Imagine doubling the appliances in your home and halving the workload? Here’s how to make the dream a reality…

Do you have a big family or simply love entertaining? If you are improving your home and have the budget, but haven’t considered doubling up on your appliances yet, KBB journo Sally Smith delves into why it is a good idea.

Why double up?

Pairing a convection oven alongside the latest combination steam ovens will give you much more flexibility in the kitchen, making batch-baking so much easier and cooking a gourmet meal a breeze.

Darren Taylor, managing director at Searle & Taylor, explains, “If our clients are keen cooks and like to entertain, we always recommend they opt for a bank of four ovens with two 60cm self-cleaning pyrolytic ovens side-by-side, one beneath a 45cm combination microwave oven and the other beneath a 45cm combination steam oven.”

Two dishwashers may seem extravagant, but you’ll free up so much work space as you’ll be able to quickly declutter and clean up after every meal and snack, helping to keep a busy household stress free and organised.

Perfect pairings

The beauty of choosing two fridge-freezers instead of one is you’ll have double the storage for more fresh produce, chilled and frozen goods, so you can easily bulk-buy and stock up for the week ahead. Dual built-in wine cabinets, either undercounter or tall, side by side, can store up to 100 bottles of wine, fizz or non-alcoholic drinks in each chiller so you can enjoy building up an impressive drinks collection.

Doubling up washing machines and tumble dryers in a utility room is the ideal solution to take the tedium out of doing the laundry. Simply wash and dry different loads in super-quick time without having to wait between washes.

Good to know

Doubling up on appliances will have an impact on the amount of cabinet space you’ll have for storage. So, plan carefully, making sure you know exactly where you are going to put everything, where each appliance will be positioned and can realistically fit into the scheme.

Ovens, fridges and dishwashers are high-powered appliances, so if you are going to double up, make sure you discuss all your electrical requirements with your kitchen designer and electrician beforehand, to ensure you have the correct amount of circuits and electrical sockets accessible in the right locations.

Buying tips for double appliances

If you’re considering doubling up on ovens, think about your cooking habits and kitchen layout. Matthew Glynn, product marketing manager at Hisense, says, “Decide whether a vertical arrangement such as stacking a compact oven above a full-size oven suits your workflow, or whether a horizontal layout, with appliances side by side, better complements your kitchen’s design and accessibility.”

Doubled-up fridges and freezers work better side by side; especially if they’re built-in. However, for a streamlined look, why not install a second fridge or freezer in a larger pantry cupboard or utility, if you haven’t got the space in the layout.

What will it cost?

Doubling up any appliance will be a big investment, but remember you can take advantage of lower energy tariffs at night, washing and drying your dishes and clothes ready for the next morning. Expect to pay up to £1000 each for a washing machine and tumble dryer, coming in at nearly £4000 for four.

Two stylish pendant cooker hoods will cost nearly £3000 each but will make a bold statement over an island unit. Doubled-up ovens will cost between £2000 and £4000, depending on the brand and model.

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