Just how many dishwashers do you need? Hi kitchen fans, Susan Serra, CKD,
here. It’s a modern challenge, when designing a kitchen for the utmost
in efficiency. Kitchens are getting larger, so says the AIA in their
4th quarter 2006 report. At least, 40% of architects polled believe the
kitchen will become even larger. They also said the kitchen is the most
important room in the house.

Take the dishwasher. It used to be that it was a no brainer. You put
a dishwasher into the kitchen plan and you’re more or less done. NOW,
you have more choices. Many of my clients love the Fisher & Paykel
drawer dishwashers. They come in a double drawer model or single drawer model. I recently did one kitchen design where the client wanted the
single model, but two of them, one on each side of the sink. I mean,
who wants to bend down?

Another client really didn’t want 2 full dishwashers, so instead, we
designed in one drawer style dishwasher and one full size dishwasher.
Perfect solution. But, to add to the confusion, as we see in Luxury Housing Trends,
one can have the option of a huge, 30" dishwasher, sure to take care of
most of the every day needs for a large family and entertaining
too. That’s living large, for sure!

If you’re in a small space, you now have really great options. Over at Apartment Therapy, they’re showing the EdgeStar Countertop Dishwasher. And, if you just hate to sacrifice cabinet space, try GE’s under sink dishwasher.

With these great choices, how do you decide what’s right for you? It’s really a tough one, I have to say. It’s like my double wall ovens. I use the second, lower, oven one day a year, Thanksgiving. Really. But, you know what? I could not live without that second oven. If you’re one to want things cleaned up as quickly as possible (like my husband is) then 1 1/2 or 2 dishwashers just may be right for your lifestyle. Or, if you really use your kitchen for cooking(!) that’s another good reason to get more than one dishwasher if you have the space. Large families, also good. I’ve heard of people who store their dishes in the dishwasher. There you go….one dishwasher to wash, the next one for storage, and then alternate!