Built-in dishwashers of today have several style options to choose from. It has been a popular choice for years to choose a dishwasher model with a finish that matches the other large kitchen appliances throughout the room – commonly with a white, black, or stainless steel finish. Standardly finished built-in dishwashers can be beautiful, but maybe you don’t want to break up a beautiful line of cabinetry with a metal box. You might want to consider an appliance panel dishwasher (also known as a panel-ready dishwasher). This model is designed to receive a cabinet panel to the dishwasher door enabling it to complement with the surrounding cabinetry.
In this kitchen design, a beautiful matte black finished dishwasher adds an enticing contrast to the cabinets.
A hidden paneled dishwasher to the right of the sink makes this kitchen work zone a stunning space by blending the dishwasher with the surrounding cabinetry. Design by KSI Kitchen & Bath, Michigan.
What is an Appliance Panel Dishwasher?
The appliance panel dishwasher accepts a cabinet panel that matches the surrounding cabinetry and helps to conceal the kitchen appliance. The cabinet appliance panel is seamless, without visible dishwasher controls, and uses cabinetry hardware instead of an appliance handle. It’s so seamless, in fact, your guests may think you don’t even have a dishwasher!
In this kitchen design the dishwasher is hiding to the left of the kitchen sink. Design by Splendid Home Design LLC, Stuart, Florida. Photo by The J Projects.
Why Should You Use an Appliance Panel Dishwasher?
Today, kitchens can have several built-in appliances beyond the typical refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher. It’s becoming popular for new kitchen designs to include more built-in tools like microwaves, beverage fridges, cappuccino machines, warming drawers, air fryers, toaster ovens, freezer drawers, double wall ovens, and more. Depending on the layout, this can sometimes make a kitchen feel “appliance-heavy” and cluttered with large metal boxes. This gives the impression that there are more appliances than cabinets. A noteworthy solution is to use panel ready appliances, which subtly enable them to blend seamlessly into a beautiful kitchen panorama. One kitchen appliances that homeowners most often request to a have camouflaged is the dishwasher due to its very “boxy” nature.
Notice how this kitchen design below feels cramped due to the dishwasher in such close proximity to the oven. This is a situation where a dishwasher with an appliance panel would help declutter the space and make it feel less ‘appliance-heavy’.
Photo Source: Edina Realty
In the kitchen design pictured below, all of the built-in kitchen appliances are beautifully concealed. There are three hidden/semi-hidden built-in appliances in this photo. Can you spot them all? If these were all stainless steel appliances, it would create a completely different look and likely feel ‘appliance-heavy.’ By using appliance panels, the designer was able to create a beautiful, integrated kitchen design.
Did you spot all of the appliances? If not, here are where they’re each located: a hidden refrigerator is in the tall cabinet to the far left, a hidden dishwasher to the right of the sink, and a semi-hidden beverage fridge at the bottom of the tall cabinets on the far right.
Design by Erica Caserta of Showcase Kitchens in Canton, CT. Photo by Severine Photography.
How to Hide & Style The Dishwasher with Appliance Panels
First, choose a dishwasher. Please note that not every dishwasher can receive a cabinet appliance panel. A panel-ready dishwasher model must be selected. Next, decide how to style the panel. The two most popular options for a paneled dishwasher are a panel with a full-height cabinet door and one with a cabinet door and drawer front combination.
Here’s an example of a Full-Height Door Appliance Panel from Dura Supreme Cabinetry.
Here’s an example of a Door & Drawer Appliance Panel from Dura Supreme Cabinetry.
But what about inset cabinetry where the cabinet door is flush with the frame? Some are surprised to hear appliance panels can also be crafted to mimic the look of inset cabinets. With inset appliance panel dishwashers, the panel includes a mock frame around the cabinet door.
An inset Full-Height Door Appliance Panel from Dura Supreme Cabinetry. (Shown closed.)
An inset Full-Height Door Appliance Panel from Dura Supreme Cabinetry. (Shown open.)
There are also custom solutions if you’re looking for something different. In this Dura Supreme kitchen pictured below, the designer created an appliance panel that looks like a row of drawers.
Pull the top drawer handle and SURPRISE! You have a dishwasher! Design by Plain & Posh Distinctive Cabinet Designs, IL.
See how seamlessly the panel hides the dishwasher. Design by Plain & Posh Distinctive Cabinet Designs, IL.
How Does a Panel-Ready Dishwasher Work?
So where are the controls on a panel-ready dishwasher? Dishwashers that accept a cabinet appliance panel have integrated controls. This means that the controls are not visible on the front of the dishwasher door but are concealed. Typically, they are located inside toward the top and are accessed by opening the door. This is where it gets its name, “Top Control.” Integrating the controls hidden and integrated into the door is part of what allows the dishwasher to ‘disappear’ and blend in with the cabinetry so well.
Can you spot the dishwasher in these kitchens?
Let’s test your eye for spotting an appliance paneled appliance… Can you find the hidden dishwasher in the kitchens pictured below?
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, in which cabinet did the dishwasher go? Answer, the cabinet to the right of the kitchen sink is an appliance panel dishwasher with our Reese door style. Design by KSI Kitchen & Bath, Michigan.
This panel-hidden dishwasher features a Full-Height Door Front Appliance Panel option from Dura Supreme Cabinetry to the right of the kitchen sink. Kitchen design by Mariotti Building Products in Old Forge, PA. Photography by Danielle Coons.
Oh, so many places the dishwasher could be, but if you look closely to the right of the kitchen sink, you’ll see it! Design by Stephanie Frees of Plain & Posh Distinctive Cabinet Designs, Illinois. Photography by Picture Perfect House.
This is a tricky one! Hint: it’s hiding below the coffee maker. Design by Mid-Cape Home Centers in Massachusetts. Photography by Grattan Imaging.
It’s hard to spot, but if you look to the right of the sink, you’ll see where the dishwasher hides in this Dura Supreme kitchen. Design by Kitchen Design Partners, Inc. in Northbrook, Illinois.
Are you still debating whether an appliance panel dishwasher is the way to go? Talk with your local Dura Supreme designer to learn more about our appliance panel options and discover if a paneled dishwasher is the best choice for you and your kitchen.
This kitchen was designed by Kitchen Design Partners, Inc. in Northbrook, Illinois featuring Dura Supreme’s “Black” paint.
