Choosing the right cabinet and appliance colors for your kitchen remodel can be an exciting yet challenging task. With the popularity of stainless steel appliances, many homeowners find themselves wondering what cabinet colors pair best. Though stainless steel appliances offer a sleek, modern look, they can sometimes appear industrial. The good news is that the right cabinet color can help soften the metallic tone and allow your appliances to seamlessly blend in. Here are some tips on what cabinet colors beautifully match stainless steel for a cohesive style.
Neutral Tones Complement Stainless Steel Appliances
Stainless steel has a grayish silver tone that works well with light and neutral cabinet colors. Soft beiges, warm grays, crisp whites and ivory shades nicely offset the cooler metal finish. These muted, understated cabinet hues allow the appliances to stand out while still feeling cohesive in the space.
Whites and off-whites like alabaster, cream, and oyster pair particularly well with stainless appliances. They keep the space feeling bright and open. Soft gray colors like fog, masala, and thunder are also fitting choices. These sophisticated grays exude a bit more moodiness while still harmonizing with the steel.
Ultimately, lighter neutrals keep the look classic and refined. They allow the stainless finish to feel like an intentional accent. Dark or extremely bold cabinets compete too much and make the area feel busy or mismatching.
Avoid Selecting Cabinets That Are Too Similar in Color
Though complementary neutrals work beautifully, avoid cabinetry that is too similar in tone to the actual appliances. For example, nickel or pewter cabinets would likely be too metallic in appearance next to stainless steel appliances. The two finishes would blend together and get lost, instead of contrasting.
Likewise, darker grays with brown undertones may end up looking dull or flat next to the sleek steel finish of the appliances. Choosing a lighter, contrasting shade of gray prevents this muddled effect. The same concept applies to beiges. Select a light, golden-beige as opposed to a deeper brown-beige which could potentially clash.
The bottom line is that stark whites, soft ivories, light beiges and pale, cool grays offer enough separation from the stainless steel to stand out. Dramatic contrast isn’t necessary, but some noticeable variation creates a pleasing, dynamic look.
Warm Wood Tones Complement Stainless Beautifully
While lighter neutrals are the most popular, don’t overlook the beauty of rich wood cabinetry paired with stainless steel. The inherent warmth of wood grains and textures helps soften the industrial look of steel. This blending of natural and man-made materials in the kitchen creates an organic yet contemporary feeling.
Maple, oak, cherry and birch cabinetry with reddish-brown undertones look striking against stainless appliances. The lighter the wood, the more modern the style. Darker walnut, mahogany and teak cabinets have a more traditional appeal, but still coordinate nicely. Distressed, glazed or white-washed wood finishes keep the look light and airy along with the steel appliances.
For a truly contemporary but inviting kitchen, try combining stainless steel appliances with white quartz countertops and light oak cabinetry. This gorgeous trifecta is sure to impress.
Bold Pops of Color Can Complement Stainless Finishes
While neutral cabinets are the safe choice, don’t shy away from adding vibrant splashes of color if it fits your style. Stainless appliances pair beautifully with energetic hues that inject life into the space. Citrine yellow, emerald green and sapphire blue cabinets make for lively yet elegant combinations.
Even deep tones like cobalt blue and eggplant purple can work well with stainless steel. The bold colors temper the harshness of the metal into something warmer and more welcoming. Just be sure the hue complements the rest of your home’s color scheme so it doesn’t feel overly loud or mismatched.
No matter what cabinet color you select, the key is choosing a finish that feels intentionally paired with the appliances, not haphazardly thrown together. With so many stylish options from airy whites to rich blues, you can easily find a combination that matches your personal taste and complements your stainless steel to perfection.
6 Key Questions About Cabinet and Appliance Colors Answered
- What are the most popular cabinet colors with stainless steel appliances? The most popular cabinet colors that pair beautifully with stainless steel appliances are white, light gray, beige and light wood tones. Soft, neutral hues allow the stainless to stand out while still feeling cohesive.
- Should my cabinets be darker or lighter than my stainless steel appliances? Your cabinets should generally be a bit lighter in color than your stainless appliances. Going too dark or choosing colors with similar undertones can make the two finishes compete.
- What color cabinets should I avoid with stainless steel appliances? Avoid choosing cabinets that are too similar in tone to stainless steel like nickel, pewter or dark brown-gray. Using a lighter, contrasting neutral or wood tone ensures the finishes complement each other.
- Do white cabinets go with stainless steel appliances? Yes, white cabinets pair wonderfully with stainless appliances. Crisp, bright white balances out the cooler tone of steel for a clean, contemporary look. Soft ivory or cream white also blends beautifully.
- What is the most modern color to match stainless steel? For a contemporary vibe, lighter oak or maple wood cabinets pair gorgeously with stainless for a sleek, modern aesthetic. Light, airy grays and beiges also keep the palette fresh.
- Can you have colored cabinets with stainless steel appliances? Absolutely! Vibrant blue, green, yellow or purple cabinets can inject cheerful pops of color to liven up stainless appliances. Just be mindful of clashing tones.
Achieve a Balanced, Integrated Look
With so many colors and finishes to consider, selecting the perfect cabinet and appliance combination may seem tricky. But keeping a few key tips in mind makes the process much easier:
- Stick with lighter neutrals like soft whites, beiges and grays to keep the space feeling open and airy.
- Warm wood finishes like oak, maple and cherry add a touch of nature to balance the stainless steel.
- Make sure cabinet colors complement but don’t blend directly into the appliances. Some contrast is key.
- Don’t overlook bold colors like emerald or sapphire if it suits your style. Pops of color can be gorgeous with stainless.
- Browse photos online or visit showrooms to visualize ideas before committing.
- Order samples to see colors, grains and textures up close. Many companies offer free samples.
Taking the time to find the right balance of finishes you love will result in a kitchen that feels harmonious and flawlessly put together. With an array of beautiful colors to select from, you’re sure to find a cabinet and stainless steel appliance pairing that turns your kitchen into a functional work of art.
Conclusion
Stainless steel appliances offer beauty, versatility and value to any kitchen. By thoughtfully selecting complementary cabinet colors that accentuate rather than compete with their silvery sheen, you can achieve a pulled-together, integrated look. Lighter neutrals, warm woods and even unique color pops all pair wonderfully with stainless steel. With some planning and visualization, you’ll be sure to love how your chosen cabinet color highlights your appliances and brings out their sleek, contemporary appeal. Just remember that contrast is key – don’t choose a finish that blends directly into the stainless steel. With the right cabinet color selection, your kitchen will have a cohesive, upscale style.