Demand for top-tier built-in appliances on the rise; Hanssem launches dedicated built-in furniture for German brand Gaggenau and builds one-stop consultation-to-installation process

A Gaggenau refrigerator installed in the Kitchenbach Smoked Oak plan. [Hanssem]
A Gaggenau refrigerator installed in the Kitchenbach Smoked Oak plan. [Hanssem]

South Korean home furnishings company Hanssem is targeting the ultra-premium built-in kitchen market through a collaboration with German high-end appliance brand Gaggenau.

Hanssem announced Tuesday that it has launched dedicated built-in cabinetry for Gaggenau appliances under its premium kitchen brand Kitchenbach, along with a one-stop solution covering consultation, design and installation.

As demand for premium kitchen interiors has grown, high-end imported appliances have become a central element of kitchen design. However, customers previously had to coordinate separately with furniture and appliance companies to arrange design and installation — a cumbersome process Hanssem says it is now addressing.

To eliminate that inconvenience, Hanssem deepened its partnership with Gaggenau and established an integrated system for designing and installing furniture and appliances together. Customers can now consult on Kitchenbach cabinetry and Gaggenau appliances at the same time at Hanssem stores and receive customized design proposals in a single visit.

The new Gaggenau-dedicated built-in cabinetry is designed to accommodate the brand's full product lineup, including refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, wine cellars and coffee machines. Custom modules optimized to each appliance's dimensions give the furniture and appliances a seamless, unified look.

The installation process has also been improved. Hanssem's specialist installers, known internally as "master craftsmen," work alongside Gaggenau-certified technicians to minimize fitting errors and raise the overall quality of the finished kitchen. A dedicated showroom featuring Kitchenbach and Gaggenau products is also operating at Hanssem's flagship store in Nonhyeon.

Hanssem has also expanded its collaboration with premium appliance brand Miele, broadening the lineup beyond cooking appliances to include refrigerators, coffee makers and wine cellars. The move reflects growing demand for premium built-in kitchens that integrate furniture and appliances. Sales of Hanssem kitchens paired with Miele appliances rose 173 percent last year compared with the previous year.

"We expect this to reduce the hassle of premium built-in kitchen renovations while raising the quality of the finished result," a Hanssem official said. "We will continue working to provide customers with convenient and harmonious kitchen spaces."

Competition in the interior industry is intensifying around so-called "total home solutions" — integrated proposals combining furniture and appliances that go beyond simple remodeling. Demand for built-in appliances has been particularly strong in high-end apartment complexes in the Gangnam area, prompting furniture companies to strengthen ties with overseas premium appliance brands. Industry observers expect the premium built-in market to keep growing as kitchen spaces emerge as a key factor shaping both property values and residential satisfaction.


boo@heraldcorp.com