Today’s post is the last in a series based around our Samsung dishwasher upgrade. I’ve had appliances on my mind for the last few weeks (more on that soon), and it was all inspired by our recent dishwasher upgrade. I hope some of you have found this content helpful!

This was the very first time I ever got to pick out and order a dishwasher, and, apparently, you have to do quite a bit of preplanning to make sure you choose wisely for your space and daily needs. Today’s final post in the series is going to dive into the process of planning for a new dishwasher. There are a few very important things to keep in mind when considering this type of investment, so let’s dive into the details.

Measure Multiple Times

Measure your existing dishwasher surround at least twice so you can search within those exact parameters. I’m notorious for just winging things like this, so I knew that I needed to take a few extra precautions when measuring for our new dishwasher. I measured probably four or five times to be absolutely positive that our new dishwasher would fit. Happily, the space was just right for the one I wanted. Don’t forget to measure the depth, too, and account for things like cabinet trim work and countertop overhang to ensure your new dishwasher will fit without having to modify the surround. Of course, you can do cabinet modifications, but it will add time and money to the job, so keep that in mind.

Set Your Budget

Make sure you only search for appliances that fit your specific budget range. I made the mistake of looking at any and all dishwashers on the hardware store website, and ended up falling in love with something that was beyond what we could afford. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment! Set your budget and filter out everything that goes above that figure. I actually really love going into the hardware store in person to look for appliances. That way, I can talk with a pro salesperson who can potentially find me a better deal on something that maybe isn’t showing on the website, or they may be able to tell you about an upcoming sale so you can hold off for a week or two before making your purchase to save $100 or more.

Write a must-haves list

Do you want a smart dishwasher? Bold color? Maybe a flexible third rack? Know your needs before you start shopping so that you can, again, filter out anything that doesn’t fit the bill. We really wanted a darker dishwasher, something that would blend into our dark wood cabinets, so we started with color since that was our top priority. Another key feature for us was sound. Our old dishwasher was outrageously loud while running, so we narrowed things down to the quietest model available based on customer reviews. I can safely say that this dishwasher is the quietest we have ever had.

I hope this series was helpful for those of you who are in the market for a new dishwasher—or any kind of new appliance, for that matter! There’s a lot that goes into making this investment, and I’m happy to share our experience and tips in case it fits in with whatever you’re working on in your own home. If you missed any of the other posts in this series, you can click these links to catch up: reviewing our new Samsung dishwasher, how to properly load a dishwasher, a dishwasher-friendly cheese board idea, and learning to style a kitchen around your new appliance. Happy appliance shopping!

*I earn a small percentage from purchases made using the affiliate links above. Affiliate links are not sponsored. Rest assured that I never recommend products we wouldn’t use or don’t already love ourselves.