4 Steps to Take the Confusion out of Buying Major Appliances for the Kitchen

While planning for the purchase of major appliances for the kitchen can be an exciting time, the thrill of the moment can fade quickly into confusion and a sense of feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number choices that exist when you're starting from scratch. At this point, walking into a showroom may result in a bout of "purchasing paralysis" as you look over rows upon rows of appliances, not knowing how to start either the process of elimination or selection. There are, however, several steps you can take before starting the shopping process that can narrow the choices in each product category and reduce the confusion of selecting major appliances for your kitchen.

1) Create a detailed budget - Defining the appliances that are going to be purchased within a pre-set budget can start the process of narrowing the selections simply by determining the approximate amount of money that can be spent on each one. For example, in most kitchen remodeling projects, the refrigerator and the oven/cooktop will command the greatest percentage of the appliance budget while the dishwasher and kitchen hood will represent lower expenditures. By setting an amount that can be spent on each appliance, you can eliminate the products that won't fit into the budget.

2) Set your priorities - If your aim is to be able to cook many of the same dishes that are prepared on televised cooking shows, you can prioritize buying a range that has the features that will facilitate preparation of dishes you would like to serve. This step may require some adjustments on what can be spent on the other appliances, so be sure to maintain the balance in your budget so that your dream range doesn't force you to buy a nightmare of a dishwasher.

3) Think about the items that will go into the refrigerator - This step can help to define the best refrigerator configuration for your kitchen. For example, if pizza boxes are usually put straight into the refrigerator after pizza night, the wider refrigeration compartments of a French door or top/bottom freezer configuration will probably be the more functional choice. On the other hand, if you buy individual ingredients to create smaller meals, the convenience of a side-by-side may be the better selection.

4) Consider maintenance and care – If children will be present in the kitchen, you may feel like you're constantly fighting a war against fingerprints on your stainless steel appliances, which may make going with white finishes a lower maintenance solution. Another example would be the cooktop, where ceramic glass may suffer from scratches if cooking includes sliding pots and pans around the surface. In this case, coils or grates would require less care and would probably be the better long term choice.

Starting the appliance buying process from scratch can be a little overwhelming. By taking these steps beforehand, you can start narrowing your selections on the way to buying the best major appliances for your kitchen.

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