Appliances aren’t necessarily a design feature in your kitchen, but they certainly should complement your overall design. Whether you are purchasing a completely new appliance package or just one singular piece, you will have many decisions to make, including the appliance finish option.
There are several kitchen appliance finishes to choose from with the most popular ones detailed below. From the selection, you can determine the best color for kitchen appliances in your space.
What is the Difference Between Matte and Gloss Appliance Finishes?
The difference between matte and gloss appliance finishes is that matte surfaces absorb light while glossy surfaces reflect light. Glossy appliance finishes, sometimes referred to as satin, will be shiny, however, are more likely to show off fingerprints and smudges. Matte appliance finishes will be flat, however, can make a small kitchen feel bigger as the surface absorbs light.
7 Kitchen Appliance Finish Options
Kitchen appliances are available in an array of finishes, with 7 of the most sought-after described below.
1. Stainless Steel
A stainless steel appliance finish is the most popular choice for homeowners today. The shiny gray tone appears high-quality but not too showy. Because of the standard tone of stainless steel appliances, it is easy to match appliances from different manufacturers.
Stainless steel appliance finishes are compatible with just about every design style, from traditional to modern to contemporary. The stainless color is a perfect balance between light and dark, acting as a neutral ideal for any color palette. The glossy sheen of stainless steel appliances will show smudges and fingerprints, so be ready for regular cleanings.
| Pros of Stainless Steel Finish Appliances | Cons of Stainless Steel Finish Appliances |
| Durable material | More costly than other finishes |
| Easy-to-clean | Can show fingerprints and smudges |
| Works well with most design styles |
2. Black
Before stainless steel was a popular appliance finish, homeowners wanted to get their hands on black finish appliances. Black finish appliances usually have a matte surface that feels smooth and hides fingerprints, making it easy to keep clean, but some black appliances may be glossy.
Black is a unique finish color because it can be used as either a neutral, falling into the backdrop of your kitchen design, or a bold feature when incorporated with a stark contrast. Black kitchen appliances might stand out in a back way with certain design styles, like modern farmhouse or traditional.
| Pros of Black Finish Appliances | Cons of Black Finish Appliances |
| Less expensive than other finishes | Does not work with all design styles |
| Hides fingerprints and smudges | |
| Easy-to-clean |
3. Black Stainless Steel
Black stainless steel finish appliances are still somewhat unheard of—this finish option made its debut not that long ago. Black stainless steel appliances are a more modern version of the stainless steel appliances widely used. This finish will not be available from every appliance manufacturer.
Black stainless steel appliances are sleek and smooth, perfect for an ultra-modern or minimalist style approach. Be aware that this finish could be considered trendy. Similar to stainless steel appliances, black stainless steel is easy-to-clean and durable. This finish does trump stainless steel, however, because it is fingerprint resistant.
| Pros of Black Stainless Steel Finish Appliances | Cons of Black Stainless Steel Finish Appliances |
| Resistant to fingerprints and smudges | More costly than other finishes, including stainless steel |
| Easy-to-clean | Might be considered “trendy” |
| Durable |
4. White
White appliances have been and will always be a safe and reliable appliance finish option. The bright white color not only looks great with any kitchen design style, the finish also hides fingerprints and smudges on the matte surface.
White finish appliances do sometimes get a back rep for being “outdated,” however, when used alongside complementary design features, white appliances can look great. White appliances are often the cheapest finish option, helping to save on your kitchen renovation budget, and there is a wide variety available from lots of manufacturers.
| Pros of White Finish Appliances | Cons of White Finish Appliances |
| Less expensive than other finishes | May feel “outdated” |
| Hides fingerprints and smudges | Can discolor over time |
| Easy-to-clean | |
| Works well with most design styles |
5. Bold Colors
In a world of black, white, and stainless appliances, why not choose something totally different? Certain manufacturers offer appliances in a variety of bold colors, like deep blue, bright red, or sage green. In most cases, these bold color finish appliances are mixed with other appliance finishes—for example, using a bold blue range paired with a stainless steel refrigerator and dishwasher.
While bold color appliance finishes aren’t for everyone, a carefully chosen one will make a design statement in your kitchen. Bold color appliance finishes are often used in high-end design, but do find have their moment in retro- and vintage-inspired designs.
| Pros of Bold Color Finish Appliances | Cons of Bold Color Finish Appliances |
| Creates a statement design feature | Might be considered “trendy” |
| Inspires the rest of your kitchen design | Much more costly than other finishes |
6. Mixed Finishes
Two is better than one, right? Some daring designers and homeowners are choosing to mix their kitchen appliance finishes. After all, design rules are meant to be broken. The advantage of mixing appliance finishes is you don’t have to worry about getting a matching set of appliances from one manufacturer.
You should be sure to intentionally design your kitchen with mismatched finishes. A good rule of thumb is to make sure each piece has a similar undertone. If the undertones aren’t similar, make sure each finish is balanced throughout the space. Choose cabinet hardware that pairs with one finish and a faucet that pairs with the other.
| Pros of Mixing Appliance Finishes | Cons of Mixing Appliance Finishes |
| Do not have to worry about appliance finishes perfectly matching | Might be considered “trendy” |
| Can purchase discounted or scratch-and-dent appliances | Design can feel mismatched if not appropriately balanced |
7. Panel-Front
Panel-front or panel-ready appliances have a cabinet front that matches the rest of your cabinetry. When purchasing the panel-front appliance, it will be faceless—you will need to take an extra step to order a custom cabinet front from a cabinet manufacturer. You can certainly try to DIY your cabinet panel front using online resources to save money.
Panel-front appliances are often used in luxury kitchens for a more seamless look, but might be worth the splurge in small kitchens as well. Depending on your refrigerator placement, a panel-front might help break up the look of appliances that are placed right next to each other.
| Pros of Panel-Front Appliances | Cons of Panel-Front Appliances |
| Perfectly matches the rest of your kitchen | More costly than other finishes, requires custom-cabinet panel |
| Can be a useful feature in small kitchens to hide appliances | Can be difficult to clean |
