Matchy-Matchy

I have had a number of clients who wanted all their kitchen appliances to match. I will  acknowledge that all the appliances from the same manufacturer and same model will more likely have the same color. If you go to an appliance store and look around, you will see that the color of the stainless steel of one brand is different than the stainless steel of another brand. However I am really into function. First and foremost I want the appliance to do what it is supposed to in a dependable and acceptable manner.  I went through a number of dishwashers in my life before I found there are machines out there that actually do clean the dishes! I also understand that some people are just sold on certain brands and that is what they want and that is what they will get. That is brand loyalty, something all manufacturers dream of.

A couple of years ago, I attended a cocktail party at a multi-million dollar house. The caterer was pleased to show me around the kitchen. There was the Sub-Zero refrigerator and the Wolf range but the drawer microwave was a Sharp! Now Sub-Zero and Wolf are out of the same company and this company does make drawer microwaves, so what gives?

I have been thinking about this lately. So I did a survey of several of my Kitchen and Bath magazines. There are many pretty show kitchens in this publication, heck they are good enough to make it into such a magazine in the first place. In a side bar for each kitchen there is a list of items used in the space. I made up a spreadsheet for 12 of these kitchens listing the brands used for refrigerator, range (that included cooktops and wall ovens), dishwasher, microwave and wine/beverage storage. See the below spreadsheet.

Not all the kitchens listed all the appliances for example a refrigerator is missing in one and I know they have a refrigerator – I could see it in the picture.

So don’t feel you have to buy a whole suite from one manufacture. You can often find better deals when you buy everything together. That may be what happened in the two KitchenAid kitchens. But if you look at Consumers Report you will find that one brand may have great refrigerators but not so great ranges. So if you want a show kitchen either go with the high end appliances or if your budget is more limited go with one brand and model for appliances. If you want a kitchen that is easy to work in and has dependable appliances go with the best you can afford for each specific item.