I would say white, but that's because I don't like ss appliances.

Is your kitchen smaller than this one pictured? Select the items & finishes you think, combined, will create a pleasing composition. Sometimes spaces are just small, but if materials and finishes are artfully combined, you'll create a real jewel of a room.

I always think that creative lighting is the most important element in the room. With good lighting you can illuminate a less than stellar room and make it look good.

Either white or stainless would work well, I believe.

All white will make it look like a medical lab, unless you are going to jazz it up with a pretty backsplash and other decorative features. I'd go with SS. It is so easy to clean and care for, too.

I agree with dedtired. I think all white would be too much, however another thing to consider is placement, too much ss next to each other might be too much also. Example, in my very small kitchen the stove and dishwasher are next too each other (unavoidable in a small space) and there would just be too much ss, so I am doing a paneled dw.

Cadence, below is a link to a small kitchen which is all white. It absolutely does not look like a medical laboratory - it is lovely. I am in favor of white appliances, not the cold stainless steel.

Here is a link that might be useful: Joanie38's Lovely Kitchen

The kitchen pictures posted by walnutcreek point out a possible problem with an all white kitchen...........whites often don't match from appliance to appliance, and from appliance to cabinet. Often it's the microwave that is the first to yellow for some reason.

For some people this is not an issue, but for me, if it I can't be sure the items I select match, then I select items that contrast. I think the 3rd picture with white cabinets and stainless steel appliances appears very warm and inviting because of it's contrasting textures. I'd still consider it a 'White Kitchen'.

I agree with Beverly's point. If the whites aren't exact (and they likely won't be,) it looks bad. If you are drawn to SS already, go in that direction! I don't think it will change the feel of the size of the kitchen at all.

I have a small kitchen with lots of light (3 large windows and an exterior door with glass in the upper third). I also have stainless steel appliances with off white (Schuler Divinity) cabinets and everything looks fine imho. Stove, micro wave and fridge are next to each other, with dish drawer across from them. If you like the stainless steel go with it I love mine.

Abbey

I would go with what you like. Either will look fine. I like white so that's what I'd do.

Another vote for white here. (1) because I've had SS appliances and don't like them. IMO, they show smudges, dust and spots more than white. I couldn't wait to get rid of mine when we redid our kitchen. And (2) I'm thinking that, especially with a small kitchen, the room will look more broken up visually, because the eye will stop at each change in color: cabinet to appliance to cabinet to etc. I don't think that white appliances need to be the exact color of the cabs to work. I'm definitely NOT saying that SS appliances would look bad. I just think that with white appliances and white cabs, the eye will flow around the room and it will look larger.
Lynn

If you're thinking of white because it will 'match' the cabinets, that's probably a misnomer. Enamel is always a very white white, whereas white paint colors usually have a tinge of yellow. In all honesty, I have yet to see a kitchen with white cabs/appliances which looks good. It always seems to look unfinished, as though there wasn't enough money left to get new appliances, even though new may have been purchased. Sorry if i've been too blunt, but that's my personal opinion.

Would you consider black? You could change out your knobs to black, bring in an area rug w/black background, if there's a lamp in a corner add a black shade, etc. I have a black/cream kitchen and get a lot of compliments. It's just another consideration.

I think you should do what you prefer. Small kitchens

But white appliances look pretty neat, too:

You could also consider a SS range and paneled dishwasher and fridge.

It also depends on your floor and counters.

Here is a link that might be useful: small white kitchens

Small white older basic kitchen here -- plus white tile counters and backsplash -- with white basic appliances.

Cost factor was big for us -- at the time -- stainless was way more expensive ....

....and I do like to have cleaner lines and a more cohesive look in my very small kitchen ....

You folks are all 'amazing' ~ I knew I came to the right place to get help. I thought I should post an image of my kitchen, which I should have done in the first place (but my dishes weren't done) lol.

I love both the white and the stainless steel. I took a good look at my kitchen today and noticed that the microwave looks like it has yellowed over a 5 year period. The plastic panel cover on the top part of the dishwasher yellowed. And those plastic strips they put on the frames of the cupboards have also yellowed. Funny, I never noticed that before.

I like the white frig with the stainless steel handles too. Thanks everyone. Here is my teensy weeny kitchen.

It is hard for me to say white as I love stainless steel. However, everyone is different. It is your kitchen so go white if you prefer white. I personally think stainless would look better but that is just my personal preference.

i would definitely choose stainless if it were my kitchen- i like the contrast and don't think it would make your kitchen look smaller at all!

Love the stainless, but not the cleaning & polishing. If you have the extra time to maintain the stainless, it will look great in your kitchen. The white with the stainless handles is a great look as well.

Stainless!

I really like your cabinets. They are so pretty. After seeing a pic of your kitchen I really think that ss would look better than white.

I wasn't a fan of ss at all because we have stainless in another home and it is always streaked and not attractive. However I ended up with ss in my new kitchen reno and this stainless couldn't be easier to care for. I love it.

I have already voted for SS. But in case this has not been said in this thread (it has been pointed out many times in the kitchen forum before). There is a world of difference with the new SS and the old SS. Many people's issue with SS is that it is hard to keep clean, streaks, and shows every fingerprint. New SS just doesn't do that. It has come a long way.

If you are buying new now, you would be hard pressed to find that issue with any manufacturer of SS finishes nowadays.

I think stainless would look nice with your kitchen, particularly since your cabinets are creamier than the regular white appliance color.

I think you probably even get away with black appliances if cost between white and stainless is a factor. I don't think black costs any more than white.

Just a thought.

Here is the google link to small white kitchens with black appliances.

https://www.google.com/search?q=small+white+kitchen&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=OQNXUv_LI4Wt4APnt4HgBw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1680&bih=947&dpr=1#hl=en&q=small+white+kitchen+with+black+appliances&tbm=isch