Why does everyone want us to have a "bank of appliances"?

[LauraPashley]

Getting kitchen plans done at the moment - I want a range cooker, its what I have now, what I know, what I like! But every kitchen planner type person we see looks aghast and can't understand why I don't want these integrated things and a separate hob - am I missing some incredible benefit?

an oven on the wall can be easier to reach things in and out of, especially I suppose if you have a bad back/knees and/or are fat/old/pregnant. Otherwise i have always preferred big cookers. I generally don't like integrated appliances as they are much more work to install, remove or repair, or to match a replacement neatly.

I have seen ovens integrated with a matching or poly-functional huge microwave, which can be very handy

The new one here is a double-oven cooker, and the bottom one is much lower than our old single-oven cooker which had a pan drawer underneath.

If you have enough worktop elsewhere, I like the look of a Tall Wall of cabinets and appliances, all floor to ceiling.

I suppose if they sell you a built-in oven, you will need a unit to put it in so it helps their bottom line...

Fitted kitchens - where every element is built-in or integrated - are, imo, sleeker and I prefer them but if you are asking someone to design something for you, they should take your preferences into account. A lot of kitchen salespeople who double as designers (a) aren't very imaginative (b) don't have the software on their little computer simulations to build the sort of kitchen you require.

p.s.

are the kitchen planners hoping to make some money out of their inferior range of own-badge appliances, or offer to discount them as an inducement to sign? Kitchen company appliances are generally overpriced tat.

Because it is easier to design around built in stuff rather than fitting in a range cooker. You need to find a better kitchen designer. I have a range cooker and a large freestanding fridge. The only integrated appliances I have are the dishwasher and microwave.

I had a unit built to fit around my freestanding fridge.

I prefer a built-in oven so I don't have to bend (not old or fat, just pregnant!) and also so it is out of DS's reach.
We have an oven paired with a combi microwave/oven/grill.
I also think food gets down the sides of freestanding cookers.

I don't know. I had the same when we did our kitchen.

I hate built in appliances, they are more expensive to replace when they brake.

well I'm not pregnant