9 Advantages & Disadvantages To Built-In Cabinet Appliances You Need To Consider

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Have you ever walked into a kitchen, looked around, and wondered, "Where are the appliances?" All you see are sleek, clean cabinets and no stainless steel fridge or dishwasher, then you open a cabinet and it turns out to be the oven. Surprise! You just experienced built-in cabinet appliances.

The sleek, modern aesthetic that these appliances offer has made them a popular design choice. Built-in kitchen designs are definitely not going out of style. Sometimes stainless steel appliances can disrupt the vibe in your kitchen, but built-in appliances fix that. They can also conserve space and are easier to clean. But, in turn, they are costly and can be difficult to install. Just like everything, there are pros and cons to built-in cabinet appliances. Keep reading for nine advantages and disadvantages, and then you can decide if they're right for you.

If you have a vision for your kitchen and regular appliances don't really fit, then built-in cabinet appliances may be for you. They offer a modern, cohesive kitchen design that can't be replicated with regular appliance installation. One of the best things about built-ins is that they are completely custom, so they can perfectly match your cabinets, truly creating a seamless kitchen design. You can splurge on panel-ready dishwashers or fridges that completely blend in.

Regular appliances can disrupt your kitchen aesthetic. Whether the stainless steel appliances don't match your cabinets, or the appliances don't match each other, you should definitely consider built-ins if visual appeal is a super important aspect of your kitchen design. Regular appliances can also seem bulky and out of place if they're not placed correctly. Avoid all the potential visual clutter with the built-in approach.

Another major advantage of built-ins is that they can save space, which makes them an especially good idea for small kitchens. Since these appliances are directly built in, there are no awkward gaps or cracks between them and the cabinets, allowing you to take full advantage of whatever counter space you have. Plus, sometimes standard appliances come in sizes which may not fit perfectly in your kitchen.

Depending on the depth of your cabinets, regular appliances can stick out from cabinetry. No one wants to stub their toe on the fridge, after all. Bulky appliances may also reduce walkway widths, which can make it harder to place runners or kitchen mats in front of sinks and dishwasher zones, let alone move around the kitchen freely. This COSY HOMEER Kitchen Rug Mat is an anti-slip option that's highly rated and comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

If you're an avid coffee drinker, but you hate having your espresso maker take up much-needed space on the counter, maybe you should consider a built-in coffee machine (which is a trendy kitchen appliance we'll be seeing more of in homes everywhere). One great perk of built-in cabinet appliances is that they are very customizable. So, if a coffee machine is a priority for you, or a beverage fridge, or even a microwave set at eye-level, you can arrange it all perfectly to your liking.

Built-in cabinet appliances can be super ergonomic, as they allow you to place appliances wherever you'd like. Whether that's installing a variety of eye-level appliances (oven or microwave), or following the kitchen work triangle rule (placing the sink, refrigerator, and oven in close proximity with no obstructions), the customization of built-ins makes this possible, as regular appliance installation may not. Additionally, standard appliances commonly come in conjoined refrigerator/freezer combinations. A built-in allows for separate refrigerator and freezer columns, allowing you to place the fridge in a more central place for food prep or grocery packing, and put the freezer in a different location. This also offers versatility in size, depending on your needs.

Built-in appliances can give your kitchen a luxurious, modern vibe, and that can definitely add value to your home. Clutter is out, and built-in appliances play a huge role in minimizing clutter and creating seamless, integrated design. In their 2025 Kitchen Trends Report, National Kitchen and Bath Association declared that 87% of those surveyed said homeowners want panels to maintain a smooth kitchen design, as well as pantries that are hidden behind cabinet doors. It's clear that concealed appliances are trending, and that may be a selling point for buyers.

High-quality built-in appliances can appeal to buyers, but it's important to note that this might not be realized for all homes. The value of your home also depends on indicators like the neighborhood and buyer's market. An upscale upgrade like these appliances may not pay off in a neighborhood where home values are lower.

That little crevice between the stovetop and kitchen counter can be a scary place. How many times have you dropped a crumb or spilled a little bit of whatever you're cooking down that gap? Or how about those hard-to-reach corners around your fridge, or how you have to move all your appliances to clean the counters? Built-in appliances make these horror stories obsolete. By limiting nooks and crannies, it's much easier to keep your kitchen clean.

Built-in appliances are flush with your cabinets, making it harder for dust and grime to collect in cracks. Invisible cooktops are designed for all your small kitchen needs, and they make cleaning even easier with a totally seamless design. If you're wondering how to clean an induction stove top, check out manufacturers instructions. Consider using soft cloths or sponges, a special scrapper, baking soda, vinegar, or dish soap.

Nobody's perfect, and that's true for built-in appliances too. One of the biggest downsides to these appliances is the cost. They are much more expensive than standard appliances, partly due to the complicated installation process (more on that next). The cost is also due to the customization of these appliances, as they are obviously made to match cabinets and fit perfectly in your kitchen.

The cost of these appliances varies, but built-in refrigerators can cost anywhere from $2,900 to $12,000 fully installed (appliance and labor included), whereas a top freezer refrigerator (generally considered a budget option) can range from $400 to $3,000. Regular microwaves can cost anywhere from $100 to $600, but built-ins can be up to $2,000 — and that's without installation. Obviously built-in cabinet appliances are a pretty penny compared to regular appliances, but there are plenty of advantages that can make them worth it.

Built-in appliances often require professional installation, rather than just doing it yourself. Due to the custom nature of these appliances, it's typically not as easy as just fitting an appliance into a gap in your cabinets. Professional installation ensures a correct fit, as well as leveling and ventilation — and not to mention proper electrical and plumbing connections. Panels for panel-ready appliances also have to be custom made to match cabinets and installed on the appliance.

But, it is important to note that some standard appliances need professional installation, too (like dishwashers or garbage disposals). In general, installing appliances is best left to professionals anyway (unless you feel very comfortable with electrical and plumbing installation). No one wants their new appliance to start leaking or to malfunction. Stores like Lowe's offers premium installation for built-in appliances.

No appliance lasts forever, and there are definitely times when you may need to call someone to repair your kitchen appliances. Unfortunately, built-in cabinet appliances make repairs slightly more difficult. As they are seamlessly "built-in" to your cabinets, if you need to access internal components to repair, additional disassembly of cabinets and panels may be needed. 

There are a few ways to combat this disadvantage. Consider talking to the manufacturer during installation to ensure you have contact information if repairs or maintenance are ever needed. There are also some national companies that may be able to help as well. GE Appliances uses Bodewell for repairs, and Best Buy also offers repair services. Overall, be sure to properly research and verify your repairman's credentials, as you shouldn't trust certain repair credentials to fix your appliances.

As built-in appliances are built into cabinets, they're definitely not easy to remove. That being said, they can make upgrading your appliances more difficult. The purchase of new appliances may require you to change or upgrade cabinets or countertops as well — basically having to do a mini renovation.

The good news is that typically appliances last a long time. Dishwashers can last up to nine years, a stove up to 15 years, and some refrigerators can work for up to 19 years. It's also not at all common to upgrade appliances very often. Typically, it's suggested to update appliances at around 10 to 15 years, after they stop working properly, or after their life expectancy has expired. So, even though built-ins may limit options for upgrades, it's hopefully not a disadvantage you'll have to navigate often.