Stainless Steel vs. Colorful Kitchen Appliances
Stainless Steel: The Perfect Finish for Modern Kitchens
If you want to achieve a sleek, ultra-modern kitchen aesthetic, stainless steel appliances are a natural choice. Their silvery, metallic finish is ideal for modernizing a space, and they tend to work with a range of cabinet and countertop finishes. Importantly, stainless steel is also one of the most widely available appliance finishes; just about every brand makes stainless steel appliances. So another perk of this finish is how accessible it is, whether you have a small budget, an unlimited budget or are looking for a specific feature. Some drawbacks to consider are that stainless shows every smear and smudge, unless you've invested in appliances with a fingerprint-resistant finish. You'll need to frequently wipe down the front of your stainless appliances to maintain that shiny look, which could make them too high-maintenance for some homes.
Colorful Appliances for a Retro Kitchen
On the other hand, colorful appliances have been growing in popularity, and they were all over KBIS 2026 from ranges to refrigerators. If you live in a historic home, the mid-century modern aesthetic of Smeg appliances might suit your space better than stainless. They're great for maximalist and eclectic homes, whether you prefer pastels, jewel tones or earthy hues. Because there are so many colors available across different brands, there are different colored appliances for a variety of kitchen styles. More and more brands are offering colorful appliances, so you can find the perfect shade at your perfect price point. KitchenAid launched their Juniper hue last year, which matches their viral stand mixer. Or there's BlueStar, who makes luxury appliances in an almost infinite number of configurations. Of course, the trade-off with brands such as BlueStar, Viking or La Cornue is their luxury price point; however, not all colorful appliances fall into that premium price point (like the aforementioned KitchenAid Juniper).
Compromise With Matte Black
If you're not inspired by stainless but aren't sure you want to commit to the impact of colorful kitchen appliances, matte black is a happy medium. Café offers matte black appliances, and KitchenAid's Black Ore is another great option. Matte black is versatile because it works well with many different aesthetics, from ultra-modern to farmhouse to retro. It's more unique than stainless, while offering greater flexibility than a statement color. Matte black also tends to be easier to clean and lower maintenance than steel, too, so it's great for busy households.
Find Your Perfect Appliances at Abt
Whether you're sticking with stainless or going full-color in the kitchen, you can find your dream appliances at Abt. You can shop appliances from the best brands online or in-store; check out areas like the BlueStar kitchen, where you can see all the appliance colors and trim options available. No matter which appliances you buy, you'll always get Abt's award-winning customer service and lifetime support for your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Definitely not. Stainless steel appliances are still an incredibly popular choice, thanks to their durability and sleek, modern aesthetic. However, the finish isn't as dominant as it was a few years ago.
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You can shop colorful kitchen appliances from various brands including Smeg, KitchenAid and more online and in-store at Abt.
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Matte black appliances have become increasingly popular in kitchens, but different green hues have also risen in popularity this year. Think deep jewel tones or soft sage green.
