How To Choose Kitchen Appliances

This post is a sponsored collaboration with Lowe’s Home Improvement: As always all opinions are 100% truthful and my own

So it begins, the kitchen renovations of this 100 year-old home. In order to keep costs down, I decided not to gut my kitchen, but instead work with the current floor plan. I have great cabinets that will remain in their position and I am not changing the floor plan. That is when I knew, kitchen appliances had to come first. I initially believed that this would be easy. Little did I know how time consuming it would be. That is why I created a list of tips on how to choose kitchen appliances, in hopes it will help you with your next kitchen project.

How To Choose Kitchen Appliances

When it was time to select my new kitchen appliances, I needed a new refrigerator, range and microwave. Our current appliances are 20 years old and were part of the original kitchen design. It was time to change it out. So, first things first, a few tips to get you started when you visit your local appliance department at Lowe’s Home Improvement or shop online.

Four Tips To Choose Kitchen Appliances

1. Layout / Measurements
2. Budget
3. Function
4. Style

Layout

Now, you might be thinking, budget is second. YES! I started with budget and realized it didn’t matter, because the time I spent selecting kitchen appliances within my budget was a waste. They didn’t even fit in my existing layout. So first, measure your current space. If you have appliances in place, and you are swapping them out, measure your current appliances. Use the serial number inside the current appliance and the google it. You will find the exact dimensions and spec sheets. If you are working with a new build, you still need to know your exact measurements and if you want counter depth or standard. I have a galley kitchen, for that reason, counter depth for all my appliances was a must, I do not have the floor space for larger depth appliances.

Budget

I was able to narrow down my search knowing my exact dimensions. On the Lowe’s website, you can refine your search by selecting the measurements on the left side bar. This truly helped narrow it down. Then came budget, which you can also add to refine the search. Appliances are not cheap, I get that, but remember, I have had my current pieces for almost 20 years. If you take care of them and maintain them, this is a great investment. Also, I do cook a lot for my family of 5, and investing in quality kitchen appliances was a must.

Function

Who knew there were so many capabilities when it came to our kitchen appliances. You need to make a list of what functions you NEED before making a list of what functions you WANT. For instance, do you need a gas range or electric? Unfortunately, I cannot have gas, thus, electric range was a need for me. Do you want a convection oven? Do you want a water dispenser in your refrigerator? To help you narrow down some of these functions I made a more detailed list below.

Style

Now for the fun part. No longer are the days that you have just a couple choices, standard or an upgrade, white or stainless steel. Nope, not anymore. With Lowe’s Home Improvement providing a wide range of kitchen appliance brands, there are many different styles to select from. Below are some style options to help.

How to Choose Kitchen Appliances

Now that you made a list and taken layout, budget, function and style into consideration. It is time to narrow down your search in function and style with each appliances.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are selecting Stainless Steel appliances, every brands hue of stainless is a little different. At Lowe’s Home Improvement you can see the different hues side by side. For instance, LG is a little warmer compared to Samsung or GE. For that reason, I chose not to mix my brands, but if you do, just compare their hues of stainless steel.

Refrigerators

The refrigerator was the first kitchen appliance I selected. I believe it is the most important, as it is the only kitchen appliances that will run continuously all the time. A few things to help you select yours:

1. Counter Depth vs. Standard: If you want a large refrigerator and have the space for it, go standard. I need more walking space so counter depth it was.
2. External water/ice dispenser vs. Internal vs. none
3. Side by Side / French Doors / Freezer Underneath
4. Smart Fridge

Below you see the standard side by side to the decked out Samsung refrigerator.

1. Frigidaire 22-cu ft Side-by-Side // 2. Samsung 21.5-cu ft Side-by-Side // 3. Whirlpool 22.07-cu ft Bottom-Freezer // 4. Whirlpool 22.07-cu ft Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator  // 5. Samsung 22-cu ft Counter-Depth French Door // 6. Samsung Family Hub 24.2-cu ft French Door 

Ranges

Just like refrigerators, ranges come in a wide variety of options and features. I also believe that you should take into consideration how much cooking you actually do. No need to spend $5,000 on a range. Trust me, I have had clients that do and they live on take-out. So, a few things to consider.

1. Gas vs. Electric
2. Slide-In vs. Free Standing
3. Single vs. Double Oven
4. Smart Range

I had a gas range in my last home, it is nice to cook over fire. But, this 100 year-old home of mine cannot have a gas range, so I have gotten to love my smooth top electric range.

1. Number ONE reason, the smooth top allows me to have extra countertop space that I can prep on.
2. Easy to clean. I remember, with gas I have to remove burners etc. Nope, just wipe with a damp cloth after cooking.

Next, I always preferred slide-in so that was an easy option for me.

Now, I cook a lot. Almost every night. I also love to host family and friends over. I have always had a single oven and this time, I opted for the double. SO EXCITED. Maybe one night I just want to bake a casserole for the kids, I can use the smaller top oven. Maybe I want to bake cookies on the top oven at 350 but cook a roast below at 425. YES! separate temperatures. A MAZE ING

Lastly, just like your new refrigerator, the ranges can be smart too. Having the ability to shut off your oven from your phone is fantastic.

1 LG Smooth Surface 5-Element 6.3-cu ft Convection  // 2. Samsung 5-Burner 5.8-cu ft  // 3. Samsung 5-Burner Freestanding 5.8-cu ft  // 4. GE Profile 30-in Smooth Surface 5-Element // 5. Samsung 30-in Smooth Surface 5-Element

Over The Range Microwave

Today’s kitchen trends are all about large stylish hoods over the range. Well, when you have a smaller kitchen in an older home, I need all the hidden cabinets I can get. I opted to keep the microwave with the cabinets over the range because I want to remove cabinets on the opposite wall for open shelving. Stay tune for all those fun design plans and tips.

So, over the range microwave was a must and luckily this was an easy pick. My best tip: Grab the set that goes with your range. Tah-dah! Done.

Now, you can opt for exterior handle or no handle but this does depend on the size you can have. That takes us back to number one tip, measurements. This will determine what over the range microwave you can have.

1 GE 2.1-cu ft Over-the-Range Microwave // 2.
Samsung 1.6-cu ft Fingerprint Resistant // 3. LG 2-cu ft Over-the-Range Microwave // 4. Samsung 2-cu ft Fingerprint Resistant

My Final Kitchen Appliance Picks

Have you been wondering what I decided on?

I went with Samsung. I big jump from the usual kitchen appliance brand names like, Kitchen Aide. But, Samsung has been in the kitchen appliance business for 6 years and every year they get more innovative and better. So I am beyond thrilled to give them a go. What truly helped me decided was their gorgeous and well reviewed double convection range. I also really wanted smart refrigerator but luckily for me it was too large for the space. Lucky cause it saved costs. I opted for the french doors with bottom freezer.

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Samsung 22-cu ft Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator with Ice Maker // Samsung 1.6-cu ft Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Over-the-Range Microwave // Samsung 30-in Smooth Surface 5-Element 3.3-cu ft/2.4-cu ft Self-Cleaning Double Oven Convection Electric Range