All You Need to Know About Fully Integrated Appliances for the Kitchen

Fully integrated appliances in the kitchen have become extremely popular in recent years. The fully integrated look is most often used in contemporary or modern kitchen designs but can be implemented to enhance any style of kitchen. Let’s look at exactly what integrated appliances are, and if you should consider installing them during your next kitchen redesign.

What Are Fully Integrated Appliances?

Fully integrated appliances operate just like traditional, freestanding, or built-in appliances, but are styled to blend completely into your kitchen cabinet design. When the appliances are closed, you’ll see no signs of an appliance; they’ll look identical to your cabinets. No hinges, no vents, no hardware to give any indication that there’s a kitchen appliance.

What Are the Benefits of Fully Integrated Appliances?

Fully integrated appliances offer several benefits that make them worth considering:

• A sleek, modern design: The smooth transition from kitchen cabinets to appliances is completely seamless to create an aesthetically pleasing look.
• Efficient use of space: The gaps that surround your refrigerator, oven, and other appliances are a major waste of space. When you eliminate those gaps with integrated appliances, you could probably fit a small cupboard or shelving in the saved space.
• Hidden features: Integrated appliances hide all of the features you might not like about your appliances. Vents, compressors, handles, hinges, and more are all hidden from view. You’ll only see a smooth flow from cabinetry to appliance.

However, there are two major drawbacks to fully integrated appliances:

• Cost: Integrated appliances tend to cost more than built-in or freestanding appliances. That’s important to remember if you are renovating on a budget.
• Permanency: Once you’ve installed the integrated appliances, you can’t take them with you if you move. Freestanding appliances are much easier to take with you.

Which Kitchen Appliances Can be Fully Integrated into My Kitchen?

The kitchen appliances that most people choose to have integrated are their refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens. You can also choose to have your microwave and range hood integrated as well. Remember that choosing whether or not to have fully integrated appliances isn’t an “all or none” proposition. In fact, one of the most popular options for kitchen remodels is to integrate the refrigerator and dishwasher, while leaving your oven and microwave as a built-in or freestanding unit. This can be a very modern and attractive look.

How Do I Decide if Fully Integrated Appliances Are Right for Me?

There are a lot of appliance options to choose from when remodeling your kitchen. It’s important that you consider what is right for your space, budget, and sense of style before making a final decision.

Speaking to a kitchen designer at Special Additions can help you determine what types of appliances, countertops, flooring, and cabinets will work best together to create your dream kitchen. Special Additions is one of the largest and most reputable cabinetry dealers in the New Jersey/New York Area. We’ve been family owned and operated since we opened our doors in 1978 and we look forward to serving you.