What Is a Panel-Ready Appliance?
Whether you want a dishwasher that hides under your countertops or a fridge that looks like cabinets, custom-panel-ready appliances are the answer. A typical panel-ready appliance doesn’t include a standard white, black or stainless-steel front — or any front panels at all. In most cases, the panels are a separate purchase. You order them from a cabinet manufacturer who uses the appliance measurements and the look of your cabinets to design panels for a streamlined look. You’ll also need to purchase handles designed for use with appliances.
Top Benefits of Custom-Panel-Ready Appliances
In addition to giving your kitchen a high-end look, panel-ready kitchen appliances have lots to offer for a kitchen remodel:
- Your options for style, design and finish are nearly endless.
- Custom panels emphasize the design and beauty of your cabinets.
- Hidden appliances create integrated appeal.
- Different appliance brands can have matching looks.
- You can update panels to fit your next remodel.
Considerations for a Custom-Panel-Ready Appliance
Keep these factors in mind as you plan your appliance purchase:
- You need accurate measurements of your space to ensure a good fit.
- Your budget should allow for purchase of the panels and pulls.
- Your remodel timeline should allow time for delivery of the appliance and panels.
- You need to verify that your cabinet manufacturer can create the panels for the appliances.
- Some custom-panel-ready appliances might have smaller capacities to create a flush fit with your cabinets.
- Professional installation of the appliances and panels helps ensure the appliances work right and look great.
Types of Panel-Ready Appliances
Refrigerators and dishwashers are the most common panel-appliances, but there are other options as well.
Panel-Ready Refrigerators
Your refrigerator is likely your largest appliance, so a custom-panel-ready refrigerator usually makes the greatest impact. It also gives you the best opportunity to display the beauty of your cabinet and hardware choices. Panel-ready counter-depth refrigerators are the most common and you’ll find custom-panel refrigerators in all the standard designs:
- Panel-ready French door refrigerators
- Panel-ready side-by-side refrigerators
- Panel-ready bottom-freezer refrigerators
- Panel-ready freezerless refrigerators
- Panel-ready drawer refrigerators
In addition to a full-size panel-ready fridge, adding a custom-panel-ready mini-fridge to a bar area or finished basement can keep the space attractive.
Panel-Ready Dishwashers
Custom-panel-ready dishwashers are also popular additions to a kitchen remodel. A built-in dishwasher tucks under your countertop, making it an obvious opportunity to conceal among your cabinets. These customizable dishwashers are available in standard 24-inch models and slim 18-inch designs. You can find a panel-ready dishwasher with the same available options as a traditional dishwasher.
Panel-Ready Freezers
If you need extra space for frozen food, but you don’t want an extra appliance to be obvious, a custom-panel-ready freezer is the answer. These upright appliances conceal frozen storage space behind the warmth of natural wood or trendy cabinet colors.
Panel-Ready Ice Makers
A custom-panel-ready ice maker is a smart upgrade if you regularly entertain or if you have a large family. This customizable appliance is compact, and with the front panel and hardware of your choice, blends naturally into a kitchen or bar area.
Learn what to look for in a kitchen appliance with our buying guides for refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers and ice makers. Plus, learn how we can help with cabinet and appliance installations or a complete kitchen makeover.
Create Your Custom Kitchen With Panel-Ready Appliances
Maximize the beauty of your kitchen and create a unique appeal with custom-panel-ready appliances. Remember these key points when adding these customizable appliances to your kitchen remodel:
- Concealing appliances with panels emphasizes the beauty of your cabinets.
- You can create a uniform look, even with appliances from different brands.
- You’ll need to purchase panels and handles separately to fit your appliance and kitchen.
- Plan to work with a cabinet manufacturer to create custom panels.
- Make sure your budget and schedule work with the cost and time necessary to create the panels.
- Custom-panel appliances require professional installation for the appliance and panels.
Shop Lowes.com for panel-ready refrigerators, dishwashers and more. You can shop popular appliance brands, look for ENERGY STAR certified options and choose premium features like smart-compatibility, Wi-Fi connectivity and quiet operation. Stop by your local Lowe’s and talk to a Lowe’s Red vest associate about your design goals and plans. They can help you add panel-ready appliances to your kitchen remodel, offer design options and help you arrange installation for your appliances, cabinets, flooring and more.
Panel-Ready Appliance FAQ
Use the answers to these questions about panel-ready appliances to help you make the right choice for your remodel.
Do the Panels Come With Panel-Ready Appliances?
No, in most cases, when you buy a panel-ready appliance, you get the appliance without front panels. The appliance documentation should provide the width, height, thickness and weight range for the panels, as well as any hardware necessary. With that information, you can order the panels from a cabinet manufacturer. You also need to purchase the appliance handles separately.
Can I Install Panels on a Panel-Ready Appliance Myself?
While some panel-ready appliances include instructions for installing panels, it’s usually a job for a professional. Professional installation of both the appliance and the panels helps ensure your appliance works properly and the panels create the seamless look you want.
Can I Put Cabinet Panels on Any Appliance?
No, a standard appliance isn’t suitable for cabinet panels or any type of custom panels. Adding panels to a standard appliance creates a safety issue since the doors and hinges aren’t designed or balanced to handle the panels. The additional weight can create a tipping hazard or cause the doors to detach from the appliance. Adding panels to a standard appliance can also lead to overheating and reduced efficiency.