Colorful appliances are at the heart of today's kitchens - Better Homes & Gardens

Traditionally, backsplashes, cabinets and walls have been the biggest players when it comes to adding color and personality to a kitchen. But now colorful gadgets are coming in full force . With new hues, new styles and a new place in kitchen design, today's refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens are nothing compared to the colorful appliances of the 1970s (unless you didn't want them, of course).

Courtesy of Samsung

Why are colorful kitchen appliances popular today?

Colorful devices, whether red stand mixer or smooth mint green toaster, have long been found on the counter. In contrast, large kitchen appliances have generally remained neutral, with stainless steel finishes dominating this century (and black and white before it) .

While designers and manufacturers expect stainless steel to continue to dominate, three factors are converging to bring more color to mainstream kitchen appliances: a demand for customization, an increase in colored appliances on the market, and a move towards more colorful kitchens normally.

What's really driving the trend toward colorful devices today is the desire for more customization. After spending so much time at home in recent years, homeowners are looking for ways to make the most of their spaces, including appliances that give them the exact function and style they're looking for. You don't want to compromise on style or performance. "Consumers are looking for ways to customize their home decor to reflect their personal style and fulfill their lifestyle," said a Samsung spokesman.

Launched in 2019, Samsung's Bespoke range is an example of the new color options available for devices, as well as the personalization trend. The avant-garde collection in terms of colors and technologies focuses on customization, such as the possibility to choose the color of each individual plate of a refrigerator.

Other brands like SMEG have been offering colorful kitchen appliances for decades but have fueled the trend with updated offerings. "We've seen the persistence of these styles and trends by expanding the color palette and adding innovative new components to our popular product lines," said Paul McCormack, National Sales and Marketing Manager for SMEG USA.

Courtesy of Samsung

Popular device colors

At the same time, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) has been tracking the arrival of more color in the kitchen in general. Designers report that homeowners are moving away from white and gray and incorporating more colors. This trend can also be seen in large devices. A preview of the NKBA's 2023 Trends Report (to be released later this year) reveals that designers plan to use more colorful devices in the near future, which will increase from 10% in 2022 to 20% this year.

So what shades are in fashion right now? Popular device colors are a mix of timeless classics and newer, fresher shades. Lighter colors are particularly popular at the moment, and according to Samsung they are the stronghold of refrigerators worldwide. White glass panels are easier to integrate into existing home designs and are most popular for bespoke designs, while beige, pink and light blue are also used for a pop of colour.

Popular SMEG colors over the past decade include pastel blue, pastel green, white and cream, as well as classic black and red. On the darker side, navy blue works best for both brands. Although most color options are limited to fridges in Samsung's Bespoke range, navy blue is a color available across the range, including a new washer and dryer launched earlier this year. SMEG has also seen the Navy increase its small equipment.

Courtesy of Sheridan Interiors Inc.

How to use colorful gadgets in the kitchen.

Some brands offer a full range of color-coordinated appliances, while others only offer colors for specific appliances (often a stove or refrigerator). A common design scenario is a colorful device that stands out from the rest, coordinated in a neutral finish. This works great when replacing a single accessory or doing a style update that isn't a huge makeover. "Colored appliances are like the jewel in the room," says Anne-Marie Brunet, owner and lead designer at Sheridan Interiors Inc. To make this jewel shine, she recommends picking no more than one or two appliances for coloring.

Love the character of a colorful device but don't know how to make it work? Think about where the color could be used and how it will affect the kitchen. A colorful device can quickly become an eye-catcher. With customization taking center stage, there is no single way to cater to this trend.

1. Create a focus

Using color to draw attention to a kitchen area is a timeless design choice and a time-tested way to showcase a beloved appliance. It's particularly striking in a monochromatic space, like Brunet's kitchen, pictured above. "Not only is the range a vibrant color, it brings much-needed color to an all-wood texture that can sometimes be read as dark and flat," he says. A colorful and quirky range not only brings a room to life, Brunet says, it also creates a focal point for the entire cabin.

2. Integrate into the environment

Colorful kitchen appliances can offer great benefits for those who like a customized look. There are several ways to get colorful accessories that blend in rather than stand out. La Cornue, for example, sells furniture, so its striking aesthetic isn't limited to the kitchen and range hood. Some manufacturers allow custom colors, allowing you to match the device's colors to other surfaces such as your walls or cabinets. Or match a paint color to the unit and freshen up the cabinetry around it.

3. Adjust aesthetics

"Consider the lifespan of this device and choose the right color to match its personality and the furniture around it (if you're not going to change it)," says Brunet. Of course, be careful about mixing styles. A cheery, retro fridge might work well in a cozy farmhouse aesthetic, but it doesn't work in a room (or home) that's sleek and modern. Be conservative and bring a device that is durable and difficult to upgrade. Choose a style and color that suits the space and your home now and in the future.

4. Coordinated Accents

If it's not already part of the home decor, Brunet recommends bringing coordinating, complementary hues into the kitchen. It makes the colorful device feel useful and not disconnected. Similarly, McCormack suggests taking inspiration from the design and color of decor in adjoining rooms in an open floor plan. Appliances may stand out in the kitchen but ultimately feel connected to the rest of the home.

You can also create a cohesive look by taking visual cues from other furnishings in the room. Some brands, like Blue Star , offer customization beyond body color, e.g. B. A choice of trims, door handles and knob finishes. If other appliances in the room are white, see if the oven knobs match. If your kitchen has chrome fixtures and faucets, look to chrome appliance handles to tie everything together.

Courtesy of Samsung

Tips for choosing the color of a kitchen appliance

Stepping away from traditional kitchen appliance finishes can be a little daunting. These tips will help you feel confident in your decision.

1. Choose a color you like

"Anyone who wants to bring colorful gadgets should do what makes them happy first, because colorful gadgets will definitely bring joy," says Brunet. Choose a color that you like and that will vibrate with the rest of the house. Don't just pick something that's hot or available when you're ready to buy it. If you don't like that, you'll get bored with the look and want to exchange the device. Also, if you don't particularly like color, it's more difficult to integrate it elsewhere in the room, which is an important factor in a successful design with a color device.

2. Try it

"I think when you make the decision to add a pop of color to larger devices, you have to invest time in high-quality rendering," says McCormack. "Let the image be around and live with it to make sure it's something you want and a decision you're happy with." McCormack also recommends getting color swatches for lights so you can get the exact ones See colors and get an idea of ​​how they look with other colors, lighting and surfaces in your room . Or start small by first deciding on a countertop unit in the color you want.

3. Prioritize function

The demand for colorful appliances is driven in part by a desire for style and performance in the kitchen. But if you can't have both, don't choose color over function. Choosing a flashy device in a color you like won't work so well in the long run if it doesn't do what you want or have the features you need in that hard-working home center.

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