How to choose appliances for new kitchens

Installing a new kitchen means homeowners may need to think carefully about the appliances they invest in.

According to the North American Press Syndicate, there are now many different kitchen appliances available that can cater to specific needs.

A growing number of products offer settings that let users run the appliance quietly, while others come in sleek designs to fit into small and contemporary kitchens.

Some kitchen appliances now feature environmentally-friendly specifications to help reduce carbon footprints, with others focusing on keeping food as fresh as possible.

"Culinary fever is on the rise and, in turn, so are appliances that boast restaurant-quality features," the North American Press Syndicate says.

Hoover and Candy recently launched new washing machines with a slimmer depth than standard appliances so they can fit into small kitchens.

The products have a depth of 40 cm - compared with 55 to 70 cm for normal machines, Which? noted earlier this week.