🌟Timeless Elegance: Do Stainless Steel Appliances Still Reign Supreme? - Frederick Real Estate Online (2024)

Stainless Steel Popularity in Kitchen Appliances

If you are outfitting a new kitchen, or renovating an existing one, the question of appliances is an important one. If you plan to sell your home, you’ll certainly want updated kitchen appliances. For more than 2 decades homeowners have loved appliances and fixtures in stainless steel. But will the trend continue? Are stainless steel appliances still popular, and more importantly, will they be popular soon?

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The Question of Availability of Stainless Steel Appliances

While shopping for a dishwasher last year, my husband and I wanted to continue with black appliances because our stove and refrigerator are black. We had a difficult time finding black. Two salespeople told us the same thing: Since supply chains are still tight, most manufacturers are using parts to build stainless steel appliances because they are the most popular and in-demand. Good to know. Not only are they the most popular choice…they might be your only choice for a while.

Incidentally, we did find a black dishwasher. All of the Memorial Day sales, however, were only on stainless steel appliances, so we had to pay full price. Several brands offered “matte black”, which is a dark charcoal finish. Manufacturers think it is also popular.

Before supply chain issues, we were seeing a wave of new finishes that rival stainless in their appeal. Here are a few that have been trending. But first, two housing design trends are setting the stage for kitchen design, Integrated kitchens in open floor plans, and Personalization. Please note that this article contains affiliate links, and you can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.

A. Integrated Kitchens

In recent years, there has been a notable shift in house plans, particularly influenced by changes in the way we live in our homes, a transformation that has been further accelerated by the global pandemic. One significant trend has been the increasing openness of house layouts, breaking down barriers and seamlessly integrating the kitchen into other living spaces. Modern homeowners, especially in the wake of the pandemic, now prefer kitchens that are not secluded behind walls but instead allow them to actively participate in social gatherings and events.

This evolution in home design has had a profound impact on kitchen aesthetics. The kitchen is no longer a standalone space; it has become an integral part of the overall home decor. This integration has given rise to a diverse range of choices in kitchen appliances, with a departure from traditional stainless steel appliances dominating the scene. The overall kitchen aesthetic, including the choice of countertops, cabinets, appliances, and finishes needs to integrate into the rest of the home. Homeowners are now exploring colored refrigerators and stoves, as well as experimenting with various metals and finishes to complement their overall home design.

According to a recent kitchen trends study from Houzz, nearly two-thirds of homeowners in the survey spent more than three hours in their kitchens. Kitchens have transformed into multifunctional areas where activities such as watching TV, entertaining guests, reading, cooking, and baking seamlessly coexist. The contemporary kitchen is thoughtfully styled and furnished, in harmony with the design elements of the entire living space.

As we adapt to new lifestyle patterns, the modern kitchen has evolved into a versatile hub that caters to various aspects of daily living, reflecting the changing dynamics of how we use and experience our homes.

B. Personalization in the Kitchen

As our kitchens evolve to include seamless integration with the broader living spaces, they transcend their utilitarian roots to become stylish hubs within the home. This shift towards a more aesthetically pleasing kitchen design is marked by homeowners infusing personal touches into the spaces. Bold appliances, inviting seating arrangements, sleek stone surfaces, and decorative fixtures, ranging from sculptural faucets to captivating pendant lights, are now instrumental in creating cohesive and visually appealing kitchen decor.

The evolving role of kitchens as casual living spaces has prompted homeowners to prioritize comfort in their designs. This emphasis on comfort is reflected in the customization of kitchens, where personal touches contribute to the overall coziness of the room. Comfortable upholstered chairs, cozy reading nooks, and even a small couch are right at home in today’s kitchen.

What’s more, with so much variety out there – it’s never been easier to incorporate your style without compromising on quality standards,” comments Ruban Selvanayagam of real estate valuation.

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Are Stainless Steel Appliances Still Popular? Absolutely.

The Houzz study reported that 3/4 of the respondents still planned to have stainless steel appliances. Their popularity continues, even though more homeowners are opening up to other styles and finishes. People like stainless steel. Its sleek, modern appearance and versatility make it a timeless choice for many homeowners.

Stainless steel appliances complement various kitchen styles, from contemporary to traditional, and the newer matte finishes are known for their durability and resistance to fingerprints, which contribute to easier maintenance. Additionally, the neutral tone of stainless steel allows for easy integration with diverse color schemes in kitchen design. Dark wood, light wood, painted, and white cabinets all look good with stainless steel. The ten most popular kitchens on Houzz for 2023 all had stainless steel appliances.

Appliances with Other Metals

Most major manufacturers have been trying out many different metals before the pandemic, trying to be the first to find that “next big thing”. Think of Jen-air’s “oiled bronze”, Whirlpool’s “sunset bronze”, Miele’s “truffle brown”, or Viking’s “graphite”. In the right kitchen, all of these finishes will look great. But none have taken off like stainless steel…not yet.

Appliances with Mixed Metals

As the kitchen becomes more integrated, many homeowners are personalizing with greater boldness. As brass and gold have made a comeback, as well as bronze and other metals, there is less reason to stick with just one finish. Mixing metals, although it must be done carefully, is a growing option in design. In high-end homes, look for designers to play with metals more than in the past.

Learning how to mix metals comes in very useful if you need to update your fixtures, and at some point, we all do. The challenge of updating comes in the fact that every manufacturer has a different version of a finish. For example, antique bronze for one supplier can be completely different compared to another. In these cases, mixing metals is a better option than ending up with slightly mismatched items.

The other common challenge is that one manufacturer might not have an entire package in one finish. For instance, you might be able to get light fixtures in gold with a satin finish, but the faucet is gold with a shiny finish. Again, a slightly mismatched group of fixtures can look much worse than going for mixed metals.

Appliances with Satin and Matte Finishes

Appliances that have a satin or matte finish, whether in stainless steel or other metals, are appearing in showrooms. Matte is used to describe something that lacks shine, so it looks dull and flat. The appeal is two-fold, they are easier to keep clean, and they easily blend in with other finishes.

Related Reading: How to Keep Stainless Steel Appliances Clean

Black Stainless Steel Appliances

Black is an exciting newer color and finish that we’re seeing more often. After using the KitchenAid black stainless appliances in the House Beautiful 2015 House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year, their popularity has increased. Now other manufacturers are making them, including LG and Samsung. One of the trends noted in the Houzz article about black in the kitchen is a matte black finish.

Black is becoming popular in all rooms of the house, not just the kitchen. Black is the new Neutral. Behr’s 2024 Color of the Year takes a dark direction. Cracked Pepper is a deep, moody almost-black charcoal hue.A more elegant version of black, I think we’ll be seeing it more in appliances.

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Appliances with Matching Panels

Since the kitchen is more integrated into the rest of the home in modern floor plans, adding panels to the appliances that match the cabinets is becoming popular.The appliances are hidden behind, so other features of the kitchen can shine. This is a great way to create a focal point somewhere else.

This uniform look creates a less fussy style, which blends into the living spaces well. In the right home, this is the perfect solution to a more “livable” kitchen.

To Paint or Not to Paint?

Thinking about painting your kitchen cabinets? If you have good-quality cabinets, painting can be a good way to update them inexpensively. Today’s paint products and processes have come a long way. Check out (The Flooring Girl) Debbie Gartner’s series of useful articles on the topic:

• Five Reasons to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets
• How to Paint Cabinets the Right Way
• How to Choose the Right Farmhouse Sink

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Colored Appliances

Smeg is one of the manufacturers who have come out with a lot of colors, from pastels to bright shades to black and white.

Colored appliances in an open kitchen add design and style that help it match the rest of the house. Viking has had a line of colored appliances for several years. They look great in a mid-century modern home, or eclectic, ultra-niche home. They are perfect for the homeowner who loves to have fun with their décor.

Slate Appliances

Slate appliances are on trend this year. GE is the first to make them. A matte slate finish is easy to keep clean and resists the dreaded fingerprints that make stainless steel difficult. Like stainless, slate matches any cabinet or countertop finish, and is style-neutral. The brushed stainless handles add a pop of shine, complimenting other appliances.[Kitchen by Southington Appliances Kathy from Connecticut Appliance]

White or Stainless Steel Appliances?

Using white appliances can be tricky. The perception of white appliances being “out of style” has evolved over the years, and it largely depends on individual preferences and current design trends. While stainless steel has dominated the appliance scene in recent times, white appliances are experiencing a resurgence in popularity.

In contemporary kitchen design, there’s a growing appreciation for the timeless and clean look that white appliances can offer. White creates a bright, airy atmosphere, making smaller kitchens appear more spacious and open. It also provides a versatile canvas, allowing homeowners to experiment with various color schemes in their kitchen decor.

In my opinion, the popularity of so many other appliance finishes that I’ve mentioned here has made white appliances look dated in your home. When shopping for appliances, you will find that the less expensive appliances can be found in white, while the mid-to higher-end appliances cannot. This gives many people the impression that white is “cheap”. I rather like to think it is economical. We see white appliances in many rental homes. They are often quality appliances, just less expensive because they are white. They can be a wise choice for that reason.

If you are getting ready to sell your home and are looking to buy new appliances to make your kitchen more appealing to buyers, purchase something that we’ve highlighted here, other than white. Put your old refrigerator in the basem*nt or the garage, or wherever you have room, as a second. If the new buyer sees it as a benefit, that’s great. If they don’t, you can always donate it.

Where to donate in Frederick Maryland? Peace and Plenty takes donated appliances.

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What Appliances Should I Choose?

If you’re asking are stainless steel appliances still popular…My opinion as a homeowner…choose what you like. You live with it. As with most things concerning the home, do your research and read all the pros and cons of each style and finish. Then choose what you will love to see and work with and clean every day.

Personal Story: When we sold our previous home, we had black appliances in the kitchen with white Shaker cabinets and white Corian counters. The home was a contemporary home with an open floor plan. The house had a lot of interest and no one had anything negative to say. It sold very quickly.

For our next appliance purchase, we bought a slate appliance package for our kitchen…I loved them! We had an open floor plan (you were able to see from the front door all the way to the back of the house where the kitchen is…they looked beautiful.)

We just bought a home (2020) and our appliances are black. They look perfect in a mid-century modern kitchen. So, I don’t really think that stainless steel appliances are a must. Like most things…it depends.

My opinion as a REALTOR®…it depends on your home. If you have a traditional home, choose something that goes with your traditional home’s style. If you have a modern, contemporary, or mid-century modern home, choose what compliments it.

Of course, all this depends on whether you’re considering selling soon, or if you plan to stay put for a while. The average life expectancy of appliances should be taken into consideration. If you’re going to sell before your appliances wear out, then you’ll want to keep resale in mind.

The average life expectancy of appliances:

• Refrigerator – 9 – 14 years
• Oven/ranges – electric: 13 – 15, gas: 15 – 17 years
• Dishwashers – 7 – 10 years

If your home has a broad appeal, and if you want to appeal to the broadest group of buyers, studies are still showing that stainless steel has the most popularity. Stainless steel appliances will be a safe choice for at least another 5 or 10 years. If you want to play it safe, choose stainless.

If you like to live boldly…choose whatever your heart desires!

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Additional Resources:

Stainless-Steel Appliances Still Shine

KitchenRemodeling and Decorating Trends for Homeowners

Increase Your Home’s Value – Maintain and Repair

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