Should I use integrated appliances in my new kitchen

 

When designing your new kitchen, a common question is  “should I use integrated appliances in my new kitchen design?”

Well, the answer is not that straight forward and it all depends on your budget and how integrated you want the final design to be.

Some people like to integrate everything apart from an American fridge, which they tend to build into the centre of some tall units and a top box. So, the decision is really down to your own personal taste, but here are some things to consider if you are thinking about going fully integrated.

(1) If you move house at some point in the future, not only will your new kitchen add value to your home but all those integrated appliances built into your beautifully fitted kitchen will also give you extra bargaining power to ensure that you get the asking price and beyond as the new occupant will have built in mod cons already.

Conversely, when you buy a new home, if the new kitchen is not fully integrated then you’re going to have to buy your appliances again!

(2) If you have a utility room, which is separate to your kitchen, and its hidden away behind a door then you may opt to have your freestanding appliances like your washing machine & tumble dryer in there. This could allow you to keep the practical utility appliances all freestanding and just integrated the fridge/freezer, oven, hob & dishwasher in the main kitchen. Having your washing machine and tumble dryer freestanding will probably make them more accessible as well.

(3) The cost of a new kitchen plus the cost of new integrated appliances could put some people off and push them over budget but if your old appliances are in good condition then you could sell them on the likes of Ebay & Gumtree and recoup some money to offset the expenditure on new integrated appliances.

(4) Integrated fridge/freezers really do work well in a kitchen but if you are used to a 50/50 freestanding one, then you will notice that you have a little less space in an integrated 50/50 fridge freezer, as they are made a little smaller to be able to fit inside the tall unit housing. One solution to not lose freezer space is to get a freezer section with 3 deeper drawers rather than 4 shallow ones.

(5) When installing your kitchen, if you are going to have integrated or freestanding appliances under your worktops then you need to ensure that there is enough clearance to fit the appliances into the gap.

Most appliances that fit under your worktop are about 850mm high so if you set your units at 870mm from the floor then you’ll have plenty of clearance for the appliances. Also, by placing your units at a height of 870mm, you’ll be able to slide your 150mm underneath them without having to cut them down. Once you place your worktop on top, you’ll then get a height of around 900-910mm, which is the ideal height for working/prepping food on.

(6) If you have the space in your kitchen then a tall unit can be used to house your oven & microwave. This is an excellent way of accessing them as they are both at waist height. You may lose a little work surface with a tall unit but you gain space in the kitchen run where the built under would have been fitted and you don’t have a microwave taking up worktop space either. You also get a little extra cupboard space in the tall unit from the space above and below the appliances.

Here is how your appliances could look when integrated into your kitchen units

Integrated oven Integrated fridge freezer Integrated fridge Integrated Freezer Integrated dishwasher

 




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23 thoughts on “Should I use integrated appliances in my new kitchen”
  • Andrea says:

    I want to place an integrated dishwasher next to an integrated washing machine, do I need to place an end panel between them?

     
    January 5, 2022 at 3:36 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, only if you have more than 2 integrated appliances placed next to each other would you require an end panel, to help support the worktop above. The video here shows where end panels are needed.

       
      January 6, 2022 at 1:36 pm
  • Helen Hutton says:

    Hi, I cant seem to find an integrated under-the-counter fridge housing, only an oven housing. Do you do any? Thanks

     
    April 7, 2021 at 12:16 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, an integrated, under counter fridge, just needs the space between 2 units and an appliance door. This article has more details.

       
      April 7, 2021 at 12:25 pm
  • Lizzie says:

    I am planning on having an integrated dishwasher in between a built under single oven and a 1000m sink unit. Do I need to have end panels either side of this? Thanks

     
    April 3, 2021 at 10:05 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, no end panels are required either side of an integrated dishwasher, when planned between two other units.

       
      April 6, 2021 at 12:02 pm
  • Colleen Spence says:

    I am looking to buy an integrated Freezer and will use the tall integrated unit housing = IFHD1. I have been looking at associated Freezers and they come in width sizes from 54.5 cm to 56cm. What is the maximum width freezer I can buy that will fit in this unit? I’m assuming that if a 54.5cm freezer was purchased the hinges would need to be positioned slightly differently than a 56cm freezer?

     
    October 31, 2017 at 3:04 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, the internal width is 564mm but generally the 545mm is the size used, as the hinges need to bypass down the side of the appliance.

       
      November 1, 2017 at 10:58 am
  • Mike Finelli says:

    I am planning the final Kitchen layout and want to fit an Integrated Dishwasher between a 4 Drawer Base Unit and Full height Door Sink Unit and require a Socket position within either unit as there is no suitable position for eg an isolating spur above the worktop. (Window above). Am I right that current Regulations preclude siting the Socket in the Sink Unit? If so, is there sufficient room between the back of the drawers and back panel for a recessed switched socket in the back panel or are there other solutions?

     
    October 31, 2017 at 7:45 am
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, this is something they would need to discuss with an electrician, we could not advise on regulations. In terms of the room between drawers and the back panel, the back panel is 10mm thick and .there is also the 42mm service void behind the back panel.

       
      October 31, 2017 at 1:22 pm
      • Mike Finelli says:

        Hi,
        Thanks for the prompt reply.
        However, the information I was requesting was the distance between the back of the drawer and the front of the back panel within the cabinet for possible installation of a recessed socket with a drylining box fixed in the back panel. This has been discussed with our Electrician and is acceptable in principle, as long as the socket and appliance plug are not in direct contact with the drawer unit when it is closed and the drawer is removeable for access. A flush mounted socket with a 13A plug in would require a minimum of about 35mm depth from the backpanel. Alternatively, could be sited between the drawers?
        Thanks

         
        November 1, 2017 at 6:09 am
      • Diy Kitchens says:

        Hi, there is about 10mm clearance between the lower pan drawers and the back panel. But, there is 60mm clearance between the top cutlery drawer (has a depth of 450mm) and the back panel.

         
        November 1, 2017 at 10:49 am
  • Amy McCartney says:

    Hi, I need to replace my dishwasher and am thinking of getting an integrated kitchen in about 6 months. Can I buy any dishwasher and still have it integrated later?

     
    May 9, 2017 at 7:23 am
  • James says:

    Thanks. It does not strike me as being particularly sturdy. How do you ensure a stable end panel which I assume somehow attaches to the counter top, which reaches over the appliance and joins the main cabinet run. What plinths would be needed under the appliance door and how do you raise the appliance if needed to be same height as the 150mm legs on all the cabinets.

     
    April 4, 2017 at 8:16 am
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, an end panel is sufficient , fix it to the wall and the floor and the underside of the worktop, the appliances are on legs, wind them up to the underside of the worktop and fit the plinths across the bottom, so it looks like a base unit.

       
      April 4, 2017 at 4:02 pm
  • Brent says:

    Hi, I am looking to order an integrated dishwasher and combination in-frame door. Do you attach this before despatch. If not how is it connected?

    Also what is the degree of door opening for a full height integrated fridge?

    Regards

     
    January 30, 2017 at 6:24 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, the door will be fitted by your kitchen fitter to the appliance. The doors on a fridge/freezer open to approx 110 degrees.

       
      February 1, 2017 at 11:52 am
  • Hyuna says:

    Hello,

    Could I put intergrated dishwasher next to the corner base unit?

     
    January 4, 2017 at 4:15 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, if it is placed on the side where the door is then there should not be a problem. A dishwasher does not need a unit, just space between units and an appliance door.

      https://advice.diy-kitchens.com/customer-questions/kitchen-appliances-to-be-placed-in-a-unit/

      If the dishwasher is placed on the adjacent side where the corner post goes then it gets a little more difficult. Ask your kitchen fitter if this is something that he would be comfortable with doing as handles may clash when the appliance door is opened downwards

       
      January 5, 2017 at 3:23 pm
      • Kitchen fitter says:

        As long as you leave 630mm or more from the back wall to front of the corner you will get clearance so handles Don’t clash it is normal to have a dishwasher/washer coming of a corner base unit

         
        February 28, 2017 at 9:25 pm
      • James says:

        We will have a dishwasher on the end of a run of cabinets and want it integrated. What end panels are available along with the appliance door to enclose onto the run of cabinets and over the appliance?

         
        April 3, 2017 at 10:18 pm
      • Diy Kitchens says:

        Hi, our end panels can be found here – https://www.diy-kitchens.com/kitchen-units/plinths-panels-and-accessories/end-panels/
        Our appliance doors can be found here – https://www.diy-kitchens.com/kitchen-units/appliance-doors/

        These will allow you to integrate your dishwasher.

         
        April 4, 2017 at 8:03 am
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