The heart of the home, the kitchen is also arguably the most appliance-heavy room in the house, and that means a multitude of choices, styles and finishes to contend with. So where is the best place to begin when choosing kitchen appliances?

Small appliances

Small appliances are some of the most well used pieces in a kitchen. From the toaster to the rice cooker, the microwave to the wine fridge, these types of appliances are a key part of a functional and beautiful kitchen. Selecting the right pieces for your kitchen will depend on the space available, the style of other elements such as cabinetry, benchtop, lighting and finishes, and that of larger appliances such as ovens and fridges.

Cooking appliances

A vital part of any kitchen, choosing the right cooking appliances will allow for a seamless and functional kitchen design. Considering how the kitchen will be used most is a good place to start when embarking on a new kitchen design, or if you’re renovating an existing kitchen. Is it an entertainer’s kitchen where multiple people are likely to congregate and use different appliances simultaneously? Or is it a private kitchen used only by one or two people each day?

The answer to these questions will help to determine both the placement of cooking appliances as well as the layout of the kitchen itself and the style and type of cooking appliances chosen. 

An entertainer’s kitchen for example might work best if a large oven and cooktop is incorporated that can be used to cook meals for larger groups. A less used kitchen where food preparation and cooking will be for one or two people may instead favour large, multi-use worktops that can double as the home office, while cooking appliances may be smaller.

Rangehoods are part and parcel of any kitchen and selecting a style and finish that suits the other elements in the kitchen is important. Perhaps it’s a white rangehood designed to blend in with the wall decor, or perhaps it’s a stainless steel rangehood that juxtaposes the wall but creates a synergy between oven and fridge. 

Choosing fridges and freezers

The determining factor for selecting a fridge or freezer is generally the available space. If the appliance is for an existing kitchen then the available space will determine the style and size of the fridge/freezer that can be chosen. However, there is a multitude of styles, forms and functionalities that can be chosen, allowing for a greater freedom than ever before in this part of the kitchen. The same is true for dishwashers, warming drawers and other new home appliances.