Picking kitchen appliances in Toronto is not just about finishes and brand names. Fridges keep getting deeper, ranges come in gas, electric, and induction, and dishwashers are quieter but need dedicated power. If you choose first and plan later, it is very easy to end up with doors that slam into each other, not enough landing space, or surprise electrical upgrades.

This 2025 guide walks through how we plan fridges, ranges, wall ovens, dishwashers, and microwaves so they actually fit your Toronto kitchen, your lifestyle, and Ontario’s electrical realities.

Start With How You Cook And How Big The Room Really Is

Before you fall in love with a 48-inch range or a smart fridge, it helps to zoom out.

Questions we ask Toronto homeowners at the appliance planning stage:

• How many people cook regularly and at the same time?
• Do you do big batch cooking or mostly quick weekday meals?
• Is baking a weekly habit or an occasional holiday thing?
• How often do you buy groceries and how much fresh vs frozen food do you keep on hand?
• Will this be a long-term family home or a shorter-term resale-focused renovation?

At the same time, we measure the room carefully. Older Toronto homes often have tight door swings, short walls near entries, and bulkheads that limit cabinet height. It is much easier to right-size appliances to the room than to force oversized pieces into a cramped layout.

Planning The Fridge: Depth, Doors, And Landing Space

The refrigerator is usually the biggest single box in the kitchen. Getting its size and location right affects traffic, counter space, and sightlines from other rooms.

Counter depth vs standard depth

Most standard-depth fridges are roughly 31 to 36 inches deep, which means they project past surrounding counters. Counter depth and built-in models are usually closer to 24 to 30 inches deep, so they sit more in line with cabinetry but often trade some interior volume for that cleaner look.

In narrow Toronto kitchens and open concept main floors, counter depth or built-in often makes more sense because it keeps walkways and views clearer.

Door swing and clearance

Fridge doors and bottom freezer drawers need space to open fully. When we place a fridge, we usually:

• Keep it at the end of a run or against a wall with enough space for the door to swing
• Avoid tight corners where the handle side hits a perpendicular wall or cabinet
• Check that interior drawers can slide out without hitting adjacent counters

Guidelines from NKBA style planning resources suggest at least 15 inches of counter landing area beside or across from the fridge, so you have somewhere to park bags and dishes.

In practice, that often means a short counter run next to the fridge or an island directly opposite.

Ranges, Cooktops, Wall Ovens, And Venting

Cooking appliances are where layout, ventilation, and energy choices meet.

Width and landing zones

Most Toronto homes use 30-inch ranges, while larger kitchens sometimes step up to 36-inch units. Commercial style ranges wider than that demand more floor space, stronger ventilation, and bigger electrical or gas capacity.

For safety and convenience, kitchen planning guidelines recommend 12 to 15 inches of counter on each side of a cooktop or range to set hot pans and ingredients. Just as important as the appliance itself.

Gas vs electric vs induction in Toronto

When you are choosing a cooking surface, it helps to understand the tradeoffs:

• Gas: Familiar to many cooks and works with most existing pans. However, gas burners are less energy efficient and introduce combustion products like nitrogen dioxide into indoor air.
• Standard electric: Simple to install if you already have a 240-volt circuit. Smoother glass tops are easier to wipe than some gas grates.
• Induction: Uses magnetic fields to heat pots and is typically more energy efficient than both gas and standard electric, transferring around 80 to 90 percent of its energy into the cookware. Surfaces cool faster and many models include child locks and auto shut-off, which are appealing in family kitchens.

If you are thinking about switching from gas to electric or induction, we coordinate with an electrician to confirm panel capacity and any new circuits required.

Wall ovens and cooktops

In some Toronto kitchens, especially where accessibility and aging in place are priorities, it makes sense to split the cooking zone:

• A separate cooktop at counter height
• A wall oven or pair of ovens in a tall cabinet with doors that open at a comfortable reach

That layout typically takes more wall space, so we plan cabinet runs carefully to keep storage and appliance locations balanced.

Dishwashers: Noise, Size, And Location

Dishwashers rarely get top billing in a design, yet a poor location will drive you a bit crazy.

Practical tips we follow in Toronto kitchens:

• Keep the dishwasher close to the sink so plumbing and cleanup flows naturally
• Place it on the non-corner side of a sink base so the open door does not block access to the corner cabinet
• Make sure there is room to stand at the sink while the dishwasher door is open

Most homes use a 24-inch wide dishwasher, but compact 18-inch models can make sense in condos or very small kitchens.

Noise is another key factor in open concept spaces. We look for low decibel ratings and sometimes pair that with panel-ready fronts so the dishwasher blends in with the cabinetry instead of reading as another stainless rectangle.

Electrical code in Canada expects built-in dishwashers to have their own dedicated circuit, often a 15-amp line for a standard residential unit. When we redesign a kitchen from the studs, we ask the electrician to confirm that this circuit is included.

Microwaves, Ovens, And Small Appliances

Microwaves and smaller appliances take more planning than they used to.

Where to put the microwave

Options include:

• Countertop microwave for budget projects, ideally in a dedicated landing zone so it does not steal main prep space
• Microwave hood combo above the range, which saves space but usually offers weaker ventilation than a dedicated range hood
• Built-in or microwave drawer in a tall cabinet or island, which keeps counters clear and can be safer for kids if placed at a lower height

Because you already have a detailed range hood and kitchen ventilation guide, we often steer homeowners toward a proper hood plus a separate microwave spot, especially in serious cook’s kitchens.

Parking everyday small appliances

Stand mixers, coffee machines, air fryers, and blenders all need homes. During design, we usually:

• Reserve one or two “appliance garage” zones on the counter with outlets
• Or plan a tall pantry cabinet with pull-outs for heavier items
• Coordinate outlet placement and circuit capacity so everything can run safely without tripping breakers

This small layer of planning keeps your new kitchen from immediately filling up with cords and clutter.

Power, Circuits, And Ontario Requirements

Once the appliance list is stable, we pull an electrician into the conversation.

In Ontario, kitchen wiring must meet both the Canadian Electrical Code and the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) expectations. Common requirements include:

• At least two 20-amp small appliance branch circuits serving the countertops so kettles, toasters, and coffee machines do not overload a single circuit.
• GFCI protection for outlets within about 1.5 metres of a sink
• Dedicated circuits for major appliances like electric ranges, dishwashers, fridges, and built-in microwaves, sized to manufacturer specs.

Checking these details early prevents surprises later when a new induction range or built-in fridge turns out to need more power than the old one.

When Appliance Changes Trigger Permits In Toronto

Simply swapping like-for-like appliances in the same locations usually does not need a building permit. However, larger changes often do.

You are more likely to need drawings and permits when you:

• Move a range or cooktop to a new wall and need a new gas line or 240-volt circuit
• Add an island with a cooktop, prep sink, or under-counter fridge
• Rework walls or soffits to fit taller fridges or wall oven towers
• Combine rooms to create an open concept kitchen with new plumbing or structural work

Your general renovation permit and ESA electrical notifications should both reflect the final appliance plan. JG Contracting’s broader permit guide walks through how these pieces fit together on a typical Toronto renovation.

How JG Contracting Handles Appliance Planning

On JG Contracting projects, we treat appliances as part of the layout and electrical plan from day one, not an afterthought.

A typical process looks like this:

1. Walkthrough and measurements to understand your current kitchen, panel capacity, and how you cook.
2. Appliance wish list where we talk through sizes, fuel types, panel-ready options, and future plans.
3. Scaled layouts that test different appliance positions, door swings, and landing zones.
4. Coordination with electricians and HVAC pros so circuits, venting, and make-up air (where required) line up with the design.
5. Final check against manufacturer specs before cabinets are ordered and rough-in work starts.

The result is a kitchen where doors clear, counters land in the right spots, and you are not scrambling to upgrade wiring after the appliances arrive.

Helpful companion reads on our site:

• The Toronto Kitchen Remodel Playbook: Layouts, Storage & Materials That Last (2025)
• Toronto Range Hood & Kitchen Ventilation Guide 2025
• Modern Kitchen & Bathroom Renovations on York Mills Road, Toronto
• Third Street, Toronto – Full Home Renovation

Ready to plan a kitchen appliance package that actually fits your Toronto home?

If you are thinking about a kitchen remodel in 2025 and want help sizing and placing appliances before you start, we can help.

We will work through layouts, power, and ventilation so your fridge, range, and dishwasher fit both your space and your daily life. Contact us today to book a consultation

📞 Call us at: 437-259-9632

✉️ Email us at: jgcontractingyyz@gmail.com

🌐 Website: https://jgcontractingyyz.com