How To Choose The Right Appliances For Your Kitchen

START WITH KITCHEN SPACE

As Napoleon would tell you, to win the battle you must have a plan. Start by considering the layout of your kitchen space. The flow and traffic patterns it creates with adjourning rooms; how much appliance space your furniture and architecture allows for; how you use your kitchen space currently and how you would like to use it in the future.

At this stage of your planning, It’s vital to consider functionality over aesthetic. Otherwise you could end up with the style you want, without the practicality. i.e. A ship without a rudder.

OVEN AND COOKTOP SIZING

Are you the next Jamie Oliver or do you prefer eating out? How much space do you have available? How big is your family? These are important considerations when deciding the size of your ovens and cooktops.

If you’re a Brady Bunch-sized family who cook a lot, but don’t want to compromise on counter space, consider an induction or electric cooktop with a flat surface, which can double as a counter when not in use.

Or, if you live in a share house for example, and have multiple cooks using the one space, then the separation of a cooktop and wall oven might work best. On the other hand, an open kitchen with little wall space or simply a small kitchen, would be better suited to a free-standing range. It’s all relative!

MATCHING APPLIANCE COLOURS AND FINISHES

If matching your appliances with the aesthetics of your kitchen is keeping you up at night, consider starting with stainless steel. Many manufacturers, like Omega, offer stainless steel appliances that lend themselves to all kitchen styles, both modern and traditional.

Appliance colours can be a simple way to give your kitchen that visual pop, and a touch of eye candy. A red toaster or fridge for example, can do just that, however bold colours often look best as stand-alone features. Subtle white and grey kitchen aesthetics often contrast best with loud colours .

MATERIAL CHOICE FOR COOKTOPS

Gas, induction and ceramic are the three main cooktops available today.

Gas tops use an electric ignition system, which give you visual feedback on how high the flame is. They offer a charming, traditional look and come in a variety of designs and finishes. However, the cast iron trivets make gas tops tricky to clean.

The beauty of induction cooktops is their chic design and ability to double as bench space. Induction cooktops work via a magnetic field that essentially turns your cookware into the heating element.

Ceramic is sleek and modern. The feature coiled metal under the glass surface is electronically heated. Just like induction, ceramic cooktops are also easy to clean and can double as bench space.

Omega appliances have a wide range of ceramic, induction and gas cooktops, with a modern and elegant aesthetic to suit all kitchen types.

CONSIDERING POWER REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR COOKTOP

If you’re looking for an energy- efficient cook top, then induction is the greenest option. They save 10% more energy than traditional cooktops and are also the safest and most advanced. Another bonus induction has over gas and ceramic is they don’t release heat out into the room, which is perfect for confined kitchens.

IS YOUR RANGEHOOD A STATEMENT PIECE?

The rangehood is to the kitchen, what the moose head is to the trophy room. It’s a relatively small feature that can make an extravagant statement on the style of the space.

Canopy models are the most common style of rangehood, and make, perhaps the grandest statement. These include island rangehoods, which are installed above an island cooking area, and wall canopies, which are installed against a wall.

Fixed rangehoods are a little more modest and generally cover the entire stove area, lending themselves well to minimalist design.