How to choose kitchen appliances for your renovation: 4 things to know before you buy
One of the biggest parts of any kitchen reno is the appliances — but there’s a lot involved in making sure you’re selecting the right appliances for your space beyond picking out a model you’re happy with.
Here’s what I wish all my clients knew before they set their hearts (and their wallets!) on a so-called dream appliance.
1. Double check your electrical requirements
Does the new appliance have different power requirements than the one it’s replacing? If so, you’ll need to make sure your electrical supply can support the additional draw.
(I’ve especially seen this with induction cooktops, which require a lot more power than traditional electric or gas stoves.)
Unless you want to add $10-$15k (or more!) to your reno upgrading your electrical panel, you may find yourself limited by how much power you can actually add to your appliances.
2. Double check your measurements and breathing room
If you’re not planning to remove any of the existing cabinets around the appliance you want to change, it’s essential to carefully measure the available space.
There are a few different measurements to take:
Where the appliance will actually fit. Measure height, width, and depth.
Any breathing room requirements around the appliance. This is especially true for “built-in fridges” you might want to install under the counter. Make sure there’s enough air flow around the appliance, or you risk burning it out.
How the door will swing. Measure whether the door can swing freely and whether it can open at least 90 degrees so you can remove any inside drawers. If you have a fridge against a wall with limited space, you might not be able to open it fully.
I talk more about how appliances fit into your kitchen design here.
3. Don't let brand loyalty drive your appliance decisions
Just this week I had a conversation with a client who had her heart set on a particular brand of appliance she’s loved for years and was shocked to hear that it was the last brand I’d recommend.
I’ll tell you what I told her: Appliances are like cars. Makes and models come and go, and what was a fantastic car twenty years ago might be a piece of junk today.
Brand loyalty is a real thing — and if your research backs up the brand you prefer, go for it! But do your research first and don’t assume that just because it was good the last time you bought, it’s still reliable today.
4. Choose the best appliance for the job (and avoid brand packages)
Appliances are the workhorses of your home. You need them to work constantly and reliably for years. That’s why it’s so important to choose the best appliance for the job it's going to do.
And spoiler alert: there's not one brand that covers all of these.
That means avoiding those package deals manufacturers often offer on their appliances to win brand loyalty. You know the ones:
“Save X on a package of three appliances”
“Buy this appliance and we’ll include a hood fan for free”
The savings can be tempting but what you save in the short term, you’ll lose in the long term with frustration, repairs, and early replacement.
Long story short: The deal is only a deal if you'd have chosen those appliances anyway.
The key takeaway
Don’t wait till you’re in a showroom with a salesperson telling you what you need to make the key decisions about your appliances. Do your own research, measure (and then measure again!), and ask lots of questions. You’ll be glad you did!
By the way: Appliances are just one piece of the kitchen planning puzzle. Before you get too deep into the shopping process, here are three other decisions that will have just as big an impact on your budget and your results.
