Whether you’re a home-remodeling show enthusiast or planning your own remodel or new construction project, you’re sure to have noticed the overwhelming popularity of stainless steel appliances in recent years. Stainless steel’s hygienic non-porous finish has made it the standard choice for professional kitchens, but only in recent decades did this sleek metallic finish gain its immense popularity for the home.
Popular appliance finishes through the decades
1950’s
Dainty pastels, clean cream, and bright red were all popular appliance colors in the 1950’s.
1960’s
The 1960’s produced innovative seamless paneled appliances and embraced warmer tones such as deep browns, avocado green, and harvest gold with shaded edges for a natural touch.
1970’s
The 1970’s refined the 60’s palette with buttery yellows, rich avocado green, and a wide array of tans and browns.
1980’s
The 1980’s palette ditched the warm palette of the 70’s, opting for clean silver, black, and white.
1990’s
The 1990’s took on clean and inviting neutral whites and invited professional stainless steel from a commercial setting into the domestic kitchen.
2000’s
The 2000’s continued the legacy of the 90’s with white, black, and stainless steel appliances dominating the design scene.
2010’s
With the rising popularity of gray and monochrome tones in interior design, the 2010’s welcomed slate gray and standardized stainless steel appliances as the default appliance finish.
2020’s
Though stainless steel still reigns supreme in the design world, the 2020’s have begun to experiment and embrace playing with different metallic and solid color finishes.
If you’re looking for an alternative to stainless steel appliances for your home, consider utilizing one of these six stylish finishes.
Matte Black
Matte black appliances offer a bold and modern finish for modern and traditional kitchens alike. Fingerprints are less likely to show up on a dark matte surface, making matte black an ideal choice for busy households or those who prefer a low-maintenance option.
Black Stainless Steel
Black stainless steel appliances combine the dark tone of matte black with the sleek metallic finish of stainless steel. Black stainless steel appliances are susceptible to scratches, so ensure that you take care when implementing this finish in your home.
Matte White
Trendy matte white appliances have made their return to the design scene. The clean finish of matte white, like this stylish Cafe French-Door Refrigerator, brightens both the physical space and mood of a kitchen.
Solid Color
Solid color appliances, such as blue ranges or red refrigerators, bring a pop of color and playfulness to your kitchen, making for a great conversation starter and adding interest to your space’s design.
Slate Finish
Slate reads as a matte, warm-gray finish that’s value is deeper than that of stainless steel but not as dark as black stainless steel. Slate appliances add warmth to the kitchen and resist fingerprints and smudges due to their matte finish.
Paneled Overlay
Homeowners and designers alike are embracing the seamless look of paneled appliances. Using cabinetry and trim as an overlay this finish creates a “hidden door” effect, highlighting your cabinetry’s design and extending its visual presence.
Whether you are inspired to explore other finish options or plan to stick to tried-and-true stainless steel, our showrooms offer a wide selection of appliances in a variety of finishes to suit your individual tastes and preferences.