Why appliances not integrated in kitchens?

[user1471523870]

I keep seeing brand new kitchens where the washing machines (and sometimes the dishwashers) are not integrated. They stick out as a sore thumb in my view and would like to understand the reason for that. I am sure there must be a valid one, I am genuinely curious.

Do you know why to choose that over a sleek kitchen with all the appliances hidden behind the unit doors?

1. it’s cheaper not to intergrate 2) presumably it’s easier to replace the appliance if it breaks 3) if it’s the fridge/freezer some people prefer those plumbed in American style freestanding ones 4) if it’s your wine fridge obvs you want everyone to see you’ve spent £££ on vintage champagne

I’m totally with you though, think intergrated looks way nicer!

It's a lot cheaper to buy non-integrated appliances, you're restricted with choice of appliance and I don't know a single white goods engineer that has them in their own home (and I know a few). That's why I would actively avoid integrated kitchens if we were to move again.

Some people favour form over function so they integrate their appliances. Others prefer function over form so will by the best appliance that meets their needs and have it on show.

I hate the look of integrated appliances. Why keep a fridge in a cupboard? Makes as much sense to me as toilet roll dollies.

I have room for a much nicer cooker if it's a stand-alone model.

We couldn't afford to when we updated kitchen.

Think it’s cost. We have a “sleek” kitchen, looks great but is a PITA to replace something. We usually only have a choice of a couple of models of white goods, both pricey.

Moving soon and I’m not taking it into consideration because I don’t card anymore!

Not everyone wants the sleek look,my house is over a hundred years old and I don't like modern things, also the builder said most people are going back to having stand alone appliances as they don't last as long and are more difficult to fix when they are integrated.

I'm not a fan of integrated appliances. We had a new kitchen fitted last year and decided not to have them. I'd have spent too much time trying to remember where the fridge was and which cupboard was the dishwasher! 😂

In a kitchen that is just a kitchen, I'd have non-integrated appliances, because you get a much better choice of models and changing them is easier when they inevitably break. But in a kitchen/diner or other open plan layout, I would have integrated.

There is an exception though - I would never, ever have an integrated washing machine or tumble dryer, because having a separate, fake door to open before I can open the appliance just winds me up. It's different for the ones where opening the cupboard door opens the actual appliance (fridges, freezers, dishwashers), the separate fake door thing is just really annoying.

My kitchen came with an integrated washing machine and I hate it! The cabinet door can't be closed unless the washing machine door is fully closed, so either the machine never gets to air out or the cabinet door is always open a few inches. I would never get an integrated washing machine again!

I dislike the really sleek kitchen look so no integrated appliances for me

I wouldn't pay for integrated appliances if I had a separate kitchen. However in my kitchen diner I chose to as I spend a lot of time looking at them.

They are more expensive to buy, even more of pain to replace if they break and for washing machines often a real compromise on functionality. Fortunately I have a laundry cupboard now in the hallway so am no longer tied in to small, expensive integrated washer-dryers.

Because it would look ridiculous in my tiny kitchen and my house is almost 120 years old so a sleek kitchen isn't in keeping.

They are a pita when you need to replace an integrated machine and they no longer make that model with the right cabinet door and then to fit another one in you have to take all of the surround out so you end up with a right palaver. Tedious. Plus you cant change your mind and swap things about.

Mind you I am beginning to loathe fitted kitchens anyway.

I like my kitchen to look like a kitchen! I CBA to hide my fridge in a cupboard or pay the extra for an integrated dishwasher . .

Better choice of stuff and kitchens are functional rooms so it doesn’t bother me that they’re on view.

I don't like the heavy door of an integrated fridge or similar. Also like fridge magnets and notes!