A Guide to Best Kitchen Appliances for Your Remodel Project
A kitchen is more than just a stunning backsplash or gorgeous countertop. It’s the heart of a home. A modern kitchen should not only be highly functional, but it can also be incredibly stylish. Investing in top-of-the-line kitchen appliances can make a huge difference in how your home looks and feels.
Getting your kitchen layout right is a crucial factor in getting the functional yet aesthetic kitchen you want. The placement of appliances, ergonomics, ease of use, and ensuring a clear path between the stovetop, kitchen sink and refrigerator are all going to factor in during your kitchen remodeling project.
On account of all this, it’s important to choose your new appliances early in the design process. The best kitchen appliances can certainly make life easier. So, here are some appliances you should consider getting when upgrading your kitchen.
1. Cooktops
Gas, electric, or induction? Now, that’s the age-old question.
Whereas electric is considerably more energy-efficient as compared to gas, induction is the certain winner when it comes to efficiency. These appliances also save time when cooking, have a lower risk of fire and are easy to clean. If upfront cost is a big concern, electric cooktops may be the more favorable option. It all boils down to weighing the various benefits against your personal needs, preferences, and priorities.
Another factor to consider is whether you want a built-in hob. Built-in cooktops are great for compact kitchens, open up an array of options in kitchen design, and often come with a lot of modern functionalities and features. Unfortunately, their location is permanent, and installation is a lot more complex.
You might also want to look into range hoods as they help maintain the air quality in the kitchen and make cleaning much easier. Make sure you have enough room to mount the hood and also consider its noise level.
2. Oven
There are a lot of considerations when choosing an oven, including:
- The size of your kitchen
- Whether you have a gas or electric stove
- What type of oven you’re looking for
- How much you’re willing to spend
Most ovens are between 27 and 30 inches wide and are available in the form of a single or double-oven design. They can also stand alone as a one or two-wall mounted unit. Another oven feature to consider is convection. You can cook multiple items at once with a convection oven, and they also have the added advantage of reduced cooking time and increased energy savings.
3. Refrigerator/Freezer
Buying a refrigerator is a big deal. It’s going to be the largest appliance in your house, so you want to get everything right, from the style to the fit and functionality.
Luckily, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to fridges. You can choose between top freezers, bottom freezers, side-by-side and French door fridges. No matter the style to choose, make sure to check the fit, energy star rating and price tag. Make the wrong choice, and you might get stuck with a bloated energy bill and a large appliance that just doesn’t fit your style.
On that note, look for features you use. For instance, performance features like dual cooling ensure your food remains fresh, and infinity slide shelves help to accommodate tall items. A smart refrigerator can help you keep track of expiration dates, compile a shopping list and even leave messages for your loved ones.
4. Microwave
Buying a microwave is essential, whether your old one broke or your kitchen needs an upgrade. There are three main microwave types: countertop, over-the-range and built-in. The latter two usually need a professional installer and are primarily installed flush amongst your kitchen cabinets.
Over-the-range microwaves, in particular, are widely regarded as luxurious and elegant. But they might require built-in ventilation systems much like a range hood to eliminate odors and get rid of excessive heat. Most people opt for built-in ovens during kitchen remodels, and that’s because you can incorporate them into your kitchen design.
If you’re trying to save space in your kitchen, you might want to look into multi-purpose microwaves. Some double as convection ovens and toasters – the options are endless.
5. Dishwasher
If you have a small kitchen, the decision to get a dishwasher comes at a higher price: space. The standard size for a built-in dishwasher is 24 inches wide by 24 inches deep by 35 inches high. As such, you’ll be giving up valuable countertop space and cabinet space. However, a dishwasher saves you plenty of time when cleaning up.
A few factors to consider include:
- Cleaning performance
- Drying performance
- How quiet the dishwasher is
- Wash cycle and custom wash options that help you add more heat, and time
Additionally, smart dishwashers are a great investment. They work faster, have high-efficiency filters to remove food particles from utensils and use water and energy more efficiently.
Get the Right Qualified Contractor for Your Next Remodel
Balancing needs with wants is the best approach when choosing kitchen appliances. But remember, function should always outweigh style. Still, you can’t go wrong with stainless steel appliances when kitchen remodeling. They’re highly durable, resistant to damage, and can work with almost all décor styles.
Kitchen and bathroom remodeling can quickly become very overwhelming for any homeowner. A professional remodeling company should do everything they can to make you, the homeowner, feel at ease during the renovation project. That’s why you should partner with Avery Home Remodeling.
We are kitchen contractors in Clearwater specializing in all types of home improvement projects. Partner with us to create your dream home and take the stress out of kitchen remodeling.
