How to Choose Your Kitchen Appliances (7-Step Guide)
This article provides step-by-step reliable instructions on how to properly choose your kitchen appliances for your home renovations, remodels or upgrades.
If you’ve never shopped for kitchen appliances the process might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
By following these simple guidelines you will know how to pick the ones that best suit your needs and home decor style, things to avoid, and some recommendations.
Let’s explore what factors consumers should consider when choosing kitchen appliances.
1. Consider Your Budget for Pricing
The first thing to consider is the price. Kitchen appliances can be expensive so it’s important to know how much you are willing to spend.
Decide on a budget first so that you don’t look at appliances that are beyond your price point.
A good starting point is to ask yourself, do you want high-end kitchen appliances or standard ones? If you are looking for high-end appliances then your budget will need to be higher, of course.
How much do high-end appliances cost?
- Refrigerators: 10,000 USD +
- Electric Oven Ranges: 5,000 USD +
- Gas Oven Ranges: 7000 USD +
- Dishwashers: 2000 USD+
Some examples of premium brands are Thermadore, Miele, Sub-zero Wolf, Gaggenau and Viking, to name the most popular ones. The cost of high-end appliances will vary based on the brand, size, finish and functionality of each.
If you want to know if luxury kitchen appliances are even worth the price, then I’d recommend you check out my article on high-end kitchen appliances for more information.
How much do standard kitchen appliances cost?
- Refrigerators: 800 to 3000 USD
- Electric Oven Ranges:400 to 2000 USD
- Gas Oven Ranges: 500 to 3000 USD
- Dishwashers: 200 to 1500 USD
Some examples of standard appliance brands are LG, Bosch, Whirlpool, KitchenAid and GE.
2. Select Appropriately Sized Kitchen Appliances
When choosing the size of your kitchen appliance it is crucial to know the exact measurements of the appliance, the space and the entry points.
Imagine being excited about your latest purchase only to discover it doesn’t fit through the doorway!
When selecting the size of your kitchen appliance you will need to determine the measurements of the following:
- The entryway of your home
- The hallways that the appliances have to pass through
- The kitchen door or entryway
- The space where the appliances will go into
Don’t forget to leave a few inches to allow the delivery person to maneuver the appliances with their hands.
By the way, sizing is not important for just your appliances, but for your cabinetry, lighting, flooring and wall art. Looking for tips on how to appropriately select and size fixtures in your kitchen? I’ve written an article all about how to choose kitchen island lighting in 5 easy steps that I recommend you check out.
3. Choose a Design Style that Fits your Kitchen Aesthetic
Kitchen appliances are not only for functionality, but they can add to the overall visual appeal of your space.
Ask yourself if you want free-standing appliances, or have them built into your cabinetry for a seamless look.
Also, consider the finish and color. The most popular finish for kitchen appliances is stainless steel because it is classic, timeless and has a good resale value. However, many brands offer black stainless, matte, and color.
Did you know that pops of color are predicted to be a massive decor trend in the coming years? If you’re tired of stainless steel then add some color and vibrance to your appliances. I’ve seen them in blue, green and even pink! For more details on kitchen decor then check out my article on the top kitchen trends for inspiration and ideas.
4. Consider Kitchen Appliances that are Sustainable and Energy Efficient
More consumers are moving towards sustainability and wellness so it’s no surprise that this is a deciding factor when choosing kitchen appliances.
“Sustainable kitchen appliances will not only save you money on the water, gas and electric bills, but you will reduce your carbon footprint.”
If you are eco-conscious or looking to save money then consider choosing those that have an energy star sticker. Energy star is a government-backed rating system that ensures appliances meet a certain standard of energy efficiency.
5. Decide Which Kitchen Appliance Features are Important to You
Not all kitchen appliance brands come with the same features. Some are designed for pro-chefs and others for everyday people and little in between. The main difference between all of these is the performance and functionality.
What to consider when purchasing an oven range? Here is a checklist:
- Wall oven or an oven range (oven and cooktop in one)
- How fast it heats up (BTU)
- Self-cleaning options
- Does it have an Internal or external grill
- Gas, electric or induction cooktops
- The range surface for electric (smooth or coil)
- Consider dual fuel (electric oven with gas cooktops)
- Integrated smart options
- Cooking methods (convection, baking, broiling)
- Timmers and delayed start features
- Child locks
What to consider when buying a refrigerator? Here is a guide:
- Freezer location ( top, bottom, french doors or side by side)
- Number of counters
- Counter depth
- Glass shelves durability
- Smart features
- Ice crushers
- Water dispenser
- Temperature control
- Inverter technology (improves energy efficiency)
What to consider when buying a dishwasher? Here are some tips:
- Smart technology
- Custom wash cycles
- Cleaning and drying abilities
- Interior material, stainless steel or plastic
- Load weight
- Child locks
- Noise
6. Pick Between Standard or Extended Warranty
You will use your kitchen appliance a lot, so it’s important to consider the warranty associated with each.
According to an appliance repair technician at We Fix it Appliances “standard appliances come with a 1-year warranty, whereas premium kitchen appliances have extended warranties of up to 10 years.”
So although high-end appliances are more expensive, they do offer extra protection should they need it.
Standard appliances will be more affordable, but should something happen after that one-year mark you will have to cover the cost.
7. Lean Towards Kitchen Appliances that Will Last You Longer
I think it’s safe to say that we all prefer kitchen appliances that last as long as possible. But not all are created equal, some will last 20 years plus and others will run for 5 years
So how can we make the best decision on which appliances will last the longest? As a general rule, with kitchen appliances, you typically get what you pay for. This is why high-end kitchen appliances will last the longest.
There will be variations between high-end models, however, their longevity is almost always a guarantee.
With a standard appliance brand, it can be hit or miss. There are those that have a reputation for breaking within a few years, and others that are known to last 10 to 15 years.
Whichever brand you pick, do your research! Here are my tips on how to decide which appliances will last you the longest:
- Explore forums like Reddit and Quora for customer feedback
- Talk to an Appliance Repair Technician to see which breakdown the most
- Visit showrooms and ask the Sales Representative questions
- Get a subscription to consumers report for reliable data
Purchasing an appliance is a major investment and you want all the information you can get.
After researching, and reading reviews and forums here is my list of the best kitchen appliances for the money (standard brands). They have proven to be reliable, last longer, and have good performance.
Overall selecting appliances is fun but it’s a big decision! Carefully consider the price, size, style, warranty, longevity, reliability, efficiency, and features.
