The Complete Guide to Mixing and Matching Colored Appliances

Gone are the days when appliances only came in stainless steel, black, or white. Today, manufacturers are offering appliances in a wide range of bold and vibrant colors to match any style. Using colorful appliances is an excellent way to add visual interest, personality, and a pop of color to your kitchen design.

You'll learn about popular color options, tips for coordination with your kitchen decor, styles that work well with pops of color, and advice from designers on pulling off this trend successfully.

Benefits of Embracing Colored Appliances

Before diving into the details, let's look at why colorful appliances are worth considering for your next kitchen refresh.

First, vibrant appliances give you a chance to express your personal style and showcase your design aesthetic. Tired of safe, neutral options? Colorful appliances allow you to give your kitchen palette the fun pop it deserves.

Secondly, the right colored appliances can give your kitchen a fresh, updated look. It's an easy way to create a modern, stylish kitchen. If you're aiming for a more contemporary vibe, colored appliances can help you get there.

Another benefit is that many colorful appliances now come in energy-efficient models. As sustainability becomes increasingly important to consumers, you don't have to compromise efficiency for a fun color option.

Colored appliances also often offer cool integrated tech features like Wi-Fi connectivity and voice controls. You can create a kitchen that's as functional as it is fashionable.

Finally, some colorful appliance hues like red and blue may even have unique health advantages. While not scientifically proven, some suggest red stimulates appetite, while blue promotes relaxation.

Popular Color Options for Kitchen Appliances

Manufacturers today offer appliances in a rainbow of colors to meet any style needs. Here are some of the most popular shades:

Vibrant colors like cobalt blue, apple red, emerald green, bubblegum pink, grape purple, burnt orange, and sunflower yellow are hot options right now. These bold appliance colors make a dramatic style statement.

For a more classic look, consider retro appliance colors like turquoise, mint green, avocado, fire engine red, and burnt orange. These vintage shades pair perfectly with modern finishes.

Don't overlook neutral colored appliances either. Sophisticated black, crisp white, and brushed stainless steel provide versatility. Matte metal finishes are also on-trend.

Mixing and Matching Different Colored Appliances

When incorporating multiple colors, aim for an intentional, coordinated look. Here are tips for successfully mixing colored appliances:

Avoid clashing shades that don't complement each other. Don't pair a bright orange refrigerator with a lime green oven, for example. Stick to 2-3 colors for simplicity.

Balance lighter and darker tones, like pairing a pastel blue fridge with a deep red oven and black dishwasher.

Use neutral countertops and backsplashes to anchor eclectic color combinations. This prevents appliances from looking disconnected.

Repeat an accent color in hardware, light fixtures, textiles or paint to tie everything together. For instance, bring in pops of orange if you have orange appliances.

Pay attention to undertones so colors work together. A red with orange undertones may clash with a true blue.

Color Combination Ideas

Here are some winning appliance color combinations:

• Navy blue fridge, orange oven, white dishwasher
• Red stove, black microwave, stainless steel hood
• Yellow oven, teal dishwasher, brushed silver fridge
• Green oven, black and white stove, neutral counters

Coordinating With Your Kitchen Design

Choose appliance colors that complement your overall kitchen design for the most cohesive look. Consider the following:

Select colors that play off your cabinetry and other elements like the backsplash. For example, blue appliances pop against white cabinets.

Match the appliance color to your kitchen's style. Vintage green works great in cottage kitchens, while sleek red suits modern spaces.

Consider the size of your kitchen when selecting colors. Bold appliance colors make a statement in a spacious kitchen. Opt for neutral appliances in a tiny space.

In small kitchens, limit yourself to one brightly colored focal appliance, like a retro fridge. Too many colors will overwhelm.

Conversely, large luxury kitchens can handle more colorful appliances since there's ample room. Just be sure to repeat hues throughout.

Appliance Types to Colorize

Which appliances should you choose in fun colors? Consider these:

Refrigerators: This is the appliance people see most, making it a great choice to colorize. Standard or French-door fridges work well.

Ranges/Ovens: As a major focal point, colored ranges or ovens become a real statement. Rounded retro styles look playful.

Dishwashers: A pop of color on the dishwasher is unexpected but still subtle. Use panel-ready models for custom looks.

Microwaves: Small pops of color like a turquoise microwave are fun. Position it carefully since it's less visible.

Sinks and Faucets: A vibrant sink or faucet adds an artistic element. This is easiest if they're wall-mounted or on an island.

Small Appliances: For small hits of color, swap out things like your toaster, mixer and coffee maker for colorful versions.

Expert Tips for Eclectic Color Mixing

Here are some designer tips for flawlessly combining colorful appliances:

Anchor the look with neutral cabinetry so appliances pop. All-white or wood cabinets work well.

Limit yourself to one brightly colored focal appliance, like a cobalt blue fridge, then use neutral tones everywhere else for balance.

Repeat appliance colors in your hardware, textiles, accessories and artwork for a cohesive effect.

Pay attention to undertones so colors combine well. Don't match a vibrant blue with muted aqua, for example.

If doing an eclectic mix, opt for classic silhouettes like square fridges rather than ultra-modern curved designs.

Layer in fun accent colors like bright orange bar stools to tie everything together beautifully.

Latest Trends in Colored Appliances

What's hot right now in the world of colorful kitchen appliances? Here are a few emerging trends:

Vintage styles in retro colorways like turquoise, mint, and avocado remain wildly popular. Pairing these classic tones with modern finishes creates a fabulous contrast.

Matte and brushed metal finishes give appliances a sophisticated, almost industrial vibe. Matte black is especially sleek.

Black stainless steel provides the richness of black with the luster of steel. This luxurious two-tone finish works with any style.

Customization is in. Some brands offer interchangeable fridge door panels in different colors. Or choose custom range colors.

Brands Offering Color Appliances

Looking for colored appliances to make your kitchen pop? Here are some top brands to check out:

Smeg: Offers retro-style fridges in fun colors like pink, red, blue, green and more. Their ovens and appliances also come in colorful options.

KitchenAid: Known for their iconic stand mixers, KitchenAid fridges, ranges, microwaves and dishwashers also come in vibrant hues.

Big Chill: Specializes in retro appliances in over 200 colors. Their fridges, stoves and dishwashers channel 1950s style.

Viking: This luxury brand allows you to customize the color of your high-end ranges and fridges. Choose from over 200+ shades.

LG Studio: Offers panel-ready fridges, ranges, dishwashers and more that can be customized with colored door panels.

FAQs

What are the most popular appliance colors right now?

Vibrant colors like cobalt blue, rich red and emerald green are trending currently. Neutral black, white and matte finishes remain popular as well.

How many colors should you use in one kitchen?

Designers recommend sticking to 2-3 colors maximum for a cohesive look. One brightly colored focal appliance works beautifully too.

Should appliances match cabinetry color?

It's not mandatory, but selecting appliance colors that complement your cabinets creates a seamless look. Contrasting shades can work as well.

Do colored appliances cost more?

Sometimes, but not always. Many major brands now offer colorful options at standard prices. Premium custom colors may increase costs minimally.

With so many appealing options, colorful appliances are a fantastic way to make your kitchen pop. Use our tips to flawlessly mix and match shades and styles for a space that's stylish, functional and entirely you.

Whether you go for an eclectic color combo or keep it classic with a hint of retro flair, vibrant appliances add life to any kitchen. Express yourself and have fun with this exciting trend!