Design Notes
You have been dreaming of a new kitchen for a while, and now the decision has been made to finally bring it to life. Cabinets, lights, faucets, tile, and flooring are all on your to-do list, but what about the kitchen appliances? Have you thought about whether you want a double oven? Two dishwashers? Maybe you want a wide refrigerator, a separate beverage cooler, or a wine fridge? The choice of kitchen appliance you need depends on what is important to you and what will suit your lifestyle. We will share some of our best tips on which appliances are best for your specific needs.
Kitchen Appliances: Oven
This appliance yields the greatest results: hot meals, but it may be hard to know exactly which one is right for you. Here are a few things to consider when starting your search.
- Size: The average size is between 27 and 30 inches wide, but you can find custom sizes, depending on your kitchen layout. Consider choosing a narrow oven for a small area since this will leave more room for cabinets, but if you have a large area, you have options for an oven that can even include a griddle.
- Placement: There are several options for where to place the oven, including the island, main area, or even on the wall. There are several factors to consider when choosing one of these placements, such as whether you would rather have it near the sink to keep things clean or on the island for ample prep space. Talk through your options with your designer to make sure the best choice is made.
- Color: Standard colors offered include white, black, and stainless steel. These are great selections, but don’t be afraid to make a statement with a custom color like blue or bold red. It can turn your oven into a beautiful focal point.
- Budget: This is an important part of the process and deserves some thought. Prices range from the basic $350 to the more elaborate $3,500 and up. How often you use it and what you will be making are two factors to consider when nailing down a budget.
- Style: Are you looking for that griddle to make those Saturday morning breakfasts, or maybe you want a gas one instead of an electric one? Steam and convection ovens are another option that can make baking and reheating leftovers super easy. Write down some things that are a must for you and talk with your designer.
The oven is a central part of the kitchen and plays a part in preparing the perfect meal for your family, so it deserves careful consideration.
Kitchen Appliances: Refrigerator
Known by many names, including the “icebox” and the classic “fridge”, this appliance is probably the most visited in the kitchen. It has evolved from a basic box used to keep items cold into a trendy statement through the use of color and new innovative technology. Multiple styles include double doors, freezer drawers, and a sleek stainless steel finish.
Choosing the one that is best for you involves considering the size of your family and the amount of space needed to store your items. If you shop weekly, then a smaller one may be an option unless you have a large family. Something else to consider is how visible you want it to be. Do you want it to be part of the design by choosing a color that works well with the style and aesthetic of the space, or do you want to hide it away behind a panel? Both are excellent options and can work well with your design, but it is essential to consider this before purchasing the refrigerator, since it can alter your design.
Be sure to mention any questions you have to your designer. They will be able to address them, help you navigate through all of the options, and find what is best for you.
Kitchen Appliances: Dishwasher
If there is one thing we can all agree on, it’s that no one really enjoys doing dishes. We are grateful for the invention of the dishwasher and the tremendous help it has been to individuals everywhere. Here is our list of things to consider when compiling your list of must-haves.
- Noise: While the convenience of the dishwasher is wonderful, the noise that can accompany it is not so wonderful, especially with open floor plans where everyone can be heard easily. Consider choosing one that runs with a volume below 55db.
- Amount: One dishwasher has been the standard forever, but more and more homeowners are installing two, which makes it super easy to unload. Simply put in your dirty dishes, run the dishwasher, and use the clean dishes as needed while placing the new dirty dishes in the second dishwasher. You can go back and forth between the two with no more hassle.
- Placement: Do you prefer having the dishwasher next to the sink, or is it easier to have it behind you on the island? Knowing your routine and preferences can help you decide where to place it and simplify your daily routines.
- Options: Water pressure, cycle selections, temperature, drying options, and more are available now. Whether you want to be more eco-friendly by using less water or can go longer on the dry cycle, there is a choice for that now.
It is nice to have a variety of dishwasher selections available, so be sure to take time to look at at least a few. Here are a few additional things to consider when choosing these kitchen appliances.
Beverage Center
Do you enjoy having a cold soda, bottled water, or wine chilled to perfection? Sometimes this is impossible with a standard refrigerator, at least not without robbing you of precious space. Including a beverage center or wine cooler in your design can help you get precisely what you need for everyone.
- Why a wine cooler? Wine needs to be kept at a specific temperature and humidity level, neither of which a refrigerator can maintain without ruining everything else in it. The coolers are designed to keep your wine in the perfect form, always ready to be enjoyed.
- Why a beverage center? This is an excellent option for those who enjoy having specialty drinks or want to keep them cold instead of storing them in the pantry. Since they can rob you of space in the refrigerator, it is a great option, plus it allows everyone to have easy access whenever they need it.
Whether it is a wine cooler or a beverage center, these are great options that give everyone what they need at a convenient location.
Greenbrook DesignYou have just waved goodbye to your last child as they head out to college. While you adjust to not having kids in the house, you also begin to realize that you now have more space, but you’re not sure what to do with it. There are many ways to reuse the space, expand existing spaces, or make room for something new. Let’s take a look at the design possibilities available to you.
In the second of our three-part series on selection tips, we want to focus on tile. Backsplash, shower walls, and flooring are just a few of the many uses for tile since it is beautiful, durable, and timeless. Sometimes considered a small part of the design, it has the potential to make a big impact on the design. Here are some helpful tips when choosing tile.
While cabinets tend to be the focal point of the main spaces, such as kitchens and bathrooms, it is the details that add the final touch to the design. The selection process can be one of the highlights of the design phase, but it can also be overwhelming with multiple styles, colors, and options. In this three-part series, we want to give our best tips for the top three categories of selections and help make this as enjoyable and simple as possible. Our focus today is hardware.
In our final part of the selection tips series, we want to focus our attention on lighting. Good lighting can make a difference in the room; no one enjoys struggling to see around the shadows cast by insufficient light or the glare of one placed too low. Here’s what should be on your list of things to look for when selecting your lighting.
There’s no denying the appeal of HGTV’s popular renovation shows such as Fixer Upper, Love It or List It, and Property Brothers. These programs consistently deliver impressive home transformations, turning outdated properties into stylish, modern living spaces—all within the span of a neatly packaged, one-hour episode.
While unexpected challenges and budget concerns occasionally arise, the hosts reliably navigate these obstacles, keeping projects on track and showcasing the kind of resilience and problem-solving that resonates with homeowners and renovation professionals alike.
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