Not sure whether stainless steel appliances are as timeless as they were revered to be? Based on another successful year of Chicago kitchen remodeling, we can assure you that stainless steel finishes are not only popular, they continue to be the most commonly installed appliance finish.
Ways to Rethink Stainless Steel Appliances in Your Chicago Kitchen Design
That being said, there are certain appliance trends worth paying attention to if you’re planning a kitchen remodel this year.
Look for smudge-proof finishes
One of the major complaints regarding stainless steel comes from households with small children and/or pets because it’s notorious for showing smudges. The good news here is that many manufacturers have created smudge-proof coatings that make this less of an issue. And, since the reality is that nothing is truly smudge-proof, the coatings make it easy to wipe offending marks off with a damp cloth – no polishes or specialty cleaners required.
Do you have a home with small children or pets? The following blogs are worth reading:
Both have helpful tips for creating beautiful kitchen designs that honor the messier ones in your life.
Consider integrating some of the appliances
Are you not a fan of stainless steel at all? Or do you feel wary of having so much “metal” showing in the kitchen? If it’s the latter, consider integrating kitchen appliances by covering the fridge and/or dishwasher face with matching cabinetry. You can also hide the microwave in an integrated cabinet or microwave drawer.
This way, only your stove and oven are “showing” - a win-win of honoring the continuing popularity of stainless steel along with your own style sensitivities and preferences.
Have you considered black stainless steel options?
There’s no reason why you can enjoy stainless steel and a little color – or lack of color. Black stainless steel appliances entered the market a few years back and offer a way to steer away from the silver metal look, while still benefiting from the addition of metallic accents. While black stainless steel appliances may show smudges, they are still simple to clean.
Do be aware that unlike other appliance finishes, black stainless steel finishes don’t seem to be as interchangeable between manufacturers as other finishes, so in order to guarantee the same shade of black, order all of your appliances from the same manufacturer and avoid discrepancies.
Brass and gold accents are available
Also, a few years ago, we saw a comeback of warmer metallic finishes, such as brass and gold, and so appliance manufacturers followed suit. Ask your kitchen design team to show you examples and perhaps the addition of these warmer finishes will be more in line with your tastes.
Does it really matter?
Then, there is the most simple – but often complicated – question of all: does it really matter whether stainless steel is still popular or not?
Are you worried because you like stainless steel but worry you’ll be dating your home? Or are you worried because you prefer a different finish but feel you’ll be dating your home?
First, unless you’re planning to resell your home in the immediate future, personal preference and design tastes should always trump what’s popular or trending. Secondly, there are some really great appliances out there to consider – such as these retro appliances from the Big Chill line, that come in so many fun colors and style galore. Then there are the black stainless steel and warmer metallic finishes we mentioned above. And, finally, the reminder that white is always popular – and white kitchen designs are never outdated.
Visit the Kitchens & Baths Unlimited showroom or schedule a consultation with one of our creative and experienced, Chicago kitchen designers, to learn more about balancing what’s popular or trending – with what you love – to design a kitchen that will never go out of style.
