Built-in appliances are sleek and sophisticated while still allowing instant access. If you are designing a kitchen from scratch, you may incorporate them for a seamless look.

Are built-in domestic appliances best for you?

WHAT IS A BUILT-IN APPLIANCE?

Built-in appliances keep the uniformity of a fitted kitchen because they are housed, wholly or partially, inside a unit or cupboard. The doors are usually fixed to the cupboard door, so they are hidden from view and match the look of the rest of the kitchen.

Other built-in appliances, for example ovens, are built into the wall at eye level, with the door kept uncovered. They are slimmer and shorter than freestanding units, so they can fit under a standard sized kitchen cabinets.

When installing a built-in appliance, you usually need a plinth to cover the base of the machine, and a cupboard door for the front.

ADVANTAGES OF BUILT-IN APPLIANCES

•          They are concealed and do not disrupt the design and flow of your kitchen. They create a seamless look but give you instantaneous access.
•          They are kept in place by the surrounding units. This reduces the amount of wobble, and the door can reduce noise.
•          You have more power-source options. For example, you can mix and match built-in electric and gas ovens and hobs more easily.

DISADVANTAGES OF BUILT-IN APPLIANCES

•          Not so many brands make built-in appliances, so you have less choice and more expense compared to freestanding models.
•          They can be harder and more expensive to install, requiring an electrician or other professional.
•          Built-in appliances can be harder to repair. Engineers will charge more to repair or service them as a result.
•          Because a built-in appliance is harder to remove, you do not have as much freedom to remove them and take them with you when you move home.