When you review vacuum cleaners for a living, you quickly discover the double-edged sword of owning brilliant appliances: it doesn’t matter how well they clean; even the stylish ones can ruin a beautifully fitted kitchen. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens – sometimes two or three at once – and the hardest part hasn’t been comparing suction power. It’s been figuring out where to put them when not in use.
In previous homes, my cordless vacuum ended up screwed into the only available solid wall in the kitchen, dangling awkwardly like a plastic limb in the corner. Even the sleekest models in our best vacuum cleaner shortlist still felt intrusive when not in use. And in an open-plan kitchen like ours, that visual clutter hits you from every angle.
