How to Choose the Right Appliance Finish

Nothing will ruin a beautiful new kitchen like ugly appliances or appliances with a finish that doesn't fit with the design of the room. But choosing the right appliance finish is a tougher choice than one might think. Many homeowners choose the safe choice--stainless steel--because this finish seems to transcend just about every style and design trend. Other homeowners choose to hide their appliances altogether with custom panels and some select their finish to add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral kitchen. So how does one choose the right appliance finish for their new kitchen? We've got a few suggestions.

Stainless Steel

We mentioned that stainless steel is considered the "safe" choice for appliance finishes but that doesn't mean it's the boring choice. Stainless steel is considered safe because it fits in just about every style and is virtually timeless when it comes to design trends. It also looks high quality which is appealing to homeowners who want a high-end style. According to Houzz, stainless steel works especially well in homes with ultra-modern or transitional styles, all wood cabinets, and blue cabinets.

Black Appliances

The cool thing about the color black is that it's both neutral and bold at the same time. It can add drama to a black and white color scheme or moody grey cabinets, or it can blend into the background with all black or extremely dark cabinets. One reason why black appliances work well with dark or black cabinets is that dark colors tend to make space feel smaller, but black appliances bring consistency to the color scheme and reduce the shrinking effect of a dark color palette. Another type of kitchen where black appliances shine is a large, spacious, bright kitchen. In these kitchens, black appliances help break up long walls and add just enough contrast to make a vast space feel intimate.

Paneled Appliances

Paneled appliances were super popular in the 70s and 80s and now they're experiencing a resurgence of popularity with today's homeowners. Why? Paneled appliances solve a number of design issues-particularly in smaller, compact kitchens. These compact kitchens that are often found in apartments, condos, and tiny houses feel especially crowded with bulky appliances taking up space but paneled, recessed appliances streamline and open up the area. Paneled appliances are also appealing to homeowners who want a kitchen with high drama or who simply don't want to break up the look of their cabinetry.

White Appliances

As we stray further from the 90s and early 2000s, it seems like white appliances have all but disappeared. However, just when we think white appliances’ days in the sun are finally over, they make a comeback like Michael Jordan in 1995. You might like white appliances in your kitchen if you use pale tones, mix and match other finishes, or if your kitchen has light countertops or dark ceilings.

Color Appliances

Color appliances might be the least popular of appliance finishes, but that's because the styles color finishes pair well with are more limited or unique than styles like transitional, traditional or modern. If you picture your kitchen styled like a 50s diner car or just want to add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral space, a colorful appliance is just the way to do it.

Ready to start designing your dream kitchen? Contact McCarley Cabinets today to get started.