Why seeing appliances in action, before you’ve finalised your design, can transform the way your kitchen works.

There’s a moment that happens often at Kitchen Things. Someone comes in thinking they’ve already made their appliance decisions. They’ve got a brand in mind, a shortlist of features, and a spot marked out in the plans.

Then they take part in a cooking technology session, and everything changes.

Rachel, who’s spent over 20 years in the appliance world, has seen it countless times. A steam oven gets added. A brand gets swapped. A whole layout gets rethought, before it’s too late to make the change.

Real kitchens, real demos

This isn’t about glossy brochures or YouTube reviews. The stores are designed with working kitchens where ovens are live and ready to test.

“We have 18 ovens connected so we can come in and show people what the latest technology is”.

Customers can see the difference steam makes to a roast. Learn how a vacuum drawer works. Understand what a blast chiller actually does. Because when you see it, and taste the results, you realise what you might be missing.

It’s not just a lesson, it’s a mindset shift

Rachel says it’s common for people to come in thinking they don’t need much.

“I don’t steam vegetables, so why would I want a steam oven?”

But once they see what a steam oven can do with meat or reheating leftovers, they start to look at it differently.

She recalls a recent cooking class where “one went back to her designer and said, hey, I want to add a steam oven to my purchase… and two others actually changed the brand they had in mind”. The earlier in the process this happens, the easier it is to adapt the kitchen around it.

Good food starts with the right tools

The goal isn’t to sell more features. It’s to help people choose appliances that fit the way they actually cook. That might mean sticking with the basics, or it might mean discovering something that makes your life a lot easier.

As Rachel puts it, “You want to know, how am I going to put beautiful food on the table for my family?”.

That’s what this education is really about.

Because a great kitchen isn’t just about the finishes, it’s about how it feels to use. And knowing your appliances inside and out is one of the smartest design choices you can make.

Come early, not just when you’re ready to buy

That’s one of the biggest takeaways. You don’t need to wait until you’re placing an order. In fact, you shouldn’t.

“Even if you’re still in the early stages of thinking about doing a renovation, come in at that point”.

Kitchen appliances shape how your kitchen works. Getting those decisions right, before you finalise your layout, makes everything else fall into place. We call this the order of success, and it’s one of the key principles covered in our FREE Renovating Your Kitchen for Sale Guide. When you choose appliances too late, you limit your options. Get it right early, and the whole design works better.

Kitchen Things has stores throughout New Zealand and can run online appliance sessions if you’re not nearby. No matter where you are, you can still get the guidance you need to make smart choices.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a podcast featuring insights from experienced professionals and is intended for general information and inspiration only. While we aim to share valuable guidance, please seek personalised advice from qualified professionals before making decisions about your property, finances, or renovation plans.