For years, when building or renovating kitchens, many people have opted for built-in kitchen appliances, even though they can be more expensive. This includes refrigerators, but primarily ovens, stovetops, and dishwashers due to their dimensions.
One of the most obvious benefits of built-in appliances over traditional freestanding ones is aesthetics. A kitchen with built-in appliances offers simpler and cleaner lines. For instance, a built-in dishwasher can be installed so that it’s entirely hidden behind matching cabinet fronts, creating a uniform look in the kitchen. This approach is particularly beneficial if your kitchen cabinets are in a specific color, as it allows the dishwasher to blend seamlessly.
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However, the main downside is that operating the appliance can be slightly more cumbersome, as you need to open the cabinet first, then the dishwasher. This can be particularly inconvenient if you’re in the habit of placing each dish into the dishwasher right after use.
Key Benefits of Built-In Kitchen Appliances
Of course, a more practical installation of the dishwasher is possible, with its door visible and aligned with the rest of the kitchen fronts. If you opt for a higher-end dishwasher, like one made of stainless steel, this setup can be even more attractive.
Built-in dishwashers are installed so that the countertop extends over them, matching the countertops on the rest of the kitchen elements. This allows for a continuous countertop that stretches across the entire kitchen, providing more workspace for food preparation and eliminating seams between kitchen units. This not only enhances aesthetics but also makes cleaning easier.
The same applies to built-in ovens. In this case, the oven is placed under the continuous countertop, with an induction cooktop usually installed above it to replace traditional burners. If the induction cooktop has touch controls, the lines are even sleeker, and cleaning is simplified.
A significant advantage in larger kitchens is that the oven doesn’t have to be installed at the usual lower level, which requires bending over to place dishes inside. Instead, a built-in oven can be installed higher, making it more accessible and easier to use, provided the kitchen layout allows for it.
Today, many manufacturers offer a wide range of built-in ovens that provide all the features of the best freestanding models. You can find multifunctional or convection built-in ovens that, in addition to heating elements, have fans for even baking on multiple racks.
The Main Drawbacks of Built-In Appliances
Of course, built-in appliances have some downsides. The first is cost. Built-in appliances are generally more expensive than similar freestanding units. While there are expensive freestanding appliances, it’s fair to say that the range of more affordable freestanding options is broader than that of built-in units.
Additionally, when opting for built-in appliances, the saying “measure twice, cut once” applies. This means you need to plan carefully where each appliance will go, as rearranging them later is either impossible or expensive.
Another consideration is that servicing built-in appliances can be more complicated because access to the back or underside of the unit, where repairs are usually done, is more difficult. As a result, repairs might also be more costly.