Homeowners In Dire Need Of Kitchen Transformation, Desperately Seek New Home Appliances

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans consider their kitchen a central area in their home for family and guests, but according to a nationwide study released today, only 12 percent of homeowners like to show off their kitchens to visitors.

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The survey of more than 1,000 American homeowners reveals that upgraded kitchen appliances are in such high demand that 95 percent of homeowners would even be willing to give up something they enjoy for 12 months.  Nearly one in five (18 percent) of those surveyed would forgo sex, and more than one in four (27 percent) of those who are married would give up winning fights with their spouse to receive upgraded appliances.

The survey, commissioned by home appliance manufacturer LG Electronics, reveals many reasons for Americans' disappointment in their kitchen appliances, including:

• Outdated America: More than half (53 percent) of homeowners describe their kitchen as outdated, and nearly six in ten (58 percent) say they do not have all the appliances they need for this room.
• Out with the Old: Over two in three (69 percent) plan to update their kitchen, and two-thirds (66 percent) of them say they will do so in the next two years.
• Fridge Frustrations: Over two in three (67 percent) consider the refrigerator their most crucial home appliance; however, many are unhappy with their current model. Chief complaints include a lack of freezer and storage space (70 percent), food spoiling before the expiration date (52 percent), and inefficient use of energy (59 percent).
• Convenience Challenges: Over half (51 percent) of those with ovens say they do not feature a self-cleaning function, and therefore are left having to spend significant amounts of time cleaning this appliance by hand. In addition, almost a third (32 percent) of homeowners say they've had to cook a meal in shifts due to a lack of cooking space in oven ranges.
• The Kitchen Scapegoat: When dishes don't come out clean, 37 percent of homeowners with a dishwasher blame their appliance. Nearly eight in ten (78 percent) complain this appliance doesn't leave the silverware or dishes spotless. More than a quarter (28 percent) of homeowners who use a dishwasher end up wiping down or scrubbing their dishes before loading them into the machine.

"We know that many consumers are unhappy with their appliances for a variety of reasons – from being outdated or mismatched to how loud or inefficient they are," said Dave VanderWaal, director of brand marketing, LG Electronics USA. "The LG Studio line was designed with consumers in mind, offering the enviable combination of performance, versatility, efficiency and a high-end aesthetic tailored to address many homeowners' kitchen challenges. With its seamless blending of style and technological innovation, this premium appliance collection adds a sophisticated yet functional elegance to the heart of the home."

Renowned decorator and product designer Nate Berkus, who also serves as LG Studio's artistic advisor, added, "It's no surprise to me that so many people have so many gripes about their kitchens.  It is, after all, the hardest working room in every house.  And, it's also the hardest space for most people to figure out. That's why I'm so proud to be working with LG Studio. They heard what people wanted and infused that into their suite of products. Each one lives up to what we expect it to do long after the delivery men have left, as well as retain its beauty and presence within the room."

The LG Studio suite includes a mega-capacity, ENERGY STAR® certified 42-inch built-in side-by-side refrigerator. While many fridges don't deliver the space consumers want, this model offers the industry's largest capacity* as well as sliding drawers and shelving for maximum versatility. It also helps keep food fresh with digital temperature controls designed to maintain superior humidity and temperature levels. The LG Studio line also includes the counter-depth, 3-Door French-Door ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator featuring LG's innovative Door-in-Door™ compartment. This feature consists of a compartment within one of the refrigerator doors, allowing easier access to everyday foods without having to open the entire refrigerator.

Advanced technology found in LG Studio extends to its cooking appliances, which feature a 4-Mode convection system and LCD touch-screen control on all wall ovens within the suite. Both the double built-in wall oven and slide-in range incorporate LG's Gourmet Recipe Bank, which features 100 suggested recipes organized across ten food categories.  Included are step-by-step instructions for each recipe along with 42 pre-programmed auto-cook selections for added convenience.

Modern dishwasher technology helps make pre-washing a thing of the past. For example, the LG Studio ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher featuring TrueSteam™ technology powerfully yet gently washes delicate items such as china and crystal, leaving them sparkling clean. Additionally, its EasyRack™ Plus system provides excellent flexibility and convenience, allowing users to quickly adjust to just about any load of dishes.

The LG Studio kitchen suite and other LG home appliances will be featured in the Ultimate Kitchen and Fire Island Showhome in the Show Village pavilion at the 2014 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show/International Builders' Show, Feb. 4-6, in Las Vegas. For more information, please visit www.lgusa.com.

*Largest in total capacity based on manufacturers' published specifications as of Jan 2014. Model LSSB2791ST.

About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $45 billion global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. LG Electronics, a proud 2013 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and solar energy solutions in the United States, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. www.lg.com

Survey Methodology
The LG Appliances Survey was conducted by Kelton between Nov. 12 and Nov. 18, 2013, among 1,032 Americans ages 18 and over who own a home, using an email invitation and an online survey. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample. The margin of error for any subgroups will be slightly higher.

SOURCE LG Electronics USA, Inc.