Choosing the right cabinet colors to pair with stainless steel appliances can be tricky. Stainless steel has a modern, sleek look that you want your cabinets to complement. The wrong cabinet color can make your kitchen look disjointed and messy. But have no fear – there are several cabinet colors that look beautiful with stainless steel appliances.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Cabinet Color with Stainless Steel Appliances
Before diving into specific color recommendations, here are some factors to keep in mind:
- Personal taste – First and foremost, choose a color you genuinely love. Trends come and go, but you’ll likely live with these cabinets for years to come. Pick a color that delights you.
- Lighting – The amount and color of light in your kitchen impacts how cabinets appear. Be sure to evaluate cabinet colors in your actual kitchen lighting.
- Flooring – What flooring will you pair with the cabinets? Hardwood floors lend warmth, while tile and stone floors can be cool and modern.
- Countertops – Countertop material and color need to be complementary. Think about granite, quartz, laminate, butcher block, etc.
- Backsplash – The backsplash is an opportunity to introduce color and patterns. Be sure the cabinet color works with your backsplash ideas.
- Wall color – Cabinet color should be coordinated with wall paint as well. Don’t clash competing tones.
Best Cabinet Colors for Stainless Steel Appliances
Now let’s get into the best cabinet colors for pairing with stainless steel appliances. We’ll start with versatile neutrals that suit most designs. Then we’ll get into bolder color choices to liven things up.
Classic White Cabinets
You can’t go wrong pairing pristine white cabinets with stainless steel appliances. The crisp white provides the perfect neutral backdrop for appliances to shine.
White kitchens have a timeless, traditional feel. But white cabinets also pair well with modern elements like stainless steel, subway tile and concrete countertops.
When choosing white, opt for a true white without yellow or blue undertones. Shaker-style cabinetry in a clean white finish looks especially striking with stainless steel.
Pros:
- Crisp, classic look
- Allows stainless steel to stand out
- Easy to decorate with different color accents
Cons:
- Can feel sterile without other colors mixed in
- Shows dirt easily
Light Gray Cabinets
For a slightly warmer alternative to crisp white, consider pale gray cabinets. Light grays work well in both modern and traditional kitchens.
Cool-toned grays (with blue/purple undertones) are particularly nice with stainless steel’s silvery hue. But avoid going too dark, as this can feel dreary.
To keep the look fresh and bright, use light gray cabinets on white walls and pair them with silver hardware. Darker countertops can provide contrast.
Pros:
- More warmth than white cabinets
- Still neutral enough for diverse decor
Cons:
- Gray stain shows variation in wood grain
- Can look drab if poorly lit
Taupe/Beige Cabinets
Moving toward more earthy neutrals, taupe and beige cabinets also complement stainless beautifully.
Taupe has subtle warmth from its brown undertones. But it’s still a versatile neutral that suits modern and traditional aesthetics.
For a brighter option, try light beige cabinets. Soft and creamy, beige isn’t as stark as bright white. It gives off an inviting, French country vibe.
Keep surrounding elements light to prevent beige cabinets from feeling too heavy. Add textural interest with natural wood accents.
Pros:
- Subtler warmth than gray
- Beige feels cottage-like yet classic
Cons:
- Taupe can read as brownish or purple
- Beige shows dirt without diligent cleaning
Medium Wood Tones
Wood cabinets remain popular, thanks to their natural beauty and warmth. The key with stainless appliances is choosing the right undertone of wood.
Look for wood stains with hints of gray, brown or beige. Oak, hickory, ash and maple offer nice, versatile options. Avoid orange and red tones like cherry, which can clash.
Matte and brushed finishes on wood veneer cabinets create an especially sultry pairings with sleek stainless. Modern wire hardware completes the sophisticated look.
Pros:
- Provides warmth and texture
- Natural material suits any style
Cons:
- Light wood stains show more grain/variation
- Needs coordinated wood countertops
Charcoal/Dark Gray
Moving on to bolder cabinet colors, charcoal and dark gray pair gorgeously with stainless appliances.
The subtle contrast between the dark cabinets and silvery stainless pops beautifully. It’s an edgy, modern look.
Using a dark color on the lower cabinets allows the stainless appliances to stand out up top. Or go bold with all dark gray for dramatic contrast.
Just take lighting into consideration, as dark surfaces absorb light. Ensure adequate task lighting.
Pros:
- Sleek, modern look
- Gives warmth to an industrial space
Cons:
- Can feel dark and cave-like
- Shows dust and lint easily
Black Cabinets
For serious drama, black cabinets with stainless appliances is a knockout pairing. Nothing looks sleeker and more modern than a black and stainless kitchen.
Black can feel imposing, so balance it with lighter countertops and backsplash. Crisp white quartz countertops offset the cabinets nicely.
Just as with dark gray, mind the lighting. Black soaks up light, so ensure ample illumination for tasks, mood and safety.
Pros:
- High contrast look is incredibly modern
- Black is timeless and adaptable
Cons:
- Can overwhelm a small kitchen
- Very dark palette needs light
Navy Blue Cabinets
Looking to really make a style statement? Navy blue cabinets provide gorgeous contrast with stainless steel.
From soft powder blue to dramatic midnight, navy immediately gives a kitchen personality. It feels modern, yet with more warmth than black or gray.
White marble or quartz countertops offset bold navy cabinets nicely. Just take care not to go overboard on the dark blue.
Pros:
- Navy instantly catches the eye
- Crisp yet warmer alternative to black
Cons:
- Doesn’t suit every decorating style
- Dark color absorbs a lot of light
Cabinet Colors to Avoid with Stainless Steel
On the flip side, there are some cabinet colors that tend to clash with stainless steel appliances. Steer clear of the following:
- Bright white – Too sterile and clinical.
- Red and orange wood tones – Too much contrast with stainless’s cool tones.
- Green – Can make kitchen feel dated, especially minty hues.
- Yellow – Clashes with silvery metal.
- Pink – Usually feels overly feminine for a kitchen.
While color preferences are subjective, the above hues tend to look mismatched with stainless rather than beautifully coordinating.
How to Pick the Perfect Cabinet Color
Choosing that perfect cabinet color to match your stainless steel appliances can feel overwhelming. Keep these tips in mind:
- Gather inspiration – Look at photos online and in design magazines to hone in on your preferences. Create an inspiration board.
- Take stock of all elements – Consider how the cabinet color will work with your lighting, flooring, hardware, backsplash, countertops and wall color.
- Choose neutrals – If resale value is important, versatile neutrals like white, gray and wood tones are best.
- Select samples – Order sample boards painted in your top color choices. Evaluate in your kitchen’s lighting.
- Think big picture – Make sure the color fits with your overall aesthetic – modern, traditional, minimalist, rustic, etc.
- Consider undertones – Colors have warm (yellow/red) and cool (blue/green) undertones. Know how they’ll interact with stainless.
- Have fun – Pick a color you’ll still enjoy down the road. It’s your kitchen – let your personality shine!
5 Beautiful Examples of Cabinets Paired with Stainless Steel Appliances
Pictures tell a thousand words. Here are some stunning examples of cabinet colors paired beautifully with stainless steel:
White Shaker Cabinets with Stainless Steel
This kitchen features crisp white Shaker-style cabinets with brushed stainless appliances and chrome hardware. The classic combo looks elegant yet totally fresh.
Photo by @bauhaus1000/Unsplash
Charcoal Gray Cabinets with Stainless Steel
The contrast between rich charcoal cabinets and stainless appliances makes quite the style statement in this modern kitchen. The black granite countertops ground the look.
Photo by @designmilk/Unsplash
Natural Wood Cabinets with Stainless Steel
The subtle grayish-brown tones in these real wood cabinets pair gorgeously with stainless appliances, chrome hardware and white quartz countertops for a natural yet modern look.
Photo by @anniegray/Unsplash
Beige Cabinets with Stainless Steel
Warm beige cabinets give this kitchen a French countryside feel, while the stainless appliances keep it modern. The mix of wood countertops, subway tile and pendant lighting is divine.
Photo by @househabit_inspiration/Unsplash
Navy Blue Cabinets with Stainless Steel
For serious drama, colorful navy cabinets paired with stainless appliances creates an artistic, modern space. Notice how the light walls and marble counters offset the dark lower cabinets.
Photo by @zh/Unsplash
Frequently Asked Questions
Still wondering what cabinet color suits your stainless steel kitchen? Here are answers to some common questions:
What color cabinets make stainless steel appliances look best?
Neutral white, gray and light wood cabinets allow stainless steel appliances to stand out. Crisp white in particular makes stainless pop. Bolder navy, black or charcoal cabinets beautifully contrast stainless steel.
What color cabinets should not be paired with stainless steel appliances?
Avoid bright white, mint green, cherry red, orange and yellow cabinets. These either clash with stainless steel’s modern aesthetic or look too clinical.
What color hardware goes best with stainless steel appliances?
Stainless steel’s silvery tones pair best with chrome, nickel, aluminum and matte black hardware. Brushed metal finishes complement stainless particularly well.
What backsplash looks good with stainless steel appliances and white cabinets?
White subway tile, marble, and gray/blue glass tile beautifully complement stainless and white cabinets. Mosaics and metal tile are modern options too. Stay away from beige and brown tones.
What flooring options work with stainless steel appliances and wood cabinets?
Hardwood in a similar tone as the cabinets looks cohesive. Concrete or stone tile floors suit the sleek stainless and wood cabinet mix. Lighter floors prevent feeling too dark.
Conclusion
Choose wisely, and your cabinet color will highlight your stunning stainless steel appliances for a look you’ll love. Stay neutral or go bold – the options are wide open! Just be sure to factor in all elements like flooring, hardware and lighting. Most importantly, the cabinet color you select should fit your personal sense of style.
With a well-coordinated color scheme, your kitchen will have a beautiful, pulled-together look you’ll enjoy for years to come. No longer will you be clashing greenery with your gleaming stainless appliances. By applying these cabinet color recommendations, you’ll create a space both stylish and functional.