Here's Help for Your Next Appliance Shopping Trip

Article By: Vanessa Brunner

When shopping for new appliances or planning your dream kitchen, the first step is to do some hard thinking about what you really need, how your kitchen is laid out and the way you live and cook. 

What kind of cook are you? Do you want to go ecofriendly? Mix vintage appliances with new? Will multiple generations be using the kitchen? What's the best refrigerator shape and style for your household? Once you've addressed the necessities, consider special features like a warming drawer or wine fridge to make cooking and entertaining easier and more fun. 

There's a lot to consider. Start your planning with these practical guides to selecting appliances, along with plenty of photos to inspire you. 

Tropical Kitchen by Other Metro Architects & Designers Village Architects AIA, Inc. 

Find the right appliance layout. Is the kitchen work triangle dead? To some this kitchen layout plan seems antiquated; to others it's vital. Regardless of your point of view, the work triangle has some important aspects that can help you plan your kitchen appliance layout.  

Contemporary Kitchen by Clarendon Hills Architects & Designers Culligan Abraham Architecture 

Go the ecofriendly route. Stop smacking your head against the wall every time your electricity bill comes. Choosing and using your appliances wisely can help cut down on your bills and your carbon footprint.  

Modern Kitchen by Pasadena Design-Build Firms HartmanBaldwin Design/Build 

Look beyond stainless steel. Many homeowners are looking for a change from stainless steel. Mix things up a bit with warm white. The right finish and applications work well in traditional, vintage and modern kitchens. 

Eclectic Kitchen by Princeton Architects & Designers Knight Architects LLC 

What's old is new again. The charm of vintage and retro appliances can be appreciated by almost everyone. But not everyone finds the work involved in finding, repairing and maintaining these appliances worth it. See if this investment is worth your while. 

Major Kitchen Appliances

Embrace universal design. Design your new kitchen for today and tomorrow. Whether you're living in your "forever" home or want to accommodate special needs right now, these appliances can contribute to a universally designed kitchen that everyone's comfortable in. 

Modern Kitchen by Denver Interior Designers & Decorators Debra Toney, AIA Assoc. 

Specific Appliances

Ovens. Gone are the days when ovens had to be placed right under the range. Today oven arrangements have more to do with the confines of a kitchen and with individual cooking styles than with appliance limitations.  

Contemporary Kitchen by Richmond Tile, Stone & Countertops Charles Luck Stone Center 

Cooktops. Finding the right cooktop isn't just about looks — even if you love those big gas ranges, they could actually hinder your kitchen's potential. What's right for you? Take a look at this guide — you might be surprised.

Asian Kitchen by San Francisco Architects & Designers John Lum Architecture, Inc. AIA 

Hood fans. Fans are often left until last when shopping for kitchen appliances. Even if they're not as fun to look at as a colorful new fridge, they're just as important. Learn the lingo and get ventilation that suits your style and budget.  

Contemporary Kitchen by Dublin Kitchen & Bath Designers Glenvale Kitchens 

Stovetops. The stovetop tends to be one of the most expensive appliances in your kitchen, so make sure your investment is worthwhile. Yes, function and style are important, but you also want to make sure the stovetop fits with your preexisting cooking space, counter height and cabinetry.

Traditional Kitchen by Berwyn Architects & Designers Peter Zimmerman Architects 

Ranges. When chosen and installed correctly, a range can act as much like a piece of art as an appliance. Take a look at some of the most popular range colors, materials and styles on the market.

Modern Kitchen by Seattle Architects & Designers ROM architecture studio

Small-appliance storage. Who doesn't love kitchen gadgets? Waffle makers, mixers, coffee machines, food processors and ice cream makers are part of what makes cooking fun. But all tof hese single-purpose appliances can pile up fast, taking up tons of counter space. Keep these goodies tucked away neatly with a few smart storage ideas.

Contemporary Kitchen by Tyrone Kitchen & Bath Designers Teri Turan 

Microwaves. Microwaves certainly aren't the prettiest of kitchen appliances, but they're a necessity for most homes. Make the most of yours — you'd be surprised what a difference the right output and installation can make.  

Contemporary Kitchen 

Refrigerators. There's quite a range in refrigerator prices — several thousand dollars depending on brand, size and style — so make sure every dollar you spend is worthwhile. How much space do you need? What accessories will make your life easier? This guide can help you narrow down the choices.  

Traditional Kitchen by Mechanicsburg Design-Build Firms Farinelli Construction Inc

Warming drawers. Keep your food piping hot, warm plates and even slow cook some foods with one of today's most popular small appliances: a warming drawer.  

Eclectic Kitchen by Pasadena Design-Build Firms HartmanBaldwin Design/Build 

Microwave drawers.Most of the time, a microwave gets installed somewhere hard to reach — above the refrigerator, on a top shelf or right above the stove. Installed just below the countertop, microwave drawers make it even easier to warm up your food. 

Traditional Kitchen by Boston Kitchen & Bath Designers Venegas and Company 

Wine refrigerators. Most wine lovers don't have the room for a wine cellar, but that doesn't mean they can't keep favorite bottles at hand. A wine fridge is easy to install and takes up hardly any room — perfect for smaller spaces like apartment kitchens. 

Kitchen Storage Solutions for Every Nook

Article By: Nicole White Quinn

Today's clever kitchen designers have storage solutions to fill every nook and cranny in all sorts of kitchens. These handy helpers can help you take advantage of every square inch. 

Kitchen by Wilmette Kitchen & Bath Designers de Giulio Kitchen Design 

When you're grappling with backsplash material decisions, consider something that can help you snag some extra storage, too. This stunning kitchen has a secret that amps up the storage possibilities without taking away from its clean look. 

Kitchen by Wilmette Kitchen & Bath Designers de Giulio Kitchen Design 

The designers installed sliding doors in the marble backsplash behind the stove and put extra shelving behind them. The beauty of this technique is that you can achieve the best of both worlds — a beautiful backsplash and storage. 

Tip: You'll need to have enough space within your walls to make this work, which means you'll need to have this discussion very early on with your contractor.

Traditional Kitchen by Dublin Kitchen & Bath Designers Glenvale Kitchens 

Corner drawers are a great alternative to the lazy Susan. Cut on a diagonal, they simply pull out like standard drawers to make use of an otherwise hard-to-reach corner space. 

Tip: Have your drawers made in varying sizes to keep things organized. Pot lids and smaller items can go in the smaller drawers, and plastic containers and pots and pans in the larger drawers.

Modern Kitchen by San Francisco General Contractors Bill Fry Construction - Wm. H. Fry Const. Co. 

If you prefer a cabinet door in the corner of a base cabinet, and you don't like lazy Susans, rotating and sliding shelves can help you access corners with ease. 

Tip: Unlike corner drawers, these pullouts can be installed in both upper and lower cabinets. 

Contemporary Kitchen by San Jose General Contractors Chris Donatelli Builders 

Even the toe kick area, once wasted space, can be used for storage when you add a very shallow drawer for small items. 

Traditional Kitchen by Plano Interior Designers & Decorators Gibson Gimpel Interior Design 

Tip: You'll have to bend a lot to access a toe kick space, so consider storing items here that you'll need to access just once or twice a year — such as serving dishes, chargers and holiday napkins. 

Traditional Kitchen by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs 

Open shelving is often the most budget-friendly way to deal with the small space left at the ends of most upper and lower cabinets. If custom cabinets are in your budget, closing those shelves with a curved door is a great way to keep things neat and tidy without installing two separate doors to cover the corner. 

Contemporary Kitchen by Southfield Kitchen & Bath Designers Al Williams 

Go beyond basic shelving for your base cabinetry. Today's kitchen organization additions come in every kind imaginable to help you sort and store your belongings. Use a mix of slide-out shelving and drawers to access heavy items, and custom pullouts to house mixers, spices, cutting boards and baking sheets. 

Traditional Kitchen by Chilliwack Kitchen & Bath Designers Starline Cabinets 

The end cabinets in a kitchen layout typically get fitted with a door facing for a polished look. Here the homeowner has found a clever space for keys, a pegboard and a dry erase board for notes and to-do lists, and installed slats for magazines and cookbooks. 

10 Tiny Kitchens Whose Usefulness You Won't Believe

Article By: Vanessa Brunner

From unfolding apartments to clever remodels to creative rentals, these 10 tiny kitchens show that their owners and designers haven't just learned to deal with small spaces — they've embraced them. With solutions including cutting boards on drawers for extra counter space, affordable alternatives to wallpaper and innovative storage, these small kitchens can't help but inspire. 

Traditional Kitchen by Piedmont Architects & Designers robert kelly 

1. Pocket-Size Vintage-Style Kitchen
Homeowner: Robert Kelly of Piedmont, California

Robert Kelly's vintage-style kitchen is only about 145 square feet, but he doesn't need much more space — even with kids and pets around. Kelly's home was built in the 1920s, and preserving the original style was a big priority. Each appliance and finish was chosen to complement the house as a whole. The beautiful vintage stove was given to him by a friend.

Kitchen by Piedmont Architects & Designers robert kelly 

The most difficult part of Kelly's renovation was planning the kitchen in relation to the rest of the house. The traffic flow had to be arranged with emphasis on one side of the space, leaving more space for cabinets and counters on the other. Relocating the interior stairs, the exterior stairs and the windows helped achieve this but presented some complications.  

Contemporary Kitchen by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Justrich Design 

2. Clean, Modern and Efficient Kitchen
Homeowner: Steve Justrich of San Francisco

Designer Steve Justrich's renovated 1912 kitchen was carefully designed to make the most of its 90 square feet. Justrich relied on simple tricks — placing the refrigerator flush to the wall in an old doorway and purchasing small European appliances — to save on space. Open shelving instead of upper cabinetry and a turquoise Venetian plaster ceiling create the illusion of more space.

Modern Kitchen by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Justrich Design 

A tiny dishwasher is all Justrich needs for a day's worth of dishes. A built-in cutting board and a strainer for the sink expand counter and prep space. Colorful artwork and Heath pottery add cheer to the simply designed space.  

Eclectic Kitchen by New York Media and Bloggers Apt 2B Baking Co. 

3. A Tiny, Makeshift Bakery
Homeowner: Yossy Arefi-Afshar of New York City

Yossy Arefi-Afshar loves to bake, and refuses to let her tiny New York kitchen stop her. Although she's learned some hard lessons about planning along the way ("I'll never forget the time I got too ambitious with my menu and ended up doing dishes in the bathtub the next day," she says), she's learned to work with what she's got.

Eclectic Kitchen by New York Media and Bloggers Apt 2B Baking Co. 

When Arefi-Afshar is working on a big baking project, she simply clears everything off the counters and moves it to another part of the apartment. For some extra surface area, she'll pull out a drawer or two and place a sheet pan or cutting board on top.

Modern Kitchen by Other Metro Photographers Churreria Photography

4. Space-Saving Spanish Kitchen
Homeowner: Christian Schallert of Barcelona, Spain

This cleverly designed 260-square-foot Barcelona apartment functions in different modes — each appliance and piece of furniture tucks into a hidden panel. Panels made of Viroc and wood pop open with a simple push, revealing refrigerators, seating and a bed. 

Modern Kitchen by Other Metro Photographers Churreria Photography

The kitchen panels are all on the same side of the house. A fridge, an electric stovetop, a sink, a freezer, a microwave and a dishwasher all fit into this one wall. After meals, everything simply gets tucked back into its hidden panel.  

Spaces by New York Media and Bloggers nat the fat rat

5. Eclectic and Personal New York Kitchen
Homeowner: Natalie Holbrook of Manhattan, New York

Natalie Holbrook's new apartment was an upgrade in size and style from her previous tiny, prewar home. While the kitchen was a step up, it was still small and lacked any unique style. When she first moved in, Holbrook wanted to cover this wall in wallpaper, but the potentially messy installation and expensive price tag dissuaded her.

Eclectic Kitchen by New York Media and Bloggers nat the fat rat

Instead, she came up with an impromptu, stylish and inexpensive collage made of Polaroids, Instagram prints and other photos. Including the tape, the whole thing cost less than $35.  

Traditional Kitchen by New York Media and Bloggers Big Girls Small Kitchen

6. A Food Blogger's Brooklyn Rental
Homeowner: Cara Eisenpress of Brooklyn, New York

A rental kitchen isn't just limited in size, it's limited in style too. Food blogger Cara Eisenpress uses cute art and her prettiest canning experiments to add color and interest to her tiny Brooklyn kitchen. 

Eclectic Kitchen by New York Media and Bloggers Big Girls Small Kitchen

A huge part of keeping a small kitchen tidy is prioritizing belongings. Not everything could fit in her kitchen at first, so the most used items were kept on hand. On the other side of the kitchen, a wall-mounted wine rack and tall bookshelves take advantage of wall space for storage. A small setup seats four people for a casual meal.

Modern Living Room by New York Architects & Designers Normal Projects

7. Luxe Appliances in a Small Space
Homeowner: A Manhattanite who loves to cook

The owner of this 400-square-foot New York City apartment loves to cook and knew that his lack of square footage didn't have to be an inhibitor. Together, the client and designers Michael Chen and Kari Anderson came up with a unique "unfolding" concept — a built-in cabinet that holds a closet, a desk and a bed, and divides the apartment into zones. 

Modern Kitchen by New York Architects & Designers Normal Projects

This unfolding cabinet solved the issue in the great room, but the dilapidated kitchen still had some problems. The designers found a tiny Viking range to install at the end of the narrow kitchen space. Two undercounter units replaced a full-size fridge, and walnut and stainless steel open shelving provided functional and attractive storage.  

Traditional Spaces by Other Metro Architects & Designers Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

8. Ecofriendly Bare Essentials 
Homeowner: Jay Shafer of North Carolina

This movable 7- by 16-foot home is combined with an equally tiny home next door for a total of 620 square feet of living space. Jay Shafer, founder of Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, calls this home (along with his wife and young son). This energy efficient and ecofriendly housing solution relies on the basics, including a bare-bones kitchen. The front door of the house opens into its small kitchen and dining space. A sink, a prep surface, a portable electric range and a small fridge serve the family's basic needs. A shelf above the sink holds most of the dishes and other kitchen essentials. 

Eclectic Kitchen by Other Metro Architects & Designers Gut Gut

9. Colorful and Custom European Kitchen
Homeowner: Lukas Kordik of Bratislava, Slovakia

This space-saving customized kitchen is full of smart storage solutions. The bright blue kitchen cabinetry provides plenty of color while taking up minimal space. An electric stove top, an oven set flush into the cabinetry and integrated drawer handles keep things simple. Having the main kitchen unit in a single block saves space and keeps the kitchen open. 

Eclectic Kitchen by Other Metro Architects & Designers Gut Gut

Designer and homeowner Lukas Kordik created an impressive unit of floor-to-ceiling shelving to hold essentials and decorative items.  

Contemporary Kitchen by Other Metro Photographers Kimberley Hasselbrink

10. Cheerful San Francisco Rental 

Homeowner: Kimberly Hasselbrink of San Francisco

Food photographer Kimberly Hasselbrink loves her San Francisco apartment, but her kitchen is seriously lacking in space and natural light. She hasn't gotten the go-ahead to make any changes to it, so for now she's dressed up her space with thrift store accessories and one-of-a-kind art. 

Contemporary Kitchen by Other Metro Photographers Kimberley Hasselbrink

Hasselbrink keeps the space neat and clean by using hidden storage. She doesn't like to keep anything out unless it's useful and attractive, instead adding color and visual interest through easy-to-change decor, like these prints fromJon Holcomb and Wendy MacNaughton. 

12 Items Worth a Spot on Your Kitchen Counter

Article By: Charmean Neithart

In certain areas of my house, clutter just shows up out of the blue. The kitchen countertop is a dumping ground for random, misplaced objects left by children and a naughty husband. On any given day I find junk mail, empty grocery bags, the ubiquitous unfinished glass of milk and spare change. 

I like my countertops sparse, so I take responsibility for clearing them each night after dinner. As part of my nightly ritual, I clear the countertops, wipe them clean and then reposition all the things for the next day. I like a combination of functional things and pretty things out on my countertops, but I am very picky about my selections. It is a working area, after all, so function comes first. Here are some ideas for countertop styling that looks good and is functional, too. 

Eclectic Kitchen by New York Interior Designers & Decorators Chango & Co. 

Kitchen scale. This is a handy kitchen tool, especially for those who track portion sizes. A scale can also be useful for baking and weight conversions. You can find scales online in every color of the rainbow and digital versions, too. 

Traditional Kitchen by Santa Cruz Media and Bloggers Shannon Malone 

Fruit bowl. I keep a bowl on my counter filled with fresh, seasonal fruit to encourage healthy snacking.

Traditional Kitchen by Los Angeles Interior Designers & Decorators The Old Painted Cottage 

Silverware caddy. We use a silverware caddy for three square meals a day and just leave it on the counter. It makes perfect sense on a countertop close to the table or dishwasher. 

Traditional Kitchen by Chicago Kitchen & Bath Designers Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

Condiment canisters. You can place canisters for sugar and flour, plus salt and pepper shakers, right on top of the counter. These canisters can be glass, ceramic or tin. The styling details are endless, but I suggest airtight versions to keep out pests. 

Contemporary Kitchen by Temple Tile, Stone & Countertops Wilsonart LLC 

Mixer. I know an appliance garage is a handy thing, but I honestly like seeing mixers. I love the color and the simple engineering of a mixer. We use ours all the time, so it earns a counter spot in our house. Try a baking corner with a mixer, measuring cups and a rolling pin.

Traditional Kitchen by Atlanta General Contractors Dresser Homes 

Cookbook stand. The book stand is one of my favorite countertop accessories. Use it for a hard-copy cookbook or an iPad with a recipe app. The best book stand is heavy enough to support even a large book. Consider a cast iron one with felt pads on the bottom to prevent scratching. 

Traditional Kitchen by Decatur Kitchen & Bath Designers CR Home Design K&B (Construction Resources) 

Oversize bowls. Here is an idea sure to appeal to some but not others. Oversize bowls can sometimes be hard to store, especially with standard-depth upper cabinets at 13 inches. I use oversize bowls a lot for pasta and salad. Find the best-looking and thickest one you can and leave it on the counter. 

Traditional Kitchen by Bellevue Interior Designers & Decorators Marianne Simon Design 

Herb plant. I like to keep rosemary on my kitchen counter for the fragrance and general softness it brings to the hard surfaces in my kitchen. Of course, I snip a bit here and there for cooking. Find a sunny spot on your counter and water your plant once a week. Other herbs to try growing are mint and basil. 

Eclectic Kitchen by San Francisco Architects & Designers Andre Rothblatt Architecture 

Utensils and ingredients. I really like a container for tall utensils right next to my stove. I use a slotted spoon just about every time I cook, so why not have it there at the ready? And I think it's fine and interesting to keep oils and salt and pepper right within arm's reach. 

Eclectic Kitchen by San Francisco Architects & Designers Andre Rothblatt Architecture 

Coffeemaker. Another power appliance in many homes, the coffeemaker need not be hidden away. Those who drink coffee every day should consider a coffee section for their counter.

Traditional Kitchen by Other Metro Interior Designers & Decorators Andrea Brooks Interiors 

Blender. Another kitchen tool available in any color, a blender is handy for blending soups, juices and smoothies. My favorite is the Vitamix Professional Series 750.

Traditional Kitchen by San Marino Interior Designers & Decorators Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. 

Toaster. My family loves toast. I bought the biggest toaster I could find, and there still is a line at breakfast time. The toaster definitely gets a spot on the counter in my kitchen. Keep yours next to a bread drawer or bin for a complete toasting section.

Luxury of Space: Designing a Dream Laundry Room

Article By: Gabrielle Di Stefano

Few of us like to do laundry, and an ineffective space can make it worse. These aren't rooms we prioritize spending time in and money on, but making design decisions that emphasize comfort and practicality can make laundry less of a chore. Instead of shoving your washer and dryer into the basement, try following some of these tips to lay out a dream laundry room that you'll actually enjoy spending time in. Helpful additions — drying cupboards, raised appliances, great lighting — will boost your laundry room's style and function, too. 

Traditional Laundry Room by Atlanta General Contractors Abbey Construction Company, Inc. 

The 3 Laundry Zones

There are three different zones in every successful laundry room. The size of each zone will be different according to the laundry room's overall size, but having all three will make a laundry room more efficient. 

First there's the preparation zone. This area should have space for baskets of dirty clothes, overhead cupboards and a sink to help you get your laundry ready for washing.

Tip: A deep sink will help when you're soaking woolen items and delicates. A swivel tap, like the one in this photo, can also make watering indoor plants a breeze. 

Traditional Laundry Room by Six Mile General Contractors The Berry Group 

The wash and dry zone should include your washer and dryer, and shelving or other storage for your cleaning products.

Tip: If you are designing a galley laundry, make sure you have at least 36 inches in front of the washing machine (front-loading washers need less) and 42 inches in front of a dryer, so you can access your appliances without bumping into cabinets.

Traditional Laundry Room by Dallas Kitchen & Bath Designers Corinne Danicki, CKD 

 Create a folding zonewith a basket for clean clothes, a countertop for folding and hanging rods for anything that needs to air dry. 

Tip: If you are renovating your laundry, ask your cabinetmaker to install pullout baskets inside cupboards for your dirty and clean laundry.

Modern Laundry Room by Plano Appliances ASKO Appliances, Inc.

Helpful Laundry Room Additions

Drying cupboards use high airflow and low heat to dry just about anything. These units come with adjustable pullout racks — some have up to 52 square feet of hanging space. They're great for cold climates and apartment living, or for anytime air drying large quantities of clothes or heavy-duty items is difficult.

Tip: Some drying cupboards are better than others, so do your homework. You'll also need adequate ducting or a very well-ventilated area for a drying cupboard to operate correctly.

Contemporary Laundry Room by Chicago Architects & Designers Sullivan, Goulette & Wilson Ltd. Architects 

Drying racks are less expensive than drying cupboards. Installing drying rods above your sink or countertop and leaving enough room at the back for hangers can help double up on available room, too.

Tip: If you'd rather not cramp your walls, consider using your ceiling to hold a drying rack. A pulley system can keep it neatly out of sight when it's not in use.

Traditional Laundry Room by Charlotte Kitchen & Bath Designers E3 Cabinets & Design 

Raised appliances are great ergonomic options and can help free up storage space. Certain front-loading models come with an optional drawer underneath. If you don't have a lot of space for baskets, you can use one drawer for clean clothes and one for dirty items. 

Tip: If your laundry is near bedrooms or living areas, choose appliances with extra insulation and quality suspension to keep the noise down. Dryers with no decibel rating and washing machines with a high-speed spin cycle of more than 1,000 revolutions per minute will likely be noisy. 

Contemporary Laundry Room by Santa Monica Kitchen and Bath Fixtures Haefele Design 

Ample lighting will help you see and fight stains better. Use a mixture of task lighting installed under your cabinetry and ambient ceiling lighting.

Tip: Install double wall sockets above countertops for clear task lighting. My rule of thumb is to install one fixture every 6 feet. 

Traditional Laundry Room by Dallas Home Builders Ellen Grasso & Sons, LLC

Laundry flooringrequires just as much attention during the design process. With so much water in the room and a risk of leaks and flooding, you'll need to apply a waterproofing membrane before you lay down your flooring. Nonslip tiles are the most practical in high-moisture zones, since hardwood floors may swell over time. Tiles are also a clever way of bringing a colorful design feature into a bland laundry.

Tip: To prevent flooding ask your plumber to install a washing machine valve shutoff kit. These kits have a floor-mounted sensor that will detect any puddles and instantly shut off the water valve.