NWR: Kitchen Remodel

AprilH81

Just bought a "new" house in May and we are getting ready to start a kitchen remodel.  The previous owner had just put in a new Maytag stove/oven that is stainless steel.  We bought a new LG stainless steel fridge when we moved in.  Now we are getting ready to buy a new dishwasher and microwave....

Based on ratings, reviews and price we are going to buy a Whirlpool dishwasher and possibly an LG microwave.  My "everything must match" brain is going bonkers...  But is it really that big of a deal?  They will all be stainless steel with touches of black, so does it really matter that they aren't the same brand?

I don't mind the fridge and dishwasher not "matching" because they will be on opposite sides of the kitchen, but the microwave is right over the stove so they will look more like a unit.

The Maytag microwave gets okay reviews, but the LG gets better reviews and has more features.

Thoughts?

mysticl

It doesn't matter.  I would have to go into the kitchen to tell you what brand ours are.  The fridge is stainless.  The stove and dishwasher are stainless with black.  It works.  

cupcait927

It wouldn't bother me that the brands didn't match if they were all in the same finish (like stainless steel or all black, which is what we have).

However, my old roommate moved into a townhouse where the previous owner had redone the kitchen with ALL matching appliances and I must say, it looks fabulous. Everything is kitchenmaid. So I do envy that little.

I think you make a good point with the microwave and stove. If it was a large appliance like an oven or fridge, I'd say definitely rely heavily on reviews. But this is a microwave. I think as long as the maytag has decent review and the essential features, it may be better to go with that. How often are you really gonig to use the special feature on the LG microwave (serious - not snark)? Just food for thought.

emmaaa

I am like you that I would want it to all be the same brand. What if the stainless steel is a slightly different color? That would bother me...if it were MY kitchen. Now, if I were to go to someone's house, I probably wouldn't ever notice.

AprilH81

cupcait927 said:

It wouldn't bother me that the brands didn't match if they were all in the same finish (like stainless steel or all black, which is what we have).

However, my old roommate moved into a townhouse where the previous owner had redone the kitchen with ALL matching appliances and I must say, it looks fabulous. Everything is kitchenmaid. So I do envy that little.

I think you make a good point with the microwave and stove. If it was a large appliance like an oven or fridge, I'd say definitely rely heavily on reviews. But this is a microwave. I think as long as the maytag has decent review and the essential features, it may be better to go with that. How often are you really gonig to use the special feature on the LG microwave (serious - not snark)? Just food for thought.

Very true to the bolded...

The LG model has sensor cooking which automatically adjust heating time (prevents repeatedly adding time because the food is still cold).

It also has a rapid defrost setting which if works would be amazing for when I forget to get meat out of the freezer for dinner...   

Another feature that is a cool (but I could live without) is a "melt/soften" feature for items like butter...  I always end up with melted butter when I try to soften it for a recipe.

It does seem silly to worry so much about "matching" appliances when I can get a better appliance with more features for a lower price than the Maytag.

Peaseblossom55

We are remodeling the kitchen too, our thought was keeping the same color for appliances ( stainless steel), but vary on brands based on pricing and reviews.  We are now looking at granite countertops.

littlemushroom

I am firmly in the function over form mentality.  I would much prefer a microwave that will last longer and do more for me, than one that matches another appliance but isn't that great.

The same finish will pull everything together.  How often do people notice the brand of appliances in someone else's home anyway?  I couldn't tell you what brand of appliances any of my friends or family has. 

SBmini

Don't worry about matching. We bought a fridge to match our stove and the fridge is a total POS. I wish instead of looks that we went off of functionality. 

AprilH81

emmaaa said:

I am like you that I would want it to all be the same brand. What if the stainless steel is a slightly different color? That would bother me...if it were MY kitchen. Now, if I were to go to someone's house, I probably wouldn't ever notice.

They are all stainless steel (none are stainless steel look) and the only two appliances that will be near one another in a really obvious way will be the stove and microwave.

AddieCake

I have no thoughts on the appliances. Just wanted to say Hooray!!! for remodeling. 

AprilH81

AddieCake said:

I have no thoughts on the appliances. Just wanted to say Hooray!!! for remodeling. 

I was really excited at the start of the process, then horrified at our first quote, and now excited again now that we have the cost down to a more acceptable level.  

To get the cost down I had to give up the pretty taupe painted cabinets I wanted and a second row of upper cabinets (all the way to the ceiling), but we can add the second row of cabinets down the road...  Otherwise I'm not too disappointed in the "downgrades".  Everything will still be nicer than what is in there now!

chibiyui

Yay remodel

mrsmorales2be

I wouldn't stress about the brands. Hope everything goes smoothly with the remodel, and just remember, lots of wine as needed!