Not a big problem if you are willing to keep replacing the "clunker" in the litter until your choice of maker pulls up its socks and does it right. But that often happens when a total redesign occurs and so you still can't get a match for the rest of your stuff that is ok. Why reward bad behavior and corner cutting on a few of your appliances just so they will match? Very few makers can get everything they make right all the time especially when components are sourced worldwide and the opportunities for suppliers to shaft or get shafted themselves are common?

Even if you get all appliances from the same brand, the stainless may not match exactly anyway. You can select appliances that look good together but don't exactly match - that's what most of us on this forum recommend.

The "matchy-matchy" appliance look is dated. And I agree with Laat2 and Weissman. Also, one brand may not have the appliances that fit YOUR needs. For example, let's say you want the best DW there is, with 14 settings, all the bells and whistles, etc., but for the fridge, to you it's just a box to keep things cold, so why pay a lot. No matching appliance package is going to have the combo you are looking for. You need to mix and match brands, sizes, high-end and low-end, all depending upon your individual requirements.

Here's an older thread on this topic. Antss' posting (3rd one) sums up very nicely. And yours truly posted on that one too, where I mentioned "appliance risk" which is another consideration.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread about Matching Appliances/Appliance Packages

Thanks for the link akchicago. DH works for Sears, so we wanted to use the associate discount and that limited our selection. We also wanted a CD frig with NO icemaker in the door and that limited us to KA or LG. Honestly I was hesitant with LG because I feel they are new to the appliance arena (and couldn't find many reviews on them). As far as the stove, the KA has all the features I wanted with a good design (5 burners, true convection with conversion) at the right price (under $1k) and then I figured might as well as the matching DW and MW. . . I wonder if I should have done more research. Sometimes it's so hard to make decisions and choosing one brand (even if they aren't made in the same factory or by the same manufacturer--how annoying is that btw!) eases the burden

The "matchy-matchy" appliance look is dated.

Whenever somebody does like something it inevitably becomes labled either "dated" or "trendy." LOL :)

We really haven't seen much matchy-matchy here on GW.
Ocasionally we might see where someone tries to buy all Miele or whatever. Don't you think a kitchen that has appliances picked for the job they can do best (in each case), shows a lil more forethought and good engineering than to just push the Miele button or the Elux button or whatever?You probably saw the long post on the Miele oven?
We see few complaints about their DW's, but to pay over twice for one of their ovens, without the glide racks, temps that can only be measured by IR Thermometer, a thinner and not as smoothe closing door as elux, no nice gliding out racks-----well at least to me that is too "Matchie Matchie"---push the M button for DW but push the E button for oven, save some money and get the best quality for each appliance.

Gary

One of the first appliance stores I visited told me the MOST important thing was to pick matching appliances. Ha Ha.
I think you need to keep in mind how they will go together (blend), how close they are to each other (will you even notice they are different?), and maybe make sure the handles are at least similar. But I think the MOST important thing is to pick the best appliance for the job.

"All matching appliances" was one of the mantras before "stainless steel appliances" when touting a kitchen, how soon we all forget.

Well, what can ya say, The good folks at GW retrained us?
Had I discovered the sight sooner I would have saved at least $3500. I made a bad choice on a Caldera Cooktop and it's associated pop-up vent.
I had an easily accessible outside wall so there was no need for a pop-up but being a "Techie" I thought it was kinda neat---but the folks here, sure know better.
At least they did introduce me to Induction and that has more than made up for my other 2 bad choices.
Like Dee Clark sang about, "Just Keep It Up" and maybe we can save some others from costly mistakes!

Gary

I agree that it's not necessary to match appliances for the look, but I'm looking for a gas range and OTR microwave and had a salesman tell me I should buy the same brand because if there's a problem with the microwave the company can't disavow the warranty by climing the micro wasn't made to be used over someone else's range. Does anyone know if that's true?

michaelct - I doubt that's true as long as you follow the manufacturer's installation and clearance specifications. On the other hand, depending on the kind of range you're getting and the power of the burners, you ought to consider a range hood rather than an OTR.

Michaelct - I don't think that's true either. But there are some range manufacturers which prohibit an OTR MW over their ranges, specified in their instruction manuals. If you install the OTR MW anyway, you may void the warranty of that range. It depends on how many btu's the range has that you are buying. For the ranges that have lower btu's, and don't prohibit an OTR MW specifically, they still may say something like "a ventilation hood is recommended". So, check the instruction manual and the installation instructions of the range you end up choosing to see if they say anything against installing an OTR MW. Or, just install a proper hood. You'll be happier with the exhaust, the noise level, and the appearance of a hood.