How to Find the Right Style and Finish for Your Kitchen Appliances

When you’re redesigning your kitchen, of course you’re going to want all the best features and latest tech, but finding a set of stunning appliances that speak to your style might be even more important. You'll probably only use your fridge’s extra-speedy icemaking function once or twice a year, but you'll be looking at your appliances every single day! 

Picking the right style and finish for your appliances can make all the difference in your kitchen design. With so many options, it can be tough deciding how to choose appliance color finishes for your space, but with the help of this handy guide, you’re sure to bring home something you love. So, read up on appliance finish optionsand installations, and get the most out of your kitchen remodel.

About Different Types of Appliance Installation 

Before you get too excited about colors and finishes, you’ll want to consider how and where your appliances will be installed. Think about the size, shape, and flow of your kitchen and how an appliance will fit best into your overall design. Here’s a brief overview of a few common installation styles to help you pick which ones work best for your kitchen. 

Flush vs. Standard Appliance Installation 

Flush installation simply means that the appliance blends smoothly into the surface around it. Flush cooktops transition cleanly from countertop to cooking surface, and flush ovens and dishwashers fit flat against neighboring walls and cabinetry. Proud style, on the other hand, allows the edges to stand out from the surfaces around it, giving your appliance a more defined look. With the right appliances, they can both look great in your kitchen, but they each offer subtle differences that have a big impact on your kitchen’s overall style. 

Counter Depth vs. Standard Installation 

While flush is a way that most appliances can be installed, counter depth is a type of appliance designed specifically to fit perfectly into your counters. Standard refrigerators and ranges are usually a few inches deeper than most countertops, giving them a bulkier look and feel. They might offer a bit more storage room, but the result is a kitchen that doesn’t look quite as perfectly cohesive as it could. 

On the other hand, counter depth appliances, install nearly parallel to nearby cabinets or countertops. While not as streamlined as built-in appliances, counter depth kitchen appliances protrude less than standard depth appliances—up to six inches shallower with average depths between 24" and 30". Ultimately, counter depth appliances are a great alternative for buyers who want the sleek look of a built-in unit but don't necessarily want to pay the surcharge for the look.

Learn More:What is a Counter Depth Refrigerator?

Freestanding vs. Built In Installation

Many people prefer built-in appliances for the integrated look they give a kitchen, but freestanding units allow for a little more flexibility. With a freestanding unit, you can place your appliances anywhere you want and easily swap them out for new ones. 

Built-in options, on the other hand, are typically more customizable. Brands like Fisher & Paykel or Trueeven let you pick how much fridge and freezer space you need with refrigerated columns, which can be mixed and matched depending on your needs. 

Find Your Appliance Finish

The type of appliance installation might give your home the extra elegance or flexibility you want, but it’s the types of appliance finishes that will really set the tone for your new kitchen. We’ve come a long way from dreary beige appliances, and brands are continually releasing new and exciting finishes for their latest appliances. There’s a perfect finish out there for every style you can dream of, so here's how to pick appliances in the most popular finishes on the market to figure out your favorite. 

Stainless Steel Appliances 

Stainless steel is the most popular appliance finish by far. It’s classic, it looks clean and professional, and you can easily mix and match brands and appliance lines while maintaining a sleek, uniform look. Yes, stainless steel is truly the jack of all appliance finishes.  

No matter your style, stainless steel is sure to stun, but we especially love it paired with wooden floors and cabinetry to give a more rustic, cozy kitchen style a bit of modern flair. It also pairs perfectly with sleek, contemporary styles and small spaces that need a little extra light. 

Black Stainless Appliances 

The rise of black stainless has been swift and explosive, and it shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Black stainless is a bold, elegant twist on traditional stainless, and an elevation of plain old black paint, giving any appliance texture, depth, and drama. 

The beauty of this finish is that it fits any style, and gives your space a refined look no matter your décor. Use it in large kitchens to give the space some unity, or as a way to visually break up lighter color palettes. You really can’t go wrong with black stainless appliances! 

Learn More:Our 7 Best Black Stainless Steel Refrigerators for Your Home

Black or White Kitchen Appliances 

After years of being upstaged by stainless steel, black and white fridges are back in a major way. Some brands have even reimagined these non-metallic finishes for the modern day, like Whirlpool’s Black and White Ice options, which gives you the simplicity of a painted fridge with some of the shine and modernity of stainless. 

Black or white fridges are great if you want your appliances to blend right in and let your décor do the talking. White can give a clean, uniform look when paired with white walls and cabinetry. Black, on the other hand, can pull together a large kitchen and draw the eye to the important areas. 

Slate Appliances 

If you love the metallic look of stainless steel, but want something a little warmer and more unique, slate is a great bet. A slate finish gives your appliances a little extra texture, and the warm undertones give any kitchen a cozy feeling. Plus, it beats stainless steel in one major way: It’s magnetic!  

If your style leans more toward minimalism and Scandinavian sensibilities, slate can be the final touch you need to pull it all together. Right now, only GE offers this silky, smooth appliance finish, but their collection is pretty impressive, so you’ll have no trouble finding one with all the features you want. 

Paneled Appliances 

Of course, you could always opt for no finish at all! Panel-ready appliances let your appliances blend perfectly into the backdrop and give your whole kitchen a cohesive look.  

Paneled appliances are especially good for smaller kitchens, where traditional appliances might appear too bulky, or if you’re just too in love with your cabinet color to lose even a corner of it to your appliances! Many brands offer panel-ready appliances too, so you can focus completely on the features you want and brand you trust most, without worrying about minor aesthetic differences. 

Learn More:How Panel Ready Dishwashers Create a Custom Look

Colorful and Custom Appliances 

In addition to all the classic finishes you can find in any store, lots of appliance brands are stepping up and standing out with unusual, fun finishes that give your space a little more personality!  

True and Café both offer custom-color appliances that let you mix and match hardware and door color for a professional-inspired look that’s totally you! Meanwhile, Whirlpool is offering a gorgeous rose-gold shade called Sunset Bronze, that’s sure to make any kitchen sparkle. Make your appliances as fun-filled and unique as you are with different color appliances in kitchen settings!

Your options are endless, so don’t get stuck with the first appliance you find! Take the time to consider all the possibilities before you commit to your new appliances, and feel free to mix and match to your heart’s content. With this guide, and a little help from your friends at Don’s, you’ll be on your way to a dream kitchen. Stop in today to shop all your appliance needs and learn more about appliance finishes and installation!