How to Choose the Perfect Appliances for Your Kitchen Remodel
When it comes to remodeling your kitchen or building a new home, most decisions feel overwhelming like selecting the right appliances. With so many brands, features, and finishes on the market, it’s easy to feel stuck.
At Collected Interiors, we guide our East Bay, California clients through every detail of their kitchen design—including helping them choose appliances that are not only beautiful, but also functional for every day, timeless, and long-lasting. With our continued education and research, we’re able to spend our free time learning about the items in your home so you know you’re making the best decision.
Whether you’re dreaming of a modern chef’s kitchen or a cozy, family-friendly gathering space, here’s what you need to know before making your selections.
La Cornue Chateau Supreme Collection
Understanding Appliance Tiers
Appliances fall into three general tiers, and knowing where you want to land is the first step:
Entry-Level Options – Brands like GE and Whirlpool are dependable and budget-friendly. Perfect for investment properties or starter homes.
Mid-Range Choices – Think Bosch, KitchenAid, GE Café, JennAir. These offer great performance with stylish finishes at a moderate price point.
Luxury Appliances – For homeowners who want the best of the best, Miele, Sub-Zero, Wolf, Thermador, Viking, Dacor, and BlueStar.
Ultra-Luxury – Brands like La Cornue and Gaggenau are the showpieces of the kitchen, offering colorful ranges and bespoke details.
Brands to Avoid
Not all appliances are created equal, and some brands simply don’t hold up over time. Samsung and LG, for example, began as electronics manufacturers and later saw an opportunity to expand into appliances. While their designs look sleek, they’re often built with cheaper materials and labor. These companies have been sued in the past and are widely known for appliances that break within the first two years of use—often leaving homeowners in long battles with warranty companies for repairs.
Another red flag? Too many “smart” features. Appliances that rely heavily on touchscreens, Wi-Fi, and computer integration tend to fail faster, have a shorter lifespan, and are more expensive to fix. This cycle encourages you to replace appliances more often, making manufacturers more money while adding unnecessary waste to landfills.
👉 Takeaway: The less “smart” and overly complicated your appliances are, the better. When in doubt, go for quality craftsmanship and mechanical reliability over flashy tech features.
Special Features to Consider
1. Built-In Refrigerators: Come in larger sizes (42"–48") with interior water dispensers and custom panel options.
Built-in refrigerators with custom panels blend seamlessly into your cabinetry, creating a cohesive and elegant kitchen design. By avoiding unsightly stainless steel, you achieve a more refined, luxurious look. These integrated appliances provide both functionality and beauty, elevating your space with timeless style.
2. Dishwasher Drawers: Convenient and space-saving, available in many high-end brands.
3. Steam Ovens: Not to be confused with microwaves! They use moisture for healthier reheating and cooking—perfect for juicy roasts and vegetables.
5. Warming Drawers: Great for entertaining; they keep food hot without drying it out (ideal for game day or family gatherings).
4. Speed Ovens: A combination of microwave, convection, and broiler—multi-taskers love them.
6. Coffee Systems: Miele’s built-in coffee makers grind beans fresh and can even be plumbed for water—cappuccino at the touch of a button.
Style Meets Function
Appliances are not just about function—they’re part of the overall design. If you love colorful accents or want your appliances to blend seamlessly into a timeless kitchen, you’ll be glad to know that many brands now offer custom panel-ready options to complement the rest of your cabinetry.
We often recommend matching appliance panels for a cohesive look, or go bold by selecting a colorful statement range for a little personality.
Miele: Fully integrated dishwashers.
Don’t Forget the Outdoor Kitchen
If you’re in the Bay Area, where indoor-outdoor living is a way of life, outdoor appliances might be on your list too. From UV-rated refrigerators and luxury grills by Hestan or Lynx, to kegerators and pizza ovens, you can create an entertainer’s dream right in your backyard.
Hestan Outdoor Living Suite with Side Burner, Beer Dispenser and Bar
Our Approach
At Collected Interiors, we believe appliances should feel like a natural extension of your home. They should complement your style—whether that’s colorful and playful or classic and timeless—while also standing the test of time with daily use. We collaborate with trusted showrooms (like Ferguson in Concord) to educate our clients and make sure they feel confident in every choice.
Pizza Oven
Fontana Outdoor Italian Wood-Fired Pizza Oven
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right appliances for your remodel doesn’t have to be intimidating. By understanding your budget, exploring the features that matter most to your lifestyle, and considering how your appliances fit into the overall design of your home, you’ll end up with a kitchen that feels both functional and beautiful.
If you’re planning a remodel or building a new home in Walnut Creek, Concord, or anywhere in the East Bay, let’s design a kitchen that feels like it was made just for you. Reach out to Collected Interiors—we’d love to help you create a space that’s as durable, timeless, and inviting as it is stylish.
Check out our Serene Farmhouse project.
