Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Handleless kitchen design - advice on fully integrated dishwashers

13 replies

audrey01 · 07/10/2013 19:34

I'm considering a true handleless kitchen and I need to make a decision on a fully integrated dishwasher. Some dishwashers are a bit taller (84.5cm) than the standard ones (80.5cm in height) which would appeal to me as there is more room at the top for taller glasses, etc.

My dishwasher will be in the middle of a run of base units and I'm a bit at a loss what to do about the continuous horizontal grip that runs throughout.

Do people choose the grip to run on the door, meaning that we will open the dishwasher door through a J handle type groove, so that the horizontal grip stays with the door when it is open. Or do people choose the grip to stay behind the dishwasher when the door is open.

I'm not sure what is or looks better. What would you do?

OP posts:
annalouiseh · 07/10/2013 20:43

You dont get a choice on the handleless grip, it depends on the kitchen range you are looking at.
Each handleless kitchen has a door or method to suit the style of kitchen for built under appliances.

Original poster
audrey01 · 07/10/2013 22:59

Not sure if you're familiar with German kitchens, the one I'm considering is a Schuller, their NextLine range.

I've been told they are able to do it either way so I need to decide which way is better.

do you own a handleless kitchen and if so, what did you do with your dishwaher?

OP posts:
OnePlanOnHouzz · 08/10/2013 09:09

not familiar with that range - but regularly work with Hacker, Miele and Nolte handless kitchens - and they just look exactly the same as the cabinet doors - totally integrated - with the same shape to the DW door as all of the others - it is the best way IMO otherwise it defeats the point of integrating it - if it's different to the other doors IYSWIM

Original poster
audrey01 · 08/10/2013 11:52

Thanks - how would the handleless kitchen work with a semi-integrated dishwasher?
Will I have a continuous grip on top coming from the units and another one on the door itself, just below the fascia, so that I am able to open the dishwasher?

OP posts:
Beccadugs · 08/10/2013 11:56

I'm not sure if this will answer your question, but we have no handles, just a groove along the top of drawers/cupboards. Dishwasher in the middle, and groove runs along the top, can be quite tricky to open, but looks seamless. Suspect I have misunderstood the "true handleless" bit though!

Original poster
audrey01 · 08/10/2013 12:03

Thanks Becca - yes, this would work with a standard height dishwasher, and the groove/grip runs along continuously at the top.
I was considering an extra tall dishwasher, but I can see this complicates things, so I might revert to the standard one.
I like semi-integrated dishwashers as well, easier to see where you are in the programme, etc., but I guess it doesn't really work well with the handleless design, as there will be yet another groove on the door itself to be able to open it.

OP posts:
pootlebug · 08/10/2013 12:09

By 'true handleless' do you mean that all the cupboards open via a push mechanism, so that there is no groove along top of drawers/cupboards to pull them out?

Ours has a groove along the top, and the dishwasher just looks identical to the rest of the run of cupboards - no separate handle to open.

If I had no groove along the top I would put a small handle on the dishwasher - similar to whatever I'd used on the fridge/freezer etc.

We went for the groove along the top precisely so as to avoid this problem (along with the risk of the push mechanism failing on drawers)

pootlebug · 08/10/2013 12:10

X-posted.

Our dishwasher is a Bosch one where you can adjust the heigh of the shelves very easily if you want to put in tall glasses etc.

Original poster
audrey01 · 08/10/2013 12:12

True handleless will be with the groove at the top. No push mechanism as more risk that it fails.

Anyone with a semi-integrated dishwasher in their handleless kitchen? Do you open the door from the groove at the top or is there a handle integrated in the door just below the exposed fascia with the buttons/controls?

OP posts:
pootlebug · 08/10/2013 14:02

Why do you want semi-integrated rather than integrated in a handleless kitchen? Just so you can see where you are in the programme? It will spoil the look of the handleless run of units, I think. Most semi-integrated ones I've seen have a groove, so that they can be used in both handleless and handle kitchens.

annalouiseh · 08/10/2013 18:06

Hi Audrey

Yes My Dh is familiar with them (his job)
We do have a Handleless kitchen - about 5yrs old now.
I know the German option where the aluminum rail runs across the top of the units.
you can still have a tall dishwasher as the plinth is normally made 120 high to allow for the handle rail

noddyholder · 08/10/2013 18:09

Get a fully not semi if going for true handleless

Original poster
audrey01 · 08/10/2013 21:42

I was considering this dishwasher:
www.miele.co.uk/dishwashers/G6310-Sci-CLST-387/
which has the integrated groove in the fascia itself, so wouldn't be a problem to open and still have the groove run along at the top.
But I take your point that a fully integrated dishwasher looks better in a handleless design. Thanks everyone for the feedback - much appreciated!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page