Choosing the right finish for your appliances can be both fun and nerve-wracking… but mostly fun. It’s definitely the best part of the buying process! Matching appliances will not only help create a put-together look, but if you do it right, it turns into a conversation piece. The trick is ensuring they fit into the color scheme of your space. Let’s break down some of the most popular appliance finishes and where to use them in your home.
When to Use Stainless Steel Appliances
Stainless steel appliances are the envy of the appliance crowd and for good reason. Easy to match, stainless steel blends well with just about any color scheme. It has a high-end look and quality that really can’t be beat. However, when choosing stainless steel items, use caution if your home includes young children as this finish is extremely prone to showing smudges and fingerprints.
However, you can really use stainless steel anywhere – it’s such a versatile finish, lasts forever, is easy to clean (but will need to be cleaned often), is germ resistant with its non-porous durability, and pretty much matches any décor.
When to Use Slate Appliances
Still somewhat new in the world of appliances, slate is a highly-engineered, low-gloss, matte metallic paint finish; it holds magnets, resists fingerprints, doesn’t show dirt or grime and has a stunning and sophisticated appeal. It’s an excellent choice for high traffic areas.
The versatility of slate means you can use it beyond the kitchen. It is very durable and easy to clean and maintain. This tone-inspired finish looks elegant and fits well with any theme in your home.
When to Use Paneled Door Appliances
Sometimes referred to as “disguise appliances,” the appeal of paneled door appliances is just that – they seamlessly meld into the woodwork and integrate into your home. A trend in home design since the 1990s, paneled door appliances can be used throughout your home – not just the kitchen. They are a great alternative to stainless steel as they do not show fingerprints or smudges.
There’s a reason camouflaging appliances is still so on trend – homeowners want them to be extensions of the rooms they are in and therefore, refrigerators, dishwashers, TVs, wine cellars and more are blending into the woodwork. Finishes can even be designed as artwork – paneled door appliances really have no limits to where and how you can use them.
When to Use Black Appliances
Modern and sleek, black appliances are very popular in kitchens – especially urban kitchens. If you’re thinking about redesigning your kitchen with a contemporary, urban theme, you can’t go wrong with black appliances. The trick is making sure they don’t give your kitchen a darker appearance. Black appliances look phenomenal in white kitchens, black and white kitchens, red and white kitchens… you get the idea.
Use caution in choosing black appliances if your walls, floors, countertops or cupboards are dark – this could really be just too much and you won’t get the feel you were dreaming about when you chose black appliances.
When to Use White Appliances
Always in style, white appliances are consistently safe choices for most spaces. They are bright, crisp and clean, and just look fresh. Whether your home décor is modern, traditional, farmhouse, urban or another theme, white tends to blend well with most designs. If you’re on a budget – white is always a great option. White appliances are also very easy to clean.
Beyond the kitchen, white appliances include washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, stoves, ovens, ranges and more! So the reality is that you can really use white appliances anytime, anywhere.