Appliances are the most important part of any well-designed kitchen space. Getting the right design and colour can really tie a kitchen together. The essentials are those which you use more or less every day, so they need to be durable and enjoyable to use. There’s no point buying something which doesn’t work properly and then breaks after a few uses. Kitchen appliances are $7 billion industry and something you should be taking seriously. Spend time getting your essentials right and everything else will fall into place.
Toaster
An ever-present part of the kitchen counter, your toaster is something worth thinking about. This will probably be used several times a day, depending on how many people are in your household. Invest in something shiny and stylish, but keep it simple. Go for a brand which you know will last and remember to take ease of cleaning into account as well.
You need to determine whether a two slice toaster is enough or whether four would better suit your needs. For larger quantities, consider a toaster oven. In general, larger is better. This allows you to put any sized slice you like in and be sure to get an even toast.
Kettle
Very few kitchens are kettle-less. This is another item which will be used several times a day. Whether it’s for a morning coffee or to boil water faster for the evening rice meal, kettles get used a lot. The kettle and toaster should really match, so get the same brand and colour if possible.
Opt for metal over plastic if you can afford to. This will give your kitchen a luxury feel, which visitors will notice. Since it is being used so regularly, consider boiling speed. A stove kettle may suit a more traditional home, but a powerful electric kettle will be quicker. This is great if you often find yourself in a rush in the morning.
Coffee Maker
Perhaps not as essential for non-coffee drinkers, but for those who need their morning caffeine fix, an automated drip coffee maker is a must-have. These really take a kitchen to the next level and improve quality.
The right coffee maker can be adjusted to make the perfect brew to your liking, but make sure it is usable and easy to clean. Go for something of high quality, so that you can have it for a lifetime and never need to buy a new one again.
Blender
The blender is another big, centrepiece item for your kitchen. It is one of the most versatile appliances. You can make soup, smoothies, milkshakes, pancakes, mashed potato, condiments, sauces, dips and even bread using one of these. No kitchen is complete without a good blender.
Choose a blender with at least 500 watts and an ice crusher. This way, you’ll know it can deal with anything you put in there. Go for something simple, yet robust. A blender doesn’t need to be complicated or do anything fancy. Just make sure that aesthetically it doesn’t stand out from the rest of the decor.
Once you have these essentials in place, your kitchen will come to life. Getting the toaster, kettle, coffee maker and blender looking perfect will help give your kitchen a luxury feel. Beyond design, however, prioritise high functionality since these appliances will be used so regularly.
