Today one of my clients asked me if his appliance brands have to match. We are remodeling his kitchen and he is purchasing the appliances on his own. A sales person made my client a little nervous when he told him the brands should all be the same. (Really, it was my fault for sending him out alone!). I reassured him that the sales person was being absurd. This question was also recently posed on a remodeling message board- I get the feeling there is general confusion out there. So, here is my answer (and a few notes!).
In short, no, the brands don’t have to match. Here are some sound guidelines:
First and foremost, it depends on your kitchen and your needs. How will you be using your appliances? Do you have any special requirements such as a top of the line wine cooler? Do you want a range for a serious cook? Often times, a particular brand doesn’t even offer every type of appliance. And, even when a brand does offer every appliance, sometimes a competitor makes a better model. Its up to you and whats important. Its perfectly fine to have a Sub Zero refrigerator with a Viking or La Cornue range. Don’t think you must have that Viking label on every single appliance, its just not practical. If you do, chances are you are sending the message that you really don’t use your kitchen and you just had your designer fill it for you (that’s what we designers refer to as the “Trophy Kitchen”).
Second, the finishes should match (not necessarily the brand). There are a few exceptions to this rule:
1) When you do a few appliances in a metal finish, such as stainless, and a few appliances in an integrated panel. An integrated panel is a custom panel that matches your cabinetry. Its placed on your appliance as a facade in order to seamlessly integrate and “hide” your appliance in plain sight. This trick is commonly used for dishwashers and large refrigerators.
2) The other exception is when you are making a statement with a vibrant color or a luxury range; however, the rest of the appliances should match in finish so the kitchen looks cohesive and polished. 
An example: a turquoise Elmira range, hood and refrigerator would mix nicely with polished stainless microwave, dishwasher and warming drawers of a different brand.
For recommendations on where to shop for appliances, visit an archived post here.
-Janelle Steinberg BA, ASID Allied
Principal and Director of Design
J Steinberg Design
