Stainless steel or black stainless for modern kitchen?

5 years ago

For a modern scandinavian style kitchen like this one, would you suggest stainless steel or black stainless steel? The fridge will be perpendicular to the main wall by itself with a little landing area countertop so doing integrated does not seem worth it.

Featured Answer

PRO

Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design

5 years ago

I would do regular stainless steel. Black SS is known to scratch off (and under it's just regular SS). Black SS may also not be made anymore in a few years (remember all the avocado green appliances from the 70s?), which means replacing with a match will be hard in the future.

Comments (17)

PRO
Create Good Sinks
5 years ago
Personally, I think stainless steel is timeless -- whereas I can see black stainless being a trend that comes and goes. For bigger investments and more permanent appliances, I would stick with the tried and true stainless steel :) I also feel like it balances the black and the white a bit.
Related Discussions
Stainless steel in the kitchen - yay or nay?
Q
Comments (23)
A lot of people ask how easy it is to clean stainless steel [worktops]. The simple answer is 'very easy' and GEC Anderson recommend the microfibre cloths that have been mentioned by a number of contributors, in combination with cold water. Simply wipe down the worktop after use to prevent build up of streaks or marks - especially, in hard water areas. And that's it! Some words of caution probably should be taken into account before making a final decision as to whether stainless steel suits your lifestyle. Stainless steel is prone to attracting finger prints and marks and so the key here is to regularly wipe down the surface so as not to let dirt and extraneous material to build up in the first place. Another thing to consider is that stainless steel will scratch and mark over time. This is perfectly normal! Scratches and marks will build up over time, creating a unique patina appearance. Simply ignore them. Your stainless steel worktop will outlast pretty much every other alternative worktop material and should provide you with several decades of useful service.
...See More
Copper & Mint Green do-able with Black work tops, chrome & Stainless??
Q
Comments (17)
Hi Becky! I love the idea of copper and mint green kitchen. You've already bought some minty stuff which is great, you can still use them. Heres what I'm thinking... 1. Get some spotlights in there perhaps underneath your wall cabinets? 2. Love the idea of bringing in more herb pots & plants. 3. Change the tiling to mint green or perhaps something a lot lighter, like the marble effect? It will go perfectly with the mint green theme. Heres some pictures I found that might help you, it is quite close to your dark granite worktop. Let me know how it goes.Hope this helps and good luck! Gage Interiors
...See More
Has gold taken over stainless steel in kitchen decor?
Q
Comments (8)
I was determined to find some! The cox&cox ones are beautiful! I've got a mis-matched stainless steel set that definitely let down my white/graphite/black/marble kitchen scheme...might have to treat myself haha https://www.robertdyas.co.uk/sabichi-16-piece-glamour-gold-stainless-steel-cutlery-set?istCompanyId=bf3344d9-83f5-4abd-b69a-da131f7567d1&istItemId=-xlitixwmrx&istBid=tzxx&source=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8rq7ve244AIVq7ztCh3D2QEfEAQYEyABEgIscvD_BwE https://www.chefandbaker.co.uk/cutlery-c27/viners-exclusive-titanium-16-piece-cutlery-set-p15950/s24432?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8rq7ve244AIVq7ztCh3D2QEfEAQYCiABEgLCf_D_BwE https://www.coxandcox.co.uk/matte-gold-cutlery-set?awc=4746_1550065078_897cd34d619eee3181290e800170d898&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8rq7ve244AIVq7ztCh3D2QEfEAQYCCABEgKrYPD_BwE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8rq7ve244AIVq7ztCh3D2QEfEAQYCCABEgKrYPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&source=aw&utm_source=Affiliate_Window&utm_medium=Affiliate_Marketing&utm_campaign=Affiliate_Window_Sale&awc=4746_1550065919_ea26753bf82c6640abcda379c3296ee9
...See More
Anyone know about stainless steel worktops and their optimum length?
Q
Comments (7)
Have you consider a Concrete finish?? These days these can be fabricated using "micro" concrete which is very effective , looks great and will not break the bank. These images are showing a concrete finish worktop:- If stainless steel "rocks your boat", then you can find plenty of commercial kitchen manufacturers that are making product for the residential world who work with 4 metre long sheets of material - for example - https://www.stainlessdirectuk.com/kitchen-worktops/ http://www.stainlesssteel.uk.com/pages/stainless-steel-for-the-worktop-covers-sector This company will give you a quick quote for your size - https://www.stainlesssteelworktopsuk.co.uk/product-category/standard-size-stainless-steel-worktops/ Best of luck with your project.
...See More
Karen Muchow Heisick
Original Author
5 years ago
Oh I didn't really think of that with it balancing out all of the black. Do all stainless steels pretty much go together from different brands?
PRO
Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
5 years ago
Yes, SS is pretty consistent across brands another great reason to use it.
K R
5 years ago
I was just in Lowe’s yesterday helping my mom pick out a new fridge and every single black stainless fridge in there was completely scratched up and peeling...
Sue 430
5 years ago
I agree with plain stainless, although I like the look of black stainless. But first of all, it's notably different from each manufacturer, so you would have to buy them all the same brand, and second, it severely limits your choices. Not to mention if they stop making it or something. My regular stainless appliances are different makers and look perfect together.
M
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Alternatively, if you do want it to all look seamless, you can always get cabinet panels for most of your appliances. The only thing that you can't really hide would be ovens (or ranges). But if you are willing to pay for it, there are several options for ovens that are painted in a color of your choice. This is something that has to happen in the factory though; you can't really paint it after the fact.

This is all just in order to give you more options. IMHO, there is nothing wrong with stainless steel. So, if you want to save money and if you want the lowest risk with regards to future repairs/replacements, then just stick with stainless.

And as others have said, don't to "black stainless". It's just coating on the steel that can get damaged and that will be really hard to match in the future.
PRO
Create Good Sinks
5 years ago
@Karen Muchow Heisick

There are different finishes on stainless steel that you can get, so that can affect things a bit. Our sinks are made with a #4 brush finish which I think is always nice. Super shiny/reflective stainless steel can be a bit flashy in my opinion. Plus a brush finish hides hairline scratches well.

I think as long as you get a similar finish of stainless steel across the board, you should be good to go!
M
5 years ago
Most appliances manufacturers seem to use some sort of brushed finish. And in practice, the differences between manufacturers tend to be not overly glaring.

Sinks are a bit more of a wildcard. There are a couple of different finishes that you can get. But then, a sink is in a very different place, and accumulates scratches with use anyway. I personally don't feel it has to 100% match the look of the stainless appliances.

If you are really anal, you could always have your contractor redo all the grain with a sander and some 3M pads. It's labor intensive though and does take some amount of practice to get a uniform finish. Most people wouldn't really go down this route -- and if you do, make sure you get samples of their workmanship first; it's easy to make things worse instead of better.
Karen Muchow Heisick
Original Author
5 years ago
Stainless certainly does open up doors of using different brands. I am thinking a samsung fridge because I love the recessed handles they have on a model. A kitchenaid dishwasher with 3rd rack. A GE Cafe induction cooktop 36", and a Whirlpool microwave/wall oven combo.
PRO
Anglophilia
5 years ago
If you want a kitchen like your inspiration photo, do cabinet panels for your appliances. It's the only way to achieve this look. black stainless is not going to last - it scratches and just looks "wrong". Stainless is timeless and I don't see it going anywhere in the future. But it won't give you the look in that picture.
M
5 years ago
Read up on all the horror stories about Samsung fridges on this site first, before pulling the trigger.

Refrigerators are a tricky appliance to purchase, and there are plenty of threads on that topic.
Karen Muchow Heisick
Original Author
5 years ago
I might have budgeted out a way to get a fischer and paykel integrated fridge so we can add a custom panel on it!
PRO
Chi Renovation & Design
5 years ago
We think SS is the way to go.
Luxury Open-Concept Kitchen Remodel · More Info

Luxury Mid-Century Modern Remodel · More Info
Boxerpal
5 years ago
I love the look of black stainless. It is really pretty! When we were appliance hunting we fell in love with the Kitchen Aid Black stainless but then... we thought about the longevity. What if, 5 years down the road the refrig, or dw or range died. Would we be able to find black SS to match? So we started to look a the practical side of SS.

If you can afford it get panels to cover plain black appliances. You will save money and you will have panels that can be used on any color appliances. You can create that gorgeous inspiration photo.
tallmum
5 years ago
We have a black stainless refrigerator, oven and dishwasher (all KA) and I love the look. We also have a stainless cooktop and range hood, and a stainless counter. They all play well together and I wouldn't have any problem with replacing any one of them with a plain stainless down the line if black stainless doesn't stick around. We've had them 6 months and they don't show fingerprints and drips nearly as much as plain stainless does.
Rose Woodruff
2 years ago
I love black stainless. It looks incredible. Not so industrial like just regular stainlessz

Stainless steel or black stainless for modern kitchen?

Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design

Comments (17)

Create Good Sinks

Related Discussions

Karen Muchow Heisick
Original Author

Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design

K R

Sue 430

M

Create Good Sinks

M

Karen Muchow Heisick
Original Author

Anglophilia

M

Karen Muchow Heisick
Original Author

Chi Renovation & Design

Boxerpal

tallmum

Rose Woodruff

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Stainless steel or black stainless for modern kitchen?

Comments (17)

Related Discussions

Karen Muchow HeisickOriginal Author

Karen Muchow HeisickOriginal Author

Karen Muchow HeisickOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Karen Muchow Heisick
Original Author

Karen Muchow Heisick
Original Author

Karen Muchow Heisick
Original Author