So much about kitchen design and functionality comes down to the details—the theme, the size, the alignment to your purpose. You may have to choose your appliances very carefully depending on that purpose.
Sure, there are the usual suspects — a fridge, cooking stuff, and small appliances — but there’s more to picking out these items than simply buying what your mother tells you to (even though she might be the right person to ask for advice). It means taking your budget and specific needs into consideration.
Prime shop kitchen shares some of the best tips for choosing the right kitchen appliances for your home. Let’s begin!
Choosing the Right Kitchen Appliances
You know what you need to get for the most part. After all, you grew up in a family that came alive around food. It’s just that you need help choosing what suits your needs.
Cooking
We can all agree that someone will be cooking in your kitchen. And whoever does the cooking, whether you or a family member, consider their needs when designing the “cooking zone.”
Whatever the case, it’s important to decide whether to have the cooktop and oven as one or two separate appliances. Each can produce that homey feeling and visual appeal, so your decision might come down to space availability. Consider leaning towards the two-in-one option if you have a limited area to work with.
The all-in-one option also gets you an oven at wall height, which might be safer if you have kids around. If you still prefer the separate oven and cooktop, make sure to position the oven at eye height for ergonomic cooking.
There are countless options to choose from in terms of design and functionality, from steam and convection ovens to microwave, grill, and combination ovens. You can even get a three-in-one oven appliance if you want to. It’s known as the “compact” oven and is more budget-friendly compared to getting three individual items.
Not to mention, it has the two things smaller kitchens need most: multi-functionality and space-saving ability. You can pretty much do everything in this type of oven, from defrosting, steaming, and sterilizing to heating, reheating, and even crisping, and remain in mostly one place while you do so.
Fridge
We don’t replace our fridge that often, which means we’re missing out on some amazing technology.
Modern fridges have more advanced cooling systems that keep food fresher longer. Some have individual compartments that can be set to different temperatures, depending on the food items stored in them. In terms of design, you can choose between tons, including the most popular single-door options and those with French doors.
In most models, freezers can be found either below or above the fridge. In case you need more freezer space, a side-by-side model should be able to deliver in that regard.
Fridge placement is also an important factor. Ideally, it would be best to have yours positioned near or at the kitchen’s entry point so that anyone who needs to grab something doesn’t get in the way of another person using the kitchen.
If there’s an item in your kitchen that’s bound to impress people, it’s the fridge. In case you’re heading this route, pick a fridge that has all the features of a modern fridge. You want it to be imposing, with a sleek design that will have your guests’ jaws dropping. This will be an awesome fridge to have in the kitchen if you have the budget.
Small Appliances
Your cooking needs might call for slow cookers, rice cookers, and all-in-one cookers. But the thing with these appliances is they might not all be kitchen-cabinetry friendly.
It’s important to be careful about where these moisture-generating appliances are placed. Positioned in an area with insufficient ventilation, these items could lead to their or other items’ premature malfunctioning.
There is normally enough open space in the kitchen for heat to dissipate, but there are still spots where heat can get trapped. Kitchen cabinets, for example, provide little to no space for heated air to pass, so you want to avoid storing your appliances there.
Buying Smart Can Make All the Difference
Kitchen appliances are not created equal; some are simply better than others. The key to ensuring fewer headaches down the road is to choose a good brand. These brands have representatives who can tell you everything you need to know about their products and whether or not they deserve a place in your kitchen.
Furthermore, you should know when and where to buy these products. You may be able to avail of discounts as part of promotions oriented around holidays or seasonal sales. And check if the brand’s official website has something special they might be able to offer you.
