MIX OR MATCH?

WHEN PLANNING YOUR DREAM KITCHEN, BIG APPLIANCES ARE CRUCIAL PIECES OF THE PUZZLE AND NEED TO BE CHOSEN CAREFULLY

-  KYLIE JACKES

Whether building from scratch or embarking on a complete kitchen renovation, there's myriad decisions to make and one of the biggest is selecting major appliances. Relied upon daily, big-ticket items such as W the fridge, freezer, oven, rangehood and dishwasher are integral to your room's functionality and feel. Charlotte Riggs, design director at Bondi Kitchens & Joinery, recommends taking the time to explore your options and asking the necessary questions. "Will the appliances be a statement or seamless?" she queries. "Do you want to stick with one brand or will mixing and matching from a range of brands better meet your needs?" It's enough to make your head spin, so before you hit the shops, here are some tips to help make up your mind.

FAB FUNCTIONALITY

Appliances have a big impact on kitchen design so it's ideal to choose them early. "The size of your space and 'must haves' is a great place to start when planning inclusions," recommends Livia McRobert, head of marketing at Smeg Australia.

It's worthwhile familiarising yourself with the latest appliance innovations and features which can extend your cooking capabilities. "Combi steam ovens are a popular choice as they offer the versatility of traditional convection and steam cooking in one, while fridge technology from brands such as Sub-Zero, food longer," says Bruce Cranston, product expert preserves at Winning Appliances. He explains that for large families and keen entertainers, a generous capacity French door fridge and a freestanding dual oven/stove might be wish list items, whereas a tower oven and a dishwasher drawer can be space savvy options in smaller kitchens.