Kitchen Colors That Turn Stainless Steel Into a Focal Point
With its sleek metallic finish and industrial vibe, stainless steel has become a wildly popular choice for appliances in today's kitchens. But all that chrome and steel can start to feel cold or monotonous without the right colors to warm it up and make it shine. The key is choosing kitchen colors that complement stainless steel rather than compete with it, allowing the appliances to become a striking focal point.
Whether you opt for soft neutrals or bold, vibrant hues, certain palettes have an innate ability to showcase stainless steel at its finest. Keep reading to discover amazing paint, cabinet, and countertop colors that transform stainless steel from blah to ta-dah!
Neutral Paint Colors Let Stainless Steel Pop
Nothing allows stainless steel appliances to take center stage like clean, understated neutrals. Painting your kitchen walls in light, muted tones creates an ideal canvas for the metallic appliances to command attention.
Greige Is the New Beige
Greige – a mix between gray and beige – has emerged as a popular, versatile neutral. With its subtle warmth and modern edge, greige works beautifully beside stainless steel. Colors like Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray, Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige, and Behr Cinnamon Toast provide a soft, sophisticated backdrop to make appliances gleam.
Pair greige walls with crisp white cabinetry and quartz counters for a light, airy vibe where stainless steel finishes can shine. For a cozier effect, try greige with warm wood cabinetry and butcher block counters.
Classic White Lets Stainless Steel Stand Out
Nothing allows stainless steel to take center stage quite like crisp white walls. Timeless and fresh, white makes an ideal canvas for stainless steel appliances to pop. Benjamin Moore Simply White, Sherwin-Williams Extra White and Behr Swiss Coffee are fail-safe bright white options.
White kitchens with stainless steel look especially fetching with touches of modern metallics like nickel or chrome lighting and hardware. For traditional charm, bring in metal finishes like bronze instead.
Cool Gray Enhances Stainless Steel’s Modern Appeal
If bright white feels too stark, soft gray offers a versatile neutral alternative beside stainless steel. With cool blue undertones, light grays like Benjamin Moore Gray Owl, Sherwin-Williams Mindful Gray, and Behr Silver Drop complement stainless steel’s sleek modern vibe.
Pair a light gray palette with glossy white quartz countertops and minimalist white cabinets to allow the stainless steel finishes to take the spotlight. Or create an industrial modern kitchen with exposed brick, metal accents, and reclaimed wood.
Cabinet & Countertop Colors for Stainless Steel
Your cabinetry, counters, and backsplashes also impact how stainless steel finishes look. Choosing materials and hues that work in harmony with stainless steel creates a cohesive aesthetic.
Warm Wood Cabinets Offer Contrast
While painted cabinets keep the focus on stainless steel finishes, warm wood cabinetry offers a striking contrast. The natural richness of wood adds welcome texture and balances stainless steel’s sleek machine-made look.
Opt for maple, oak, or cherry cabinets to complement stainless steel appliances. A medium wood stain creates a flexible neutral. Or go bold with a deep espresso stain for more drama. Matte and satin hardware suit the muted patina of wood.
Crisp White Cabinets Complement Stainless Steel
For a fresh modern statement, pair stainless steel appliances with glossy white cabinets. The duo has an irresistibly clean, streamlined look. Shaker-style cabinets in a durable white thermofoil suit the pared-down aesthetic.
With white cabinets, opt for neutral granite, marble, or quartz countertops. Steel gray quartz offers an especially sleek match. Add a vivid glass, metal, or ceramic tile backsplash to introduce color.
Butcher Block & Quartz Counters Anchor Rooms
When selecting countertops, natural wood butcher block and white or gray quartz surfaces make versatile neutrals beside stainless steel appliances. Butcher block injects warmth and texture. Quartz offers an upscale yet understated foundation.
Light soapstone, concrete, and laminate countertops also complement stainless steel nicely. Just avoid bold countertops like black granite or intricate marble patterns that compete for attention.
Backsplash Ideas with Stainless Steel
Creative backsplashes can introduce color, texture, and visual interest while tying the whole kitchen together. Here are some eye-catching options with stainless steel appliances.
For contemporary flair, install a sleek stainless steel or nickel silver backsplash. Or opt for other metallics like copper and brass that pick up on stainless steel’s shine.
White, gray, and neutral stone or ceramic tile backsplashes also keep the focus on your stainless steel finishes. Consider subway tiles, mosaics, a combination of textures and shapes.
Incorporate Color with Stainless Steel Focal Points
While neutral kitchens allow stainless steel appliances to take center stage, bold color can also highlight stainless steel finishes to striking effect. Vibrant blue, green, or burgundy on one wall or island makes stainless steel pop even more.
When combining colors and stainless steel: - Use color as accents, not everywhere - Anchor with neutral cabinetry and counters - Group stainless steel appliances together - Add metallic touches like bronze lighting fixtures
With strategic splashes of color, you can transform stainless steel appliances from ho-hum to the dazzling focal point of your kitchen.
Kitchen colors have the power to turn your stainless steel appliances into either an afterthought or the star of the show. Choosing soft neutrals like greige, gray, and white allows stainless steel finishes to shine, while warm wood and crisp white cabinets further complement the look.
Creative backsplashes and color accents introduce personality while keeping the focus on gleaming stainless steel appliances. Use these coloring tips to highlight your stainless steel finishes and create a kitchen that steals the show.