What are the best appliances for an apartment?

January 31st, 2012

Appliance Talk

Whether you call them units, flats or strata homes, apartments often require specific kinds of appliances to give their occupants all the convenience they need while minimising their use of space.

What to look for

Living in an apartment, whether you rent or own, you soon learn that space is a premium commodity.  Even the largest apartments can quickly become overwhelmed by clutter if not carefully organised.

If you’re a property investor that owns an apartment, it’s in your interest to keep your tenants happy.  When fitting out an apartment to rent, you’ll want appliances that will not only make living there simple and convenient, but last a long time, requiring the minimum amount of maintenance.

If you’re a renter, many of your home’s major appliances will have been put in place by your landlord.  If you’d like to add some additional convenience to your home, you’ll need to start looking into portable appliances that you can take with you if you end up needing to relocate.  For example, a portable air conditioner can help keep conditions in your home manageable, and you can bring it with you if you move.

The Kitchen

The design of an apartment’s kitchen needs to be more efficient than ever to get the most use out of its limited space.

• Convection microwaves combine the functions of an oven and a microwave, so you can slowly roast or quickly reheat with the same space-saving appliance.
• Built-in appliances, including ovens, microwaves, dishwashers and even some coffee machines can be integrated into the design of the kitchen, saving valuable bench space.  Look for appliances with accessories such as trim kits and integration kits to install them into cabinets and cavities.
• Many appliances come in convenient, space-saving, compact designs, such as slimline and benchtop dishwashers.  Use the Dimensions slider when narrowing your search results on Appliances Online (found to the left of your search results) to find appliances to best fit your spaces.  Benchtop dishwashers can be especially handy for renters – while small in comparison to other dishwashers, they are also portable enough to be relocated if required.
• Many kitchen sinks are available with accessories that can expand their role as workspaces.  Chopping boards, colanders and strainers can all be fitted to kitchen sinks, making food preparation a cleaner and tidier process while saving benchtop space.
• For renters that are missing out on a full-size cooktop (in some studio apartments, for example), portable cooktops and burners can provide further cooking options.

The Laundry

Not every apartment includes a full laundry setup, and if they do, they are often fairly basic and cramped, sometimes not much bigger than a cupboard.

• An easy way to save laundry space is to use a stacking kit to mount your dryer atop your washing machine.  This is an efficient use of space, and many modern stacking kits include a slide-out shelf or even a small drawer to help you with the storage and organisation of your laundry supplies.  Don’t try to stack a washer and dryer without a stacking kit, unless you want a violent and expensive crash…
• Some washers and dryers are available with stabilising stands that give them an integrated look, keep them steady while operating, and often include storage spaces for laundry materials such as detergents.
• A few apartments around Australia are taking after the European model of installing a washing machine in the kitchen in place of a dishwasher – a valid option if you’re short on space and don’t have access to communal laundry facilities.

Explore your options

There are many other appliances that can help save space in apartments, from ironing centres that fold away when not in use, to vacuum cleaners that are built into cupboards.  Search Appliances Online for units of the right size and shape for your home to save the most space.  Check the reviews and testimonials of your fellow customers to find the appliances that last the longest, or contact our friendly staff for an unbiased expert opinion.