Integrated or free standing dishwasher?

[juniper9]

Can anyone help me out? novice

I get the basic difference between them (ie it's in the name!) but I don't know which one would suit my kitchen.

We inherited an IKEA kitchen and we would like to replace the end cupboard with a dishwasher. The work surface is wood and would go above the dishwasher.

Would it make sense to pull out the shelf and the bottom trim and fit a free standing dishwasher? Or should we go for an integrated one? If integrated, do we buy a new door from IKEA? One that folds down?

I'm trying to do all this whilst looking after a 5 week old baby who doesn't sleep, so please don't suggest I travel hundreds of miles to look at showrooms etc! It's going to have to be organised via internet, predominantly.

Thanks

(does that work yet MNHQ?!)

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MNHQ

Integrated should fit seamlessly into your kitchen and look just like one of the units. In your shoes I would probably go for freestanding - there is no guarantee that Ikea still stock your kitchen, and if they do, there may be a slight difference in finish on the door panel if the existing cupboards already have some wear and tear or discolouration.

An integrated dishwasher will replace the end unit but you will need a panel to support the worktop if these isnt a panel there already.

You will need a new door for the dishwasher. Please ensure you have water and waste supply (I know this sounds obvious but I speak from experience) in place before you go about buying that dishwasher.

A freestanding dishwasher will still need a panel to support the worktop but save you the bother of the door. Integrated looks better.

Have gone for integrated in my new kitchen purely because it makes my small kitchen look more uniform and less crowded by appliances.

do you want pretty or do you want practical?

Integrated are more expensive to buy, with less choice and fewer Best Buys, and far far more trouble when they have to come out for repair or replacement. It is sometimes difficult to find a matching new one in a few years when the old appliances are worn out.

If you have freestanding you just pull out the old one and push in the new one.

Free standing, unless it really looks awful.

I've had dishwashers that last10 years and ones that last about 4 and one that's doing OK now, but was mended 3 times at least in it's youth.

They are temperamental creatures.

I'm on my 2nd dishwasher in 14 years and neither have ever been repaired (both have been Bosch).

But the cost of an integrated appliance £459 is much greater than its free standing equivalent which would only be approx £280.

I prefer the look of integrated. My free standing one was a hurried buy and I hate the way it looks. We would love a fisher and paykel stainless steel freestanding dishwasher, but leaning towards a John Lewis built in for affordability and the good guarantee.

We've got an ikea integrated dishwasher and its a huge pain in the arse, the wheels don't stay on the runners so you have to load it really carefully so it's balanced or you can get the tray in without manhandling it.

The Bosch one we have for years before was non integrated and we never had this problem.

I wouldn't have an integrated one again even though they do look loads better.

Methe I would suspect you different experience of dishwashers is more to do with the brands (Bosch versus Ikea) than the type (freestanding or integrated).

Personally, I think it looks ugly having a dishwasher breaking up the line of cupboards.

Ikea appliances are made by whirlpool so ought to be of a decent standard. The rest of our ikea appliances are brilliant.

I think it mainly depends on how much it bothers you that it matches.
I also think if you have a White kitchen, a White freestanding looks less obtrusive than in say an oak kitchen.
Retrofitting I would also consider the condition of your existing kitchen - a new door will if you can get one to match, have differences in shade at the very least. New white looks slightly different to 2yo white especially when side by side.
I've got an absolutely fab integrated Miele but it did cost £££. I had no choice as it was a replacement for an extremely crappy smeg integrated one that came with our house but now wouldn't swap it for the world.
I am in the process of getting a new kitchen ATM and we are keeping the integrated dishwasher and freezer, and getting a new built in oven but going for a SS freestanding fridge. Chose this approach because it suited the style of our kitchen and I didn't like any of the integrated fridges (vv expensive, not as energy efficient and smaller capacity)

The other issue is that we'd have to get a slimline, so that reduces the options too.

It'd be next to our washing machine so it wouldn't break the line of cupboards. I think I'll get a free standing.

Ta all!