If you are just about to move into your new but unfurnished home, the next thing for you to do is choose and purchase appliances. A family has unique needs that are different from single individuals or young couples and these needs significantly affect your decision-making. Every shopper focuses on two things: quality and function.
Since you have a family, your goal is to find appliances that have the highest quality and capability to keep up with your everyday needs.
Range and Oven
This should be at the top of your checklist because you need to cook and feed your family as soon as you move in. Generally speaking, today’s ranges are classified into two: Electric and Gas. If you do not have or not planning on having a gas supply in your home, the choice for you would be an electric range and oven. Many families prefer this because it is not prone to gas leak-related serious injuries.
When it comes to popularity, smooth-top electric ranges are the current trend in the market because of their performance and price range. They equal more than 60% of the total ranges sold in one year. Aside from electric types, there are also gas ranges and dual-fuel ranges. The latter is a combination of a gas stovetop and an electric oven.
Almost all types of ranges have the same basic features such as at least 4 burners and a two-rack oven. Prices are higher if you want five burners or an oven that has more than two racks.
Refrigerator
Refrigerators have two basic functions: to keep your food cold and prevent it from spoiling. The question is, will that unit fit your budget, space, and style? There are now so many selections that you’ll find in the market. Some of the largest names in this field are GE and Whirlpool who both spent the last few decades improving their units and making them suitable for smart homes.
When it comes to style, you basically have four options. First is the top freezer where the bottom is for fresh foods and the top serves as a dedicated freezer. These are probably the most common and cheapest among its competitions. A top freezer with a height of 66 inches and a width of 29 inches will cost you somewhere between USD 475 and USD 2,200.
Your second option is the bottom freezer which is ideal if you do not want to keep on bending down to get fresh items and drinks. With this unit, the bottom part is the freezer while the fresh food storage is within the standing level. The average price for a bottom freezer is around USD 1,000 to USD 1,900.
Last but not least is the side-by-side refrigerator. There is now hunching down on this because the frozen foods are on your left and fresh foods are on the right. This type of unit will cost you roughly USD 1,150 to USD 3,000.
Dishwasher
Having a reliable dishwasher can save you precious time that you’d rather spend with your family than standing on the sink washing dishes with your hands. When choosing, you have to know if it is easy to load, quiet and reliable. Some of the top manufacturers of dishwashers that you’ll find in stores are Bosh, Hotpoint, Beko, and Indesit.
To be more specific, there are three types of dishwashers. First is the integrated units that can easily fit behind a cupboard door, thus providing a seamless look in your kitchen. The controls are usually located on the top edge of the machine and are visible when you open the doors.
The second is the semi-integrated dishwasher. It has a door fitted to the front of the unit and a control panel at the top. With this, you can access the controls even if the dishwasher’s door is closed. The last one is the free-standing models. These are dishwashers that can be placed anywhere you would like without needing cupboard doors.
All in all, all types of dishwashers are easy to operate and maintain. However, some households often have a water softener system installed to protect and significantly prolong the life of their appliances like the dishwasher.
Washer and Dryer
Since you have several family members, it is best to choose a washer and dryer unit that can handle heavy loads. You also have to double-check if it is powered by gas or electricity to make sure the unit is compatible with your home setup
If you see yourself washing large loads and items such as blankets and comforters, the ideal machine for you should have at least 4 cubic feet capacity.
One of the top manufacturers of washer and dryer combos is Samsung. They have a unit that has 4.5 cubic foot washer capacity and 7.5 cubic foot dryer capacity. It features a big drum that has self-clean technology and a special cycle that can eliminate 99% of bacteria. If you are looking for a gas-operated unit, you can look at GE appliances. They have a gas-powered, heavy-duty washer and dryer combo that boasts an aluminum alloy drum for energy efficiency.
Furnishing your home should be an exciting and fulfilling experience. Once you start shopping, bear in mind to stick with your budget and needs to narrow down the many choices you’re about to encounter.
Meta title:Guide to Buying the Right Appliances for Your Home
meta desc: There are hundreds of types of appliances that you’ll see online and in stores. You will have lots of options, but you should get those that are best for your family.
