steel or white kitchen appliances?

[Krischaser]

Which is better?

 

[Evi]

personally I have stainless but if I could redo my kitchen I'd go with something warm like copper colored there's alot of color out there but I wouldn't bother with white unless I was doing an all white kitchen or something in a light shade and even then I might consider going for a color in enamel but then again it depends on your budget. Only reason I have stainless is because the kitchen had been renovated 2 years before we bought the house and I really couldn't think of a good excuse to get rid of perfectly good appliances though when its time to change these I may go for the copper color I want.

on another note I got the white washer and dryer since I have a dedicated laundry room and I had the floor tiled in white with some frosted glass tile I was ok with white appliances. I just couldn't justify paying $500 extra for a different color so I added color with walls and accessories.

go with what your going to be happy with in long term.

 

[DisneyToddlers]

I have stainless and it looks nice, but you have to keep in mind that spots and streaks show up constantly, so you have to be prepared to polish it with stainless steal cleaner to keep it looking nice. The finish on my fridge seems to be a little ruined.

 

[scard192]

I went with white when I remodeled last year. I couldn't justify the up charge in price for stainless. Plus I am a neat freak and knew the marks/spots etc on stainless would drive me nuts! I want to enjoy my new kitchen (the old one was 50 years old) and not be irritated if I had to be wiping down the appliances constantly.

 

[MinnieForMe]

I just changed appliances and got a matted stainless. It is wonderful. Easy to clean and doesn't appear to show fingerprints.

At this moment, stainless has a higher resale value.

 

[Pigeon]

It's a matter of taste. I like white. Stainless steel gives off a "morgue" vibe to me.

 

[Melrosgirl]

White is very dated now. I would personally go with black or stainless if you want to keep with more trends. If you don't care, then get white. Since you asked though, I'm guessing you want to see what the trend is.

 

[MMluvsWDW]

I think it depends on a couple of things. Are you looking or resale? Stainless is then the answer. However, if you're planning to stay in the house, then go with your cleaning preference. I would never buy a black stove again!! It's impossible to keep as clean as a white stove. Also, stainless takes more upkeep than white in my opinion.

 

[DawnM]

This is one reason we got stainless. We do like the look, but we also are looking to sell eventually.

If we were staying in a house permanently, or had a lower priced home, I would look at black or the brushed fake stainless as it isn't as much upkeep.

Dawn

I think it depends on a couple of things. Are you looking or resale? Stainless is then the answer. However, if you're planning to stay in the house, then go with your cleaning preference. I would never buy a black stove again!! It's impossible to keep as clean as a white stove. Also, stainless takes more upkeep than white in my opinion.

 

[Swimalie]

We have white which came with the house. We thought about upgrading but friends of ours who have stainless say they are tired of constantly having to polish it and would not get it if they could do it all over again. Yes, stainless is "in" right now and people want it when they look at houses but oh well. Then they can buy it when they buy my house. I'l stick with my white for now and spend the time doing something more fun.

 

[TxRabbit]

As PP mentioned, it really depends on your situation and what your preferences are.

The only thing I would like to add to this conversation is about white appliances. Be aware that all whites are not the same, some are cooler undertone, some warmer. Watch the color matching if you are going to be mixing your manufacturers.

I suppose the same could be said for stainless, but I haven't been struck with that as clearly as white.

 

[descovy]

Good move about just sticking with what you have.

Maybe it's the deluge of HGTV, but I can't wrap my mind around "updating" (throwing out) perfectly good, working appliances. Seems like such a waste. Something the next generation will roll their eyes over when they hear how we used to use recycled toilet paper but threw refrigerators and ovens in the landfill because they were the wrong color

 

[punkin]

White is very dated now. I would personally go with black or stainless if you want to keep with more trends. If you don't care, then get white. Since you asked though, I'm guessing you want to see what the trend is.

Black is dated IMO. Very 1980s.

I like the look of stainless but the easy care of white.

 

[MarilIncredible]

White matches our kitchen. Stainless would not - we'd have had to replace the cabinets to something other than the warm, honey-colored ones we have. My parents have stainless steel and it looks good with their darker cabinets/kitchen.

Seriously, how much more do you guys think you are going to get for stainless steel appliances when selling a house? A whopping $1000, maybe???? Equal quality/brand appliances with a white versus a stainless finish won't make the huge difference you may think it will.

 

[Swimalie]

White matches our kitchen. Stainless would not - we'd have had to replace the cabinets to something other than the warm, honey-colored ones we have. My parents have stainless steel and it looks good with their darker cabinets/kitchen.

Seriously, how much more do you guys think you are going to get for stainless steel appliances when selling a house? A whopping $1000, maybe???? Equal quality/brand appliances with a white versus a stainless finish won't make the huge difference you may think it will.

My sister just sold her house in less than 30 days. She had all white appliances and didn't want to change them out since what was in there was all good and fairly new, too. So she got quotes of what it would cost to change them to stainless. She was willing to go half to any buyer for changing them out. I think that's one way to go if someone is selling rather than getting rid of working appliances for just a few extra $$.

 

[Hardy]

I have white and stainless.....we bought a beautiful stainless french door fridge and I just love it....I wipe down all of my appliances every day anyway, but you have to be more careful in wiping down the stainless, we went with the true stainless that will show fingerprints, b/c the matte "stainless look" varies a lot in different brands, so you would have to replace it all to match. I will get all stainless eventually. I want a better stove/oven b/c I do a lot of cooking and stainless makes the most sense for cleaning/care. My dishwasher is old and awful, and I will be replacing that with one that is stainless inside as well for odor/stain prevention. Just waiting for it to die!

 

[perriwinkleblue]

Stainless seems better for resale but I say white. After cleaning stainless (and w/2 youngish kids) white was my choice when we remodeled. We're here to stay, so I bought what works for me. Plus, I like how bright and clean everything looks now. IMO, since our house is not contemporary our kitchen "fits" in with our decor.

Kitchen style changes anyway (Avocado Green anyone?) so pick what you like and what works for you... unless you are moving in the next few years.

 

[ontariomonkey]

The quality of the appliances is the same but you pay a premium for stainless steel.

 

[Melmac]

I personally do not like stainless steel appliances. The upkeep is enough to keep me away and, as someone else mentioned, they have a very sterile look to them. However, I may not be the best person to ask about current trends - apparently, white cabinets in kitchens are outdated and old-fashioned, yet I put white cabinets in my kitchen a couple of years back (with butcher block counters instead of granite, gasp)!

I say, buy what you like. White is always cheaper than stainless (unless there is some crazy sale) and so I chose to get better appliances in white, rather than mediocre appliances in another colour. Also, and maybe this is just me, but I wouldn't let the colour of appliances be the make-or-break factor in purchasing a home.

 

[si-am]

Stainless steel is a fad and probably won't give you any extra help if you're trying to sell in the next couple of years.

White is actually coming back in to style!