To furnish your home without accumulating appliances, start with the household tasks you do regularly. Then check the space available, the connections you need and the features that matter for each model. Separate appliances can meet needs that arise at the same time, provided your home has room for them. A multifunction appliance is worth considering if each of its features and cycles genuinely suits your needs. If you’re buying second-hand or refurbished, check the specific product on offer, its condition and the seller’s status before you decide.
In a small kitchen, bathroom or utility room, start with the features you use regularly. Then measure the space and access points, and check the connections before settling on an appliance size. For laundry appliances, Promotelec recommends, among other things, a dedicated socket near the water supply and drainage points.
If you already have several appliances that do a similar job, compare how often you use them rather than working through a standard list of household equipment. ADEME recommends buying only what you genuinely need and keeping appliances for as long as possible.
Judge a second-hand or refurbished appliance by its condition, features and suitability for your home. Also identify the seller and ask which guarantees apply to the specific sale. Don’t assume that ‘refurbished’ means ‘new’.
First decide which features you’re missing in everyday life. Then check how each appliance you’re considering fits your home and household routine.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Actual use | Note what the appliance does, how often you expect to use it and whether any equipment you already own can do the same job. Choose a capacity that suits the quantities you actually need to process. | I want to cover the cooking, food storage, laundry or cleaning tasks that matter in my household, without buying an appliance for a use that’s only hypothetical. |
| Installation | Measure the space and access points, and check the water supply, drainage and electrical supply required by the model. For a washing machine in a bathroom, Promotelec mentions earthing and 30 mA residual-current protection in particular. | I’m interested in a compact model if I can actually get it into the room, connect it and use it there. |
| Cycles and usage | Compare capacity, energy and water consumption, cycle times and noise on a like-for-like basis. For washer-dryers, the European Commission says the label provides information including these figures per cycle or per 100 cycles, depending on the measurement. | If the appliances will run near living areas, noise and cycle times matter just as much to me as capacity. With a combined model, I need to check the washing and drying figures separately. |
| Second-hand | Check the condition and features of the specific appliance on offer, which functions have been tested, the seller’s status and the applicable guarantee terms. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, a refurbished product is a second-hand item whose functions have been tested and which has been repaired or restored if necessary. | I’m happy to consider a second-hand appliance if it suits my needs and I know exactly what I’m buying and who I’m buying it from. |
The fact that an appliance is common in people’s homes doesn’t mean it’s useful for your household. ADEME recommends limiting purchases to what you genuinely need to avoid buying more equipment than necessary.
For each purchase you’re considering, note what you’d use it for, how often and whether an appliance you already own could do the job. You can revisit an occasional need once it becomes a regular one.
An appliance may have the right features but still not fit in the space you’ve chosen. Promotelec recommends, in particular, providing a dedicated socket near the water connections for a washing machine and dishwasher.
Check the dimensions, access points, water supply, drainage and electrical circuit against the model’s instructions. Don’t try to get around an electrical incompatibility by using a multi-socket adaptor.
A washer-dryer combines two functions in one machine, but its capacity and cycles need to suit your household for both. The European Commission says the label provides information including energy and water consumption, cycle time and noise.
Check the figures for each function, then consider whether the model will work with your laundry and drying routine.
The French Ministry of the Economy defines a refurbished product as a second-hand item whose functions have been tested and which has been repaired or restored if necessary. This description doesn’t mean you can skip checking the specific appliance on offer.
Ask about its condition, any work carried out and any reported faults. Check the seller’s status, the sales documents and whether the model is suitable for your installation.
These models illustrate different options for washing dishes, doing laundry and storing food. Before adding an appliance, compare its features with your needs and your home’s installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you wash dishes regularly and have room for a worktop appliance in your kitchen. The product title lists seven programmes and a noise level of 47 dB. Check the usable capacity, consumption per cycle, water supply and drainage requirements for your installation; the tap adaptor isn’t included.
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This freestanding washing machine is worth considering if your household’s laundry needs justify a 7 kg capacity. The product title states 1,400 rpm and an energy rating of A. ADEME says that 7 kg is enough for most people, though that won’t be right for every household. Check the dimensions and connection requirements in the model’s instructions.
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A combined model is worth considering if your household regularly washes and dries clothes but has limited space for two appliances. The product title lists a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity, so you won’t be able to dry a full wash load in a single cycle. Compare the figures for both functions on the model’s label, and check the water, drainage and electrical connections.
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This model has two compartments, making it an option for households that need both a fridge and a freezer. The product title lists 153 L for the fridge, 74 L for the freezer, a width of 54 cm and an energy rating of E. Compare the capacity with your habits, and check the model’s height, depth, clearance requirements and annual energy consumption.
No. Start with the tasks your household needs to manage from day one, then see which ones genuinely call for another appliance. ADEME recommends buying only what you need, so you can wait before buying anything for an uncertain or occasional use.
Measure the space and access points, then check the water supply, drainage and electrical supply required by the model. Promotelec recommends a dedicated socket near the water supply and drainage points for these appliances. Always check your plans against the instructions and the existing installation.
Yes, provided the installation meets the safety requirements for that location. Promotelec mentions earthing and a circuit protected by a 30 mA residual-current device in particular. If you’re unsure whether the location is suitable, ask someone to check the room and electrical circuit.
No. A combined design doesn’t automatically mean that both functions will suit your needs. Check the washing and drying capacities, cycle times and consumption figures separately. The European Commission says washer-dryer labels provide information including energy and water use, cycle time and noise.
Ask about the condition of the specific appliance on offer, which functions have been tested, any repairs and the seller’s identity. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, a refurbished appliance is a second-hand item whose functions have been tested and which has been repaired or restored if necessary. Also check its installation requirements and which guarantees apply to the sale.