To integrate your appliances, or not to integrate your appliances...

Design and aesthetic can be very subjective. Many appliances these days are made with function, durability, usability, technology and design in mind. This means that many appliances you'd find on display here at Spartan Electrical are designed and built to not only perform outstandingly, but to also look good while doing their job.

This means that integrating your appliances isn't always necessary, until it is...

What does integrated mean?

Integrated appliances are appliances that are essentially 'built in' and hidden behind a panel that matches your kitchen cabinetry. Yep, we mean YOUR kitchen cabinetry. Don't be confused if you pop into Spartan and you see our 'integrated' range behind cabinetry that doesn't match yours - it's an example only.

There are also 'semi-integrated' options - particularly on dishwashers - where you can have the most of your appliance behind your kitchen cabinetry, with the control panel still visible at the top. 

Why would I want to integrate?

As we said above, appliances are designed these days to not only perform outstandingly well, but they're also designed to look brilliant. Chic and sleek with appliance companies constantly bringing out new ranges of appliances to keep up with modern day trends. For example, the AEG Matte Black range of appliances that recently launched was designed to upgrade the technologies available and to follow the current trend of black steel and Matte Black appliances going into kitchens.

Having your appliance on display may be less important to you than integrating your appliance behind some of your kitchen cabinetry. The main benefit to integration in your kitchen would be the finish that integrated appliances yields. For example, your appliance will just look like the rest of your kitchen cabinetry. Chic and sleek, flush finishes. If you're going for a minimalist and ultra-modern look in your kitchen, integration may be a good idea to ensure the flow of the vibe you're going for.

Why would I not want to integrate?

Again, appliances these days are produced with aesthetic in mind, so it may not be entirely necessary for your to need to integrate your appliances. If you're not going for a super-particular look in your kitchen, the sleek and modern design of appliances these days might be a good enough look for you. 

Integrating your appliance is obviously a more expensive process, as you need to get your cabinet makers and joiners involved in the installation process.

Integration reduces your flexibility in the kitchen re-design process. If you're a few years down the line and looking to change things around a bit, it gets a bit tricky when your appliances are integrated. You may need to find a replacement appliance that fits the exact dimensions and measurements of the appliance you're replacing. If you wish to change or swap the location of your appliances, again, cabinet makers and joiners will need to be involved in the process. So there are some limiting factors to consider when it comes to deciding whether or not to integrate.

It's all personal!

At the end of the day, integration is really a completely personal choice. Here at Spartan, we can help you with both integrated and non-integrated options of appliances with both options on extensive display in our showrooms. We are happy to talk to you about the pros and cons of both and the features and benefits of integration vs free-standing appliances in your kitchen. Like most things in the kitchen, it's a personal choice for you to make when it comes time to creating your dream kitchen.

We're just here to help you however we can!