Start by checking which appliances are already there, the space available and the connections, then buy what you need to store and cook food. A dishwasher or multi-function appliance only makes sense if its size, features and connections suit your home.
Start by checking what’s included and making sure you can store and cook food before buying convenience appliances. The ADEME and EDF R&D study describes household appliances in mainland France, but does not measure the priorities of people moving into a home.
Space, sockets and ventilation matter, as do the water inlet and waste outlet for dishwashing. The word “compact” doesn’t tell you everything. ADEME’s advice, manufacturers’ instructions and the dimensions of the exact model will help you check each requirement.
Compare hand-washing with a plumbed-in countertop model and a model with a water tank, taking into account how much washing-up you have, the space available and possible connections. Candy’s and Daan Tech’s product information shows how the different set-ups work, but doesn’t establish that one option suits every home.
When kitting out a small kitchen, start with the functions you’re missing, then check that each appliance suits the space and connections already available.
| Priority | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Storing food | Check what’s already provided, the full dimensions, door clearance and freezer compartment, if needed. | If the home doesn’t have suitable refrigeration, I want to store my shopping without blocking the way or going without a freezer. Around 31% of consumers prioritise a suitable fridge. |
| Everyday cooking | List the meals you usually prepare, then compare the cooking zones, cooking modes, power and space required. | For cooking in a pan or using the oven, I want features that genuinely suit my habits, without counting a combination appliance as a hob. Around 25% of consumers prioritise everyday cooking. |
| Checking the installation | Measure the space and clearances; check the sockets, circuits, water inlet and waste outlet, as well as ventilation requirements. | In a kitchenette with limited space and sockets, I want to know whether the appliance can be installed and used as intended. Around 19% of consumers put compatibility with their home first. |
| Cutting down on washing up by hand | Compare capacity, footprint, energy label information and connections, including the waste outlet for a model with a water tank. | If I want to automate the washing-up, I need to set aside space for the appliance and somewhere for the waste water to drain. Around 13% of consumers prioritise automating the washing-up. |
| Spreading out your purchases | Make a list of the appliances provided, compare energy label information using the relevant units, and distinguish between the legal guarantee and a commercial warranty extension. | To avoid buying duplicates and spread the cost, I’d rather buy the appliances that meet an everyday need first. Around 12% of consumers prioritise managing their initial outlay. |
Depth, height, door clearance and space around the appliance matter too. For a built-in appliance, the dimensions of the housing are crucial.
Measure the space and the route to it, then compare these with the dimensions and instructions in the manual for the exact model.
Daan Tech says that Bob’s built-in tank means you don’t need a water inlet, but its guide still calls for a drain hose and waste outlet.
Before choosing a plumbed-in model or one with a tank, work out how clean water will get in and how waste water will drain away. If there’s no practical way to drain it, hand-washing may be a temporary solution.
An available socket doesn’t mean the electrical installation can safely power several appliances at once. Promotelec highlights the risks of using extension leads incorrectly.
Check the power requirements and instructions for each appliance, as well as the existing installation. If in doubt, ask a qualified person to inspect it rather than assuming it’s suitable.
The legal guarantee of conformity that applies to purchases from a professional seller is separate from an optional commercial warranty.
Check the terms of the legal guarantee and the warranty extension separately before deciding whether the latter meets a specific need.
A freestanding, table-top fridge is worth considering if your home lacks suitable refrigeration and width is limited.
The DK 1031 double hot plate and MW 7774 combination microwave offer two different cooking functions that need to work together in your kitchen.
A countertop dishwasher may be an option if you have a suitable space, water inlet and waste outlet.
Bob is a compact dishwashing option worth considering if you don’t have a dedicated water inlet.
A built-in oven and microwave combination is worth considering if you already have a suitable housing.
These appliances cover food storage, cooking and washing-up needs. Compare them based on the space and connections available in your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you need a compact fridge; check the dimensions and space needed to open the door.
Stated capacity: 92 L; stated width: 47 cm; freezer compartment; reversible door; adjustable shelves.
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Compare it if you’re looking for a portable cooking zone and have cookware that’s compatible with induction.
One cooking zone; adjustable power up to 2,000 W; cookware with a magnetic base measuring 12 to 26 cm, according to the product description; stated thickness of 44.5 mm.
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Worth considering if you’d like several cooking modes in one appliance and have space for it on your worktop.
The product description lists microwave, grill and steam cooking functions, a 29 L cavity and external dimensions of 52.3 × 44.9 × 30.0 cm. The stated power rating for both the microwave and grill is 1,000 W.
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Compare it if you’d like to automate the washing-up and can set aside space for it and arrange somewhere for the water to drain.
Stated dimensions: 420 × 435 × 435 mm; 5 L built-in tank or tap-water supply, according to the product description. A drain hose is included, but you’ll still need a waste outlet.
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Worth considering if several food preparation functions in one appliance suit the way you cook and you have enough space for it.
Stated capacity: 3.8 L, making up to four portions according to the product description; seven stated cooking functions. For pressure cooking, the description specifies a minimum of 250 ml of liquid and fill limits that must be followed.
First, check the inventory and the appliances already in the property. For a furnished rental covered by Decree No. 2015-981, in the version in force on 22 October 2026, the minimum furnishings include a hob, an oven or microwave, and a fridge with a freezer or compartment capable of reaching a temperature of −6 °C or lower. This rule doesn’t apply in the same way to an unfurnished rental, and it doesn’t require a dishwasher.
According to ANIL, alterations to the property or its fixtures require the landlord’s written consent. A freestanding appliance doesn’t, by itself, give you permission to alter the electrical or plumbing installation. Check your tenancy agreement, the existing installation and the appliance instructions before deciding.
Not necessarily. For Bob, Daan Tech says that the built-in tank removes the need for a water inlet, but a drain hose and waste outlet are still required. Check the instructions for the model you choose and make sure you have somewhere to drain the waste water.
Compare the energy label information using the relevant units: kWh per 100 reference cycles, litres per reference cycle, capacity and noise level. To estimate your costs, take your usage frequency and electricity tariff into account; the energy rating alone won’t tell you your personal annual cost.
Follow the instructions for your model. For Bob, Daan Tech recommends rinsing the large-waste filter after every wash. If there’s a fault, the legal guarantee of conformity applies through the professional seller under the relevant conditions; a commercial warranty extension offered at the time of purchase is separate.