Built-in appliance

A built-in appliance is one that is fitted into a cabinet or worktop instead of standing on its own. In Turkish kitchens the term is ankastre, and the usual examples are ovens, hobs, extractor hoods, dishwashers, fridges and microwaves. When the appliance door is clad with a cabinet front, it is called fully integrated and almost disappears into the run of units.

Why people choose them

Built-in appliances give a kitchen a clean, continuous look. Cabinet lines stay unbroken and there are no gaps beside freestanding units for dust and grease to collect. They also allow ergonomic choices, such as putting the oven in a tall unit closer to eye level.

Design points

With built-ins, the appliance sets the cabinet, not the other way round. Each manufacturer’s installation guide gives the niche dimensions, ventilation gaps and connection points. So appliances should be chosen before the kitchen is drawn, or at least their size range should be fixed. A fridge swapped late in the process can upset the whole tall-unit layout.

Power, water and gas points need planning from the start as well. A drawer under the hob, heat reaching the cabinet above the oven, and keeping the dishwasher close to the sink are small decisions that make a real difference in daily use.

In renders, built-in appliances lift a kitchen’s realism noticeably; a correctly sized oven door and reflections on the hob make the space convincing. For a wider view, read these kitchen design tips.