Interior Designer Condemns Exposed Dishwashers as Tacky Kitchen Blunder
An acclaimed interior designer has declared that displaying a dishwasher in your kitchen creates a tacky and unfinished appearance, following revelations that Meghan Markle and other celebrities have committed this design faux pas. Jordana Ashkenazi, the London-based founder and design director of Element One House, asserts that showcasing appliances is a significant mistake that disrupts the aesthetic harmony of a home.
The Rule of Concealment in Modern Kitchen Design
Ashkenazi revealed her steadfast kitchen design principle to The Daily Mail, stating emphatically: "I’ll be honest, I’m not on board with this look at all. For me, everything in a kitchen should be integrated. Fridges, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers. If you can hide it, hide it. No one really wants to see appliances on show." She argues that contemporary kitchen design prioritizes a seamless, calm, and considered environment where joinery, cabinetry, finishes, handles, and detailing take center stage.
The designer explained that visible appliances interrupt this carefully crafted beauty, particularly highlighting dishwashers as "probably the least attractive thing you could have on display." She elaborated: "Let’s be honest, there’s nothing pretty about most appliances, so why are we putting them on show? You can get a decent-looking toaster or kettle, or even a sexy coffee machine at a push, but even those are being hidden now."
Celebrity Examples of the Appliance Display Trend
This discussion gained traction after Meghan Markle's As Ever Instagram account shared a photograph of the Duchess of Sussex making pancakes using products from her lifestyle business. The image, captioned "Spring inspiration," featured a visible dishwasher in the background, which some observers found distracting. It remains unclear whether the photo was taken in Meghan's Montecito kitchen.
Ashkenazi noted that Meghan is not alone in this design choice. Other notable figures have similarly exposed their appliances:
- Marina Fogle, wife of TV presenter Ben Fogle, has four dishwasher drawers on display in her family home.
- Celebrity chef José Andrés appears to have a visible dishwasher in his property, as shown in an Instagram post by Martha Stewart.
- Television personality Stacey Solomon and singer Shirlie Kemp both keep their washing machines exposed in utility rooms.
The Shift Toward Complete Concealment and Minimalism
Ashkenazi emphasized that the trend in kitchen design is moving decisively toward complete concealment of appliances. "In fact, we’re moving even further away from visible appliances altogether," she said. "It’s now getting to the point where people don’t even want to see kettles, toasters, coffee machines or microwaves left out on the worktop."
Instead, designers are creating concealed pantry cupboards or breakfast stations where everything is neatly tucked behind doors. "You open it when you need it and close it again so the kitchen goes straight back to looking clean," Ashkenazi described. "That’s where the trend is really heading, towards simplicity, minimalism and visual calm. Less clutter, less interruption, more continuity."
She suggested that celebrities might leave appliances visible to achieve a "relaxed, lived-in feel," but cautioned there is a "fine line between relaxed and looking unfinished." In high-end homes, integration creates flow, maintains visual movement, and makes spaces feel more expensive, thoughtful, and timeless.
Practical Considerations and Design Principles
Addressing practical challenges, Ashkenazi acknowledged that not every home can integrate larger appliances like refrigerators. However, she maintained that dishwashers should always be hidden when possible. "And when it comes to washing machines and dryers, it’s a complete no for me," she stated. "They’re bulky, they’re functional and they have absolutely no place being on show in a kitchen."
For city homes without utility rooms, she recommended concealing these appliances within cabinetry, noting that even a simple cupboard door can maintain consistency and allow the kitchen to be perceived as one continuous design rather than a disjointed mix of furniture and appliances.
Ultimately, Ashkenazi concluded that good design revolves around knowing what to conceal. "Ultimately, good design isn’t about showing everything you have. It’s about knowing what to conceal. And for me, visible appliances just feel a bit tacky."
This perspective contrasts with some celebrity practices, such as Marina Fogle's revelation in November 2023 that she has four dishwasher drawers in her home, which she believes make her "a better mother and a nicer wife." She noted that kitchen designers are increasingly receiving requests for dual dishwashers, with one Yorkshire store reporting that 35 percent of customers now want to double up.
