Integrated appliances? Or not?

[whatagradeA]

Please can you talk to me about integrated appliances!?

I'm definitely having the cooker integrated but I'm not sure about the others. The reasons being....

The fridge will be smaller. I've heard dishwashers aren't as good (can't remember why!) and the washing machine. Will that be smaller inside? And they always seem noisier when I hear other people's. Is that cause they rattle in the cabinet?

But they look neater integrated don't they? And easier to clean cause stuff doesn't go in and around and you would just sweep/mop up to the plinth.

Any thoughts will be appreciated! Thanks

[lalalonglegs]

I've got all integrated appliances purely because I think non-integrated looks ugly. The dishwasher is fine and I've never heard of anyone's integrated d/w working less efficiently because of that (all it is is a bit of board over the door after all).

Yes, the fridge is a bit smaller but I can't say I notice enormously (we are a family of five and I don't feel I run out of fridge space but I don't have lots of juice and other drinks in there or food that comes in lots of bulky packaging etc). The washing machine is in the utility room and normal but in the past we have had integrated w/m and I don't remember it being noiser - the drum isn't any smaller than normal, I don't think.

If you want a kitchen to look at all sleek then integrated is the only way to go (mine is also very small so the appliances would have really jarred). If you want a less fitted look then it may matter less but I really hate w/m and d/w on display in particular [anal emoticon].

[hildathebuilder]

Integrated cost more, there is less choice, and if anything goes wrong they are much harder to replace. Used to have separate, moved house now all integrated nd I hate it. Dishwasher is smaller, and has had a fault (common with Bosch after 5-7 years) can easily be remedied by the old swtich off and on again to clear a jammed programme, apart from the fact that means turning the whole power circuit off. Would have replaced it with a non integrated but can't.

Don't have washing machine in Kitchen. I have always hated that set up and it seems wrong to mix dirty or clean clothes with where food is cooked but that's just me. Moved the washing machine out when we moved here.

Personally I think non integrated aren't ugly, but that does depend

[DurhamDurham]

We've got intergrated appliances. The kitchen always looks tidy and smart. The fidge is small but we have a full size fridge-freezer in the utility room. Our dishwasher is fab, it's the quietest one we've had and washes dishes well on a 30 min cylcle (it's an AEG)

[ginmakesitallok]

Word of warning - we bought our house - came with all ingegrated appliances. We had to replace the washing machine - so just bought another integrated one thinking we could reattach the door front - WRONG!! Sizes are different now and original doorfront can't go back on. So we've now got an integrated machine, which is un-integrated.

[Earlybird]

Integrated looks better (imo), but as others have said, are MUCH more expensive to replace. Also there is not nearly so much selection.

[whatagradeA]

Thanks everyone. I've just been reading an old thread about this and was surprised how many people don't like integrated!

Lala, my kitchen's tiny so I did think it would help it look sleeker. Hilda there's nowhere else for the washing machine to go I'm afraid!!

I think I found appliances I'm happy with but realise I'd be paying a bit over the odds. I also think everyone knows I have a dishwasher, fridge etc ... why am I trying to hide it?! But it will just look tidier won't it?!

[lalalonglegs]

hilda has a point about the plugs - we asked our electrician to put the plugs and sockets for the integrated appliances at the back of the next cabinet along, iyswim, so if we need to turn off the d/w or fridge, we can just reach into the cupboard next to it rather than pull the whole machine out.

[lalalonglegs]

If you're not that bothered about your kitchen looking quite utilitarian, then don't use integrated but if you want it to look a bit slicker (especially if it's small) and, if I'm honest, a bit more stylish, I would always use integrated.

People probably know I have a compost bucket and scouring pads but I don't choose to have them out on display because I don't think they add anything to the appearance of my kitchen .

[Thandeka]

warning about integrated fridges- we had a foul foul foul smell coming from our kitchen- after a long long time of tracking it down we discovered that there was a ridicolus design flaw where there was a hole in the base of it for drips? but that didnt go anywhere cleanable (some have drip trays?) so any skank was pooling in the floor and it really was the foulest smell ever! Had to take entire fridge unit out and spend hours poking cloths on sticks at the back of it trying to clean it! Wont get an integrated fridge/freezer ever again.
(new kitchen has integrated dishwasher (and very expensive integrated bin system!), cooker but we managed to put washing machine in former immersion cupboard and we have a tall fridge freezer which isnt integrated due to issue above!

[whatagradeA]

Yes, the electrician has already suggested that for the plugs! Grossed out by the fridge story! I was just thinking I might have the fridge free standing so I don't lose any space, and it'll be opposite the cooker so will look balanced IYSWIM. Then hide the washing machine and dishwasher.

Argh! There's so much to fret over! But I'm not going to be doing this again so need to get it right first time!

[Earlybird]

Think you'll find integrated appliances are more than 'a bit' more expensive - my last integrated fridge was, I think, about a third more expensive than the equivalent non-integrated model.

Compare before you decide.

[cuckooclock]

My parents kitchen has integrated and is a nightmare when appliances need replaced, fridge - couldn't get right size and door wont fit on, vent in different place, washine machine - same problem with door, size not a problem as most washing machines same size, very limited choice of integrated, dishwasher - a nightmare when needed a repair, same problem with door not fitting as control panel size different. Oven and hob - no problems at all. Yes they look lovely when new, but a few years down the line may be more bother than it is worth. How long do you plan to stay in the house?

[hester]

Another one here who doesn't like integrated. Expensive, faffy, limited choice. I can see that they give you a sleeker-looking kitchen; but my kitchen is so far from being a vision of sleekness I'm just not aiming that high.

[whatagradeA]

Mmmm. Thanks for all your thoughts

We will be here long term - no plans to move ever! So it will be us having the hassle of replacing!

The kitchen I have is hideously badly laid out. Lots of wasted space. So the new kitchen is about making it functional and sensible and usable. I think I've got a bit caught up in the prettiness aspect! And actually the usability (is that a word?!) is the most important thing to me. (And the solid wood worktops In fact, with walnut worktops no-one's going to be looking at the washing machine anyway!!

[noddyholder]

I have integrated and just think it gives a better look.When they need replaced it has never been a problem but have only done that twice ever.I generally have a big open plan space so prefer not to see them.

[lalalonglegs]

gradeA - one last shot at persuading you to go down the integrated route: I think it would completely ruin an expensive worktop to have a w/m on display. Layout is very important but you don't have to compromise "prettiness" to get a good, efficient kitchen design.

I have never had a problem with my fridges creating weird smells - I have had three integrated fridges in different houses I have lived in, my parents have integrated in their kitchen in UK and in Italy and my in-laws have one in their home - no problems ever. I haven't had to replace anything except a w/m once and, unaware that it would be a problem, I just bought another integrated model pretty much at random and it was fine. It is true that they are more expensive and there aren't as many models but there are still dozens of different makes and types so how much choice do you need with white goods?

[LemonDifficult]

I disagree about the look of the kitchen. I prefer non-integrated and that's definitely becoming more fashionable.

There's a movement away from slick and integrated to freestanding or component kitchens. There's quite a gentle feel to this - range cookers with kitchen dressers, butchers blocks and so on - but it's also possible to do with a very contemporary look.

I prefer this because I think it's authentic as it allows you to update things as fashion/your taste changes and doesn't restrict you so much, especially if this is your home long term. Plus, I would definitely recommend that you spend your money on getting the best appliances you can. With good research, it'll be money well spent.

Of critical importance - and for me the deciding factor - would be the cleaning aspect. You'll never love your kitchen if you can't get it clean. Integrated my give you an easier clean, or it may be that things will get stuck where you can't get to them. Thandeka's fridge is a cautionary tale...

[noddyholder]

I don't think a really well planned functional kitchen is a fashion though.I have been renovating houses for about 12 years and I have always done a mi=xture of fitted and freestanding.There is a middle ground.Several years ago pieces like ranges and dressers were very popular as was the ikea/habitat freestanding look.Then it became a lot more fitted with kitchens like tsunami etc.The look I have had most success with is a combination.I generally have all appliances integrated unless particularly attractive eg range cookers and bespoke wall shelves and cupboards to give an open individual feel.Obviously it is a matter of taste but atm with all the open plan rooms integrated are very popular again as people are living in their kitchens more and more and want a room feel.

[TracyK]

I would always have integrated - much neater looking imo. I'm not even sure I like these big American fridge freezers out on show.

I've never had any problems replacing items. But I'd always go for the quietest options. I got a Whirlpool dishwasher from Habitat and I sometimes forget its on as its so quiet.

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

We have the best of both - integrated for some, free standing for others.

In addition to built in, we decided on a big American style fridge freezer so we could have the ice dispenser and a free standing range style cooker.

A happy combination.

[whatagradeA]

Piste, I would be a very, VERY happy lady if I could have an american style fridge freezer and range cooker

Oh I'm a spin about it all again now! Thought I had it sussed! Lots of good advice here - just a shame it's conflicting

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

We knocked our kitchen and dining room through which created the space. I am delighted with he whole space now.