{"id":24772,"date":"2021-06-28T10:14:16","date_gmt":"2021-06-28T17:14:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=24772"},"modified":"2026-04-16T00:51:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T07:51:47","slug":"panel-ready-appliances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/panel-ready-appliances\/","title":{"rendered":"Over the Stainless Steel Look? Swap to Seamless Panel-Ready Appliances"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s well known that kitchens sell houses. A stunning cooking space complete with high-end appliances attracts more buyers and can even inspire them to increase their offer price.<\/p>\n

While stainless steel has long been homeowners\u2019 finish of choice, an increasingly popular design is coming for the throne: panel-ready appliances. These appliances are designed to blend seamlessly with cabinetry, making them ideal for open floor plans and custom kitchens.<\/p>\n

\u201cHomeowners want a demure piece of furniture, not appliances that scream, \u2018I\u2019m a kitchen!\u2019 They want Meryl Streep, not Carol Channing,\u201d comments Mark Williams, owner of Mark Williams Design<\/a>, a firm consisting of architectural and interior designers with experience dating to 1998. His and his team\u2019s work has been featured in Southern Living, Kitchen Trends, Home, Atlanta Home, and other national magazines.<\/p>\n

Yearning to add these chameleon appliances to your kitchen? We\u2019ll fill you in on the trend\u2019s trajectory, cost, return on investment, and more below.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Source: (Ricardo Avelar \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What are panel-ready appliances?<\/h2>\n

Panel-ready appliances are designed to accommodate a custom front that matches the kitchen cabinets for a cohesive look that\u2019s personalized and high-end<\/a>.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

The appliances themselves have an unfinished front, though some come with basic panels available in different colors. It\u2019s up to a homeowner\u2019s cabinet designer to build custom panels for the appliances that match the kitchen cabinetry. The application<\/a> involves a complicated process requiring bolts, brackets, and other parts; it\u2019s best left to the pros.<\/p>\n

Fully integrated vs. built-in panel ready appliances<\/h3>\n

There are two main types of panel-ready appliances: fully integrated and built-in, or overlay. Fully integrated panel-ready appliances include special hinges that allow the appliance face to sit flush with the cabinets.<\/p>\n

Williams shares that this panel style allows the appliances to \u201ctotally disappear,\u201d blending seamlessly with the cabinets. Fully integrated panel-ready appliances are design professionals\u2019 top choice<\/a>, though they\u2019re more expensive for homeowners.<\/p>\n

On the flipside, built-in panel-ready appliances are more affordable yet more noticeable. \u201cYou can see a metal flange around the edge,\u201d Williams explains. \u201cIt\u2019s obviously an appliance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Panel-ready appliances cost more than traditional designs<\/h2>\n

Custom always costs more than off-the-shelf, and appliances are no exception. Since you must hire a cabinet designer to create matching panels for these appliances, you\u2019ll pay significantly more than you would for standard appliances.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Pricing for a built-in panel-ready refrigerator starts around $4,000<\/a> but can quickly reach $8,000<\/a>\u00a0 to $10,000<\/a>. With installation costs, it\u2019s not unusual to see prices go significantly higher<\/a>. Because of the size and the custom panels, these appliances often require special installation, which adds to the price tag.<\/p>\n

By comparison, a stainless steel GE Profile refrigerator<\/a> comes in a little lower, at around $3,000, while the base price for a high-end Sub-Zero refrigerator<\/a> is $7,000.<\/p>\n

Whether you opt for seamless, integrated panel-ready appliances, or the less subtle overlay design impacts price, as well. Overlay refrigerators start at a mid-tier price, while fully integrated units are the most expensive<\/a> choice.<\/p>\n

\u201cPanel-ready [overlay] are the least expensive because they stick out,\u201d Williams says. \u201cThere\u2019s a big price difference for integrated appliances.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Source: (R ARCHITECTURE \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Panel-ready appliances add value, but not as much as you might expect<\/h2>\n

Considering that Americans spend between 30 minutes <\/a>and 60 minutes <\/a>per day in their kitchens doing meal preparation, it comes as no surprise that an updated kitchen complete with panel-ready appliances can boost your home\u2019s value and marketability at resale. However, it\u2019s important to note that high-end kitchen remodels tend to yield lower return on investment than mid-range kitchen remodels.<\/p>\n

Data from Remodeling Magazine reveals that a minor, mid-range kitchen remodel recoups 83% of project costs, while a major, high-end kitchen remodel recoups only 54% of costs.<\/a>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Your home\u2019s price point also influences how much value and marketability panel-ready appliances will add to your home at resale. <\/a>The key is to keep your kitchen remodel in line with the value of your home<\/a>, as well as your neighborhood. Buyers won\u2019t want to overpay simply because the kitchen features integrated panel-ready appliances.<\/p>\n

If your home belongs to the luxury market where buyers expect<\/a> high-end appliances<\/a>, panel-ready appliances can be a major selling point. Otherwise, it\u2019s best to consult a top real estate agent<\/a> to gauge if panel-ready appliances will positively impact your future home sale. They\u2019ll know what\u2019s trending in your market and how much more buyers at your home\u2019s price point are willing to pay for custom appliances.<\/p>\n

Popularity contest: stainless steel vs. panel-ready<\/h2>\n

Williams shares that more and more of his design firm\u2019s clients are requesting panel-ready appliances over stainless steel. If you\u2019re deciding between these top appliance styles, consider the following:<\/p>\n

Stainless steel appliances<\/h3>\n

Pros:<\/b><\/p>\n