Appliances play a huge role in your garden suite’s performance. From the energy bill to the noise level to how much space you have to move around, choosing the right ones can make a big difference in how the suite functions day to day (and even year to year).

For the Hazeldean garage suite, we designed the layout to comfortably accommodate full-sized, energy-efficient appliances and helped the homeowners understand what to look for when it comes time to make their selections so they don’t end up replacing or regretting these purchases later.

Here’s what we recommend you prioritize when choosing appliances for your garden suite in Edmonton.

Best Washers and Dryers for a Garden Suite

When space and efficiency matter, which they always do in a garden suite, washer and dryer selection becomes especially important.

Early in the design phase, we plan for full-sized appliances wherever possible. Apartment-sized appliances often cost the same as standard-sized models, but tend to be less efficient and offer smaller load capacities, which can lead to more frequent use and higher overall energy and water consumption. Because they spin faster at the end of a wash cycle, front‑load washers extract more water from clothes, which can reduce drying time and save energy on the dryer, too.

For the Hazeldean garage suite, we designed the layout to accommodate a stacked, full-sized front-load washer and dryer set, giving the homeowners flexibility to choose efficient models that fit their lifestyle without compromising space. Stacking your front-loading washer and dryer frees up valuable square footage, which is essential in a compact garden suite.

We also recommend locating the washer and dryer in a bedroom walk-in closet whenever possible, instead of in the bathroom or the kitchen. Having laundry close to where clothes are stored is convenient, reduces clutter in the kitchen or bathroom, and allows the laundry to be enclosed behind a door, minimizing the visual impact and the noise from the washer and dryer.

Choosing a Cooktop for an Energy Efficient Garden Suite

Choosing the right cooking surface has a noticeable impact on energy use and comfort in a small space.

Electric stoves are often selected for their affordability and simplicity. They don’t require a gas hookup and are easy to install, making them a common option in garden suites. However, they tend to heat and cool slowly, and much of the energy they use is lost to the surrounding air rather than directed into the cookware. In a compact suite, that extra heat can quickly make the space uncomfortable.

Gas stoves are known for their responsiveness and visible flame, but they also come with trade-offs. A significant portion of the heat escapes into the room, reducing efficiency. Gas cooking can also increase indoor humidity and add heat to the space, which isn’t always ideal in a smaller, well-sealed home.

Induction cooktops offer a more efficient alternative. They use magnetic energy to heat the pan directly, rather than heating the surface beneath it. This results in faster cooking, less wasted heat, and a cooler kitchen overall.

For the Hazeldean garage suite, the homeowners chose the LG Electronics Slide-in Smart Induction Range because it aligns well with a high-performance, energy-efficient home and keeps the space comfortable year-round.

What to Look for in an Energy Efficient Dishwasher

In a garden suite, appliances are often closer to living and sleeping areas, so noise matters more than people expect.

A well-insulated dishwasher with a low decibel rating can make a big difference in day-to-day comfort. Insulation is what keeps vibration and operating noise contained, which is especially important in smaller spaces where sound carries easily.

We also encourage homeowners to look for dishwashers with adjustable load size or eco-cycle options. These features allow smaller loads that use less water and energy, which is especially practical in a garden suite that may serve only one or two people.

The Hazeldean garage suite homeowners chose a 24-inch Stainless Steel Built-in Samsung Dishwasher with strong internal insulation. The insulation is a key factor in keeping noise to a minimum. In a compact space like a garden suite, this sound control makes a noticeable difference.

Selecting a Practical, Energy-Efficient Fridge for a Garden Suite

Refrigerators run continuously, which makes energy efficiency and insulation critical considerations in a garden suite. That’s why energy efficiency and insulation matter just as much as capacity and layout.

As with other appliances, we design our garden suites to fit standard-sized refrigerators. Smaller, apartment-style fridges often offer fewer efficiency gains and limit storage, which can lead to more frequent grocery trips and less flexibility for tenants or family members.

For the Hazeldean project, the homeowners chose the ENERGY STAR‑certified Bottom‑Freezer Fridge from Vissani because it strikes the perfect balance of efficiency, quiet operation, and everyday ease-of-use. ENERGY STAR certification means the fridge is designed to use less energy than standard models, which helps save on electricity costs and reduces environmental impact.

This particular Vissani refrigerator offers features that make it ideal for the Hazeldean Garage Suite homeowners, like adjustable shelving for easy organization, LED lighting that improves visibility with lower energy use, and humidity‑controlled crispers to keep produce fresh.

It uses about 466 kWh per year, which is lower than average annual energy use for bottom‑freezer refrigerators of its size.

The Long-Term Benefits of Choosing the Right Appliances for your Garden Suite

Appliances aren’t something you want to replace often. Cheap, inefficient models might save you money upfront, but they’ll cost more over time in higher bills, more repairs, and earlier replacement. That’s not ideal for the homeowner or for the environment.

By advising our clients on choosing energy-efficient, high-quality appliances, we’re designing homes that are better to live in and more sustainable for the future.

What’s Next for the Hazeldean Garage Suite

With the structure enclosed, the focus now shifts to warming up the suite so interior work can move forward.

Next up will spray foam insulation, followed by vapour barrier installation and drywall. Before closing up the walls, we carefully inspect all rough-ins and ensure the building envelope is fully airtight and properly sealed.

This is a major milestone, because it marks the transition from structural work to interior finishing and brings the suite much closer to feeling like a complete home!