Are you struggling to decide on which appliance finish will look best in your kitchen? If you’re planning a kitchen renovation or hoping to upgrade your appliances, the lingering question of appliance finish will have to be addressed.
Appliance brands and manufacturers are now offering a much wider range of styles, colors, and finishes, so it ultimately comes down to price, practicality, and preference. Aesthetics can also play a role in how well the appliance fits into your kitchen surroundings. Aside from the retro refrigerators found in bright and sometimes gaudy colors, the three most popular appliance finishes exist to match almost any kitchen décor. Those finishes include white, black, and the ever-so-popular stainless steel.
If you aren’t completely sold on one of these options or you’re curious how upgrading to a new finish might affect the layout and design of your kitchen space, our experts at Don’s Appliances are here to help you decide. Before you can decide which finish is the right fit for your kitchen, let’s look at the pros and cons of white, black, and stainless-steel appliances.
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White appliances are a safe and timeless addition when it comes to your kitchen. It isn’t the most exciting option, but with a wide selection of appliances to choose from, white is always a favorable choice. White is a neutral color that can play into existing kitchen designs or work well to add value to a new kitchen remodel. Some simplistic, low-budget options can diminish the look of the kitchen, so it’s important to do your research and take the time to find the right model to suit your space.
- White refrigerators are affordable and easy to match with. Newer variations include matte white finishes for a touch of something extra on the classic look.
- White dishwashers are great at hiding water spots, but mind working with soiled hands—food stains are notoriously hard to get out of white appliances.
- A white range can help break up the monotony of a kitchen, especially paired with complementary appliances.
- Cooktops make the least impact on kitchen design, which is why a white cooktop is a great way to save money without compromising on kitchen aesthetics.
- Paired with a white fridge, a white oven provides cohesion for a clean kitchen design.
If you’re looking for a reliable and practical appliance for a garage, basement, or rental home, a white appliance finish is the safest bet if your appliance is destined to endure a little wear and tear. However, if the appliance is intended for your main culinary space, select a product that brings the most out of your kitchen. Consider the following pros and cons of white appliances
Black Appliances
As the industrial era influenced interior design, black appliances started to become much more prominent in household kitchens. Black appliances are sleek, modern, and a great accompaniment to a seamless line of trendy kitchen designs. However, if you gravitate toward a more traditional looking kitchen with farmhouse elements, a set of black kitchen appliances might result in a clash of styles.
- Black refrigerators are statement-makers in the kitchen, and they also hide messes and stains like no other finish.
- A black dishwasher is an opportunity to add character to a kitchen. The looks particularly suits modern kitchens, but it also looks stunning as a contrast in farmhouse designs.
- We love a black range because it is easier to maintain over white and stainless steel finishes.
- Buyers have two options when shopping for a black cooktop: classic grate setups or sleek, glass top cooktops that are quintessential modern design.
- Black wall ovens serve as stylish complements to stainless and white appliances. If you want a pop of drama without overdoing it, we recommend a black oven.
It's fair to say that appliances with a shimmery black finish are attracting a younger generation of first-time homeowners. The depth of color is best suited to match the influence of inner-city living spaces. Consider your current design and decide whether or not black will allow for a cohesive style in your kitchen.
Stainless Steel Appliances
Stainless steel is the most desirable finish amongst designers, builders, and home cooks alike. Stainless steel can make any kitchen space feel modern and contemporary, while still retaining the existing charm and style of your kitchen design.
Stainless steel blends the durability and ruggedness of black appliances with the timeless, classic style of white appliances. Stainless steel provides a level of quality that would be desired and sought after by anyone.
- Stainless steel refrigerators are the new standard, and they match virtually every design trend.
- Today's market of stainless steel dishwashers features chances surfaces that are more resistant to stains, water, and messes.
- Stainless steel ranges are the best option for cooking appliances since they're durable and easy to clean.
- Together with their cast iron grates, stainless steel cooktops add that industrial feel to a kitchen—just keep in mind these models are mainly gas cooktops.
- Pairing a stainless steel oven with a matching fridge, cooktop, and dishwasher is the modern standard of kitchen design.
The biggest knock against stainless steel is the amount of upkeep it takes. This finish is known to show the most streaks, smudges, and fingerprints, requiring routine cleaning to keep stainless steel surfaces looking good as new. One use of an abrasive cleaning solution could also damage the surface, leaving permanently visible marks and scratches. Be careful while cleaning your appliances and do your best to prevent children from touching kitchen surfaces with dirty hands. Before you know it, wiping down the stainless steel will turn into a full-time job.
Buying Considerations
Now that you have a better idea of the pros and cons of the three appliance finishes, let’s explore some of these buying considerations a tad further.
Appliance Cleanliness
As we mentioned, stainless steel requires the most maintenance, but it’s also the easiest finish to wipe clean and disinfect. Anything that spills on a refrigerator, cooktop, or dishwasher can be cleaned with no stains or streaking if you wipe with the grain of the metal. And if you’re handling raw meat or a family member gets sick, it’s easy to disinfect with a non-abrasive at-home cleaning solution.
It’s much easier for stains to settle and absorb into white appliances and cleaning products can discolor the appliance surface. Black appliances will hide spills and drips, especially if they have a matte finish, but in turn, it’s much easier for grease and grime to remain hidden unless you have a consistent cleaning routine.
We mentioned how greasy fingerprints can be an aesthetic pitfall, so if you desire a permanently spotless kitchen space, stainless steel could prove to be bothersome. White and black kitchen appliances with a matte finish tend to not show fingerprints as easily, but over time, white appliances can show more signs of dirt and scuff marks along the doors and handles. Black appliances require a more meticulous cleaning regimen because they are the least likely to show visible streaks and smudges.
Kitchen Decor
Finding the right set of appliances to meet your standards of hygiene is important, but it’s an even greater feat to find appliances that accurately complement your kitchen’s décor. For a modern and easily adaptable design, there's nothing like the look of stainless steel.
If you’re looking to incorporate a bold color scheme, black appliances create a nice contrast that pops against lighter-colored flooring, cabinetry, and countertops. If you want your appliances to blend into your kitchen space so your backsplash and cabinetry can steal the show, then white appliances are the perfect neutral solution to achieve this look.
Affordability
There isn’t a tremendous difference in price if you plan to purchase an entry-level appliance, but if you’re looking for a suite of appliances or a set of luxury appliances, every dollar will certainly count. The finish isn’t the only factor, either—additional storage, cooling, cleaning, and heating features will drive up the price of an appliance.
Decide what finish and features you desire and set a price range for your new appliances. You may even decide to pay for a hybrid finish known as black stainless steel. This color has a matte finish that provides the ease of cleaning of stainless steel, but with the darker, glossier hue to help hide fingerprints. Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel can also bump up the price of your appliance. This finish allows you to easily wipe away smudges , and it repels against fingerprints for a look that's sparkling clean.
Decision Time
Like any addition or upgrade made to your home, the appliances you choose require thoughtful consideration. Each of the three appliance finishes offer strikingly different looks with pros and cons in equal measure. In the end, it comes down to which finish will allow you to create a clean and cohesive environment where you want to spend your time.
If you still can’t decide, then it’s time for the industry experts at Don’s Appliances to lend a helping hand. Shop our entire selection of kitchen appliances and find the right finish to let your kitchen shine. We're happy to answer any questions and guide you along while you find the centerpiece to your kitchen design. Give us a call, shop online, or visit us today!
Why Trust Don’s Appliances?
Founded in 1971, Don’s Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Don’s has since expanded to 10 locations selling, delivering, installing, and servicing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.
When our customers are remodeling or building a new house, Don’s has all the expertise, product knowledge, inventory, brands, displays, and services to meet and exceed your needs. And in the event an appliance breaks, we are there, right on time and with the right product, delivery, installation, and service.
Shop Kitchen Appliances at Don’s
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop kitchen appliances online at Don’s Appliance. Our friendly experts are always happy to help decide between black vs white vs stainless steel appliances whether you call us at 866-544-1711, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Don’s Appliances Pittsburgh, PA warehouse locations. Visit us today!