Built-In vs Freestanding Appliances

There are many factors to consider when choosing an appliance, such as price, brand and size – another element you must consider is whether you prefer integrated, built-in or freestanding appliances.

Both differ in style, design and, sometimes, functionality, which means they have pros and cons depending on the layout of your home or business, personal taste, available space and cost. At Walworth Appliances, we specialise in providing high-quality domestic appliances in Andover, so we can help you determine which type of appliance is best for you.

Advantages of Built-In Appliances

Why should you pick an integrated appliance instead of a freestanding one? There are many benefits to doing so, and the main one is that, if you have a small kitchen or laundry room, for instance, a built-in machine will save quite a lot of floor space.

In addition, because integrated appliances are hidden behind doors (the doors are often fixed to the appliance itself), your washing machine or dishwasher can stay out of sight, streamlining your layout and design. With freestanding appliances, you also risk having a complete mismatch in interior design. Due to built-in appliances being tucked away, you don’t have to worry about this if you choose these for your home.

Another thing to remember is that integrated appliances make less noise, so they’re perfect for your home, especially if you have a small space or a family with young kids. Nothing is quite as annoying when trying to converse in a room with a noisy appliance, especially if you work from home and regularly need quiet to communicate with the office or clients.

Integrated appliances are less noisy due to their surroundings, such as cupboard doors helping minimise sound, and because other machines, furniture or units surround them, they will usually vibrate less.

For example, our integrated dishwasher collection can be the perfect addition to your kitchen, with many offering sound levels under 50 dB, which is about the average audio level of a normal conversation. Meaning, you don’t have to worry about staying on top of the dishes whilst working or socialising in your kitchen.

Advantages of Freestanding Appliances

Appliances are often a high cost, so having to leave them behind in a move can be a disappointing expense. Freestanding appliances are much more flexible than integrated machines. Whether you are a homeowner looking to upsize or downsize in the near future or decide to rent instead of owning your own property, your appliances can come with you wherever your plans take you.

Freestanding means you can simply place the machine in the desired spot and take it out whenever you need it without interference from other furniture pieces. Alternatively, if you wish to renovate your home or change the layout for any reason, a freestanding appliance can be the perfect machine to make this much more straightforward. You’ll also have more places to choose from when installing a freestanding appliance, as you won’t be limited like a built-in appliance.

Integrated appliances are also more problematic to replace and repair, as they need to be removed from their casing, which can be quite challenging due to their weight, size and the type of casing they are housed in. Additionally, if you want to replace an integrated appliance, you may have to replace the cupboard door. Not only will you be spending more money, but you may not even find a door that matches the rest of your kitchen décor again.

While you can significantly benefit from freestanding appliances in the home, they are also excellent choices in busy homes. For example, if you hire domestic assistance, finding the washing machine can be much easier and simpler when it is on show and will prevent rummaging through cupboards to find what they need.

At Walworth Appliances, we sell many freestanding appliances, including our excellent collection of freestanding washing machines, which come in a range of sizes suitable for single member households or large families.  

Built-In Vs Freestanding Appliances: Which is Better?

To summarise, when are built-in appliances the better choice, and when should you opt for freestanding ones?

Built-in appliances are good when:

• Your floor space is limited
• You want a minimalist aesthetic
• You want to ‘hide’ the appliances
• You’re after a trendy, sophisticated look
• You prefer noise to be kept to a minimum
• You don’t want to worry about matching the appliances with the décor

Freestanding is the way to go when:

• You want or need larger appliances
• You have domestic or personal assistants
• You’re looking for appliances that are easier to install and remove
• You want more flexibility over where to place the appliances
• You want something easier to maintain and repair
• You don’t want to get a plinth for the appliance

While these vary according to your circumstance and preferences, they can give you a good starting point if you’re unsure which appliance to purchase.

And, at Walworth Appliances, we have them both. You can select from our vast range of built-in appliances or opt for our freestanding appliances, depending on what you need or want for your home or place of business. Just get in touch with us on 01264 367 708 if you’d like to learn more about our products and how they can make your life so much easier.