Are Colorful Appliances the Next Big Kitchen Trend?
A unique appliance color can take a kitchen from a carbon copy of the latest Instagram trend to a chic, modern look that lets a client’s style shine. And though Classic Blue may never be the new stainless steel, colorful appliances are here and they are a thing!
Stainless Steel Rules, But Color Is Catching On
It is true that stainless steel reigns supreme—and it most likely will retain its crown for years to come. The Houzz Kitchen Trends Report found that the stainless steel finish is the most popular by far, followed by black stainless steel and white, respectively. But the report also found a rise in bold backsplashes paired with the more tame palettes of cabinets and appliances. Some companies who have dedicated colorful appliance collections are seeing that shift toward vibrant accents in the kitchen spilling over into their court.
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“Kitchen design in recent years has proliferated to a larger spectrum of personal tastes and preferences when it comes to cabinets and countertops, thus providing an opportunity for the protagonist range to make a powerful design statement with color,” Valentina Bertazzoni, head of the Bertazzoni’s design and branding, says. According to Bertazzoni, companies who specialize in colorful appliances have seen growth rates twice the average for the rest of the industry.
Increasingly, more consumers feel the desire to express their personality in their homes, but Bertazzoni also attributes the increasing interest in eccentric finishes to a wider range of available colors and the fact that bold finishes are more affordable today than they were previously.
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Marco Guerzoni, marketing director and product development for Forza, an Italian appliance company that sells in the U.S., also notes an uptick in interest in the color niche. Forza launched a warm color palette in December of 2019 and later unveiled a blue range at KBIS 2020. “If you are cooking, you are creating art and your surroundings should inspire and elevate your art,” Guerzoni says. “Bold colors are fun and fearless and reflect a person’s unique style, although with stainless steel we find that the industry will often cycle back since it fits with any décor.”
Second Homes and Rental Properties Lead the Way
Though Orion Creamer, founder of the appliance brand Big Chill, believes that color will remain a niche, he says another factor driving interest is the changing functions of a home: Many of the company’s customers are shopping for appliances to outfit a second home, guest house, or a rental property. In these cases, Creamer says, homeowners are willing to take bigger risks when designing the kitchens. Rental properties in particular are chances for bold moves.
“There's been a boom with VRBOs and vacation rentals that people are buying and using that as a business,” Creamer says. “In those houses, everyone wants those to stand out, so you’ve got color and design that are really popular with those customers.”
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Go Bold, But Balanced
Using a colorful unit as an accent is one thing, but going all out on a kitchen can be overwhelming, and quite frankly, has the potential to end in disaster without careful planning. Choosing the right design and colored appliance can help a kitchen achieve a unique, customized, but it’s important to lower the risk of it looking dated, Bertazzoni says.
“Builders can ensure that appliances will withstand time by either pairing bold colors with classic designs that won’t go out of style and fit within a variety of aesthetics, or by
specifying classic confident colors such as orange and red,” Bertazzoni says. “That way, they serve as the anchor for the space regardless of future trends or updates to the kitchen.”
If a builder wants to go all out, Creamer recommends using a reputable designer who can work with eccentric colors such as lilac or salmon. “Paler colors typically are easier to dip your toes in the water, but doing a kitchen in all red really requires someone who knows what they're doing,” Creamer adds. “I've seen designers use colors that I wouldn't think would be great, and they were done really well.”
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If you or your clients are ready to take the plunge, we found these 9 products that can add a colorful twist to your next project:
Pro-Style 36-Inch Range in Radicale Red by Forza
This 36-inch range by Forza features six high-efficiency full-brass burners and is available in seven colors, including a red, blue, orange, and yellow. Its extra wide racks give consumers extra space when cooking.
48-Inch Professional Series All-Gas Range 6 Brass Burner and Griddle
Bertazzoni partnered with Italian sports car paint manufacturers to bring durable color finishes to its professional ranges, with three classic colors and three bold including shades of red, yellow, and orange. The 48-inch All Gas Range has six brass burners, a griddle, and seven shelf levels, plus a 2.4 cubic feet auxiliary oven.
Pro Dishwasher by Big Chill
If a designer wants to bring colorful, retro appliances into the kitchen, the Pro Dishwasher by Big Chill comes in 10 colors. Clients can also choose a custom color for an extra fee and longer shipping time. The dishwasher has a stainless steel interior and sound reduction technology.
36-inch Designer Gas Range by Verona in Burgundy
In a 25.25-inch footprint, this 36-inch Designer gas range by Verona features a soft close oven door, dual convection fans, and an analog thermometer. The range also comes in classic stainless steel, black, gray, and white.
36-inch Freestanding Counter-depth French Door Refrigerator/Freezer by BlueStar
Customization is king at BlueStar: Clients can choose from over 1,000 colors in their “Build Your Own BlueStar” program. The counter-depth french door refrigerator and freezer combo has adjustable glass shelves, large-capacity drawers, and LED lighting and digital display.
36-inch Island Range Hood in KVI Series by Hestan
The 36-inch Island Range Hood by Hestan comes in 12 colors as well as custom wood panels. A removable blower enables consumers to clean parts easily, and its blower speed automatically adjusts based on temperature levels.
30-inch Electric Double Premiere Oven by Viking Range
With a two-speed convection system that enables interior fans to spin in both directions, Viking Range says that their 30-inch Electric Double Premiere Oven heats food evenly without applying direct heat from the top or bottom of the appliance. The oven is available in 21 colors.
50's Retro Style Aesthetic Refrigerator by Smeg
Available in 10 colors, the retro look of this refrigerator by Smeg will take a kitchen back to the 1950s. For those who are fans of graphic design, the company also offers Mickey Mouse and the flags of different countries as options.
Northstar Dishwasher by Elmira Stoveworks
Vintage-inspired handles and retro colors make this dishwasher by Elmira Stoveworks stand out. Consumers can buy the entire six-cycle dishwasher or just the panels to outfit an existing compatible unit. The company offers eight colors or the option to choose a custom color for an additional price.
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