Personally, since budget is a concern, I would purchase lesser appliances just to get the SubZero fridge. I did exactly that for my first kitchen reno in my former home, in 1990. That fridge was still going strong 25 years later when we sold that home.

The 42” SZ FD fridge we purchased in 2026 for the new (to us) home, is now 10yo, and has never needed a repair.

We were able to afford all high end appliance in this home. I much prefer the Miele CSO, over the Wolf. We also have a Miele convection wall oven. Bosch 800 dishwasher cleans exceptionally, and has never needed a service call. Husband resisted going induction, so we got a Thermador range top…which has been terrific.

As @Kendrah said, buying an appliance package from one company, is never a good idea.

I think all that’s left to decide is who to go with for induction cooktop and double wall ovens. We need to do cooktop and double ovens for around 10k or less. Don’t mind mixing brands as we already are doing that for the other stuff. We also planned a sharp microwave drawer.

The beverage fridge offloads some space instead of going with a 48 sz. We don’t need the freezer space. We have an upright freezer in the garage. We thought a beverage fridge could hold snacks and drinks for our young kids and when we get older using it for wine fridge or. Swap it out for that. It’s not very expensive $500ish. The counter depth fridge doesn’t have a ton of inside storage.

Do a Bosch induction cooktop and ovens, with the SZ Designer (NOT Classic!!) fridge. You could even do the Bosch built in fridge, if there's some sort of incentive. Bosch is a good quality brand. BSH makes Thermador and Bosch both, and the components are largely platformed. It's not like the induction technology is hugely different between any brand. It's the same technology, just organized in different ways, with slightly different management on power. A plain black glass cooktop looks very much like another. So do a Bosch, as it is very well regarded, capable, and will save you money.

And YES, SKS is THAT bad.

Why the designer and not classic? Looks like the 42 inch only comes in classic and I can’t find a configuration that hits at 42. I know the classic doesn’t look great paneled so we are doing the inset doors instead. I’m 5”1 so most fridges had way too high storage for me. Do the classics not last as long? I know the look can be dated but we don’t have the space for an alternative.

This is the layout plan.

Designer is the only true integrated model. It actually takes more money and effort to build in Classic as a flush inset, and then it sticks out past the countertops. It's not what people think of when they think of "built in". People should only choose Classic if they want stainless. The gaps and the frames around it, and the hidden costs, will bite you hard every time.

vs the Bosch 800 series.

Benchmark.

Also, FORGET a 42" fridge. You really limit yourself when using oddball sizes. NEVER EVER do something non standard sized.

Yeah I agree it looks really bad paneled. My understanding is getting the inset doors changed the hinges so that you can basically build out to the lip part without issues. I know it has a 1-2 inch stick out with traditional doors but my husband was having trouble finding a picture of the classic with inset doors.

My sister has a 15” beverage fridge. It’s great and really keeps the kids out of the main fridge. I guess we are very American 😂

Also, while i get the point that non-standard sizes can be problematic, you’re never going to switch out that fridge, you’re buying it for life, hence the price tag. I acknowledge it is not as seamless as the integrated series, but I think the classic looks fantastic with inset doors.

I concur with @eam44. Never get an odd ball size unless it is a SZ because you will not need to replace it for decades to come.

Sorry nobody is weighing in on your induction and double oven choices. I don't have experience in this arena.

Thanks everyone for the comments! I appreciate any insights. We figured we'd have the sz for a long time and would likely replace it with the same in the future. The good thing is that spot over there is just the fridge + coffee bar/appliance hub so could be refigured for a different size fridge without a huge remodel cost if we couldn't find a 42 inch in the future. Not ideal to redo it again in 10 years but I don't think we will.

I have the SZ 42” FD Classic. I don’t care that it’s not fully integrated. My intention wasn’t to disguise the fridge as a cabinet. I just didn’t want a big hunk of stainless steel breaking up the wood stained cabinets…nor did I want the constant chore of cleaning fingerprints off the stainless.

That's one of the best integrations I've seen online. That looks great. I don't mind the stainless look but cleaning will not be fun. I was leaving it exposed because we planned on a whole wall of cabinets on one side so I was trying to break it up some. We are doing painted cabinets but may do stained on the wall with the fridge as a further standout.

I have the SZ classic also and it has been going strong for close to 26 years.

I like that the top shelf is lower than the designer series . Also, the shelves are a little deeper I believe.

The fridge space is larger too (almost 2 cubic fit) although the freezer is by about 1 cubic foot less.

@Karenseb, my first SZ (36” over/under Classic), was still going strong at 25yo when we sold that home. We moved in 2016, to a home we fully gutted and renovated. Put in the SZ 42” FD shown above. Now 10 yo, not a lick of trouble.

In 35 years, we’ve only had two refrigerators, both SZ. Well worth the cost.

Here is my 42" SZ FD. I had fully integrated fridge and freezer columns in my previous house, but didn't need that much capacity in our retirement home.

I would have gone with a 48", but it had not been introduced when we built in 2021.

(toe-kick is missing in this photo)

We also have a 24" SZ under-counter beverage fridge. I strongly recommend that you go with a 24" and not the 15". In our previous house we had a 15" and it really isn't that big. Your kids are going to get bigger and go through lots more drinks, specially if they are into sports.

I have a 24" Miele CSO XXL (hooked to water supply and drain) and I love that appliance. I would give up my SZ before I give up my Miele CSO!

This is radical but it made my kitchen great. I worked with an appliance surplus dealer (alsurplus) available on the major auction site.

They have SZ, all the BSH brands, Viking, Wolf, Miele, Best and others.

Just randomly - I looked at a 48" SZ (easier to find) in stainless $12,499. Double Bosch ovens $2099. (Thermador better versions - $5000) Thermador Freedom induction top - really nice - $5099. And Bosch 800 DW $1249.

Not exact matches but I didn't search each item. This is slightly under $21,000.

I used them - they are authorized by SZ and everything is new or open box. They were very good to work with.

You will be just fine with the classic series from SZ. And with all of the mechanicals for the classic series up top, you will have easier access to the shelving inside. Another very important consideration that I have not really heard mentioned is that with the designer series, the cost of labour and materials to fully integrate those is also extraordinary. The labour costs alone are considerable. Given that you are trying to manage your budget with the numbers you gave, you will get more value for your dollar in going with the classic series. I would skip panelling the classic 42 inch model and stick with the stainless steel finish. The money you save from not panelling your appliances will come back to you as available dollars to spend somewhere else the renovation.. Even the best managed budgets can often “grow“ a bit 🙄.

The labor and materials to do flush inset with Classic is far more than the Designer series. Designer is easy woth inset cabinets. it wastes less space too.

Yes, Phyllis, I agree, which is why I also suggested that no panelling be done.

SKS is LG's premium brand. You can often find LG appliances that are similar to SKS but at a much lower prices. Examples:

• LG CBIS3618BE 36” Induction Cooktop ($2600)

• SKS SKSIT3601G 36-INCH FLEX INDUCTION COOKTOP ($4200)

• LG LWC3063_ Combi Wall Oven ($3900)

• SKS SKSCV3012MT COMBINATION WALL OVEN ($8000)

The price we’d get on sks is very close to the lg price but they might do the same discount for lg studio basically driving that price down. The main difference I saw with sks vs lg studio with induction cooktop is the flex zones have some additional coils to make it more even heat for griddles (not as good as thermador freedom but not two round coils alone “bridging” with a cold spot in the middle. The main change with sks and lg studio with wall ovens is the knobs which I like on sks and the steam assist. I know it’s no Miele or Wolfe but can add back a little moisture in a less precise way. I don’t want to pay more for the same but thought these were features that would be used often at least once a week.

Kayla, whether you purchase LG or pay more for their SKS brand, is irrelevent. When something goes wrong and you need a repair (and it will), you’ll be getting the same lousy customer service with both.

That’s good to know. It’s hard to find info on exact magnet size.

You think Bosch benchmark 36 inch would be better. I hate the idea of having the hood light button on it but maybe have better customer service. I know the place we are buying them has in house service reps to cover if anything is needed and does work on sks.