Thinking about remodeling your kitchen with built-in appliances? Smart move! These modular, customized appliances can blend into your cabinets or countertops, giving your kitchen a high-end, cohesive look. Additionally, they free up counter space, making your kitchen feel more open and organized. This is perfect, especially for the popular open-concept trend, where the built-in appliances help maximize space.
But before you start installing a hidden fridge or built-in oven, proper planning is essential. Matching your appliances to your cabinetry ensures a seamless fit, and did you know that improper installation can reduce efficiency by up to 30%?
Well, to help you avoid such inconveniences, this blog will help you get your cooking space ready through thorough planning and installation. Let’s discover how these clever upgrades make a difference to your Kitchen Remodeling Project!
How Built-in Appliances Can Transform Your Kitchen Experience?
Opting for Built-in Appliances is one of the best kitchen design ideas for converting your space into a stylish, efficient workplace. Here’s how:
Optimized Space Utilization
Built-in appliances, such as integrated refrigerators, wall ovens, and microwave drawers, can easily eliminate the mess created by the freestanding units. This leaves more floor and counter space for meal preparation and movement, making it particularly beneficial for smaller kitchens, where every inch matters. Additionally, these appliances enable you to create designated zones for cooking, cleaning, and storage, which enhances your workflow.
Improved Accessibility
Appliances integrated into cabinetry can enable easy access without bending or stretching awkwardly. For example, wall ovens and microwaves placed at eye level can eliminate the need to lean over countertops or cabinets, reducing strain on the back. Built-in dishwashers and refrigerators with pull-out drawers or smart shelving systems can also improve ergonomics while providing easy access to various items. This makes cooking and cleaning tasks more convenient for homeowners with mobility challenges or limited strength.
Design Flexibility
Utilizing built-in appliances as one of the kitchen remodel ideas can offer you exceptional design flexibility. Options like panel-ready refrigerators and dishwashers allow you to maintain a balanced aesthetic look without the need for visible hardware. Additionally, built-in ovens and cooktops can be installed separately, allowing you to position them at the perfect height and location for better convenience and comfort. This flexibility enhances your kitchen’s style and improves the workflow, making cooking and cleanup more efficient.
Increased Resale Value
Investing in built-in appliances is a great financial strategy that can boost your home’s resale value. These appliances offer a luxurious look that attracts buyers willing to pay a premium for a move-in-ready home. They also point towards quality and durability, giving your space feel custom and high end appeal. Further, Homebuyers value the space-saving benefits and improved functionality of built-in setups. So, if you’re planning to sell in the future, upgrading to built-in appliances can be a game-changer as it helps your home stand out in a competitive market.
What To Consider When Planning For Built-In Appliances?
Accurate Appliance Specifications
Precise measurements are essential when integrating built-in appliances. You must start by checking the exact manufacturer’s specifications, as the height and width of the appliance can vary by model. This can lead to installation issues or ill-fitting cabinetry. It’s also important to check the required cutout dimensions for a modern kitchen design, as these measurements often differ from the appliance’s exterior size. This can result in gaps, misalignment, or even ventilation problems, affecting functionality and aesthetics.
Proper Ventilation
Built-in appliances like gas cooktops and ovens often release heat, cooking fumes, and moisture, so having a proper exhaust system is important. You can choose a ducted range hood venting through an exterior wall. The choice is based on your appliance’s output, which is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Unit). Cooktops with higher BTUs require a more powerful ventilation system to capture smoke and heat.
These kitchen appliances are often built into enclosed cabinetry for a seamless look. This is why you must ensure that there are adequate ventilation gaps and slots around the unit to allow heat dissipation and prevent heat buildup. Incorporating proper airflow into your design brings your luxury kitchen appliance ideas to life, ensuring they function efficiently while maintaining their sleek, built-in appeal.
Power Source Compatibility
Built-in appliances often have different voltage requirements than standard home appliances, so it’s important to know their exact power needs. For example, dishwashers and microwaves commonly run on 120-volt circuits, while some high-end ovens or cooktops may require 240 volts. These appliances also need dedicated circuits that can’t be shared with others, which helps prevent overloads and potential electrical issues. Before moving forward with your built-in setup, check whether your electrical panel can handle the extra load. If not, you may need to bring in a professional to upgrade it and ensure everything runs smoothly.
Smart Appliances
Wall ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, and other built-in appliances now come with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, letting you control them through smartphone apps or voice assistants. But to ensure a smooth experience, it’s important to check that your appliances are compatible with your existing smart home system.
Maintenance Access
Before paying the kitchen remodeling price, you must ensure the cabinetry design allows easy access to built-in appliances. Many appliances, such as built-in coffee machines, dishwashers, and microwaves, have essential components, electrical panels, or condenser coils that need regular cleaning, maintenance, or occasional repairs. So, to avoid future issues, consider adding removable panels or service doors that make it easy to reach these parts when needed.
Plumbing Considerations
Proper plumbing is crucial when installing built-in appliances. For dishwashers, the drain line needs the right slope to keep water flowing smoothly and prevent backflow, for which an air gap or check valve can help. However, if you’re adding a built-in refrigerator with a water dispenser or ice maker, ensure the water line is securely installed with flexible tubing. During this, you must not forget to install a shut-off valve nearby, which can prevent leaks and water damage without compromising your kitchen remodel style.
Expert Tips to Make Your Built-in Appliance Installation Stress-Free
Check How Appliance Doors Will Open
Wall ovens and refrigerators need room for doors to open completely, so you must stand in your kitchen and visualize how each door will open. While doing so, you must also ensure that the nearby cabinets, walls, or counters do not get in the way.
Verify Electrical And Plumbing Connections
Before installation, you must ensure accessible electrical outlets and water connections are positioned correctly. Use a checklist to verify their locations. If checking these connections is technical, you can contact a professional.
Choose Built-In Appliances Before Finalizing Cabinetry
Like there are various kitchen countertop options, built-in appliances are also available in a variety of sizes. This makes it more important to pick your appliances before custom cabinets are installed in order to ensure proper sizing.
Test Appliances Before Finishing Installation
You must test each appliance to ensure it functions correctly before sealing the cabinetry or installing the trim. Before the final installation, this step lets you catch issues like electrical malfunctions, improper heating or cooling, or misaligned doors and panels.
Coordinate With Professionals Early
If you are hiring contractors or professionals for cabinetry, countertops, electrical work, or kitchen remodeling in Glenview, IL, you must involve them from the very first phase of the project. This will help you clearly communicate your appliance choices and installation requirements so they can plan accordingly.
Plan For The Future
Consider leaving extra space for future upgrades. If you do not require an appliance now, you can accommodate one later, which saves you the hassle of costly renovations or adjustments.
Conclusion
Built-in appliances clearly showcase their magic in making your kitchen both practical and appealing. This is why we have provided you with all the required information on how to prepare your cooking space for these game-changing appliances.
If you need professional assistance, contact Illinois General Construction Services for kitchen remodeling in Northbrook, IL, and Glenview, IL. We are one of the best providers of remodeling and renovation services that work towards meeting excellence and exceeding your expectations.
