When designing your dream kitchen, there are plenty of things to think about. Colourways, finishings, flooring - every aspect is important. But arguably the most important part of a kitchen are the appliances you choose. Is freestanding or integrated better for your kitchen? What are the differences, and how will they affect your home experience?
In this post, we will answer these questions and more so that you can confidently choose the right appliances for your dream kitchen. First, let’s look at what each popular kitchen appliance type is.
What are freestanding appliances?
Freestanding appliances are complete appliances with their own finished sides, which can stand on their own. Appliances are often sold like this, as they can simply be placed in the kitchen, plugged in, and they’ll work perfectly. If you’re looking for a few key pieces or you particularly like the appearance of certain appliances, this may be the ideal option for you.
What are built-in appliances?
Built-in appliances are integrated into the kitchen walls or cabinets, creating a more seamless look and feel. With these appliances, you are able to ensure that everything fits and suits each other perfectly, without colour or texture differences between the different devices and surfaces. If you are designing a modern kitchen with a unified design concept, this aesthetic may be ideal.
Freestanding appliances vs Built-in appliances
There are a number of differences between freestanding and integrated appliances, besides what’s mentioned above. Here are the main characteristics of each, which differ from the other:
Freestanding appliances
- Generally more affordable
- Freestanding appliances are easier to install and set up, as they have complete sides
- They can easily be relocated or moved to a new location if you move to another house
- You can incorporate stand out pieces from brands that you like
Integrated appliances
- Integrated appliances are built into the walls or cabinetry, which provides a seamless, integrated look for modern kitchens
- The panel-ready models can be customised to blend into the cabinetry and walls so that the appliances look like another cabinet instead of standing out as a dishwasher or refrigerator
- Built-in appliances are permanently installed in the kitchen, so they cannot be relocated
- If you remodel your kitchen in the future, your appliances will require an overhaul
Is freestanding or integrated better?
There are a number of pros and cons for each of these options, and the right choice depends on your preferences, kitchen design, and budget. Fortunately, you cannot go wrong with either of these options.
When designing your kitchen you should first and foremost ensure that the working capacity of each appliance is what you’re looking for. After all, form follows function, and a beautiful kitchen won’t do you any good if you never want to cook in it because of frustrating or inefficient appliances.
