And owners are spending twice as much or more on appliances in their condominiums for upscale units reflecting European design and efficiency from makers such as Miehle and Thermador.

To a certain degree condo appliances can be different than average household appliances. “This depends on the size of the unit,” explains Clark Hogan, Marketing Manager, Pointe of View Condominiums. Pointe of View is one of Calgary’s condominium kings with about 500 units currently on the market. “But European styling and efficiency is certainly influencing what goes into Calgary condominiums.”

Most of the washer and dryers in Pointe of View units are front load vertical systems with different levels of quality and function within the appliances themselves. There are also different ways of mounting them.
Some racks mount to the wall or structure and in other cases the unit is self contained sitting on a base or one unit that contains both
Ventless dryers are excellent in apartment conversions to condominiums allowing builders to include these desirable appliances without the problem of venting out of doors.

“In many cases it is not possible to vent the dryers and we are just starting to use this technology,” says Hogan. “The ventless dryers don’t require mechanical work within the structure of the suite. It saves ceiling space requiring no knock downs.”

These dryers of a self-contained circulating system enabled through a cooler system that requires periodic emptying.

Kendra Milne, Streetside Development Corporation Marketing Coordinator says “technically there isn’t differences with the appliances themselves—they work the same— but you have some options in terms of saving space if your kitchen is smaller.”

“You are not limited in quality and style. The most important thing when you are selecting your appliances is how functional is it going to be in the space that you have in your kitchen.”

An example is the over the range microwave with a built in fan.

“It’s almost considered a must-do now because of the space efficiency and venting.”

In its kitchens Streetside offers cook top stoves with separate built-in ovens. “It saves a lot of cupboard space underneath the stove for pots and pans,” she says.

Again for space saving, dishwashers can be smaller (usually standard size) and washer and dryer units are stacked.

“We are seeing a lot more people choosing energy efficient front loading washers and dryers. Which is excellent in a condo if you are carrying a lot of your utility costs.”

Based on your layout, if you want the side-by-side, an up and down or you want the freezer on the bottom, determines what fridge you buy.
Leigha Pidde, Design Centre Manager for Pointe of View, says buyers spend a lot of time discussing condominium appliances at the design centre. “It’s probably the second topic of discussion we have with buyers in the design centre.”

She says you might not be able to get a Subzero 36 inch wide fridge because there is not the room for it, but other than that your appliances are going to be the same whether you are in a condo or a house.

“The key is maximizing what you have. Anything that you can bring in that performs double duty will be way more effective. Instead of having a microwave and a hood fan, put in a combination unit and free up counter space.”

For Pointe of View the maximum fridge size in the kitchen cabinetry is 19.5 square feet so it is a matter of finding a unit that meets your needs in that size.

This means when Pointe of View did its shopping for fridges to put in its appliance package, it had to find 33 to 34 inch units that will still hold a four litre milk jug in the door and a vegetable crisper large enough.

“Appliances in general are a big thing when people are looking to buy a home. We use smooth stop stoves that blend in with the unit. You can use the stove top as counter space when it is not being used.”

Pointe of View does not use a cabinet-based oven, opting instead to maximize cabinet space and use a standard stove and oven combination.

“Condo purchases and lifestyle go hand in hand. You’re not moving into a condo and taking the basic stuff. You’re spending a little more to match the nicer floors and decor,” says Rick Owen, Trail Appliances Sales Manager. “People are looking for something more than average, a little higher end. They are not taking the basic package as they used to. They are going with built-ins: wall ovens, stove tops and preferred refrigerators.”
A switch to gas appliances and glass tops are becoming more popular in black or stainless steel, he adds.

Dish and clothes washers that use less water and appliances overall that use less power, lead the parade in condo buyers’ choice of more efficient appliances.

“Refrigerator choices start as small as 18 cubic foot but are a little nicer now, not the regular top freezer bottom fridge. They are looking for units with pull out drawers and more efficiency in smaller spaces.”
Condo builders are starting to design larger kitchens allowing for a full range of standard size appliances, but a European influence is seeing smaller sized appliances looking equally attractive.

“Thermador has come out with a new line called Freedom where it actually has drawers and upper refrigerator and a drawer set on your island,” says Owen.