate refrigeration and freezer units. Choose more refrigerator space if you buy more fresh food, more freezer space if you like to keep things cold.
It is always better to choose a model with a high energy efficiency rating. While energy efficiency is important for all appliances, and your refrigerator will be on all the time, an inefficient refrigerator can cost you a fortune.
Microwaves. Microwaves can take up a lot of space no matter where you place them. So if you want your microwave to perform better, consider a convection microwave, which also works as a high-speed oven, eliminating the need to purchase a double oven.
Dishwasher . You can now buy pull-out dishwashers that are easier to load and can be installed at different heights depending on your needs. They can handle smaller loads, so they are more efficient.
However, traditional dishwashers with doors are the most popular style, and they can be paneled to match kitchen units. Stainless steel continues to reign supreme in popularity. Depending on your kitchen layout, you may want to add an economical dishwasher with a bar to manage your glassware.
As with any major appliance, be sure to choose a dishwasher with excellent energy efficiency ratings and be wary of machines that use more water than necessary. The best models may have a higher price tag, but they are almost always worth it.
Kitchen sink. Don't skimp on the sink if you've splurged on a great countertop. If the sink has to be replaced prematurely due to a breakage, for example, the entire countertop may have to be lifted - an expensive and messy job.
Which kitchen appliances are best?
First of all, take into account the footage of the room . If the kitchen is very small, but you need to fit a lot, you should pay attention to compact universal models that combine several devices at once. Thus, a food processor will successfully replace a blender, dough mixer, meat grinder, juicer, and vegetable cutter.
Built-in appliances always save space, but they usually cost more. If saving space is a key requirement, it makes sense to choose this option. Equipment of non-standard sizes (custom-made) costs on average 20-24% more than similar standard options.
As for appearance, modern manufacturers offer a large range of models , but often departure from the standard is much more expensive: if you want to get a stove or refrigerator in colors other than the usual white/silver/black, you need to be prepared to spend money.
Modern kitchen appliances
Much depends on the frequency of use of the devices - for a large family, semi-professional gadgets are relevant, which will be used regularly and will allow you to quickly perform various tasks. But if the kitchen is being equipped for a family of 2-3 people, then there is no point in overpaying for super-power and volume.
As for the manufacturer , there is a very large choice and they usually focus on budget, personal ideas and preferences. Although, the priority should be quality, and not the country of origin, appearance, price, etc.
Many well-known companies have established themselves and often have to overpay for brand reputation. On the other hand, when purchasing goods from small companies, there is a risk of getting a low-quality device.
Therefore, it is advisable to first consult with experts , read reviews on independent sites on the Internet, and study all the specifications.
Original SMEG kitchen appliances
What else is important to know when choosing household appliances for the kitchen?
- When choosing a convection oven, keep in mind that electric convection ovens tend to operate more efficiently.
- Want to hide your refrigerator? Check out the models that can be covered with panels to make this appliance match your interior.
- The size of the sink matters. A deeper sink is more convenient for washing dishes.
You'd be surprised how many people order appliances that won't fit in their allotted space—as long as their new refrigerator, washing machine, or whatever doesn't end up stuck in the foyer ceiling. Appliance retailers are full of stories about savvy customers who fail to notice that the only way to get into the kitchen is to climb a steep staircase, walk through a narrow doorway, or walk down a hallway that turns sharply before ending up at a dead end too small for its purpose. goals. Therefore, measure everything carefully before purchasing so as not to make a mistake.
The decision about what appliances to buy should be made at the kitchen design stage and, of course, before purchasing furniture. Both freestanding and built-in appliances have their pros and cons to consider.
How to make the right choice, and what you should pay special attention to
It is necessary to consider some nuances at an early stage of repair. It is necessary IN ADVANCE, preferably during the repair process, to calculate the required quantity, and most importantly, the dimensions and location of the future equipment.
Have an idea of the requirements for a future purchase. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to turn to professionals for help; choosing on your own often doesn’t bode well. Sometimes superficial knowledge is simply not enough in such a serious decision.
When buying new equipment, with the right and competent approach, it will serve you for decades. Let’s briefly consider the advantages of collaborating with people whose specific specialty is kitchen design (calling a measurer).
The most important thing is that they will select a kitchen for you to fit the size of your room, to the nearest centimeter; doing this yourself is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. Sometimes a mistake of a few centimeters will bring you a sea of indignation.
The measurer will competently advise you in favor of this or that equipment, and will tell you from a professional point of view about all the pros and cons. 3D modeling possible. In the future, this will save you a lot of time, nerves, and your finances.
After all, a cabinet installed unevenly with your own hands, a hood, a crookedly installed countertop, a hob of the wrong size, or the functionality of which does not meet your requirements. Unoccupied empty space also does not bode well.
For these reasons alone, it is worth turning to experienced people, at least for advice. Decide for yourself what type of equipment you need, based on the needs of the housewife and other members of your family.
Fortunately, today there are plenty of options on the market. And for those who are particularly picky, the kitchen will be assembled to order. After this, decide on the dimensions of the future equipment, color, design, etc.
Which is better: built-in or free-standing household appliances?
Freestanding Appliances
Stand-alone devices are generally less expensive than their built-in counterparts, and the ability to be positioned in any way is their biggest advantage. On the other hand, such equipment does not always fit well with the entire kitchen.
Built-in household appliances
These are devices installed in furniture, in some cases (refrigerator, dishwasher) completely covered with facades. Such furniture looks aesthetically pleasing and consistent. It is also easier to clean and safer for children. Unfortunately, embedded equipment is often more expensive and less capable than freestanding units of similar sizes.
How to choose kitchen appliances
First, you need to imagine the placement of all household appliances that will be located in the kitchen. The basic set includes a refrigerator, hob, hood and oven.
The further list continues as desired, most often it is supplemented with a microwave oven, electric kettle, coffee maker, food processor, and so on.
If you like to rearrange, then it is important to remember that built-in household appliances cannot be moved or placed in another place.
Good household appliances should have excellent technical characteristics; you should focus only on trusted manufacturers. You can look at the ratings of brands and choose something affordable and suitable in all respects.
Before you buy household appliances for the kitchen, you need to choose the right model and read reviews from other buyers. Products can be premium, mid-range or economy. It is not at all necessary to buy the most expensive equipment from the line if you need a minimum set of functions.
What should you remember when buying household appliances for the kitchen?
- There are no proven and reliable companies - a higher price does not guarantee uninterrupted operation. Before purchasing, read the opinions of other users.
- Only those functions that you will use - the more functions a given equipment model has, the higher its price. However, it may turn out that many functions that seem useful at first glance will never be used by you. Why overpay?
- Warranty period – When choosing home appliances, it is recommended to choose a model with a longer warranty period due to additional features that you do not need. You can also use the option to extend the warranty offered by the store. However, you must first study the rules of such a service in detail (usually it is just insurance).
- Appropriate characteristics of the hood – the efficiency of the hood should be greater, the larger the surface of your kitchen. It is worth choosing a more powerful model, especially if our kitchen is open to the living room.
- The size of the dishwasher corresponds to the number of family members. For one person or couple, a 45 cm dishwasher size is sufficient. If you have more people in your home, you may want to consider purchasing the 60cm model.
- Compare energy consumption - before purchasing, it is useful to compare the energy efficiency classes of individual models and calculate whether buying a more expensive, but more economical device will pay you back or not.
Many people wonder if they purchase a device from a lower price range whether they will get a good and hassle-free product. However, you must remember that nowadays household appliances are usually “stacked” from the same parts. Large and small companies use the same suppliers of heaters, glass, units or other components, providing only a finished device with their logo.
Therefore, due to the failure rate of devices from almost all manufacturers, it is worth choosing models with the longest warranty period. It should also be remembered that the more functions a given device has, the more elements can fail.
Rules for purchasing household appliances - expert recommendations
1. There are no verified companies - a higher price does not guarantee proper operation of the equipment. Before purchasing, you should read reviews from other users . You may find that you can buy a very good device at a lower price.
2. Only the features you need – Too often, customers are fascinated by a long list of extra features that they will never use. And the more there are, the higher the price of the device itself. It is also worth remembering that the more additional, often redundant functions, the higher the likelihood of equipment failure. With a large or even unlimited budget, you don't have to save money - you can buy the best devices with extra features without thinking about using them.
3. Warranty – It is better to buy devices with a longer warranty than with additional features. You can also take advantage of the extended warranty offered by the store, but you should read the rules before using the promotion.
4. You should buy household appliances after ordering furniture. Consider the size of the cabinets in which the equipment will be located, or the amount of space that will remain between pieces of furniture. It often turns out that after assembling furniture, the gaps left for household appliances do not correspond to the calculations made on paper. Therefore, the optimal and most effective sequence of actions is as follows:
- kitchen Design,
- Furniture assembly,
- purchasing household appliances taking into account the dimensions of the furniture.
5. You need to select devices in accordance with the needs of the household, i.e.
If you have a large family, you should think about buying a spacious refrigerator and dishwasher that can accommodate the dishes of all household members. It is worth considering, even if the equipment must be of non-standard dimensions.
Kitchens – design of built-in appliances
The modern range allows you to equip both small kitchens with built-in appliances and large ones. Such premises will have a beautiful design along with unlimited possibilities. You can find equipment in any style that suits the interior - from high-tech with reflective surfaces to retro, antique-style. Manufacturers create entire sets of perfectly matched items that look incredibly stylish and uniform.
Corner kitchen with appliances
If you are designing a corner kitchen, built-in appliances are the optimal solution. All the necessary equipment will fit in a small area; with the correct selection of modules, even a washing machine and dishwasher can easily fit into the room. Equipment can be placed not only in the lower cabinets. For example, a coffee maker or microwave oven may well take place in one of the wall-mounted modules.
The corner set harmonizes well with tall pencil cases; a refrigerator fits perfectly on one of its sides. Nearby you can equip a vertical structure with several built-in elements. For example, at the bottom of the cabinet-case there can be an oven or dishwasher, even higher - a coffee maker or multi-cooker, above it - a microwave oven.
White kitchen with white appliances
Snow-white kitchens with built-in appliances are gaining popularity. The smooth surface of the objects resembles glass and gives the room a modern look. Ceramic surfaces on appliances in such a kitchen look especially stylish. The set can be made of either glossy plastic or wood or MDF. Such furniture is often complemented by a beautiful tabletop - matching any stone or made in a rich color (green, orange, blue). The walls in the room are also made in contrast to the white set with appliances - they will stand out against any background.
Kitchen with black appliances
Black equipment is in demand for a modern kitchen; the equipment fits high-tech, loft, art deco, classic, even Scandinavian designs. Many interior projects use contrast. Dark technology can be used to decorate any facade - from snow-white, beige or bright (orange, light green, lilac, red) to gray or metal.
At the same time, a black hood, oven, cabinet, hob, refrigerator doors go well with black countertops - such compositions look harmonious. In a classic set, such equipment will become an accent detail and give it a modern touch. A dark set with black appliances looks like one whole, a single line. It can be complemented with a light countertop or apron.
Placement of household appliances
A well-equipped kitchen is an ergonomic room that takes care of comfort of use. Each household member has their own preferences, but following a few tips can make using household appliances and other equipment much easier:
1. The refrigerator, stove (hotplate) and sink should form a triangle. The optimal distances between these devices should be:
- refrigerator - sink: from 120 to 210 cm
- sink – stove – from 120 to 210 cm
- stove - refrigerator: from 120 to 270 cm
Of course, the distances must be adapted to the size of the kitchen.
2. The oven (if it is built-in) should be placed at an optimal height for an adult - so that there is no need to bend over for baked dishes.
3. Having an induction hob and a built-in oven, you should not place them in the same column. Large amounts of heat from the oven while turning on the induction hob may damage the hob.
4. The refrigerator should be as close to the door as possible.
Household appliances in the kitchen interior
The kitchen can easily be called one of the most difficult rooms. Household appliances are selected in such a way that they do not seem alien against the background of kitchen furniture and design in general.
Designers offer three convenient options:
- Selection of equipment for the interior in one color scheme.
- Hiding equipment under furniture facades.
- Using household appliances as an accent.
The simplest and most convenient option is built-in equipment; it is chosen most often. Any household appliances in the kitchen interior are selected taking into account the size of the room.
The most popular color among buyers is classic white, which fits absolutely any design. It is simple and elegant, and this color never goes out of style.
The most practical option is stainless steel; this color is more stylish and the surface is resistant to germs and stains. Appliances with a metallic tint look more modern, but are more expensive than white appliances.
Is it worth buying a set of household appliances for the kitchen?
A set of household appliances may consist of an oven and an induction hob, as well as several appliances. Most often this is built-in technology. The kit may include the following kitchen appliances:
- oven,
- hob (induction, ceramic, gas, etc.),
- microwave,
- washing machine,
- fridge,
- hood
The advantage of this solution is the purchase of all devices made in the same style, and therefore visually matching. However, most people prefer to assemble household appliances themselves due to:
- the ability to find a cheaper model with the necessary functions and parameters,
- Buy only the necessary equipment.
Very often, manufacturers produce a line of devices that have a similar appearance, but differ in parameters. Although independently assembling household appliances that match the furniture and the entire kitchen may take more time than buying a ready-made set, this primarily saves money.
Small household appliances for the kitchen
Small kitchen appliances that you should consider purchasing include:
- coffee machine,
- food processor,
- kettle,
- waffle iron,
- bread machine and much more.
While these are often devices that are tucked away in cabinets, some very often sit on a countertop or are also built into a cabinet (like a coffee maker). Therefore, it is worth adjusting their appearance to other household appliances in the kitchen.
White kitchen appliances
White color visually enlarges the room. However, furniture does not necessarily have to resemble modern, often futuristic interiors. Very often there are designs that refer to the style of a bygone era. For white furniture/walls/floors, you can buy white appliances that will blend in with the interior.
However, it should be remembered that white household appliances should be washed quite often. Another solution is to add variety to the room by adding appliances in a different color that breaks up the whiteness. There are many possibilities, and each of them allows you to achieve a different visual effect.
Which appliances to choose for the kitchen?
Regardless of whether you choose free-standing or built-in household appliances for the kitchen, any room should have a vital set of a refrigerator and stove (or hob and oven). Depending on the needs of the household and the size of the room, you can add a hood, microwave oven, dishwasher, small appliances to the interior - coffee maker, mixer, blender, multicooker, toaster and other appliances.
Large kitchen appliances
If a kitchen is equipped, furniture and large appliances are the basis of its furnishings. They take up most of the budget when arranging a room. What large household appliances do you need to have:
- Fridge.
Available for stand-alone installation, but there are also built-in models. For a large room, it is better to choose a side-by-side refrigerator that resembles a wardrobe. It has one chamber - a refrigerator, the second - a freezer. - Stove or hob.
In the first case, the equipment is autonomous, in the second, it is built into the cabinet. If the house has gas, it is better to purchase a gas model. Otherwise, an induction hob is optimal - it heats food faster and much more efficiently than an electric one. - Oven.
The majority of stoves are equipped with an oven. But now they produce many dependent and independent versions of ovens with many functions, heating modes, and grills. It is convenient when the hob has one control panel with the oven. - Dishwasher.
Depending on the availability of space, the kitchen can be equipped with a dishwasher. For a large family, a model for 6-10 sets of dishes will be very useful. - Hood.
It will protect furniture and walls from dirt and clean the air from odors. It is indispensable in a kitchen with a gas stove or in a studio apartment.
Small household appliances for the kitchen
Deciding what equipment is needed in the kitchen comes from the need to automate certain cooking processes. The most popular set is a microwave, electric kettle, coffee machine. Among small appliances for the kitchen, the following are relevant:
- Microwave.
Allows you to quickly heat up food, prepare breakfast, and defrost meat. - Electric kettle.
The electric model of the kettle is more convenient in everyday life. - Coffee machine.
Selected depending on the number of cups and the desired type of drink (cappuccino, latte, French, espresso). - Multicooker.
Suitable for those who do not like to stand over pots, but prefer to entrust this task to technology. - Mixer.
Indispensable for baking and mixing purees. - Blender.
Useful for those who like to make juices, cocktails, and pureed food. - Bread maker.
Housewives who bake bread with their own hands should have one. - Pancake maker.
More convenient for frying pancakes than frying pans.
Premium kitchen appliances
Premium class household appliances are expensive and are designed for high-income buyers who value only the best quality. This functionality is most suitable for kitchens with built-in appliances. The devices have many advantages, they differ:
- The highest quality, it affects the service life of the device. Reliable and environmentally friendly materials are more expensive, but products made from them last longer, do not lose color, and do not emit harmful substances.
- Functionality. Premium kitchen appliances are more ready to meet the needs of the user. All manufacturers adapt to modern developments and complement their models with innovations.
- Design. The harmonious external design makes it possible to combine several devices in a single design line.
Appliances for a small kitchen
If the room is small (5-7 m2), then the relevant question is which kitchen appliances are best. In this case, you need to limit yourself to the minimum set - a refrigerator, stove or hob with oven. When experimenting with the layout of a mini-kitchen, you can try to fit a narrow dishwasher (45 cm wide) into it, or install a recirculating hood with a retractable hood. The oven can be replaced with a microwave oven with convection and grill functions. It also makes sense to take a closer look at mini-refrigerators built under the countertop, or narrow but tall models.
Rating of kitchen appliances
When equipping a work area, you should pay attention to proven brands. The best household appliances for the kitchen:
- ILVE.
An Italian brand that stands out for its unique design. The products use many colors, and metals – copper and brass – are actively used. ILVE appliances can be used to equip kitchens in both high-tech and country style. - Miele.
The company has come up with many technical innovations. It produces a full range of appliances - from coffee makers to ovens and hobs. - Teka.
One of the ten best manufacturers in Europe. Specializes in household and professional stainless steel kitchen equipment. The creators offer entire collections of equipment similar in design. - Zigmund&Shtain.
It produces elite products; hobs are especially valued. For example, you can choose a black stove with burner shapes suitable for any type of cookware. The models contain touch switches, hydrolysis cleaning, recipes built into memory, a temperature probe, and an anti-fingerprint coating.
