Are integrated appliances worth it?

I think most of us can agree that those seamlessly integrated appliances are stunning (it’s also fun to watch your guests walk around in circles looking for the refrigerator or dishwasher). As a designer, I want to create the most beautiful spaces possible, and I almost always prefer integrated appliances.

Integrated appliances can truly enhance the aesthetic of kitchens, resulting in a more sophisticated appearance. In smaller kitchens, they also create the illusion of more space, since most of the area isn’t consumed by a bulky stainless steel box.

Most of my clients love the idea of integrated appliances, but often have sticker shock over the costs of these luxury appliances (a full size integrated refrigerator is going to run anywhere between $8,000 and $16,000, plus the added cabinetry work).

So, are they worth it?

The practical reply is that, while beautiful, integrated appliances offer no functional advantages (or disadvantages for that matter). Their primary purpose is to enhance the aesthetic of a space and achieve a certain look. In some cases, I will highly recommend integrated if I think the space calls for it.

For instance, I'm currently designing a kitchen in a Victorian modern style. This kitchen features exquisite cabinetry and millwork, a gorgeous French range, polished brass accents, and a gray checkered floor. Given the limited space and the historical beauty of the kitchen, I strongly recommended that my clients invest in an integrated refrigerator to maximize the wood cabinetry and ensure we keep the design consistent throughout. Although they were initially hesitant due to the higher price, I believed that failing to integrate the refrigerator would compromise the overall design of the kitchen.

At the end of the day, I do think it’s a splurge worth investing in to give you the custom space you’re probably looking for. But if it really isn’t in the budget, there are other ways to make your space equally as beautiful.