Top 10 Kitchen Appliance Features You'll Love

Discover the ultimate kitchen appliances! These innovative features transformed my cooking and living space.

Three years ago, we completed a significant kitchen remodel (you can revisit my transformative “before” and “after” kitchen reveal here if you missed it!). We cherished every moment in our beautifully updated kitchen until our recent move. Since then, I’ve received numerous inquiries from those embarking on their own kitchen renovation journeys, particularly when faced with the daunting task of selecting the perfect appliances. Choosing the right kitchen appliances can feel overwhelming, and it’s a decision you want to get right, given that these essential pieces are a substantial investment.

After experiencing my Monogram appliances firsthand for quite some time, I’ve discovered that some of my most cherished features were exactly what I meticulously searched for during my appliance shopping phase. Others, however, were delightful, unexpected bonuses I stumbled upon and hadn’t even known to prioritize. By sharing my top ten favorite kitchen appliance features, I aim to equip you with a comprehensive “must-have” list, guiding you toward finding the best kitchen appliances to perfectly complement your new culinary haven.

This insightful post is proudly presented in partnership with Monogram. After extensive research and a firm decision that their appliances were the ideal fit for my renovated kitchen, I enthusiastically approached them about a collaboration. Please note, some affiliate links are included within this post, providing full disclosure as detailed here.

1. Smart Kitchen Integration: WiFi Connected Appliances with App Alerts

In today’s interconnected world, smart features are revolutionizing the kitchen, and my Monogram dishwasher (I own this specific model) and refrigerator (mine is this exceptional unit) exemplify this perfectly. Both come equipped with “Wifi Connect,” a game-changing feature that delivers instant app alerts directly to my smartphone. For my refrigerator, this means invaluable notifications if a door is left ajar or when it’s time to replace the water filter. For the dishwasher, alerts keep me informed about low detergent pods or rinse aid levels, and most critically, if a leak is detected. Having known several people whose beautiful kitchen floors were severely damaged by undetected dishwasher leaks, this preventative feature offers immense peace of mind and is an absolute necessity for any modern kitchen remodel.

Beyond alerts, the app provides convenient, direct access to both appliance manuals, eliminating the tedious search for physical booklets. This smart integration elevates convenience and helps maintain the longevity of your premium kitchen appliances.

2. Maximized Storage: Counter-Depth Refrigerator Without Compromising Space

The quest for the perfect refrigerator often presents a dilemma: choose a standard, full-size model with ample storage but a protruding footprint, or opt for a sleek, counter-depth design with limited interior space. My mission was to find a counter-depth refrigerator that seamlessly blended with my cabinetry while still offering generous capacity for groceries. My Monogram refrigerator delivered precisely that, proving that aesthetic appeal doesn’t have to come at the cost of functionality, making it one of the best kitchen appliances for modern homes:

Notice the impressive depth of the refrigerator door bins? These robust compartments are designed to hold an astonishing amount of items, from large juice cartons to multiple condiment bottles, keeping everything organized and easily accessible:

With a total capacity exceeding 23 cubic feet, including nearly 16 cubic feet dedicated to the fresh food compartment, this refrigerator offers significantly more usable space than my previous counter-depth model, which combined fridge and freezer space to only 16 cubic feet. Utilizing clever storage bins and organizers further enhances the neatness and efficiency of the interior. The freezer section is also notably larger than my old unit and features a convenient roll-out drawer, further maximizing storage. This intelligent design makes cleaning and maintaining the stainless steel exterior a breeze, ensuring it retains its pristine, just-like-new shine—discover my tips on how to clean stainless steel appliances here.

3. Dynamic Organization: Customizable Refrigerator Shelving

While many refrigerators offer height-adjustable shelves that require complete removal and reinsertion, my Monogram refrigerator takes customization to the next level with innovative, in-place shelving options. This flexibility allows for effortless adaptation to various grocery items without the hassle of full disassembly. For instance, one of the refrigerator doors features a clever drop-down tray positioned beneath a top enclosed shelf, perfect for storing smaller items like cream cheeses or spreadable butter:

Should you need to accommodate taller items, such as a bottle of wine for guests, the tray can be simply pushed upward, instantly creating the necessary vertical clearance below. This dynamic feature epitomizes smart kitchen design:

Similarly, one of the main glass shelves within the refrigerator offers an intuitive, in-place height customization option, ensuring every inch of space is optimized for your storage needs. This level of adaptability truly sets these premium kitchen appliances apart.

4. Brilliant Visibility: Enhanced LED Appliance Lighting

The impact of superior appliance lighting is a feature I never realized I was missing until I experienced it with my new kitchen. My previous appliances, shrouded in darkness, made finding items a struggle. My new Monogram refrigerator boasts exceptional LED lighting—those subtle silver pucks along the sides and top—which brilliantly illuminates every single shelf, ensuring I can see clearly all the way to the back. This eliminates forgotten items and reduces food waste, making it a truly functional upgrade:

The convenience extends to my dishwasher, which also features LED lighting. This simple addition makes it incredibly easy to quickly ascertain whether the dishes inside are clean or dirty, preventing accidental mixing and streamlining kitchen chores:

Furthermore, both ovens in my range (I have this impressive model) are equipped with lights that remain on throughout the cooking process, providing clear visibility of your culinary creations. Adding to this thoughtful design, the range also features stylish LED lights that illuminate the control knobs, enhancing both aesthetics and ease of use in your modern kitchen:

5. Seamless Integration: Dishwasher with a True Built-In Look

When selecting my dishwasher, I was specifically seeking hidden controls—an absolute must-have for a sleek, uncluttered aesthetic—and a design engineered for a perfectly flush installation with cabinetry. What I didn’t initially realize, but quickly came to appreciate, was the thoughtful design of its recessed bottom kickplate. This ingenious feature allowed me to extend our kitchen’s white toe kick directly in front of the dishwasher, creating an incredibly seamless and truly built-in appearance that elevates the entire kitchen design. This subtle detail significantly contributes to the high-end, bespoke feel of the space, solidifying its place among the best kitchen appliances for a custom look.

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Such a small detail, yet its impact on creating a clean-lined, integrated aesthetic is profound. This understated feature has now become a non-negotiable for me when considering future kitchen appliances, highlighting the importance of thoughtful design in achieving a high-end finish.

6. Targeted Cleaning Power: Bottle Jets for Water Bottles & Vases

When it comes to dishwashing, people generally fall into two categories: those who meticulously hand-wash most items beyond standard plates and cutlery, and those who aim to put virtually everything into the dishwasher. I firmly belong to the latter camp, eager to automate as many cleaning tasks as possible. This is precisely why the bottle jets feature on my chosen dishwasher was an absolute game-changer. These specialized jets project powerful streams of water deep into hard-to-reach areas, ensuring thorough cleaning inside water bottles, sports shakers, and even narrow-mouthed vases.

The ability to bid farewell to the tedious chore of hand-scrubbing water bottles is truly a beautiful thing. This feature not only saves significant time and effort but also ensures optimal hygiene for frequently used items. It’s an innovative solution that dramatically improves daily kitchen efficiency and hygiene, solidifying its status as a top feature for the best kitchen appliances.

7. Design Cohesion: Appliance Handle Styles That Complement Your Kitchen

Never underestimate the profound impact that the design of your appliance handles has on the overall aesthetic and feel of your kitchen. Appliance handles are akin to the jewelry of your kitchen, and as such, you should invest as much consideration into selecting the right ones as you do for your cabinet knobs and pulls. Even if a set of appliances boasted every interior feature I desired, unappealing handle options would undoubtedly be a deal-breaker for me. Fortunately, Monogram offers two distinct handle styles, both exquisitely designed. I opted for their “Professional” handles, which strike a perfect balance—substantial and robust, yet elegantly streamlined, contributing to a premium kitchen design:

While some homeowners prefer to mix and match appliance brands, I am a strong advocate for maintaining a uniform look across all major kitchen appliances. A cohesive set of handles creates a visually harmonious and sophisticated kitchen environment, enhancing the overall design integrity. This commitment to detail in appliance selection is crucial for achieving a truly polished and high-end kitchen remodel:

8. Versatile Cooking: A Double Oven (Especially a Smaller One!) + Integrated Oven Probe

In our previous kitchen, a double wall oven, though not constantly in use, proved invaluable when needed. When planning our new kitchen, I decided against a wall oven, knowing I wanted a range that offered two ovens. What I hadn’t initially known, and now absolutely adore, is that some ranges, like mine, feature a full-size oven alongside a conveniently smaller oven—a truly fantastic combination for versatile cooking, making it one of the best kitchen appliances for avid cooks:

For most everyday cooking and baking, the smaller oven is perfectly sufficient. It’s ideally sized for typical 9″ x 13″ casserole dishes or standard baking sheets, proving incredibly efficient:

I appreciate how quickly it preheats compared to a full-size oven and its economical use of gas. Another standout feature of my range is the full-size oven’s built-in temperature probe. You simply insert one end into the oven’s internal outlet, the other into the thickest part of your meat, set the desired internal temperature, and the oven alerts you precisely when your food is perfectly cooked. This eliminates guesswork and ensures consistently delicious results:

I am eagerly anticipating using it to prepare my first Thanksgiving turkey in our new kitchen later this month, confident it will yield a perfectly cooked centerpiece.

9. Culinary Convenience: The Indispensable Built-In Griddle

Historically, I wasn’t a frequent griddle user, largely due to the cumbersome nature of storing and cleaning our standalone electric griddle. Therefore, while the built-in griddle on our new range seemed like a nice addition, it didn’t initially sway my appliance decision. However, I must confess—I absolutely adore it, far more than I ever anticipated! Now that the griddle is so conveniently integrated, I find myself using it constantly for everything from weekend pancakes to grilled sandwiches and quesadillas. It’s also surprisingly much easier to clean than our old standalone unit, making it a true asset to our kitchen.

My daughter, too, has embraced this feature, treating us to delicious pancakes several weekends in a row. If that isn’t a testament to its value and joy, I don’t know what is! This built-in griddle is truly a feature that enhances daily cooking and family enjoyment, making it a standout among modern kitchen appliances.

10. Ergonomic Design: Range Hood Controls Within Easy Reach

Our Monogram Range Hood (I have this advanced model) boasts a remarkably innovative feature that I haven’t encountered elsewhere: its controls for the lights and fan are remote mountable! Similar to how modern kitchens often integrate the garbage disposal button into the countertop, you have the flexibility to do the same with your hood controls. This means you can choose to keep the controls in their traditional position directly under the hood, as shown here:

Alternatively, you can remote mount them directly into your countertop or even onto your kitchen backsplash. This not only makes them significantly easier and safer to access—eliminating the need to lean over a hot stove—but also contributes to a cleaner, more minimalist aesthetic. As someone of shorter stature, this was a feature I deeply appreciated and initially planned to utilize in my new kitchen. However, due to the unique characteristics of my kitchen, which features lower-than-average (only 7 ½-foot) ceilings, my hood was installed at a lower height, making the original control placement perfectly convenient. Yet, for a future home with more typical 8-9 foot ceilings (fingers crossed!), this will undoubtedly be a top feature I actively seek out when selecting the best kitchen appliances.

So, what are your thoughts? Do you currently enjoy some of these intelligent features in your kitchen? Or perhaps you have a favorite appliance feature that didn’t make my list? Share your insights and help others discover even more innovative solutions for their kitchen remodel!

For more detailed sources on any elements you see in my kitchen, please visit my complete kitchen remodel reveal here, where you’ll find a full source list at the end of the post. If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, feel free to leave them in the comments section below, and I’ll be happy to assist you!

XO,