Integrated vs built in appliances?

rach_k

We have built in ovens - I wouldn't consider otherwise unless we were going for a beautiful range or something similar. The fridge freezer and dishwasher are integrated as I'm not that fussy about them and I was happy with the Ikea options. The washing machine is freestanding as I am particular about that and integrated ones just wouldn't cut it. Plus I kind of like to see it (bit odd, I know). It's the same colour as the units and tucked away in a corner so it's not in your face.

The only downside to the built in fridge is not having a water dispenser on the front, although maybe you can get them? I'm happier with a water jug in the end though, easier to clean!

Waterlily24

Our cooker and dishwasher are built in, everything else is in the utility room not built in.

dunroving

In every house I have lived in until 2006, I always had freestanding appliances. Then in 2006 I purchased a kitchen with fully-fitted everything (except for the Rangemaster range, although it was fitted in neatly with no gaps).

The house I purchased last summer has freestanding units. I'm getting a new kitchen at the moment and will replace with fully fitted.

From my 2006 house, I disliked the fully fitted units because they seemed to be smaller capacity (F/F, washing machine). I ended up removing them and replacing with freestanding units I had brought with me (I put the washing machine into the side shed as extra capacity, and donated the fridge and freezer to a local family).

From what I can tell, current integrated units are generally of similar capacity and functionality to freestanding units, but more expensive. I priced up on AO.com, and a full set of Bosch appliances cost ca. £2,700 integrated (plus, of course, you have to pay for unit doors, etc.) , whereas similar spec freestanding came to £1,800. So, integrated seemed to be about 50% more expensive.

One thing I like about integrated is that there are fewer nooks and crannies that need cleaning.

cattie

Smaller kitchens look much more pleasing giving a seamless & far neater look with integrated appliances to my mind, otherwise I find the room can look pretty bitty. My kitchen is fairly compact & oven, hob, combination microwave oven & washing machine are all integrated, it's just the fridge freezer that's free standing as it just slots in at the end of a row of units & a wall.

dunroving

cattie wrote: »

Smaller kitchens look much more pleasing giving a seamless & far neater look with integrated appliances to my mind, otherwise I find the room can look pretty bitty. My kitchen is fairly compact & oven, hob, combination microwave oven & washing machine are all integrated, it's just the fridge freezer that's free standing as it just slots in at the end of a row of units & a wall.

That's actually the only exception I have been thinking of, as my F/F will also be at the end of a row, butted up against a wall. Hmmmm .....

dellboy102

Thank you all so much for your replies they've been really useful, will probably end up going integrated for dishwasher, hob/oven and freestanding for everything else

MoLatif

The house we just bought has an integrated fridge freezer and I can tell you it has far less capacity than our old freestanding one. Compare the capacity of freestanding vs integrated as you may find the integrated too small. Ours certainly is too small for a family.

HeatherVP

I've just had a downstairs loo/laundry built - is it ok to put my integrated washing machine from the kitchen into this space and use it as a freestanding washer? Just fitted an integrated dishwasher in its space in the kitchen.

grumbler

I don't know what 'integrated' means, but any built-in appliance can be used anywhere - with or without decorative door/panel.

Emmia

Due to the shape of our kitchen, we had a fridge/freezer that was supposed to be built in, freestanding for a few years - only the cheaper (more likely to go wrong/less efficient) smaller capacity free standing fridges would have fitted into the spot. The fridge /freezer is now built in as the kitchen has been re-done. 

We also went for an integrated hob/oven and dishwasher, but kept the freestanding washer/dryer as it is tucked into the corner, out of sight.