Kitchen clad on base panels for integrated appliances

I am about to fit a kitchen that includes an integrated dishwasher and washing machine. These will be either side of a central sink unit. The units on the other sides of the appliances are both corner units. So I will have a corner post next to each of the appliance doors. The kitchen designer has included clad-on base panels to be fitted either side of these two appliances.

Looking at other designs I see that sometimes the integrated appliances have these panels, and sometimes they don't. Is there is a good reason to fit these or is it just down to personal preference?