I read and respond to every review at Yale. I read comments like “rich man’s Home Depot” and kind of laugh.
You probably have the wrong idea of us, but we sell way more Frigidaire, Bosch, Electrolux and Whirlpool than Sub-Zero, Wolf and Miele.
If you are a first time buyer or looking for an inexpensive suite of appliances, it does not mean appliances have to look terrible. Quite the opposite actually.
With the advent of stainless steel, you can really buy a good looking kitchen without breaking the bank. Let me show you how.
Affordable Appliance Ideas for Your Kitchen
Freestanding Kitchen - $1,599-$2,499
I like this in many applications. It is basic stainless steel with an 18 cubic foot refrigerator, dishwasher, over-the-range microwave and hood as well as a stove. Possible upgrades are a larger refrigerator, convection range and slightly better dishwasher. My advice is to upgrade refrigerator and range first.
Frigidaire is the best brand for value and reliability. Amana will have a decent package with a bottom freezer sporadically. GE has competitive packages as well, but we do not sell the brand.
Bosch / Affordable Luxury Kitchen - $2,999-$3,499
You should always consider the lesser expensive Bosch series for value. Their freestanding range is made by Frigidaire and their refrigerator by Whirlpool, but it looks better under the Bosch brand somehow. You will be buying a counter depth refrigerator, a really quiet dishwasher, freestanding range and over-the-range microwave.
Bosch is really the standard brand for affordable luxury. Other affordable luxury brands would include KitchenAid, GE, Frigidaire Gallery and Electrolux. When Bosch has their rebate for a full kitchen to $2,999, it is really a unique price for you to consider.
Slide-In Kitchen - $3,999-$5,499
The two last upgrades would be a slide-in range and French door counter depth refrigerator. Slide-ins do not have a backguard so you see the kitchen backsplash. It’s a minor detail, but looks much cleaner in your space.
I like counter depths for the same reason. You do not see the sides, so it is much better looking especially in the middle of the kitchen.
We used to have a $3,999 Jenn-Air package last year with the slide-in, French door refrigerator, integrated dishwasher and over-the-range convection microwave. They have upgraded to a more expensive range, so that package is now more. Brands to consider would be Bosch, Frigidaire Pro, GE Profile, Electrolux and KitchenAid (their new range should be better).
Tips / Advice
- Rebates: Yes they change all the time. Prices can differ 10-20% during the year. Find a likeable salesperson and tell them to call you at the first of the month with rebate info. Seriously, it matters.
- Buy the Same Brand if Possible: Aesthetically it will look better, but these manufacturer rebates are predicated on multiple purchases.
- Brands: For curb appeal, I like brand first and then products, especially if you are selling a property. Bosch and Frigidaire have the same range, for example, but people will naturally like the Bosch better.
- Upgrades: Buy what you will use. However, I like the refrigerator and range upgrades the best, because the basic dishwashers will still wash the dishes. Microwaves typically will never make or break a kitchen.
Final Thoughts
You do not have to spend 10,000 or even $6,000 for a nice suite of appliances. There are some great brands and products for far less.
Recommended Reads
Additional Resources
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A Note About Pricing
Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.
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