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The Rise of Built-in Appliances
May 20, 2024
Mrinmoy Dey
The seamless and sophisticated look that built-in appliances offer along with advanced technologies make them a compelling option, more so, in high-end kitchens. And, their popularity is set to grow further, writes Mrinmoy Dey
In the realm of contemporary kitchen design, a profound shift is underway. The traditional concept of standalone appliances is making way for a more seamless and integrated approach—built-in appliances. This evolution is redefining the very essence of kitchen spaces, offering not just enhanced functionality but also an aesthetic transformation that aligns with modern-day consumers’ preferences.
The concept of built-in appliances is not entirely novel, but its recent surge in popularity signifies a significant transition in kitchen design trends. The shift is driven by a fusion of factors, including technological advancements, evolving consumer preferences, and the desire for a more streamlined and cohesive kitchen appearance.
“Built-in appliances can be virtually integrated into any space, be it the kitchen cabinets, kitchen countertops or wall units, creating a seamless, sophisticated look. As these appliances typically fit into the cabinetry, the users enjoy an overall clutter-free kitchen layout.”
Frank Schloeder
Managing Director
Hafele South Asia
What’s Pushing the Demand for Built-in Appliances?
Kitchens have always been an integral part of Indian homes and serve as activity centres for families to unwind and interact. It is a space where the users get personally involved to determine various factors, chief among them being storage and appliances. “Rise in income levels, urbanisation, influence of western lifestyle and rise in number of households and new constructions are some of the key factors contributing to the rising demand for built-in kitchen appliances,” opines Nitesh Mathur, Vice President - New Business, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Limited.
Frank Schloeder, Managing Director, Hafele South Asia adds, “Given the shifting consumer lifestyles and with the rise in disposable incomes, pricing is no longer the most important aspect one considers while re-doing the kitchen. In fact, for such a customer base, the aesthetics of built-in appliances vis-à-vis that of freestanding ones appeals more.”
He further adds that the demand for built-in appliances has been gaining thrust due to its perfect amalgamation of cutting-edge design and advanced functionality. “Built-in appliances can be virtually integrated into any space, be it the kitchen cabinets, kitchen countertops or wall units, creating a seamless, sophisticated look. As these appliances typically fit into the cabinetry, the users enjoy an overall clutter-free kitchen layout.”
As urban living spaces in India become smaller and more compact, built-in appliances are a great space-saving solution. “They seamlessly integrate into kitchen cabinets and make the best use of the available space. Indian households have diverse culinary needs. Built-in appliances allow for a customised kitchen layout, letting consumers mix and match appliances that suit their specific requirements. New projects, consumer aspirations, modular kitchen demand, and aesthetically appealing integrated kitchen requirements are some of the key factors that ultimately are driving the demand for built-in appliances,” asserts Saif Khan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, BSH Home Appliances India.
Smart refrigerators can easily drop notifications regarding food going stale as per the expiry dates and replenishment criteria set by the user. Photo Courtesy: Hafele
Standalone vs Built-in: Making the Right Choice
Despite all the factors going for built-in appliances, it’s not a straightforward choice! In fact, experts believe that the choice between built-in and standalone appliances depends on individual preferences, available budget, living space, and long-term plans.
Schloeder opines, “Built-in appliances are often also referred to as fully integrated appliances. Consumers who have the desire for neat minimalist aesthetics opt for these integrated appliances as they provide a stylish, seamless finish. Built-in appliances effortlessly fit within any design as they are mounted with doors that match the kitchen furniture. This makes built-in a versatile choice as they look fantastic in both contemporary and traditional kitchens alike.”
According to Khan, in all high-end kitchens, designers invariably pitch for built-in appliances for the sheer aesthetic appeal and advanced features that enable cooking with perfection and provide the comfort of simplified cooking with AI-integrated technological enablers. “While selecting the appliances for the kitchen, consumers essentially look at the ease of use, perfection in cooking, and one of the most critical decision-influencing criteria: ease of cleaning and maintenance.”
On the other hand, freestanding appliances are easy to install and can be pulled out without interference to the furniture. This makes them easy to service as well. “These appliances also provide greater flexibility as they can be retrofitted into a space without the need for remodelling. Freestanding appliances are also well-fitted for homeowners who have large families as they often tend to have a larger capacity than more standard-sized built-in appliances,” adds Schloeder.
Khan agrees, “However, it's worth emphasising that standalone appliances continue to be of significant importance. They are known for their cost-effectiveness, easy installation, and extensive variety, catering to a wide range of diverse needs.”
He further adds, “At BSH Home Appliances, we offer a range of both built-in and standalone appliances to cater to unique needs. Our goal is to provide a wide range of options with our three brands, Bosch, Siemens and Gaggenau that enhance the kitchen experience, whether one opts for built-in sophistication or standalone flexibility.”
“Rise in income levels, urbanisation, influence of western lifestyle and rise in number of households and new constructions are some of the key factors contributing to the rising demand for built-in kitchen appliances.”
Nitesh Mathur
Vice President
New Business, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Limited
Built-in Appliances in Larger Kitchens
Since built-in appliances can save on space and provide a clutter-free look, designers prefer to use built-in appliances in compact kitchens. But how do these fare in larger kitchens where space is not that big a factor?
Mathur responds, “Built-in kitchen appliances are conducive to both the large and small kitchens. Appliance selection is not dependent on size but rather on consumer preference. Key vectors for selection are: Global lifestyle that represents their personality, increase in adoption of appliances like built-in ovens and dishwashers in addition to aesthetics, safety and performance.”
Highlighting the utilities of built-in appliances in larger kitchens, Schloeder adds, “Today, the kitchen space isn’t limited to the task of cooking but also encompasses activities like hosting, dining and socialising. These spaces have hence had to evolve from just being functional areas to also transforming into the aesthetic epicentre of the house. This evolution, coupled with rapidly changing technology, is redefining space in all kitchens and more so, in larger kitchens. Integration of built-in appliances into large kitchens, adds value to the entire space around the kitchen as they can be customised to match the cabinetry and other design elements of the kitchen, making it look more consistent and cohesive with the overall theme of the house. They also help to create a more organised and efficient kitchen layout, as they are designed to fit seamlessly into any space.”
In larger kitchens, the requirement of tall units and more integrated storage space with easy accessibility becomes an integral decision-maker. “With built-in appliances, designers get the freedom to include larger storage spaces, bigger appliances, and a larger number of utility appliances like ovens and microwaves, along with a built-in dishwasher as well. They can integrate all of these and yet have a seamless and minimalistic design interface. With a larger space to work with, designers can also explore technologically advanced homes where built-in appliances can be integrated into a broader smart home ecosystem, offering enhanced automation and connectivity. We have a range of connected appliances that are seamlessly integrated with the support of AI, offering a slew of smart options to choose from,” remarks Khan.
A global lifestyle that represents people's personalities, increase in adoption of appliances like built-in dishwashers in addition to aesthetics, safety and performance. Photo Courtesy: Siemens
Appliance Are Becoming Smart
Smart home appliances for the kitchen are getting more functional upgrades, such as the ability to send insightful notifications, energy-saving modes, and Wi-Fi capabilities. The features found in these smart appliances connect to the user’s phone or tablet, allowing the user to control the appliances remotely. Hence, such smart appliances aid efficiency, precision, and safety.
“For instance, smart microwaves can now seamlessly download cooking instructions and read barcodes on food products. Smart refrigerators can easily drop notifications regarding food going stale as per the expiry dates and replenishment criteria set by the user. In terms of functionality, both built-in and freestanding appliances can be smart and connected. So, this trend will sit well with both the types of appliances,” states Schloeder.
Highlighting the utilities of smart appliances, Khan shares, “We have recently launched the game-changing iQ700 range of built-in ovens under the Siemens brand in India which redefines the future of cooking. For the first time in the industry, the oven comes with an integrated camera that allows one to select the browning level as per taste and preference. The Home Connect feature makes life simpler for users with a range of innovative features integrated into the oven. Made for smart Indian households, consumers can control the oven programs easily through voice control, smartphone, tablet, or touch display via the Home Connect App. The oven’s menu comes with a high-resolution TFT-Touch display. An industry first, with the largest oven display, the high-contrast colour screen offers the user easy-to-use navigation.”
He further adds that BSH Home Appliances provide Home Connect features in both built-in and freestanding appliances. “The future of smart and connected kitchens is exciting, and we are committed to being at the forefront of this transformative journey.”
Mathur, however, believes that consumers still over-index core performance over IoT when it comes to kitchen appliances. “IoT applications, today, have limited use cases. Going forward, technology will evolve such that, AI will make the life of consumers more comfortable and convenient without compromising safety.”
“While selecting the appliances for the kitchen, consumers essentially look at the ease of use, perfection in cooking, and one of the most critical decision-influencing criteria: ease of cleaning and maintenance.”
Saif Khan
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
BSH Home Appliances India
The Way Ahead
As the modernisation of kitchen spaces picks up, a wider consumer base is favouring modular kitchens. “The integration of built-in appliances provides a consistent and cohesive design to the kitchen. These appliances are effectively concealed from view by being tucked inside cupboards while still being functional. Urbanisation, rising disposable income, and shifting consumer lifestyles will drive the growth of built-in appliances in the Indian market. We, at Hafele, hence, feel that there is a tremendous upside for integrated appliances in the Indian market,” opines Schloeder.
Talking about the market penetration of built-in appliances in India, Mathur informs, “The market is growing at a double-digit pace and spreading into non-metros as well. Currently, the demand is from first-time buyers and soon it will be complemented with replacement demand to make growth rates even higher in coming times.” He further adds that chimneys and hobs take the lead on the chart. Built-in ovens and dishwashers are also picking up.
Schloeder shares, “Some of the popular built-in appliances in the Indian market include cooker hoods, hobs, OTG ovens, microwaves and dishwashers. Built-in refrigerators, built-in dishwashers, combi-steam ovens and coffee machines are yet to pick up pace in the Indian market.” He further adds that Hafele offers a complete range of built-in appliances, including hobs (gas and induction), cooker hoods, deep fryers and grills, ovens and microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, and coffee machines. “Hafele Appliances is one of India’s leading and most trusted brands in the kitchen appliances category and offers both, built-in and freestanding appliances especially designed keeping the Indian consumption pattern in focus.”
According to Khan, appliances like built-in steam ovens have gained popularity purely because of the inclination towards healthy eating and cooking habits. For the same reason, Teppanyaki is also a crowd favourite. “BSH Home Appliances is positioned as a leader in the premium and luxury built-in kitchen appliances market. Our complete offering covers a broad spectrum within the built-in appliance segment. Gaggenau caters to the luxury segment, Siemens serves the premium market, and Bosch meets the needs of the affordable yet aspirational segment, falling under the mass-premium category. Our comprehensive range includes hobs, hoods, ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, and refrigerators. We also offer customisation options with appliances like teppanyaki and induction in our Domino range.”
He further adds, “Venting cooktop which is essentially an induction cooktop integrated with table ventilation, is yet to pick up and with advanced planning, we’re hoping that it will attract consumer interest and demand soon.”
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