The kitchen is at the heart of almost every home. It is not only the place where you prepare dinners or enjoy breakfast, but it is also often the place where families spend time together. So, when you’re considering new kitchen appliances, you need to ensure that you choose a finish that not only matches your personal preferences, but that will work well for the demands of your family. So, in this article, we’ll explore the popular finishes to help you determine which is the best one for your new appliances.
White:
White appliances are a timeless and classic look, providing a safe option for most kitchens. While it isn’t the most exciting choice, white is a neutral color that can work well with almost every color scheme and cabinet texture. White appliances also tend to handle normal wear and tear well, but simple, low budget models can diminish your kitchen aesthetics. So, it is important to research all of your options and find the right model for your kitchen.
Although there may not be a lot of buzz about a white appliance finish, these models can withstand the latest trend cycle, so you can avoid needing to upgrade all of your appliances if you decide to update your kitchen aesthetics. White appliances can actually be stylish when you pair them with a wide variety of design choices.
Pros:
- Safe finish which works well with any color
- Easy clean, low maintenance
- Minimal fingerprints
- Wide variety of options
- Can create a wide, bright aesthetic.
Cons:
- Some consider white appliances to be old fashioned
- Low budget models may discolor over time
- Predictable choices
Stainless Steel:
Stainless steel can provide a modern, sleek feel to your kitchen, complementing a variety of design styles and color schemes. Typically, this finish is easy to clean and durable, but some models may be prone to showing smudges or fingerprints. Fortunately, some models have fingerprint resistant stainless steel finishes, so you can easily wipe them clean of any everyday mess or spills.
Stainless steel is considered the most desirable home appliance finish, as it can make the space immediately feel contemporary and modern, while still retaining key elements of your kitchen design, blending durability and a classic style. But, it is important to take care when cleaning a new stainless steel appliance. If your chosen model does not have a fingerprint resistant finish, you will need to frequently wipe down with a soft, damp cloth. You will need to avoid using abrasive cleaning products, which could damage the surface, leaving visible scratches or marks permanently.
Pros:
- Can enhance the look of almost any kitchen design
- Style longevity
- Fingerprint resistant options available
- Wide variety of models and designs
- Can complement existing metal fixtures or hardware.
Cons:
- Can be a more expensive option
- Easier to scuff
- Requires routine cleaning to remove smudges and fingerprints.
Black:
As with stainless steel, black appliances have been a popular option for years. It can offer sophistication and elegance to your kitchen aesthetics, while being sufficiently neutral to work with many different color schemes. Black appliances can blend well with dark cabinetry or you can create a visible pop with light color cabinets.
While black appliances can work well with a wide variety of kitchen aesthetics, if you are looking to create a farmhouse feel, this finish may look out of place.
In terms of cleaning, a black finish is similar to stainless steel. It can show fingerprints or smudges, unless you choose a model with a fingerprint resistant finish or matt finish.
Pros:
- Modern, sleek aesthetic
- Easy clean and low maintenance if there is a fingerprint resistant or matt finish
- Can create a strong contrast with white or bright cabinetry
Cons:
- Tends to be a more costly option, particularly compared to white appliances
- Fewer choices in the marketplace
- Has the potential to make the space feel cramped and dark
- Can be tricky to match with some existing kitchen designs.
Which Finish is Best For Your Kitchen?
Now that you have a better idea of the characteristics, pros and cons of the most popular appliance finishes, you may feel more confident about choosing which one is best for your kitchen. But, before you make your final purchase decision, there are some considerations you should assess.
Cleanliness:
As we’ve covered, stainless steel tends to be the finish that requires the most maintenance, but it can also be the easiest to wipe clean and disinfect. If anything spills on your cooktop, dishwasher or refrigerator, it can be easy to clean with no streaking or staines if you use a soft cloth and wipe with the metal grain. If a family member becomes sick or you’re handling raw meat, it is easy to disinfect stainless steel using a non abrasive cleaning solution.
It is far easier for stains to settle on white appliances and it may absorb into the surface, causing discoloration. Additionally, some cleaning products can discolor the surface, particularly if you choose a low cost model. Black can hide drips and spills, particularly if you opt for a matte finish, but this does make it easy for grime and grease to hide unless you implement a consistent cleaning routine.
If you have small children, greasy fingerprints can be a cleanliness issue for your new appliances, compromising the aesthetics of a spotless kitchen. A matte finish white or black appliance will not show fingerprints as easily as stainless steel, but white appliances may show scuff marks and dirt, particularly around the doors and handles over time. Black finish appliances tend to require more meticulous cleaning, as you will need to go looking for streaks, spills and smudges.
Kitchen Decor:
Finding appliances that meet your hygiene and cleanliness standards is important, but you will also want appliances that will complement your kitchen decor, particularly if you’re not upgrading your cabinetry.
White is a classic choice and it is the most versatile, working well in contemporary and traditional kitchen decor styles. Stainless steel can provide a modern, sleek look, but it is also easily adaptable. Stainless steel can work in a more traditional decor kitchen, particularly if there are existing stainless steel touches, such as hardware and fixtures.
If you want to create a bold decor scheme, black appliances can create a lovely contrast, which can pop against lighter color countertops, flooring and cabinetry. This can work very well in contemporary aesthetics, but it can look a little off if you have a more traditional look.
Cost:
If you’re interested in entry level appliances, there is not likely to be much difference in cost between the various finishes, but you are likely to have fewer options in the marketplace. If you’re interested in luxury appliances or you’re purchasing a suite of appliances, you may start to notice a real difference between the various finishes.
While cost is an important factor, the finish will not be the only determining influence. You will need to look at the additional storage and other features that will increase the cost of a new appliance.
You should compare like for like appliances that meet your desired feature requirements. This will allow you to see the difference in cost between the finishes, so you can choose the one that offers the best value for you.
Bear in mind that it could be worth paying a little more for a hybrid finish. Black stainless steel has a matte finish that offers the ease of cleaning you’d expect from stainless steel, but it has a darker and glossier look which will help to hide smudges and fingerprints.
You can also pay more for a model with a fingerprint resistant finish, so you will need to assess whether this is worthwhile to you, as it can repel fingerprints to provide a sparkling clean look.
FAQs:
Are Stainless Steel or Black Appliances Better?
There is no easy answer to this question. The best finish for your new appliances is one that will fit with your lifestyle and design aesthetic preferences. Both stainless steel and black can provide an upscale feel, but if you prefer farmhouse or traditional styles, white may blend better into your design.
Can You Mix Appliance Finishes?
If you’re only looking to upgrade one appliance, you may wonder about mixing appliance finishes. Mixing stainless steel and black appliances can be a creative way to add interest to your kitchen aesthetics, you can also comfortably mix white appliances with other finishes but you need to be very careful. Generally, you should not mix brands when you mix finish colors, as there may be slight differences that will disrupt the cohesion of your space.
If you’re considering upgrading your appliances and are still a little unsure about the best finish for your kitchen, you can explore your options with our online appliance collection. Our team of home appliance experts is also available to provide additional guidance to help you to find the models that are best suited to your budget, style preferences and kitchen aesthetics.