Update Kitchen With Kitchen Appliances

by Allison Beatty
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

When planning a cabinet refacing, it's a good time to review other parts of your kitchen design. If your kitchen appliances are out of date and not as functional as you want, consider upgrading them. The options are plentiful and full of high tech features.

Stainless Steel Appliances

If you've lived with white, almond or black appliances for awhile, you'll be surprised at how stainless steel appliances can transform the look of your kitchen. As you plan a cabinet refacing, consider this trendy metal that has become all the rage in kitchen design. A few tips:

• Always use the same color appliances throughout the kitchen, as it presents a unified look.
• Try newer matte finishes that tone down the shiny stainless steel look.

Appliances Go High Tech

Your newly refaced cabinets also will blend well with the high technology found in many of today's kitchen appliances. Many appliances have computerized features that make it easier to prepare meals and cook with precise temperatures. Among the high tech features are:

• Ovens and microwave ovens that can store favorite recipes.
• Refrigerators that can chill wine in 30 minutes and keep meats and vegetables fresh longer.
• Quiet dishwashers designed to make entertaining more enjoyable.
• Appliances that can be programmed to fit your lifestyle.

Appliances Offer More Flexibility

Today's kitchen appliances are designed to fit into a new home or remodeled space. As such, there are more sizes available to fit meal preparation needs. Consider:

• Adding two dish drawers instead of a traditional 24-inch dishwasher. These are ideal for unique spaces or for those who want the flexibility of running each drawer separately.
• Oversized and undersized dishwashers.

There are many innovative options in kitchen appliances. From quiet dishwashers to convection ovens to refrigerated drawers that fit on an island, there are appliances for everyone. As you consider a cabinet refacing project, think of how new appliances could change your cooking and eating habits.

About the Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer. She has been a writer of home improvement columns for 15 years. Her articles have appeared in numerous national newspapers and magazines, and on home improvement web sites.