Whether you live in a diminutive cottage, a rambling farmhouse, an open-plan barn conversion, a Georgian townhouse or a sleek contemporary space, a beautiful kitchen is key to creating a house that feels like a home.
And when it comes to choosing your appliances, an important consideration is that they look smart and complement your cabinets. Whatever your aesthetic, clean-lined stainless steel looks great in any home and kitchen, from simple Shaker cabinets to the rustic charm of a traditional country design. You may consider hiding your washing machine and dishwasher in neat cupboards, but a sleek freestanding fridge/freezer is a standout piece to put on show. AO.com stocks a wide range of well-respected brands, including an edited selection of stainless steel luxury fridge/freezers by Haier.
The classic, elegant cabinetry of Shaker style never goes out of fashion. With its origins in exquisite craftsmanship and simple detailing in the form of hinges and handles, Shaker is the universal go-to for any style of property. A country-style kitchen, meanwhile, has a slightly broader remit, with a more rustic ethos. Taking design cues from traditional British and French farmhouses, the look often centres around freestanding pieces, such as a dresser and a large wooden table, with plenty of worn, lived-in surfaces. Pristine this is not. The aim is to capture as much patina as possible – every piece in the kitchen tells a story of where it lived before and how it was used, and the dresser provides the perfect opportunity to show off collections of antique ceramics and kitchenalia.
Of course, you don’t have to follow a particular style at all. A kitchen made up of salvaged finds is the most sustainable choice and has the benefit of adding unique character to your home. There are several reclamation yards around the country which specialise in creating units and worktops out of reclaimed materials. This option is slightly more labour intensive but will result in a kitchen that exudes eco credentials.
Not only do they look good, Haier fridge/freezers available at AO.com are wonderfully practical, with deep shelves and big drawers for neatly fitting in all your groceries (equating to up to 24 bags of shopping) in an easy-to-view and retrieve fashion. Clever features of the HFW7720EWMP model include being able to manage settings from the comfort of your sofa using the hOn Smart Home app, so you can check the temperature of your fridge/freezer or add wines to your favourites list without getting up. This model also comes with a handy water dispenser; humidity control, which uses an air filter to wick away moisture, keeping food fresh for longer; frost control to prevent ice build-up; and the ability to toggle the temperature of individual compartments, giving you more fridge or freezer space as required. The ability to change the fridge/freezer ratio is brilliant for batch-cooked dishes that need extra freezer space, or celebrations where having plenty of room for chilled party fare is paramount.
If you haven’t considered a fridge/freezer combination before, perhaps because you feel restricted by space limitations in your kitchen, you may be surprised to learn that Haier produces top-of-the-range models in slimmer widths. These appliances have all the functionality of a larger model, just in a beautifully slimline package. The HDR5719FWMP, for example, is 70cm wide and has a 450-litre capacity – equivalent to 25 bags of shopping! It also has reversible doors to suit your kitchen layout and even delivers instant filtered water, which doesn’t require any plumbing. So you can site your fridge/freezer wherever you like without any additional work.
For those who have the luxury of plenty of wall space, meanwhile, Haier’s larger fridge/freezers are ideal. Choose from chic traditional stainless steel or models in black stainless steel for a more dramatic contemporary look.
When it comes to buying your Haier fridge/freezer from AO.com you can rest assured that you’re buying with confidence. As well has having over 25,000 5-star reviews on Trustpilot, the company also offers delivery time slots 7 days a week, so you can find a time with ease to suit you. Plus, customers who buy a Haier refrigeration appliance over £850 will receive 12 bottles of Laithwaites (alcohol-free hamper available).