When planning a kitchen, kitchen appliances can account for as much as 10–15% of our total budget. As we are unlikely to want to replace them within the next one or two years, it is worth making a well-considered decision. It is important that, within our means, we purchase all the appliances we need, of the highest possible quality, and of course, the aesthetic appeal of the end result matters too. We would now like to offer a little help with your selection.
Fridge
The first thing to consider is how many people live in the household and exactly how much storage capacity we’ll need. It’s definitely worth allowing a bit of extra space for this, so that we’ll have plenty of room. A large family might even need a double fridge with a huge freezer, but if you’re on your own, it’s not worth choosing a model that’s bigger than you actually need. Even if the electricity bill doesn’t break the bank, we should still think about protecting the environment and take energy-saving considerations into account. This is, of course, important when choosing any kitchen appliance!
Hob, oven
In a modern kitchen today, the hob and oven do not necessarily have to be positioned one below the other. We recommend that you avoid a ‘two-in-one’ solution; instead, plan a convenient spot for your hob on the worktop, perhaps with an attractive splashback. Of course, this doesn’t rule out the possibility that the best place for the oven might well be directly underneath it.
Unfortunately, these days we don’t have an endless amount of time to spend in the kitchen, so it’s worth bearing this in mind. We recommend fan-assisted ovens to those who want to save time, as food cooks much more quickly in them.
What’s important in every case is that we make the best possible use of the available space and don’t clutter up our kitchen unnecessarily with all sorts of appliances that we won’t need in our day-to-day lives anyway.
Dishwasher
Nowadays, almost every newly built kitchen is fitted with a dishwasher, which makes life so much easier in today’s fast-paced world. There are now even very small built-in models available, so you don’t have to sacrifice convenience even in a smaller – though not mini – kitchen. If we have the opportunity and space to take this into account, we should definitely choose a dishwasher that meets our day-to-day needs. And, of course, let’s not forget about energy efficiency here either!
Microwave oven
They are available in both freestanding and built-in versions, both of which can be attractive and stylish. A microwave oven can be used for a wide variety of purposes, so it’s worth having a look at what’s on offer before making a choice. Beyond the basic heating and defrosting functions, there are now countless microwaves to choose from that can also steam and grill. Of course, if you don’t make use of these extra features, there’s no point in choosing one. A common mistake when positioning the appliance is to install it too high; be sure to consider, in relation to your own height, how you would be able to reach, say, a bowl of soup from the microwave.
Choosing kitchen appliances is a crucial part of the kitchen design process. That is why it is a good idea to entrust this task to a kitchen design specialist, who will recommend the best possible solution for your lifestyle, taking into account the options available to you – such as space and budget. If you need help, Please feel free to contact the experts at Mobilan.
