How to Pick Your Important Kitchen Appliances
Find the ideal oven, refrigerator, range and more without going nutty — these resources help you sort through your the appliance options
Vanessa Brunner
March 1, 2013
Houzz Contributor
Kitchen appliances are investments, so it's important to shop with caution. You may have your heart set on a massive stainless steel range, but be prepared for an equally massive price tag to go with it. Decide on your budget beforehand and then research which appliance shapes, sizes, styles and setups will work for your kitchen. These Houzz kitchen appliance guides will help you sort it all out.
Ranges
This classic oven-cooktop combination suits most kitchens in both style and function. Determine your budget, available space and style ahead of time to help you decide between a standard slide-in freestanding range, a stainless steel commercial-style range, a vintage cast iron range and more.
Guide: Find the Right Range for Your Kitchen
This classic oven-cooktop combination suits most kitchens in both style and function. Determine your budget, available space and style ahead of time to help you decide between a standard slide-in freestanding range, a stainless steel commercial-style range, a vintage cast iron range and more.
Guide: Find the Right Range for Your Kitchen
Ovens
If you’ve opted out of the standard range arrangement, you’ll need to find a separate oven and cooktop for your kitchen. This can be a great thing for wannabe chefs, since it opens up a world of possibilities: Double ovens, wall ovens, warming drawers and steam ovens can all potentially find a spot in your kitchen.
Guide: Find the Right Oven Arrangement for Your Kitchen
If you’ve opted out of the standard range arrangement, you’ll need to find a separate oven and cooktop for your kitchen. This can be a great thing for wannabe chefs, since it opens up a world of possibilities: Double ovens, wall ovens, warming drawers and steam ovens can all potentially find a spot in your kitchen.
Guide: Find the Right Oven Arrangement for Your Kitchen
Cooktops
Having a separate cooktop allows for more flexibility in design and cooking. If you love wall ovens or just want to keep your baking and cooking space separate, you’ll want to find an individual electric or gas range.
Guide: Find the Right Cooktop for Your Kitchen
Having a separate cooktop allows for more flexibility in design and cooking. If you love wall ovens or just want to keep your baking and cooking space separate, you’ll want to find an individual electric or gas range.
Guide: Find the Right Cooktop for Your Kitchen
Refrigerators
Refrigerators can take up a lot of visual space. Think carefully about how much room you’ll actually need for storing food before you start shopping. Houzz’s refrigerator guide can help you decide between counter-depth, full-depth and built-in refrigerator models.
Guide: Stay Cool About Picking the Right Refrigerator
Refrigerators can take up a lot of visual space. Think carefully about how much room you’ll actually need for storing food before you start shopping. Houzz’s refrigerator guide can help you decide between counter-depth, full-depth and built-in refrigerator models.
Guide: Stay Cool About Picking the Right Refrigerator
Microwaves
Once you finally have the kitchen of your dreams, you want to make sure that every little thing looks right — including the microwave. While it’s not the most glamorous appliance, it’s a necessity for most. Some like to up the ante with built-in models, while others are content with countertop versions. Check out our guide to learn which version is right for you.
Guide: Get Cookin’ With the Right Microwave
Once you finally have the kitchen of your dreams, you want to make sure that every little thing looks right — including the microwave. While it’s not the most glamorous appliance, it’s a necessity for most. Some like to up the ante with built-in models, while others are content with countertop versions. Check out our guide to learn which version is right for you.
Guide: Get Cookin’ With the Right Microwave
Universally Designed Appliances
Even if your kitchen isn't in your "forever home," it's important to take different mobility needs into account. Elderly visitors, young children or others with limited mobility should feel comfortable in your kitchen. Part of that means choosing appliances that everyone can use and be safe around.
Guide: How to Choose Kitchen Appliances for Universal Design
Even if your kitchen isn't in your "forever home," it's important to take different mobility needs into account. Elderly visitors, young children or others with limited mobility should feel comfortable in your kitchen. Part of that means choosing appliances that everyone can use and be safe around.
Guide: How to Choose Kitchen Appliances for Universal Design
Eco-friendly Appliances
So many kitchen appliances today come with some sort of eco-friendly or sustainability guarantee slapped to the front of the box. But what actually makes a difference to the environment and your energy bill? Paying close attention to the size and energy output before buying a new appliance can help you save money in the long run.
Guide: How to Choose and Use Ecofriendly Kitchen Appliances
So many kitchen appliances today come with some sort of eco-friendly or sustainability guarantee slapped to the front of the box. But what actually makes a difference to the environment and your energy bill? Paying close attention to the size and energy output before buying a new appliance can help you save money in the long run.
Guide: How to Choose and Use Ecofriendly Kitchen Appliances
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For the people who want better appliances for less money, I turned to Direct Buy and got a 36 inch gas top, electric oven range with the fridge and dishwasher for 8500 dollars. Lowe's sell the stove alone for 5500. They are all Aga appliances. I love the retro looking stove with 3 ovens. Every man who has come in the house has complimented the stove. I believe Aha will stand up well. I have had them 5 years still going strong
Sorry Aga
So you love to bake but you're not sure what mixer to get. Check out our Mixer buying guide at kitchenmixersguide.com to get more information before making a decision.