How to Choose White Goods for a Domestic Development

The white goods market is absolutely vast. With thousands of rival brands and millions of different products all vying for your attention, cutting through the noise and finding the right appliances can be surprisingly tricky. This applies particularly to those in the trade; if you’re working on a housing development and need to supply appliances in large quantities, it’s even more important to make the right decision first time around.

Here at Cookology, we’re here to help guide you through this process. In this guide, we’re going to run through each of the key considerations you should bear in mind when selecting wholesale white goods for your next housing development. From price to efficiency, there’s a whole lot to consider – and the following checklist should help you narrow down your list of options.

Brand or supplier

We’ve not ranked this list in order of importance, but if we had, this section would be close to the top. If you’re shopping for white goods, particularly in a wholesale capacity, you need to be confident in the brand you’re shopping with. What kind of a track record do they have? Are their customers happy? Make sure you take a close look at reviews to work out if a company’s products are actually as good as they claim they are.

Space limitations

When you’re shopping for appliances, it’s important to consider where they’re going to end up. An American-style fridge freezer or a spacious double oven might look right at home in some kitchens but may not even fit in others, so considering your space limitations is key.

A variety of different space-saving solutions are available for more compact kitchens, from minimalist downdraft extractors to integrated microwave ovens, which help free up worktop space and give the kitchen a more open, spacious feel. 

Kitchen layout

It’s not just the size of the space that matters, but the layout. Kitchens are typically designed with the ‘triangle rule’ in mind, meaning everything that’s needed to prepare, cook and clean up after a meal is immediately to hand.

It’s important to keep this in mind when specifying appliances, because the layout of your kitchen may affect which type and size of appliance you choose. For example, if there’s no room to fit an integrated dishwasher near to the sink, you might want to opt for a tabletop model instead.

Budget

This is an obvious one, but a crucial point nonetheless. Before you either head out to the high street or venture to online appliance stores, it’s vital to set a budget. If you have a strict budget to adhere to, you’ll straight away be able to narrow down your list of potential options, making the procurement process a whole lot simpler.

Don’t forget to check out which discounts are available from different suppliers, too. Since you’re in the trade, you should be able to sign up for a trade account and secure a healthy discount on your order. For example, Cookology trade customers can save up to 15% on their order when they spend £4,000 or more online.

Intended usage

When you’re shopping for appliances, it’s important to consider the end user. Who are you pitching your housing development at? If you’re aiming it at families, for instance, convenience and ease of use should be high on your priority list. If you’re creating student accommodation, you might want to invest in some handy, time-saving tabletop appliances (like an air fryer).

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important, not only due to the increased cost of energy bills, but due to the heightened awareness of climate change. By choosing more efficient appliances, you won’t just be helping out the new owners of your properties, but helping the planet too.

If you’re interested in learning more about energy labels and how they work, check out our separate blog on the topic.

Aesthetics

Yes, the functionality and price tag of an appliance are extremely important – but so is the way it looks. Many appliances come in a selection of different finishes (often white, black or stainless steel), but there are even retro-style off-white models out there too. With such a wide range of appliances and finishes to choose from, you should be able to find something that looks the part… if you spend enough time  shopping around.

Closely related to the look of an appliance is the way it feels. Do the controls feel durable and robust? If a touchscreen is fitted, does it respond quickly and is it intuitive to use?