Buyers Want Substance

Kitchen appliances continue to evolve as new improved technologies are introduced, but functionality and form are more important than ever to homeowners who want value and authenticity in one of the most important rooms in their homes.

While the trend toward integrating appliances into cabinetry remains strong, so does the preference for dramatic free-standing appliances.

“There’s really not a trend in either of those directions,” says Steve Joseph, vice president of marketing for Dacor. “Having a balance between the two styles in a kitchen really can help a design. Most free-standing appliances these days are stainless steel, which can sometimes become overwhelming. Having an integrated dishwasher, ventilation system or refrigerator can complement or tone down all the stainless steel,” he adds.

“The trend toward integrated appliances has continued to grow for products such as refrigerators and dishwashers,” says George Tjoumakaris, marketing specialist with Miele, “but designers and consumers still crave flexibility to express their individualism, and there will always be applications where a customer wants to see their beautiful stainless steel appliances on display.”

“The beauty of the kitchen architecture business is that it continues to be constant motion. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. The European market for example has been going toward complete integration of appliances for 20 years and now shows again a tendency to more free-standing concepts,” comments Paolo Bertazzoni, president of the Italian appliance maker that bears his name.

“We also see the various product categories evolve at different speeds. Dishwashers are probably offering the highest percentage of integration applications, while cooking and ventilation products are still considered to provide the kitchen with a distinct character. The consumer reserves the right to determine what they like most. We see actually more of an eclectic trend where free-standing and integrated solutions are blended very elegantly,” he says.

“It’s really about the client’s preference and style,” Tracy Frye, senior marketing manager, contract channel, Whirlpool Corp., concurs. “One trend is to integrate most of the appliances into cabinetry and let a commercial-style range in stainless steel or a finish like Jenn-Air’s Oiled Bronze take center stage,” Frye says.

Finishes

The global market has found a lingua franca when it comes to the most popular material and that is stainless steel, according to Bertazzoni.

“However, manufacturers cannot stand still,” he says. Major initiatives are underway to continuously improve the appearance, quality, finish and feel of stainless steel. Tasteful color accents that complete its timeless look as well as more cleaning-friendly surface treatments start to emerge. We are also innovating the processing of the material to provide more contours and shaping.”

While stainless steel is very popular, Dacor’s Joseph sees color as a new and growing trend; the company launched a full line of colored appliances in recent years. Aluminum, he notes, is a possible replacement for stainless steel, partly because it is more versatile in terms of custom shapes. It’s also environmentally friendly in that it can be recycled, a trait that it shares with stainless steel.

Glass finishes are another area where Joseph sees growing interest. Dacor has six colors in its line of its color infused glass, and it’s available across its line of appliances — including dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, warming drawers, wall ovens. A variety of handles is available as well.

Yet another option is Dacor’s Millennia style, which combines stainless steel trim on black glass.

“Classic stainless steel is still very desirable,” agrees Miele’s Tjoumakaris, “and black finishes are also common.”