A stunning white kitchen with a cozy brown island and a sleek, integrated refrigerator.

Integrated Kitchen Appliances: Style Meets Functionality

Key Takeaways 

• Integrated Appliances Have Seamless Looks. They are made to match the cabinet depth for a seamless look. They are often covered with a panel to match the cabinets

• Refrigerators are the most common integrated appliance, but dishwashers and undercounter fridges are also common. 

• Integrated appliances might be a good choice for you if you want a high-end, sleek look in your kitchen, have a smaller or open layout kitchen, or want to raise the value of your home.

Integrated appliances may not be the best choice if you have concerns about the cost and difficulty of repairs. If you plan to remodel your kitchen again, or if you need the extra space in the appliances (a larger fridge or oven, for example), they may not be for you. 

A high-end look for any kitchen, integrated kitchen appliances are stylish and understated and offer the same functionality of free-standing appliances.

Seamless, minimal kitchen designs are growing in popularity, and integrated appliances are central to this look. Are they the right choice for your kitchen?

This kitchen features an integrated refrigerator and pantry, maximizing space and minimizing clutter.

What Are Integrated Appliances?

Integrated appliances are kitchen appliances that are customized to match the cabinet depth for a seamless look.

Many integrated appliances are panel-ready, meaning that they are designed to be covered with a panel that matches the cabinets. 

Panel-ready appliances look exactly like cabinets and are fully hidden. Other integrated appliances are stainless steel, black, or even colored so they contrast with your cabinets instead of blending in. This gives some visual interest while maintaining a sleek design.

Integrated appliances have a depth of 24 inches, like standard cabinets. Some appliances like refrigerators are made to be taller or wider than usual to make up for the loss of interior space. 

They give your kitchen a high-end, contemporary look.

Because the front of the appliances can match your cabinets, they can look great in any style of kitchen. They give your space a sleek and clean design.

If you have questions about the difference between integrated, built-in, and freestanding appliances, check out this blog from one of our vendors to get a great explanation!

What Appliances Can Be Integrated?

The fridge and freezer. This is the most popular type of appliance to integrate, and is sometimes the only integrated appliance in the kitchen (the rest are freestanding or built-ins).

Microwave Ovens. You can include an integrated floor or wall-unit oven in your kitchen remodel.

Dishwashers. A personal favorite, these look especially great when covered with a panel that looks like a set of lower drawers.

When Should I Consider Integrated Appliances?

If you’re remodeling your kitchen (or building new), now is the perfect time to consider whether integrated appliances are the right choice for you.

The best kitchen designs pay attention to every small detail, and integrated appliances certainly add to the curated, intentional, high-end look.

Aesthetics

If you want your kitchen to be visually seamless, streamlined, or have a minimalist feel, integrated appliances (specifically panel-ready ones) are a great choice. They look great in any kitchen.

A kitchen that has all appliances hidden behind panels is beautiful, highlighting the style of the cabinets and other features (kitchen lighting, the sink, etc), without the appliances distracting from the cohesive look.

Space Efficiency

People with small kitchens often love integrated appliances because they can maximize kitchen space. They only take up the space that a cabinet does–no extra floor or wall space needed–so they make the most of every inch.

Open floor plan designs benefit from integrated appliances as well. Even built-in appliances protrude a little past the cabinets and counters (for example, the door and handles of a built-in refrigerator stick out a few inches past the counter), but integrated ones are perfectly flush.

Home Value

Especially in higher cost homes, an integrated, modern kitchen is a very desirable feature for most home buyers. If you are planning to sell sometime in the future or just want to raise your home’s value, integrated appliances are a great option. They give your kitchen a sophisticated, elegant look that is both classic and up-to-date.

Quality

Integrated kitchen appliances are typically made by higher end manufacturers like Sub Zero or Wolf. These appliances are built to last and come with better warranties than lower cost options.

This kitchen features a integrated dishwasher, providing a clean and minimalist look.

Why Might Integrated Appliances be a Poor Choice for My Kitchen?

Integrated appliances aren’t for everyone. There are a few factors to keep in mind when making this decision for your kitchen.

Cost. Integrated appliances tend to be more expensive, both for the appliance itself and for installation.

Repairs. They can be harder to service (or replace if necessary) since they are built into the cabinetry.

Permanence. Moving integrated appliances is difficult. If you decide to change the layout or design of your kitchen in the future, your options may be limited (unless you want to start from scratch).

Space. Because these appliances are shallower, you do lose some storage/cooking/washing space. As mentioned above, refrigerators are often taller or wider to make up for the loss of depth. One option is to use counter-depth appliances (instead of integrated ones), and build the cabinets out to cover the extra inches.

Replacements. Because integrated appliances often have specific measurements, it can be harder to find replacements if needed. 

Integrated Appliances Look Great

Integrated kitchen appliances are growing in popularity because today’s homeowners want kitchens that work harder and look great.

These appliances blend in seamlessly, creating a high-end, flowing design.

Visually, the look is restful and clean because your eye doesn’t stop at protruding appliances but continues around the uniform space.

This is especially great for making small kitchens look bigger and busy kitchens look calmer. Because the units can match cabinets, homeowners can customize their kitchens completely, allowing them to personalize the space. 

Integrated appliances are both stylish and functional and are likely to stay in style for a long time. While they are not the best option for every kitchen remodel, they are definitely worth considering. They are classic, beautiful, and clean, and they look great in just about every kitchen. 

If You Have More Questions

We’d love to discuss your plans for a kitchen remodel and whether or not integrated appliances will meet your goals for your space. We serve homeowners in Tallahassee, Florida, in neighborhoods like Waverly Hills and Summerbrook.

Contact us today and let’s start making your kitchen look and function better than it ever has!