When equipping your first home, start by checking which appliances are already there and whether they work. Then prioritise the routine you need help with most: keeping food fresh, cooking, doing the laundry or cleaning. Before choosing a model, check that it will fit, can be brought into your home and has the connections it needs. A compact or multi-function design is only right for you if it also suits your everyday needs.
If an alcove, narrow access or the available connections could limit your installation options, measure the space before choosing an appliance. Bosch, for example, highlights the importance of checking the available space for a dishwasher.
Check what’s already provided and working before adding to your appliances. The CAF recommends this as a starting point for a first home. Your habits will then help you decide whether refrigeration, cooking, laundry or cleaning comes first.
Check the appliance’s condition, the details for the specific model being sold and the repair options available. The DGCCRF points out that products sold as refurbished must be tested to make sure they work properly before sale.
Start with the routine you need to cover, then rule out any models that can’t be delivered to or installed in your home.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the space and the delivery route. Check the installation type, clearance and connections required. | In a home with narrow access, the appliance needs to fit through to its intended space and be installable there. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this compatibility. |
| Essential routines | Make a note of which appliances are already there and working, then choose the one that will cover the most important routine you’re currently missing. | If meals, food storage or laundry aren’t yet taken care of, filling that gap comes before buying extra appliances. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Energy use and ease of use | Compare capacity, noise and label data for appliances in the same category. The ADEME label, for example, lists kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle where applicable. | If an appliance runs often or is near the living area, I want to know its stated energy use and noise level. Around 19% of consumers prioritise these everyday considerations. |
| Repairability and condition | Check the repairability index for the category and the parts available for the exact model. For a refurbished appliance, check its condition and the tests it has undergone. | If you want to keep an appliance for a long time or choose one with a second life, you need to be able to assess its condition and repair options. This comes first for around 19% of consumers. |
An appliance might fit in its intended space but not through the doors, up the stairs or into the lift. For a built-in model, the size of the alcove must also match its installation diagram.
Measure the appliance, the space and the full delivery route. Check the installation diagram for the exact model before ordering.
A commissioning service may require suitable water connections and an electrical supply to be in place already, and may not include fitting the appliance into a cabinet.
Check what the service offered by your chosen retailer includes, along with the manufacturer’s installation requirements.
Capacity, noise and programme length can all affect how an appliance fits into your daily life. The energy-use figures shown are based on standard conditions.
Compare appliances in the same category using the same units, then consider their capacity and noise level in relation to your habits and home.
The DGCCRF says that refurbished products must be tested before sale. A second-hand listing doesn’t necessarily describe the same checks or condition.
Ask for details of the appliance being sold, the tests carried out and the accessories included. Also identify the seller before comparing the protections that apply.
Worth considering for a freestanding or built-in dishwasher, particularly when the available space is a key factor.
Worth considering if access to original spare parts is important when choosing between different appliance ranges.
Worth considering for a dishwasher if you want to find parts or accessories by product number.
These models are intended as separate purchases for food storage, laundry, cooking and cleaning. Whether they’re right for you depends on the appliances you already have and the installation requirements of your home.
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Worth considering if your home needs an appliance for storing fresh and frozen food. The model name indicates 153 L of fridge space, 74 L of freezer space, a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and an energy rating of E. Check the height, depth, clearance and energy label figures before choosing this appliance.
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Worth considering if you don’t already have an appliance to take care of your laundry. This top-loading model is listed with a 6 kg capacity, a 1,400 rpm spin speed, 17 programmes and an energy rating of B. Make sure the capacity suits your laundry load, and check the water supply, waste connection and commissioning requirements.
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Worth considering if you only need a modest amount of food storage and space is limited. The product name indicates a 92 L capacity, a freezer compartment, a reversible door and an energy rating of E. Check the full dimensions, ventilation requirements and whether the freezer compartment suits your needs.
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Worth considering for cooking if your home has a suitable built-in space. The model name indicates four zones and nine power levels. Before choosing it, ask a professional to check the specified cut-out size of 560 × 490 mm, the power supply required for a 32 A rated fuse and the installation requirements. Also check that your pans are induction-compatible.
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Worth considering if you don’t already have a vacuum cleaner for your floors. The product description states a battery life of up to 65 minutes in standard mode; this may not apply to other modes. Make sure you have a suitable place to store and charge it, and check that the accessories are right for the surfaces you need to clean.
No. First check what’s provided and working, then buy what you need to cover the routine you’re missing most. The CAF recommends checking what you already have. Just because an appliance is common in French households doesn’t mean it’s essential in every first home.
Measure the space in width, height and depth, as well as the doors and access points along the delivery route. For a built-in model, compare the alcove with the diagram for the exact model and check the connections required. Commissioning doesn’t automatically include this work.
Compare figures on the same basis and for the same category: energy rating, capacity, kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle where shown on the label. The ADEME explains that these figures are based on standard cycles; your choice of programmes and how often you use the machine may differ.
Yes, when a professional sells the appliance to a private individual in France. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that this guarantee covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. Check that the description, condition and accessories match the appliance you receive.