An aesthetically pleasing kitchen often starts with one move: designing a built-in look where appliances blend right into the cabinetry. Panel ready appliances open up the possibilities for a custom aesthetic that elevates any space. Moreover, panel ready appliances are built to accept cabinet fronts so they can 'vanish' into the surroundings just like a chameleon.
These versatile solutions make even luxury appliances appear more cohesive and at home in your kitchen. Better yet, leading brands like Cove, Sub-Zero, and Miele also give you high-performing features that add convenience in your life. Let's find out more about the brands that can create a truly personalized look in your cooking space.
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Shop by BrandWhat are Panel Ready Appliances?
Panel ready appliances are appliances that can be fitted with custom cabinet fronts so they blend into the rest of your kitchen. Instead of a standard factory finish, these units come with unfinished fronts, ready for panels that match your cabinetry to create a clean, built-in look that makes your kitchen feel cohesive.
They work by using specialized mounting systems that allow the cabinet panel to attach directly to the appliance door. When you open a panel ready kitchen appliance, the door pulls open with the panel in place, revealing the high-performance interior. The hinges and handles are often designed to support the extra weight of the custom front.
Many appliance types are available in panel-ready versions. Options are available for dishwashers, wine coolers, beverage centers, and the ever-popular panel ready fridge. Refrigeration choices include everything from compact beverage centers to a fully integrated refrigerator that disappears completely behind your cabinetry.
Pros & Cons of Panel Ready Appliances
Like any design choice, panel ready appliances come with both advantages and drawbacks. Understanding these can help you decide if they’re the right fit for your kitchen.
Pros
Seamless look
They blend perfectly with cabinetry, giving your kitchen a streamlined, high-end appearance.
Design flexibility
You can match finishes, colors, and styles for a completely personalized result.
Space efficiency
Many models are designed to save space, ideal for compact or open-concept kitchens.
Increased home value
A coordinated kitchen with custom panel appliances can boost your property’s appeal to buyers.
Cons
Higher cost
They are typically more expensive than standard appliances, especially when factoring in panel fabrication.
Longer installation time
A custom panel refrigerator or dishwasher requires extra steps for fitting and alignment.
Limited immediate use
Without the panel installed, the appliance may not be functional or aesthetically complete.
Maintenance complexity
Replacing damaged panels can be more involved than swapping a standard door.
Choosing panel-ready designs means committing to a cohesive design aesthetic for your kitchen. While it's an investment, the payoff is a timeless look that blends style and function for years to come.
→ Learn more: Pros and Cons of Panel Ready Refrigerators
5 Best Brands for Panel Ready Appliances
When it comes to panel ready appliances, some brands stand out for their exceptional craftsmanship, design flexibility, and performance. Below are five top names that offer high-quality options for creating a seamless, custom kitchen look.
Cove
For highly performing dishwashers, Cove should be your premium brand of choice. Famous for its durability and innovative cleaning features, Cove’s panel ready appliances will match your dishwasher front perfectly with your cabinetry.
➥ Cove® 24" Panel Ready ADA Height Top Control Built In Dishwasher with Water Softener
Shop this Cove® Panel Ready Dishwasher
This panel ready dishwasher blends seamlessly into custom cabinetry, disappearing into the design while offering flexible installation for ADA-height spaces. Inside, the roomy interior holds up to 12 place settings, with LED lighting, adjustable height racks, and fold-down tines for effortless loading and versatile storage. Its advanced wash system (with three powerful arms, dozens of jets, a fine-mesh filter, and a hot-rinse plus fan-assist finish) cleans and dries thoroughly. Quiet operation, Wi-Fi connectivity for remote monitoring, and built-in leak protection make it both functional and resilient, all within a compact size that fits most spaces.
Sub-Zero
As a leader in luxury refrigeration, Sub-Zero often combines advanced food preservation technology with striking design. Their panel-ready options include full-size refrigerators, freezers, wine storage units, and even a built in fridge that can vanish completely behind custom panels.
➥ Sub-Zero® Designer Series 30 in. 15.6 Cu. Ft. Panel Ready Counter Depth Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
Shop this Sub-Zero® Panel Ready Refrigerator
Sub-Zero's panel ready refrigerator brings refinement to the kitchen with a smooth integration with custom cabinetry. Its generous layout provides a roomy 10.7 cubic feet of refrigeration and 4.9 cubic feet of freezer space. Equipped with features like Split Climate™ intelligent cooling, ClearSight™ LED lighting, Wi-Fi connectivity, and NASA-inspired air purification, it delivers exceptional freshness and convenience. Standing at 84 inches tall and measuring 30 inches wide by 24 inches deep, this counter-depth, panel-ready unit creates a high-end, built-in feel without overwhelming your kitchen space.
➥ Sub-Zero® 3.8 Cu. Ft. Panel Ready Freezer Drawers with Ice Maker
Shop the Sub-Zero® Panel Ready Freezer Drawers
The Sub-Zero 38 cu. ft. panel-ready freezer drawers with ice maker is compact yet functional. Not just able to be integrated with the cabinetry, it's mighty on the inside, too. The 24-inch unit offers 3.8 cubic feet of freezer storage divided into two full-extension drawers with dividers and soft-close operation, making organization easy even in tight spaces. Features like magnetic door seals to lock in cold air, LED lighting for visibility, temperature control within one degree, and Wi-Fi connectivity enhance performance and usability. Constructed with Sub-Zero’s renowned reliability and completed with a warranty coverage, you'll certainly find high value in this unit.
Monogram
For a stylish flair to your kitchen, consider Monogram. The brand brings professional-grade performance even in its panel-ready lineup, which includes refrigerators, dishwashers, and undercounter refrigeration.
➥ Monogram® 8.3 Cu. Ft. Panel Ready Column Freezer
Shop this Monogram® Panel Ready Freezer
Want to get a column freezer but don't know where to put it? Consider this Monogram 8.3 cu. ft. panel-ready column freezer. It looks elegant when integrated into the cabinetry, thanks to its flush hinges and six-way adjustable exterior. The storage space features adjustable and hydrophobic, spill-resistant glass shelves, plus wire baskets and bins for organized access. Enhanced by ramp-up LED lighting and a water filtration–fed ice maker, it elevates functionality in the kitchen. Smart conveniences like Wi-Fi controls, Sabbath mode, and touch-panel settings make this unit both future-ready and user-friendly.
Featured Monogram #ZIF181NBRII Review:
"Love the look, overall a great product. Looks great in our new kitchen." (RLOMELI)
Miele
Miele is celebrated for its precision engineering and long-lasting quality. This German brand offers a range of panel-ready dishwashers, refrigerators, and wine coolers that deliver superior performance.
➥ Miele PG 8130 i 24" Panel Ready Built In Dishwasher
Shop this Miele Panel Ready Dishwasher
The cleverness of this dishwasher panel design allows the Miele unit to hide itself in its surroundings, but inside, you can fit up to 13 place settings across two levels, with a MaxiComfort basket layout that adjusts to accommodate varied dish sizes and shapes. Features like AutoOpen assisted drying, which gently opens the door at the end of the cycle for thorough drying, and the integrated water softener ensure both spotless results and efficient performance. This built-in unit delivers generous capacity and convenience with an overall look that is streamlined, simple, and sophisticated.
JennAir
Modern-leaning homeowners usually love JennAir for its bold design and advanced technology. Its panel-ready collection includes refrigerators, freezers, and dishwashers that maintain a sleek, uninterrupted flow in your kitchen layout.
➥ JennAir® 42 in. 24.2 Cu. Ft. Panel Ready Built In Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
Shop this JennAir® Panel Ready Refrigerator
There's beauty in this panel-ready built-in counter-depth french-door refrigerator that provides a generous total capacity of 24.2 cubic feet (about 16.7 cu. ft. for the fresh-food section and 5.9 cu. ft. for the freezer) so you can easily organize groceries in a roomy space. Noteworthy features include the Obsidian interior paired with theater LED lighting, dual-climate cooling zones, a produce preserver system, and a built-in ice maker, each contributing to both visual appeal and functionality. With its robust design and build, this JennAir model promises lasting reliability and is backed by solid warranty options.
Featured JennAir #JF42NXFXDE Review:
"The black interior is so beautiful and soothing. Food is easy to see and storage effortlessly. I love the appliance now as much as I did the first day. She is so quiet that I rarely hear the ice maker." (Mrs Doak)
➥ JennAir® 24" Panel Ready Top Control Built In Dishwasher
Shop this JennAir® Panel Ready Dishwasher
To create a harmonious appearance in your kitchen, this dishwasher may work perfectly. It comes with a generous 14-place-setting capacity and three smooth-gliding racks, including a “Toss & Go” third-level tray. Features like TriFecta™ wash system, integrated water softener, intuitive touch controls, Time-on-Floor status display, and Door-Open-Dry technology combine practical excellence with thoughtful design. Built with a stainless steel tub and supported by a solid warranty, this model brings both lasting performance and excellent value to a custom kitchen.
Featured JennAir #JDAF3924RX Review:
"I purchased this dishwasher two months ago. It looks and works wonderfully. It is really quiet. Great product." (Dette)
Panel Ready Appliance FAQs
Panel-ready appliances are designed to be fitted with custom cabinet panels so they blend seamlessly with your kitchen. This allows the appliance to match surrounding cabinetry for a streamlined look. They are available for refrigerators, dishwashers, and other built-in units.
They’re worth it if design continuity matters to you. The custom look can elevate your kitchen and may help resale appeal, but expect higher upfront costs for panels and installation. Many buyers see that as an investment in long-term style.
They usually cost more than standard finishes. Installation is more precise and may take longer. Panels must be ordered or fabricated, which can add time. If your décor changes later, you may need new panels.
For high-quality options and expert advice on panel ready appliances in Pleasant Hill, CA, visit Friedmans Appliance. We carry a wide selection of panel-ready refrigerators, dishwashers, and more.
Why Trust Friedmans Appliance?
Established in 1922, Friedmans Appliance has been the most trusted name in the Bay Area for over 100 years. What started as a small appliance store in Oakland has expanded to include every appliance you need for your home. Our commitment to value, inspiration, and character has only grown, creating an unbeatable reputation for top-notch appliances. At Friedmans, we strive to give our customers the best of the best, including our selection of top appliance brands and our exceptional customer service. Speaking of which, we offer a 100-day price guarantee on all our products — the longest in the industry!
Our wide selection of appliances is just one of the reasons we’re the best Bay Area appliance store. We carry refrigerators in every style, every cooking appliance to show off your chef skills, and every dishwasher or laundry appliance you need for cleanup.
Shop Appliances at Friedmans
See for yourself why Friedmans is a trusted name in the Bay Area and shop panel ready appliances online. While we are located in Pleasant Hill, we deliver to all of Northern California — even Reno! If you have any questions, our team is always happy to help you choose panel ready appliances, whether you call us at 925-808-2950, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by our appliance store in Pleasant Hill to experience the quality in person. Visit us today!
→ Learn more: Are Panel Ready Dishwashers Interchangeable?