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Do your appliances need to be the same brand to match?

7 years ago

Just wondering about this. Obviously there are sometimes promotions to buy all of one brand, but them I feel like you are compromising some features. In a brand new kitchen does it look odd to have a mish mash of brands?

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soybean1164

7 years ago

I've had the same question. For some picky people the name badge would bother them. But you do have to look carefully, as each brands stainless seems to give off a different shine or shimmer sometimes... I would try to at least match brands that are going to be close to one another, like the fridge and dishwasher may be noticeable if they were different. But for example a range top and a fridge different brands one wouldn't notice. We have a thermador range top now and all kenmore elite appliances in the rest of the kitchen.

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Comments (9)

dadoes
7 years ago
"... but them I feel like you are compromising some features."

Exactly. Many homeowners/builders prefer that appliances all be the same brand ... but a discerning homeowner should be more concerned with choosing each appliance according to the desired/required features instead of matching aesthetics.
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I'm going to throw my hat in with the "nope" group. A lot of appliances are built by the same manufacturer(s) and given different brand names with just a few differences. There's an appliance411.com website that details who makes what appliance. In my opinion, you should choose the appliance that best suits your needs (price, performance, style) and then find a cohesive look such as all stainless or black or white. OR you could go for a great accent piece (I REALLY wanted a red refurbished O'Keefe & Merritt range but most vintage ranges are too big for my standard 30" slot between cabinets) and then the rest of the appliances can look similar. As for which brand is best, if you're not cross-eyed by searching reviews and options by now, you soon will be! What I finally had to do was figure out what KIND of range I wanted - electric, gas or dual fuel. Then I had to think about performance and how I cook (which is ALL THE TIME). I decided I wanted as few electronics as possible and a workhorse. The last thing I need on an oven is a "chicken nugget" mode. We've settled on a Wolf all gas range. I'm new to this forum, too, after reading and researching for several weeks. It can be kind of hard to find what you're looking for if you don't know exactly what to search or even exactly WHAT you're looking for. I've learned a LOT and most people are very helpful in answering your questions. Good luck! Dana
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IMHO, disagree with your GC. The all-the-same brand-loyalty thing has been dying for several decades. Even the up-scale houses I look at during the "street of dreams" tours have kitchens that are mixed brand-wise. People doing renos, especially, tend to buy appliance-at-a-time depending on what they think is best for themselves. The other side is that brands certainly DO try to make their stuff go together appearance-wise. I suspect that's what your GC is keying on. If that's important to you, then I yield. Certainly is IS important to many people. But it's your choice.
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I bought a new refrigerator, micro, and refrigerator, all different brands, but all brushed stainless. I still have my 20 year old dishwasher, and every time I use it I hold my breath. I will probably replace it this coming year, but after reading about all the problems people have with cleaning drips and smears, I hesitate to get the stainless front. Could get a black front - that would work but it would probably show marks also. I'm almost thinking of getting the stainless, but leaving on that blue plastic stuff stuck to the front for shipping just to keep it clean as it's right in the spot where I stand to do all my baking. I may be putting my house on the market and would hate to have a gummed up dishwasher front. I don't have much company, and the blue front would be a topic of conversation! I do have Kenmore Elite refrigerator and I love it and I can see a difference on my power bill. I could kick myself for getting an ice-maker as about the only time I use ice is to cool down steamed veggies, and packing cold foods to transport.
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I'd never considered it, but yes. We didn't design or redo this kitchen but my cabinets and appliances are white and so are both our vehicles. Although the color name for my car is 'something pearl' so while white, I can see it in a row of white cars in a parking lot, it's not white-white. I have given thought as to how vehicles would look in the driveway against the color of the house if not put away, I had never thought about how they would look in my kitchen.
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homechef59
7 years ago
No. Functionality before aesthetics. Just as long as they are the same color, all stainless, all black, all white.
malabacat
7 years ago
I agree completely with homechef. I have Miele, Bluestar, and Kenmore in my kitchen. Get the appliance you like best for each function (range, fridge etc...).
sherri1058
7 years ago
I don't think I've ever had a kitchen with all of its appliances having the same company logo.....
artemis_ma
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Mine have always been different manufacturers, and my parents' as well. I think the only times in real life I've seen identical manufacturers across the board in a kitchen have been in builder-grade or spec builds.

Some companies make better DWs, some make better fridges, and so on. I rather have the best in my price range for each appliance. Since I live alone (though I do entertain), I know I can always wash dishes by hand. Hence for that, my needs were low end, but a brand and model with a good reliability record. I microwave seldom, so a basic counter top model was fine for me. I was/am a lot more picky about the fridge, which I wanted ergonomic for my needs. And especially about my range!

I did have to compromise on color - my induction range is black AND SS, whereas the other appliances are black. But it goes with my coffee maker, and the SodaStream, which will remain out in the beverage station - black with SS trim.

I do remember watching a HouseHunter's episode, whilst waiting my turn at a walk-in clinic, with the wife of the couple kvetching about the fact that the appliances were from different companies. Obviously no clue that quality and function should come first (and perhaps she never cooked, anyway). But she was pretty whiney about everything else, too.
Fori
7 years ago
There are some considerations though...some appliances are very modern looking (Miele for example) and others are more commercial or faux professional. The handles should kinda sorta not fight. My Miele speed oven does not look all that great with my pro style range, but the Miele is a necessary evil so I let it stay.

(As far as stainless matching goes, I have a Broan hood, Miele oven, Panasonic microwave, American Range range, and stainless steel counters and they all go just fine.)
cpartist
7 years ago
No one will ever notice if all the appliances are branded the same. They will notice whether your meal is good or so-so though so get the best appliance for the job.
oneandonlybobjones
7 years ago
Some brands have models that don't have a brand badge to make it easier for them to blend in with a mix of appliances.

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