Integrated kitchen appliances or not?

JuliaM, we are thinking of going with one of the white gloss collections but there is just so much choice. We were at the store having the design done today so plenty to think about!

kittylester, you make a fair point and given some of the comments made we are probably being really old fashioned/stuck in our ways . Maybe time to modernise.

Thanks all for your thoughts. It's great to be able to come on here and get other peoples views.

Integrated appliances look neater but I recently decided to dis/unintegrate mine.
All-white gloss kitchen was fine but was a bit boring. Final decision was made when I just couldn't source a slimline dishwasher compatible with the the door!
Now very happy with the contrasting black free-standing washing machine, dishwasher and fridge freezer.
Wouldn't go back to an integrated kitchen.

Forget to mention hob, thoroughly recommend induction type hob, quick to heat up and easy to clean. Downside you may have to replace saucepans as not all are compatible with inductions.

I prefer to have all the appliances integrated, it gives the kitchen a far more streamlined appearance imo. Of course not everyone wants that look it's very much an individual choice, we were talked into it by the kitchen people when we had ours done about 4 years ago, but in retrospect I don't regret it. Sometimes when I'm on Right Move and see a fairly new kitchen where appliances such as an American style fridge are stand alone that would not be my choice, I know loads of people love them but they look like a big solid silver mass, I just don't like that. I don't have my washing machine, tumble dryer or freezer in my kitchen they are all in the garage, so the only integrated appliances, apart from built in cooker and microwave, and yes it's great not have the latter taking up work surface space, are a fairly large fridge and dishwasher. They are more expensive to replace than conventional appliances as they have to be tailored to fit the cupboard doors, touch wood they have plenty of life left it them.

I do live alone and have a slimline dishwasher. Washing up? What’s that?

CharlieGirl5 is spot on.
A friend of mine had a nightmare of a time replacing/repairing white goods.

We have two integrated ovens. We went for a stand lone dishwasher, larder fridge and a chest freezer.

Even if I lived alone I'd still have a dishwasher fitted.

Re dishwashers, in her mid 70s my widowed mother moved from a house with a dishwasher, to a smaller one without. She promptly had a kitchen cupboard removed and a slimline DW installed.
‘As if I’m going to start washing up again! I’ve done more than enough of that in the past!’

With Coronavirus sneaking up on us I think a dishwasher is a must, or asbestos hands and very thick Marigolds. Plus you only need to operate it once a day. There are only 2 of us....

Dishwashers are more economical both in terms of energy and water than washing up by hand and definitely more hygienic.

In my view the argument that there are only 2 people doesnt stand up to scrutiny. If I make a roast for 2 people rather than 5 people, I still need as many pots and pans!

Integrated appliances do not take up more room they are made smaller to fit inside standard size cupboards. Stand alone are definitely cheaper. Some integrated appliances just have a door attached to the front such as a dishwasher, apart from that they are the same as a stand alone without the fascia door.

We went to stand alone goods on a new kitchen. Interrogated goods are more expensive to replace and they take more room up. I would stay with stand alone.

Lovingit62, which range are you thinking of using? We have the Tewksbury in Cashmere, with the solid timber frames and doors, less risk of any swelling due to heat/water damage that’s possible with MDF ranges. I agree regards the large deep pan draws, they’re a wonderful help rather than having to reach into the backs of low cupboards, and the extra wide one with top cutlery and utensils draw that fits under the hob is the best thing since sliced bread! We have a 600mm wide Bosch undercounted larder fridge fitted, it’s surprisingly spacious, I’m very pleased with it, my old Fridge and Freezer are still freestanding in the utility room, along with the washer and dryer, although if the old fridge ever failed, l doubt that l would bother replacing it, the Bosch one will do us fine!

NotSphagetti that's interesting. My DW and I have always just washed the dishes in the sink and have never thought about a dishwasher. There is only the two of us and it seems easier just to use some fairy and job done!!

JuliaM we are going with Howden's as well and have also chosen Bosch so good to hear. I like the idea of an eye level oven. Saves on the old back haha.

I have had both. My new kitchen is all integrated but if I didn't think we would be moving soonish I would have had freestanding ones.

The oven and hob, fair enough, but certainly not the fridge-freezer or washer/dishwasher.

If you DO choose them, my cabinet fitter said the ones with the slider on the doors are much more durable than the ones where they simply screw on. Also, re the dishwasher, make sure you seal under the work surface and be sure to be careful not to open it in cycle. He said that is why the doors/bases on dishwashers tend to damage over time (with the steam and moisture). Like others here we bought one with floor lights so we know what is going on.

Also, I don't like not really being able to leave my washer door ajar after a load. I feel it will get smelly over time or at the very least need a boil wash to clean it more often... oh, and yes, the fridges are much smaller. ... and everything is more expensive.

Having said that, yes it looks very smart. And bigger. Suppose you choose what's most important when you do it.

Good luck!

Julia, that sounds like my dishwasher too! It's lovely and quiet so we need the light to know when it's on.

My friend always moans about her integrated fridge freezer because the freezer capacity is so small compared to freestanding models. We have an integrated dishwasher - it seems to hold as much as a freestanding model. Eye level ovens are excellent, no more bending down. If you are having new base units, I recommend the giant drawers instead of cupboards. They are so much easier to use and hold more than cupboards. We have integrated waste bins inside a base unit beside the sink. I open the door and two large bins slide out on runners. So lovely to have the bins hidden.
Always look online at the manufacturer websites to see the full range of available appliances. Showrooms have only a small selection. Often there are finishes available that you don't see in shops. E.G my friend has the identical built in oven, hers is stainless steel, mine is black glass to match the hob and easier to keep looking smart.

Think we have the same dishwasher JuliaM! I love my disco lights dishwasher!

Forgot to say we also had an integrated Dishwasher fitted, which is very clever as it just looks like a normal cupboard from the outside, the controls are along the top edge of the washer door, and it displays coloured down lights onto the kitchen floor to indicate what stage of the programme it’s doing!

We have just had a new Howdens Kitchen fitted and chose Bosch integrated appliances, and we are very pleased with it.
Like others have said, it’s much easier to have an eye level oven than a traditional over and hob type of cooker. However, small appliances, such as a Microwave, Kettle and Toaster we have kept freestanding on the work surfaces, so fairly quick and cheap to replace if ever they fail. We have got an integrated under counter larder fridge, but the main large fridge, Freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer live in the utility room just off the main kitchen. We also chose to have a really good quality laminate work surface as an alternative to real wood or stone which require regular maintainable to keep them looking good. Tbh, it’s nothing like the old Laminates used to be, you cannot tell the difference that it is not actual real wood, you would need to gouge out a piece to discover there’s no splinters!

Oh, I'd love integrated appliances!

Integrated appliances look so much better. But DH, who has installed many kitchens, says the appliances are never as good as free-standing ones.

I would suggest you check Which for reviews when choosing appliances. I have integrated ones apart from range cooker and very nearly chose an integrated fridge which was a Which Don’t buy. Although a well known make, it had inflammable back panels? Also although I enjoy my integrated microwave, the only one which fits in the correct housing is too small for some microwaveable pots and so I still have a larger one in the utility room. But it is fun choosing all this from scratch!

We have integrated appliances (I've just read that back and thought I had morphed into Hyacinth Bouquet, sorry )
I like that everything is hidden away, behind the same doors as our kitchen cupboards. It looks neat and tidy
If we have had repairs, the guys seem to find it relatively easy to take out and put back again