The Worst Kitchen Appliance Colors To Avoid, According To A Design Expert

When you spend hours or even days (Weeks? Months?) designing and decorating your kitchen, nothing is more annoying than appliances that don't match or flow with your aesthetic. While you can give items like your plain dishwasher a stylish upgrade on a budget, sometimes refrigerators, stoves, and even coffee makers are just a necessary (and bland) part of your layout that has to be decorated around. While there are plenty of options to try and make these more stylish, there are colors you should definitely avoid when upgrading or kitting out your kitchen. In fact, according to Artem Kropovinsky, founder and principal designer at Arsight, shades like "bright yellow, off white, [and] pastel pink and green," are a few you may want to stay away from, as they could date your space or limit what you can do with it.

During an exclusive interview with House Digest, Kropovinksky explained why certain colors are a no-go for your kitchen appliances. "Bright yellow and neon colors can be overwhelming because these tones easily conflict with standard kitchen styles," he noted. "Appliances in different colors influence the visual appearance of the kitchen." If you opt for something too loud, it could make your space feel chaotic rather than a calming place where people like to gather.

While white appliances are usually a safe choice since white kitchen designs will ever go out of style (or so interior decor trends say), Kropovinsky says that they're not always the best bet. "Off-white and beige colors fail to age well because they easily show signs of wear and develop stains," he said. And it's not just white appliances, either. "Consider maintenance requirements of kitchen appliances because high-gloss finishes reveal fingerprints and darker tones tend to display dust and smudges," he shared. These useful pieces of advice will help keep your kitchen tidy and fresh, as a dirty or dated aesthetic can make the whole area seem grimy.

During his exclusive interview with House Digest, Kropovinsky also noted that pastel color tones which may work for other rooms can affect your options in designs within the kitchen. "Pastel pink or green can look charming in vintage-inspired kitchens, but limits flexibility in design." It isn't just bright or pastel colors you need to consider, either. "Matte black can create an attractive look but it may darken the kitchen space and easily reveal fingerprints if not properly maintained," Kropovinsky adds. If you have a small kitchen already or it doesn't have a lot of natural light, this could be a big drawback, so think about the space as a whole before committing to black appliances.

It might sound like you are even more limited with these suggestions, but Kropovinsky offered helpful tips to use when choosing appliances for your kitchen during his exclusive interview with House Digest. "Think about the overall kitchen palette — appliances must work with all design elements including cabinetry, countertops, and flooring," he advised readers. "Stainless steel and classic white and panel-ready appliances maintain their appeal through time because they work great with various design styles." Some might think that stainless steel, the once trendy color, is super outdated, but Kropovinsky says that the appeal lies in how versatile this, classic white, and panel-ready options are when it comes to matching other elements in the kitchen.

While there is always a little give with what color appliances you choose (for example, if you have a super colorful or vintage kitchen, bold or pastel fridges might be what you need), Kropovinsky notes that it's the entire kitchen design that really matters. "The color of appliances should seamlessly integrate into the design for a unified appearance or act as a statement piece if chosen intentionally." With his advice in mind, you can shop smarter not harder and ensure your kitchen is always in style.