How to Choose the Best Appliances for Your Kitchen

I gotta tell y’all, this was a difficult topic for me to write on! Everyone wants to know what the very best appliance is. In fact, that’s the question I’m asked most often. 

The tricky part is, there is no one right answer. There are so many different appliances out there and plenty of great brands behind them. But the one that is the best choice for you depends less on the appliance and more on… you.

What I usually tell clients is that I don’t specify any appliances that I’ve not personally used or seen demonstrated, or an appliance sold by a company I don’t have a relationship with. 

We just completed the kitchen in our Lake House Project (before & after coming soon, y’all!), and the cooktop and Advantium microwave oven both had small issues. The supplier, Ferguson, wanted to repair them, but I squelched the idea immediately. Because I have a great working relationship with my rep, I was able to call him directly and have both appliances completely replaced.

That’s why relationships are so important to me; it means we can take care of you and have your back! So, whether you’re working with us or hunting for incredible appliances on your own, here are the 5 steps I suggest…

Step 1: Define Your Must-Haves

The first thing I do with my clients is go over “must-haves” in appliances. For instance, if you’re an empty nester who doesn’t entertain a crowd very often, you may not have the need for double ovens. A busy couple may want their coffee maker to have access to a direct water line. A family that gathers by the dozen may want double dishwashers. Y’all get the idea.

So, we sit down and go over their wants and needs, their lifestyle, and how they need things to function.  

Step 2: Look for a Brand with Great Customer Service

This might sound counterintuitive, but I would look for a brand with great customer support first and foremost. Appliances are an investment, and you will want full confidence that any issues will be taken care of quickly and professionally.

Some appliances (like those offered by GE and Signature Kitchen Suite) offer options to connect most of their appliances with wifi monitoring. The appliance will “talk” to them if there is a problem, meaning that a leak could be discovered long before the homeowner would ever know it, and they can schedule service and have it repaired before you even know there is a problem.

If you’re working with us, we will always suggest suppliers that we have had great relationships with. We want you to know that you’ll be taken care of!

Step 3: Discover Appliances with the Features You Want

Most all appliance lines now have an entry level and a luxury level of appliances. Once you’ve narrowed down your search to a brand or two that you trust, you’re ready to compare lines and decide which aspects are most important for your lifestyle. A couple of my favorites…

GE Appliances

My typical go-to supplier is GE. I love all their lines, and the functionality is always reliable. Their standard line, Profile, is great for a starter home. Their designer line, Cafe, is beautiful- like pieces of art. And Monogram, their luxury line, is what I usually specify 9 times out of 10 because it’s so great!

Signature Kitchen Suite by LG

Signature Kitchen Suite is another luxury line that I love. You may remember I flew to Napa last year and spent a grand old time in their learning center. They are the luxury line from LG Appliances. They make the only pro-range that combines gas, induction, and sous-vide cooking in one unit. It is incredible, and for the home chef, nothing compares. 

Step 4: Go Take a Look in Person!

If you’re working with us, this is another step we’ll do together. After we discuss your wants and needs, I’ll have an idea of which lines will work best for you. We then go to our local Ferguson Showroom and meet with the specific line’s rep, who will give us a demonstration of the appliances we are considering for your project.  

Y’all… this part of selecting appliances is such a fun field trip! Although the recent pandemic has slowed down our demos, I hope to be up and at them again very soon!   

If you’re considering appliances on your own, I also suggest going to visit your local showroom to see it in person, asking any questions, and getting a feel for how the piece might function in your space. Which includes…

Step 5: Remember the Old Adage…

As your list of appliance candidates gets smaller, remember that the old saying, “you get what you pay for,” is usually true. While I don’t believe in spending money needlessly, I do believe in purchasing your appliances with brands that have proven track records and stand behind their products. Yes, I’m talking about warranties.

Signature Kitchen Suite has an industry leading warranty. Their basic warranty is two years from date of purchase. A warranty for the third year is added at no cost when product registration is completed online with the owner opting in for WiFi monitoring.

Typically, brands that cost a bit more have better warranties on their products, and this is something we always go over when we are specifying appliances for our clients.

Psst! The same 5-step process can be used for choosing other appliances in your home.

And there y’all have it! A simplified process for finding the appliances best suited for you and your lifestyle. I know it can be overwhelming at first (there are so many options out there!), but take it step by step and you’ll find your perfect piece in no time!

Alright, I’ll wrap this up here, but if you haven’t gotten your hot little hands on our updated Lighting Guide below, go and get it below! Lighting influences your energy (for working from home, gathering a social crowd, sleeping well, etc.). And…  it’s the jewelry of the home!

See y’all soon with a Project Reveal that’s going to knock your socks off. 😉

Xo,
E

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