Appliance Selections: What to Know Before You Choose

Appliance selections are one of the most exciting parts of designing your home. These are the tools you’ll use every day, and the choices you make will influence not only the look of your kitchen and laundry spaces, but also how they function for years to come.

Before selecting appliances, it’s important to think beyond the finish and brand name. Dimensions, installation requirements, and performance features all play a role in how appliances integrate with cabinetry, countertops, and mechanical systems in the home.
For example, refrigerators come in several depths and configurations. Counter-depth models sit flush with surrounding cabinetry for a streamlined appearance, while standard-depth refrigerators offer more storage but may project further into the kitchen. Similarly, cooking appliances can be configured as ranges, cooktops and/or wall ovens, or specialty appliances like steam ovens or warming drawers, each requiring different cabinetry and ventilation strategies.

Laundry appliances also vary widely in size, stacking options, and venting requirements. Thinking through how you want these spaces to function—whether it’s a chef’s kitchen, a low-maintenance setup, or a high-performance laundry room—will help guide the right selections.

Making these decisions early allows your design and construction team to coordinate cabinet layouts, electrical connections, plumbing locations, and ventilation systems so everything fits and performs exactly as intended.

Appliance Selection Checklist

Here are the key things homeowners should consider when selecting appliances.

1. Dimensions & Fit

• Appliance width (24″, 30″, 36″, etc.)
• Height and depth
• Counter-depth vs standard-depth refrigerators
• Cabinet opening requirements
• Door swing and clearance
• Venting space requirements

2. Appliance Configuration

Kitchen layouts often depend on this choice.

Cooking options:

• Range (oven + cooktop combined)
• Cooktop + wall oven
• Double wall ovens
• Steam oven
• Speed oven
• Warming drawer

Refrigerator styles:

• French door
• Side-by-side
• Column refrigerator + freezer
• Built-in vs freestanding
• Panel-ready vs stainless

Laundry:

• Front load vs top load
• Stackable vs side-by-side
• All-in-one washer/dryer units

3. Fuel Type

• Gas vs electric cooktops
• Gas vs electric dryers
• Electrical requirements (120V vs 240V)

4. Ventilation

Cooking appliances require ventilation planning:

• Range hood vs downdraft
• Ducted vs recirculating
• Hood size relative to cooktop
• CFM requirements 

5. Performance Features

Think about how you actually cook or do laundry.

Examples:

• Induction cooking
• Convection ovens
• Air fry settings
• Steam cooking
• Smart connectivity
• Ice makers and filtered water
• High-speed wash cycles
• Sanitize modes

6. Aesthetic Integration

Appliances affect the look of the kitchen.

Consider:

• Stainless vs. panel-ready
• Handle styles
• Matching appliance suites
• Built-in vs. freestanding appearance

7. Maintenance & Longevity

• Ease of cleaning
• Filter replacements
• Warranty coverage
• Service availability in your area

8. Budget Alignment

Appliances vary widely in cost. Some homeowners prefer to:

• Invest heavily in cooking appliances
• Choose mid-range appliances with strong reliability
• Prioritize aesthetics and integration

Staying within allowances will help avoid surprises during procurement.