Start by checking which appliances are already there and measuring the spaces available. Storing food, cooking and doing laundry are the priorities, but every purchase needs to suit your home. You can place several orders together if you know the dimensions, installation requirements and connections. If not, tackling one function at a time reduces the risk of choosing an incompatible appliance. To compare similar models, also look at the usage information on their energy labels, as recommended by ADEME.
You’ll need to store food, cook and do laundry from your first few days. Taking stock of the home and measuring the available spaces will help you order the appliances you need without doubling up or choosing the wrong size.
Before choosing between freestanding and integrated appliances, check what’s included and which spaces can be used. In France, the list of equipment set out in the decree of 31 July 2015 applies to furnished rental properties. It doesn’t replace checking the tenancy agreement and inventory for an unfurnished rental.
You can spread your purchases over time and consider pre-owned appliances, as long as you check their condition, model and the seller’s status. The DGCCRF states that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand or refurbished goods bought from a business, but not to sales between private individuals.
First, make a list of the appliances already there. Then check the available space and connections before deciding which functions you need straight away. You can wait to buy a dishwasher if you haven’t yet decided how you’ll use it or install it.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable for your home | Measure the height, width and depth; confirm the installation type and the connections required for the model. | If my kitchen has an alcove or needs to use a water supply, I want to avoid buying an appliance I can’t install. Around 36% of consumers would make compatibility their top priority. |
| Everyday functions | Check which appliances are already there, then list the functions you’re missing: refrigeration, cooking and laundry. | I need to be able to store food, cook and do laundry as soon as I move in. Around 29% of consumers would put these functions first. |
| Energy, water, noise and usage life | Compare the labels of appliances in the same category and with a suitable capacity. For a washing machine that carries one, also check its durability index. | If my living space is close to the appliances, I want to consider noise as well as water and energy use and how long the appliance will last. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise these criteria. |
| Staggered purchases and second-hand options | Check the model, condition and essential accessories, and find out whether the seller is a business or a private individual. | If I’d rather buy in stages or consider second-hand appliances, I want to know the appliance’s condition and what protection the sale offers. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise this flexibility. |
An integrated, fully integrated or freestanding appliance won’t necessarily fit the same space, even if its width looks similar. The ranges from Beko and Bosch distinguish between these formats.
Measure the space, take a photo and check the installation type and clearance required against the instructions for the exact model.
For a dishwasher, the rating doesn’t tell you everything: it won’t show the capacity, water used per cycle, noise level or the length of the Eco programme. ADEME recommends looking at these details together.
Compare models in the same category and with a capacity that suits your needs, taking into account the reference conditions shown on the label.
The DGCCRF distinguishes refurbished goods, which have been tested and, where necessary, repaired. The legal guarantee of conformity that applies to sales by businesses doesn’t apply to sales between private individuals.
Ask for the exact model, check the appliance’s condition and request proof of purchase. Identify the seller before comparing offers.
The French decree of 31 July 2015 lists, among other things, cooking and refrigeration equipment for furnished rental properties. It doesn’t describe which appliances are actually provided in an unfurnished rental.
Check the tenancy agreement and inventory, then see which appliances are provided and working before you order.
Worth considering if you need a fridge to fit in a fitted kitchen.
Worth considering when comparing integrated dishwashers to suit your available space.
A retailer to consider if you’re looking for refurbished large appliances rather than a manufacturer’s range.
These appliances cover cooking, food storage and laundry. Consider a worktop dishwasher only if it suits your needs and you have space for it in your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you’re equipping your home gradually and have a suitable space for cooking.
The product name lists eight power settings, a 3 h timer and compatibility with cookware measuring 12 to 26 cm. Check the available power supply in your home and make sure the appliance suits your cooking needs.
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Worth considering if you need somewhere to keep fresh and frozen food from the day you move in.
The stated capacities are 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer, and the listed width is 54 cm. The product name mentions a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check the height, required clearances and the model’s energy label before deciding where to put it.
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Worth considering if your home doesn’t have a washing machine and an 8 kg capacity suits the amount of laundry you do.
The product name lists 16 programmes and a maximum spin speed of 1,400 rpm. Measure the space and check the water supply and drainage, then consult the energy label to compare consumption for the reference programmes.
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Worth considering if washing up is one of your needs and you have space for the appliance on your worktop.
The product name lists a built-in 5 L water tank and a D energy rating. Check the usable capacity, drainage and any accessories needed for your kitchen setup.
Don’t assume it does. Check your tenancy agreement, inventory and the appliances already there before buying anything. In France, the decree of 31 July 2015, which lists items including hobs and refrigeration equipment, sets out requirements for furnished rentals; it isn’t an inventory of what’s included in your unfurnished rental.
Compare the energy rating, kWh per 100 cycles, water used per cycle, capacity, Eco programme duration and noise level across models with a suitable capacity. ADEME explains that the stated consumption figures are based on reference cycles, so they won’t necessarily match every use in your home.
Yes, if you buy it from a professional seller, whether it’s second-hand or refurbished. The DGCCRF states that this guarantee doesn’t apply to sales between private individuals, so make sure you know who the seller is and keep your proof of purchase.
No. Check whether an index applies to the category and model you’re interested in. In France, according to the ministry responsible for ecological transition, the durability index is gradually replacing the repairability index for washing machines from 8 April 2025. That doesn’t mean it appears on every household appliance.