• Kitchen Appliances

    There are plenty of trends to think about in today's kitchen appliances. Here are some of the things that are being done to make appliances attractive and convenient.

    Hidden Controls

    Today's appliances can preserve the clean straight lines of your kitchen by hiding their control panels when they aren't in use. The controls to the stove or the dishwasher can flip out on the panel when you need them, and flip back to reveal a flat surface when you don't. On the practical side, this also eliminates some things to bump against and get your clothing caught on as you move about.

    Paneling

    Another way to preserve those lines is to panel the appliance with the same wood as the cabinetry. The paneled refrigerator has become an especially popular item. No longer does the refrigerator have to look like a huge, ugly (or at least indifferent) electronic device. With paneling, it fits right in with the rest of the cabinets.

    A Second Dishwasher

    If you've got the space, you may want to consider adding a second dishwasher to your kitchen. Especially if you do a lot of cooking for larger groups, you know how tedious it can be to run several loads of dishes just to get your kitchen back to clean again. Two dishwashers can cut that time almost in half.

    Quiet Dishwashers

    Standard dishwashers can make a lot of noise. This can make you reluctant to run the dishwasher until after guests have gone home. Yet often, it makes more sense to toss the dishes in and get the dishwasher going right away. Newer dishwashers feature ultra-quiet operation so that you can accomplish this without disrupting the party.

    Laundry

    Another trend for those with larger kitchens is to bring the clothes washer and dryer into the kitchen. In a lot of kitchens, the washer and dryer are right next door anyway, so it makes sense to incorporate them into the overall design.

    Coffeemaker

    The coffeemaker doesn't have to be a portable appliance that takes up counter space. More and more coffeemakers are being built into the kitchen as appliances, just like a dishwasher or stove. These coffeemakers have the added advantage of including coffee grinders so you can have fresh ground coffee each morning instead of spooning out stale grounds from a can you bought two months ago.

    Wine Coolers

    Another appliance that is bursting on the scene is the wine cooler. These can be integrated into the kitchen as well, providing you a wonderful place to chill your wine or other beverages while adding to the look of the kitchen.

    The Microwave Drawer

    More and more, microwaves are being integrated into the kitchen as well, often in the kitchen island. The microwave drawer is installed below the counter, making it easy to access even for children and keeping it comfortably out of the way so that you can use the counter space for other purposes.