What Comes First – Appliances or the Kitchen Design?

Appliances and Kitchen Design go Hand-in-Hand

Should you know what color appliances you want prior to designing a kitchen?

Appliances and kitchen design are one in the same. The design process is just that: a process. And ultimately it’s up to you. However, appliances and kitchen design must work together. If you want a shaker-styled kitchen and you choose a vibrant orange or bright green refrigerator, your kitchen’s elements are going to clash. Mixing and matching styles can be refreshing and unexpected; however, all elements should work in harmony. Choose a focal point or a few appliances and design elements you know you want to have. Is there a colorful mosaic backsplash that caught your eye in a magazine? Are stainless steel appliances a “must have”? If so, lock them in as part of the final kitchen design and choose additional elements that complement your “must haves.”

At what point in the design process should you know if you want specialty appliances?

Thinking about a wall oven or island stove top? While the design process isn’t linear, knowing what specialty appliances you want is good to know at the get-go. Appliances and kitchen design play off of each other in the process, affecting each other. For example, while designing the layout it’s important to consider focal point, spacing, and traffic flow. If you have a kitchen design and later decide you need an island, most of the kitchen layout will need to be re-done. Designers plan within constraints. For example, designers plan layouts that allow enough distance between appliances and islands, ensuring easy traffic flow. It’s best to know all the designer’s constraints before starting. When it comes to appliances and kitchen design, electrical wiring is another concern. Oftentimes designers try to position appliances so you don’t have to pay for additional electrical wiring. When you add additional elements, the designer may have found the perfect solution to save you money on wiring, only to have to start over. Fitting in an unexpected element at the eleventh hour throws the designer for a loop. Every element plays off of one another. When you add something to the mix, most likely multiple elements will need to be shifted.

Easy switches

Not all add-ons have to be difficult though! One example is adding cabinets to cover your appliances. Just add them on!

What appliances can be integrated with cabinets?

Refrigerators
Dishwashers

Designing In Transition

Another thing to consider is not just what your kitchen will look like today, but how it will look tomorrow. Appliances break down and so the kitchen’s look slowly changes every time an element is swapped out.

If you’re remodeling and using existing appliances, should you design for the appliances you currently have or for future upgrades?

This is a tricky one. The best solution is to design something that works for both your current appliances and future ones. One thing to think about is how long you expect your current appliances to last.

Appliances and kitchen design over the long term

If you can’t find a way to make your design fit with current and future appliances, planning with the future in mind might be your best option. If done right, your kitchen remodel should last 20 years, which is longer than most appliances will last. Plus, it’s exciting to look forward to the future!

Which appliances must be designed around and which appliances are flexible after the design phase?

It’s a given you’ll have a refrigerator and a stove, but beyond that there are many options. Figuring out appliances and kitchen design is fun, but there’s a lot to consider. Think carefully what’s important to you. Beyond the basics, what appliances fit your lifestyle? Appliances hard to plan around after the fact:

Dishwasher
Wine cooler

Appliances easy to add on:

Microwave
Slow cooker
Stand mixer
Food processor
Espresso machine
Toaster oven
Bread machine
Waffle maker
Recycling center

Appliances and Kitchen Design to Dream About

LJ’s proudly carries these appliance brands:

Sub Zero and Wolf
Asko
Bertazzoni
Coyote
Verona
Zephyr

Sub Zero and Wolf – Refrigeration and cooking appliances Asko – Dishwashers and laundry Bertazzoni – Cooking appliances Coyote – Outdoor kitchen equipment Verona – Ranges, built-in ovens, and cooktops Zephyr – Vent hoods Learn more about our brands HERE.

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