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Kitchen renovation projects continue to top the list of popular home renovation projects, according to Houzz's 2022 Kitchen Renovation Survey. And when it comes to refreshing appliances, it's hard to beat the timeless versatility of stainless steel.
“Stainless steel gives a classic look to the kitchen,” says Laurie Dragunov, interior designer and owner of Decorative Interiors in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. “It still proves to be the most popular choice when choosing home appliances.” Last year's home improvement purchases confirm this. For 74% of US households, stainless steel appliances maintain their top spot in home appliance preferences.
Fortunately, stainless steel finishes play an important role in kitchen design and blend beautifully with many color palettes. Here are some kitchen color schemes that complement stainless steel appliances.
1. All white
![](https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/x/https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Forbes_KitchenColors_BraahmsCabinets.png)
@braamscustomcabinets
Crisp, clean and unapologetically modern, an all-white kitchen is a natural fit for stainless steel appliances. The flat-front panel cabinet with long tab hardware is sleek and chic. An all-white kitchen can look bleak and clinical if it's not balanced. Keep it cozy and inviting with warm accents like honey-toned wood floors that anchor the space.
2. White and blue accents
![](https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/x/https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Forbes_KitchenColors_JenniferMorris_Blue-scaled.jpg)
@jmorrisdesigner
Stainless steel accentuates a splash of bright color in your kitchen, like this backsplash with ocean-inspired hues. Paired with the cool color scheme of the spectrum, other features will shine. “Stainless steel appliance finishes act as a neutral base on which one or more colors can shine,” says interior designer Jennifer Morris, owner of Jennifer Morris Design in Brooklyn, New York. Masu. “Give the colors room and don't conflict.”
3. Green, white, gray
![](https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/x/https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Forbes_KitchenColors_MorganBattey.png)
@morganbatteyhome
If you want to incorporate green into your kitchen but are worried about it becoming too dark, this combination is recommended. Counteract the dark tones with crisp white cabinetry to keep it bright and bright. Gray subway tiles pair well with cool shades of emerald green. Its high shine works with stainless steel appliances to reflect light and move it throughout the room.
4. Light blue and white
![](https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/x/https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Forbes_KitchenColors_Cricket.png)
@venturainteriordesign, @upmarket.media
Create your favorite recipes in a kitchen that suits your sky. Blue is the new neutral and it's making its way into more kitchens. The soft pale blue in this kitchen is perfect for those who want to play it safe with a little color. Combine light blue with white upper cabinets to take advantage of natural light and add volume to a small kitchen. A gray patterned backsplash provides a touch of playfulness and ties in with the appliance finish.
5. Creamy white and brick
![](https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/x/https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Forbes_KitchenColors_ForeverSixAcres.png)
@forever.6.acres
Warm white cabinetry and exposed brick backsplash balance the metallic sheen of stainless steel appliances. When working with bricks, it is important to choose the right white color. The shade should include brown undertones to complement and bring out the warm tones of the brick. This scheme is perfect for modern farmhouse styles like the one we see here, and works equally well in industrial, transitional, and rustic kitchens.
6. Hunter green, white, wood
![](https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/x/https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Forbes_KitchenColors_EDBDesign.jpg)
@edbdesigns
Biophilic design continues into the kitchen, with materials and color palettes that mimic the beauty of the outdoors. Wood and nature-inspired palettes were the top color trends in his 2022 design survey by the National Kitchen & Bath Association. The kitchen is reminiscent of a lush forest with deep greenery and warm wood accents. Natural light reflects off the appliances and blends well with the white walls, keeping everything open and airy.
7. Wood with green accents
![](https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/x/https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Forbes_KitchenColors_JenniferMorris_Green-scaled.jpeg)
@jmorrisdesigner
If the stainless steel finish is a basic element of the kitchen design, the color and shape will provide differentiation and give the eye a place to rest. Hexagonal tiles in various shades of green add an unexpected playfulness that complements this kitchen's modern, flat front cabinets.
8. All black
![](https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/x/https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Forbes_KitchenColors_LaurieDragunoff.jpg)
@decorativeinterior
For added drama, never underestimate the power of black to create a stylish statement. The reason why moody kitchens are on the rise is because they create that atmosphere. Deep, bold colors calm the mind and fill your space with a dreamlike atmosphere. Here, stainless steel appliances pair perfectly with all-black floor-to-ceiling cabinetry.
9. Greige
![](https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/x/https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Forbes_KitchenColors_LaurieDragunoff_Griege.jpg)
@decorativeinterior
Is it greige or taupe? If your kitchen is this nice, does it matter? The greige cabinetry with hints of green provides just the right amount of warmth when combined with the stainless steel finish. A white textured backsplash adds depth and helps distribute light throughout the room.
10. Gray with wood accents
@Tamara Day, @natesheetsphoto
Go for a monochrome kitchen with a mostly gray color palette and stainless steel for a sophisticated and chic look. Warm accents like wicker chairs, wooden beams, and brass chandeliers add charming touches and complete the design.
11. Black and White
![](https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/x/https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Forbes_KitchenColors_BraveElement.png)
@braveelement
The timeless classic black and white scheme is easy to pull together when paired with stainless steel finishes. A marble slab backsplash and natural wood slat ceiling help ground and frame this transitional kitchen design.
12.Pale pink
![](https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/x/https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Forbes_KitchenColors_JeanRoss.png)
@jeanross, @kielyramosphoto
Pink gives a rosy glow not only in the living room and bedroom, but also in the kitchen, giving a wonderful result. This pale shade features a rich and appealing creamy undertone. The mix of metals works particularly well with this color, with brass hardware enhancing the warmth of the pink and stainless steel fixtures complementing the gray light fixtures.
13. Black accents on white
![](https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/x/https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Forbes_KitchenColors_KellyDeck.png)
@kellydeckdesign, @barrycalhounphotos
In the kitchen, a little contrast can go a long way. Stainless steel appliances are a stylish supporting cast in this white kitchen with eye-catching matte black hardware and fixtures. A textured tile backsplash creates movement and dimension.
14. Dark teal and white
![](https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/x/https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Forbes_KitchenColors_Crickett_DarkTeal.png)
@venturainteriordesign, @upmarket.media
A large central island in deep teal is the star of the show and anchors this light-filled kitchen design. Morris appreciates the versatility of stainless steel and the way it brings colorful possibilities to the kitchen. “I think of it as a flexible finish with colorful tiles and furniture,” she says. She can also bring out the veining in marble or quartz slabs and the different grain colors in granite countertops.
15. Bright orange
![](https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/x/https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/image7-1.png)
Getty Images
Stainless steel makes it easy to bring some personality to your kitchen. Its neutral sheen allows you to experiment with it in the color department, like in this bold and happy tangerine kitchen. White walls and a light backsplash provide the ideal amount of negative space to keep the citrus hue from overwhelming the space.
The color scheme of stainless steel appliances in the kitchen is limited only by your imagination and individual style. It acts as a blank canvas so you can experiment with colors and patterns that reflect your lifestyle and personality.