Built-In Kitchen Appliances – Should You or Shouldn’t You?

Frigidaire Suite of Built-Ins

When it comes to appliances, one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is whether to opt for freestanding or built-in units. Freestanding units are great for a lot of reasons, but if you want to take the extra step to achieve a seamless and sophisticated look, built-in appliances might be the right choice for your kitchen.

What Is a Built-In VS a Freestanding Appliance?

Freestanding (or portable) appliances are those that are completely transportable and easy to position in different areas of the kitchen. They can be slid into existing nooks or be placed at the end of a run of cabinets. They’re easy to move around because they are not attached to any part of the construction. When I’m working with standard or pre-fab cabinetry, this is usually what I choose.

Built-ins on the other hand are those that are literally fixed into place (such as a wall-oven or stovetop that is installed into the actual countertop). When I’m planning a high-end kitchen, or if I’m working with a particularly small space, these integrated appliances are my go-to choice.

Frigidaire Suite

Why Choose Built-In Kitchen Appliances?

While there are plenty of great looking and well-designed freestanding models available, there are some specific reasons why you might want to go with built-ins.

Look

Built-in appliances are a hallmark of high-end kitchens because they integrate seamlessly into the surrounding cabinets and allow for a more custom design. The result is a sleek and crisp aesthetic with no awkward gaps or spaces. You also don’t have to worry about the appliances sticking out beyond the counter, as often happens with freestanding units. I recommend Frigidaire Professional® as I love their sleek, high-end aesthetic. Their brand new Built-In Line offers an integrated look that can easily fit into just about any style kitchen and the Smudge-Proof™ Stainless Steel resists fingerprints which you can’t beat.

Space

Unlike freestanding appliances, built-ins are backed right against the wall, creating more floor space in front. While the difference may seem minimal, in small kitchens even an inch or two can make a world of difference. For people who need space-saving solutions, built-in appliances are a terrific option.

Safety

One of the reasons families with young kids might want to consider built-in kitchen appliances is safety. Built-in wall ovens can be installed at eye level, making them not only easier for those doing the cooking and cleaning, but it reduces the chance of children being able to open the door and suffer accidental burns.

Flexibility

Built-ins offer another advantage in that it makes it possible to cook with both electric and gas. For example, you could install an electric wall oven and a gas cooktop. With single cookers this is more complicated.

Frigidaire Range

ROI

Great looking, high quality appliances are always a safe investment when it comes to ROI. Just keep in mind that if and when you decide to sell your home, built-in appliances will be expected to be left in the house. With freestanding units you always have the option of taking them with you when you move, making high-quality built-in appliances a better bet for increasing the value of your home.

If you’re looking for inspiration, I recommend checking out the brand new, Built-In Line from Frigidaire Professional®. The new line has wall ovens, cooktops, refrigerators and freezers offering powerful performance at an affordable price. In addition to delivering the power, consistency, freshness and time-saving features that have won the brand countless awards in its 90-year legacy, their appliances seamlessly fit into any style kitchen.

Frigidaire Built-Ins

For more information on built-in and freestanding appliances, and to learn more about new Frigidaire Professional Built-In Line, visit:

North America

Canada

 

All photos courtesy of Frigidaire

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