15 Kitchen Color Schemes That Complement Stainless Steel Appliances (2024)

Crisp, clean and unapologetically modern, an all-white kitchen is a natural fit for stainless steel appliances. Flat-front paneled cabinets with long tab hardware are smooth and chic. An all-white kitchen can have a stark and clinical look if not well balanced—keep things welcoming and inviting with a warm accent like this honey-toned wood floor to anchor the space.

Stainless steel highlights a splash of bright color in the kitchen, like this backsplash in an ocean-inspired hue. When paired with a color scheme on the cool end of the spectrum, it allows other features to shine. “A stainless steel appliance finish can act as a grounding neutral where a color, or lots of colors, can shine,” says Jennifer Morris, interior designer and owner of Jennifer Morris Design in Brooklyn, New York. “It gives color some breathing room and won’t compete.”

If you want to bring green into the kitchen but are worried about it looking too dark, this combination is for you. Break up the darker hue with crisp white cabinets to keep things light and bright. A gray subway tile works well with the emerald green cool undertones. Its high sheen works in tandem with the stainless steel appliances to reflect light and move it around the room.

Cook up favorite recipes in a kitchen that matches the sky. Blue is the new neutral, and it’s making its way into more kitchens. This kitchen’s soft pale blue is a great option for those who want to play it safe with a bit of color. Pair light blue with upper cabinets in white to harness natural light and add volume to a smaller kitchen. A gray patterned backsplash offers a touch of playfulness and ties into the appliance finish.

Warm white cabinets paired with an exposed brick backsplash balances the metallic sheen of stainless steel appliances. Choosing the right white is essential when working with brick – the shade should include a brown undertone to complement and bring out the brick’s warm tones. This scheme is lovely for a modern farmhouse style like you see here, and it works just as well in industrial, transitional and rustic kitchens, too.

Biophilic design has made its way into the kitchen, with materials and color palettes that mimic the beauty of the outdoors. Wood and nature-inspired palettes were at the top of the color trends in the 2022 design survey from the National Kitchen & Bath Association. This kitchen’s deep green and warm wood accents call up images of lush forests. Natural light reflects off the appliances and pairs well with white walls to keep everything open and airy.

When a stainless steel finish is a foundational element of a kitchen’s design, color and shape can offer distinction and the eyes a place to rest. Hexagonal tile in various shades of green add a touch of unexpected playfulness that complements this kitchen’s modern, flat front cabinets.

For high drama, never underestimate the power of black to make a stylish statement. Moody kitchens are on the rise because of the atmosphere they create. Deep and bold hues are calming and can fill a space with a dreamy ambiance. Here, stainless steel appliances pair perfectly with floor-to-ceiling cabinets in inky black.

Is is greige, is it taupe? If your kitchen looks this lovely, does it matter? With its subtle hints of green, greige cabinets impart just the right amount of warmth when paired with stainless steel finishes. A white textured backsplash adds depth and encourages light to move around the room.

Go monochrome with a mostly gray color palette and stainless steel for a sleek and chic kitchen. Warm accents like rattan chairs, wood beams and brass chandeliers offer inviting touches and round out the design.

Timeless and classic, a black and white scheme looks effortlessly put together when combined with stainless steel finishes. A marble slab backsplash and natural wood slat ceiling help ground and frame this transitional kitchen design.

Pink isn’t just for living rooms and bedrooms—it’s casting its rosy glow in kitchens with lovely results. This pale shade features a creamy undertone that’s rich and inviting. Mixing metals works particularly well with this color, with brass hardware enhancing pink’s warmth while the stainless steel appliances complement the gray light fixtures.

In the kitchen, a little contrast goes a long way. Stainless steel appliances are stylish supporting actors in this white kitchen with eye-catching matte black hardware and fixtures. A textured tile backsplash creates movement and dimension.

A large center island in a deep teal is the star of the show and anchors this light-filled kitchen design. Morris appreciates stainless steel’s versatility and how it opens up a kitchen to colorful possibilities. “I find it a flexible finish with colorful tiles and cabinetry,” she says. It can also bring out the veining in a marble or quartz slab or the various grain colors in granite countertops.

Bringing personality into the kitchen is easy with stainless steel. Its neutral sheen lets you go for it in the color department, like this bold and happy kitchen in tangerine. White walls and a light backsplash provide the ideal amount of negative space to prevent the citrus hue from overwhelming the space.

Kitchen color schemes for stainless steel appliances are only limited by your imagination and individual style. They act as a blank canvas so you can experiment with color and pattern to reflect your lifestyle and personality.