The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, where families come together to cook, eat, and spend time together. Choosing the right appliances to complement your lifestyle and personal taste can make all the difference. But, with so many options available, choosing the perfect kitchen appliance package can be overwhelming, especially when trying to stick to a budget.
As a homeowner, you may face certain restrictions regarding which appliances are compatible with your setup. Not all homes have gas connections, so electric appliances may be your only option. You also have to weigh your options when it comes to the features of your critical pieces, like stoves, refrigerators, and dishwashers. How often you entertain or how many people live in your home will also factor into the costs and justification of certain models over others.
Whether you’re looking to do a complete remodel or only need a few appliances updated, you should plan within your means and make choices that suit your unique situation. Here is what we’ll cover:
Whatever your situation, Atherton Appliance & Kitchens will help you choose the best kitchen appliance package by providing helpful tips and reasonable packages to create your dream kitchen, without breaking the bank!
Before taking on any major project like a kitchen renovation or replacing a big-ticket appliance, you must be smart about it and set a budget. Doing so will take a lot of the guesswork out of the process and narrow down your pool of options.
Regarding kitchen remodeling, you should set aside roughly 15-20% of the total remodel cost to put toward appliances. You’ll be using these appliances for years, so you want to be honest and ask yourself a few questions to get started.
If you’re an aspiring chef who tinkers in the kitchen quite often, you may want to consider high-end models that tout all the bells and whistles, to get the most out of your experience. For example, if you’re a passionate cook, you’ll want to opt for a range that offers a full stovetop and oven combination. Some options include steam or convection ovens and double ovens, which provide more flexibility when cooking multiple dishes.
For those who fall on the other side of the spectrum and are content with whipping up basic dishes, then it’s not necessary to splurge on two ovens or stovetops with very many features. Not everyone needs to be able to use a griddle while simultaneously sauteing.
Focusing on health is a priority for a lot of people. Stocking up on healthy choices like fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats may require a more spacious refrigerator to accommodate all of your produce and such. Refrigerators have come a long way, and many offer enhanced technology that helps extend the life of your goods. If you have a big family or like to do meal preparation in advance so you can relax throughout the week, adequate freezer space may be what you’re looking for.
Raise your hand if you’re hosting all the birthday parties, showers, and other family-and-friends events. Having more space to store wine or ice can be super helpful for all the social butterflies out there. Standalone wine coolers and ice makers can be your saving grace in a pinch.
Take inventory of your space and how you use certain areas to house your major appliances—or even the smaller ones! Appliance garages are all the rage lately to keep clutter at bay by using a shelving unit with built-in storage to hide appliances that are not used as often. Consider your island space, cabinetry, and pantry when planning your kitchen appliances, in order to maximize space.
If you have a good idea of your dream kitchen, keep your wish list close by as you consider your budget. Some of the latest high-end appliances can connect to Wi-Fi and help monitor your supplies, remote start for convenience, and some even have cameras and touch displays that connect to the internet to help you stay connected to thousands of recipes. Anything on your list can be attainable with the right designer and budget.
Some appliances may be out of reach for you at the present moment. That’s no problem! Just make sure to select standard-sized appliances so that when it comes time to upgrade, you’ll be set space-wise. It’s common to sell, recycle, or donate appliances when you decide to swap out for a new unit, so there’s no need to fret about opting for an entry-level option for the time being.
You can still get a lot for $5,000 or less when shopping for kitchen appliance packages. Going with a package will often save you more, thanks to the manufacturer’s rebates. Brands such as GE, Frigidaire, and Whirlpool offer a basic package that includes a top freezer-refrigerator, over-the-range microwave, built-in dishwasher, and freestanding gas range for under $3,000.
If you can work with $4,000, you can go with Frigidaire, which offers a side-by-side refrigerator, freestanding gas range, over-the-range microwave, and stainless steel built-in dishwasher. Or even GE’s 3-piece kitchen package with a side-by-side refrigerator, freestanding electric convection range, and an over-range sensor microwave.
When you mix and match appliances, allocate most of your budget to the range, and note whether your connections allow for gas or electric.
Looking at a wider price range, from $4,000 to $5,000, opens you up to other brands such as LG, Maytag, and Samsung, which have more features and styles, including additional rack options for dishwashers, larger capacity refrigerators, and other upgraded technologies.
The same concept of sticking with a specific brand as a package deal holds true as you climb the echelon of appliances. What’s nice about the higher-end brands is that they often have better warranties and even more customization options, such as various finishes to match your style.
Here are some options for kitchen appliance packages that fall in the $5,000-$10,000 range:
Bosch four-piece kitchen package comes in stainless steel and includes French-door bottom freezer-refrigerator, slide-in electric range, over-the-range microwave, and built-in dishwasher. Bosch is known for their rigorous quality control, good warranties, and energy efficiency.
Cafe four-piece kitchen package comes in either white or stainless steel and includes a counter-depth French-door refrigerator, slide-in electric range, built-in dishwasher, and over-the-range microwave. The refrigerator even has a hot water dispenser to make your favorite hot drinks and Wi-Fi connectivity to make your life easier.
Dacor four-piece kitchen package features a stainless steel family with a counter-depth French-door refrigerator, pro-style gas range, built-in dishwasher, and over-the-range microwave. Their refrigerator will keep food and drinks fresher longer through state-of-the-art tech from the industry’s best temperature performance. The gas range has a three-part convection system, and the dishwasher is controllable with their SmartThings technology.
Most packages within this price range include an over-the-range microwave to conveniently whisk away smoke and odor through adequate ventilation. Most also feature more flexibility in their dishwasher units and refrigerators.
As you would imagine, the features that professional-level appliances offer really outshine the rest. If you have a budget ranging from $10,000-$20,000, you can consider other, top-rated brands. Brands like Thermador, KitchenAid, or GE, to name a few, offer five-piece kitchen packages that include stainless steel French-door refrigerators, built-in dishwashers, wall ovens, cooktops, and wall hoods to elevate your kitchen aesthetic and improve time spent in the kitchen.
High-end kitchen appliances offer a range of features and benefits that make them worth the investment for many homeowners. Here are some of the advantages of high-end kitchen appliances:
Enhanced performance: Their design offers top-of-the-line performance, which means they cook faster, cool more efficiently, and produce better results than lower-end models.
Better quality and technology: These models are built to last and manufactured with high-quality materials, making them durable and able to stand the test of time. Advanced technology uses touch-screen displays, built-in innovation, and custom settings that can help streamline your cooking experience.
Energy efficiency: High-end appliances keep energy efficiency in mind, which can help you save money on your energy bills in the long run.
Resale value: Upgrading your kitchen with high-end appliances can also add value to your home, making it a wise investment if you ever plan to sell your property.
While high-end appliances may come with a higher price tag, their advanced features, quality, and performance can make them worth the investment for those who value top-of-the-line kitchen appliances.
Choosing the perfect kitchen appliances for your home is important, especially when sticking to a budget. The experts at Atherton Appliance & Kitchens can help you find appliances that meet your needs without breaking the bank.
Remember to prioritize your must-haves and consider the long-term energy efficiency costs when deciding. With these tips in mind, you can create a kitchen that meets your needs, looks great, and stays within your budget.