Are white appliances coming back in style? Trends & designs

Though not a new trend, white kitchen appliances can help enhance a variety of kitchen styles, from ultra modern to vintage. Whether you’re shopping for a new appliance or gearing up for a complete remodel, choosing appliances to fit your style can be challenging. Trends in home design come and go, so when you’re making a lasting purchase, it’s generally wise to focus on the designs and finishes that speak to your personal taste.

Use this guide to learn more about appliance finish styles and discover how to work white appliances into your design.

Are white kitchen appliances in style?

A white appliance can be a great neutral option to fit with a range of kitchen styles. Its timeless, clean look complements a variety of color schemes and design aesthetics, making it a steadfast choice.

Once a 1990s staple, white appliances faded in popularity as stainless steel took over, bringing an industrial edge, durability and modern features to design. Today, white kitchen appliances are making a comeback with everything from modern matte finishes to metallic accents and the latest features.

There are also a few updates you can make to a kitchen that already has white appliances to make it feel more on trend:

You can use your white appliances to create an unexpected take on modern design, like the monochromatic look of an all white kitchen, a pop of white against dark cabinets and walls, or as an offset for luxe brass and gold hardware.

You’ll find that appliances with a white finish can also help a smaller kitchen feel bigger, as the color plays with the light and tricks the eye into seeing more open space.

If you’re looking to give your kitchen a refresh with some classic white touches, explore KitchenAid^® white appliances.

How to style white appliances with cabinets and other finishes

When you’re searching for kitchen color ideas to pair with white appliances, the options are nearly limitless. If a crisp, sleek monochromatic look is what speaks to you, you can pair white appliances with white countertops, cabinets and backsplashes.

You can help prevent an all white kitchen from looking flat by layering in different textures and warm accents, like natural wood or stone. Or, lean into brass hardware like cabinet pulls and appliance handles, like the brass, bronze, black or stainless steel Hardware Accessory Kits from KitchenAid brand that are compatible with select KitchenAid^® appliances.

A white appliance finish also works as a neutral backdrop to complement bright color schemes, so you can lean into pastels, jewel tones or warm colors.

Discover kitchen design ideas featuring white stoves.

KitchenAid® microwave built into off-white cabinetry

Can you have white kitchen cabinets with white appliances?

Since white is a neutral color that helps make the room look clean and bright, you can create an airy, modern kitchen with white appliances and cabinets. To keep an all white kitchen from feeling sterile, consider incorporating three or four shades of white that share a similar undertone. This can mean choosing a handful of warm whites, with a yellow undertone, or cool whites, with a blue undertone, for use on a variety of surfaces.

If monochromatic isn’t your style, try adding a colorful backsplash or bronze handles, knobs and faucets to your white kitchen with white appliances.

Comparison of KitchenAid® Black Ore, Stainless Steel, Brass and Bronze Hardware Accessory Kits

KitchenAid^® Hardware Accessory Kits

Curate the colors and textures that move you

From bold Black Ore to the inviting warmth of Bronze, mix and match handles and knobs to refresh your appliances and bring new energy to your kitchen

Learn More

Can you mix stainless steel and white appliances?

Though it is typical for kitchen appliances to match in finish, this is a design rule you can bend to fit your personal style. Stainless steel and white finishes are both considered neutral, so you can get creative by mixing finish colors to create an eye-catching aesthetic.

If you’re looking to upgrade your white appliances to stainless steel or black stainless steel, KitchenAid brand has a selection of stainless and black stainless steel refrigerators with PrintShield^® Finish that resists smudges and fingerprints, so you can spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your kitchen.

Alternatives to white appliances

Stainless steel is an appliance color trend that will likely remain strong. If you’re looking for an on-trend kitchen refresh, consider updating white or black appliances to stainless steel.

For a softer, warmer alternative to traditional stainless steel, explore black stainless steel appliances from KitchenAid brand. For bold pops of color, consider a KitchenAid^® appliance suite in nature-inspired Juniper or rich Black Ore.

Shop white KitchenAid® appliances

White appliances FAQs

From their impact on your kitchen’s aesthetic to their potential effect on home value, learn more about designing a kitchen with white appliances below.

Though white is a traditional finish color, there are several modern white options to help keep your space feeling current. A white, built-in appliance, for instance, is designed to fit nearly flush into your kitchen cabinetry and counters, blending seamlessly for a sleek, modern touch to your kitchen.

For other modern white kitchen appliances, look for models with contemporary touchpoints and bold design details such as:

Prominent handles
Commercial-style control knobs
Sleek glass touch controls
Counter-depth and built-in options

KitchenAid brand offers white microwaves, ranges and wall ovens that combine this timeless finish with contemporary designs that look sleek and fresh.

White appliances complement a wide range of kitchen styles, from traditional and farmhouse to vintage and contemporary. The colors, textures and materials surrounding your appliances ultimately help shape the look, feel and character of your space.

For instance, white appliances can work alongside darker colors for a bold contrast or be muted among a neutral palette of similar colors for a seamless, airy feel. This means that white appliances can pair well with light cabinetry and natural wood as well as colorful backsplashes, dark tones and soft neutrals.

Because they reflect light, white appliances can make a kitchen feel larger, more open and less visually crowded. You can amplify this effect by combining white appliances with similar white tones throughout the kitchen, ultimately creating a fresh, airy aesthetic.

Yes and no. It ultimately depends on the type of mess. For instance, a white finish may hide fingerprints and scratches better than darker colors or traditional stainless steel, but might be more prone to showing some grease or food spills. White appliances might also be more prone to show staining. It all depends on the situation.

Generally speaking, appliances can often increase home appeal when they’re clean, matching and in good condition. While new appliances may influence buyer perception, a cohesive white appliance suite can make a kitchen feel polished, finished and move-in ready.

Whether you’re looking for a black, white or stainless steel finish, KitchenAid brand has the major appliance options to fit your personal taste. Shop KitchenAid^® refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges and more to complete your kitchen and create in style.