For Kitchen Designs, Stainless Steel Shines

“When it comes to color and style, stainless steel is neutral, yet versatile. Whether your kitchen is contemporary or country, there are numerous design techniques that allow you to mesh stainless with any style,” said Paulette Sodemann, Sales Design Consultant with Callen. “Even those appliances that are not considered pro equipment can look clean and professional in stainless steel,” she added. Paulette explores this continuous trend of designing with or around stainless steel in kitchens and examine its growing popularity.

Although most commercial-grade appliances feature stainless steel, most Sales Design Consultants agree that stainless steel is popular as a focal point or a fine enhancement as an accent, but should rarely be used to serve in both capacities. “A little goes a long way when you’re designing with stainless steel,” said Paulette. For instance, one could pair weathered, distressed cabinets with a tapered stainless stove hood, which would serve as the kitchen’s focal point, creating a European country style look.

Another option is to use stainless steel as a backsplash in your kitchen. This look could also be accomplished using metallic tiles. But remember, “stainless steel accents are beautiful, but less is more with metal in kitchen designs,” she said. In other words, you wouldn’t want stainless counters or small appliances in the same design with large pro line stainless pieces.

The use of granite and ceramic will soften the shine of stainless. For instance, in a traditional or contemporary kitchen design, cream-colored granite counters help offset the cold shine of stainless appliances. The mica in the stone especially helps to pick up the soft gray color in the stainless.

Another option would be to use textured ceramic tile to form a backsplash in back of a metallic cooktop or range. It’s a soft touch that works well in balancing the metallic sheen.

Wood is always a welcome contrast to stainless, particularly over pro-quality cooktops. “Paring the cooktop with a wood hood is a beautiful look and really warms the appearance of the stainless steel,” Paulette said. “Also, a stainless-steel range, wall oven, or cooktop can easily be incorporated into even the most conservative kitchens.”

When it comes to refrigerators and dishwashers, the use of stainless steel often depends on the size of the appliances. Using wood front panels for large refrigerators is becoming a common trend. As for dishwashers, they are virtually always under the counter and flanked by custom cabinetry, in a traditional kitchen design. So, visually, stainless steel on a dishwasher tends to break up what otherwise would be a smooth flow of a continuous line. A cabinet façade over the dishwasher, similar to the wood front panel on the refrigerator, can reduce this impact.

Finally, you will want to consider clearance and vents. The pro-quality cooking that powerful stainless ranges and cooktops offer creates a whole other level of design considerations. “The pro-line appliances produce much higher BTUs, so you need sufficient clearance and counter space on either side. The design must also provide for proper ventilation and a way to protect the back wall from getting scorched or catching fire, particularly when all six burners on that pro line cooktop are on,” Paulette said.

Given the demands placed on the ventilator for a high caliber stainless range, you may also need to provide a louvered vent to an adjacent space for “make up air” to replace the hot air circulated out. When you’re dealing with pro equipment like that, you should consult an HVAC specialist to see if you need to do anything special with the air.

“If you’re considering updating your kitchen and want to incorporate stainless steel into your design, you should consider these trends so you can make an informed decision and be completely satisfied with the end result,” she said.

For more information or to arrange an initial Design Center consultation, call Callen at 414-529-5509.