I am NOT a kitchen or design professional. So, with that in mind, here is my opinion. SS appliances will be "out." I don't know exactly when, but I am seeing the first signs. Also, they will be "out" just because nothing ever stays "in" forever. If you live in a rural or relatively more conservative area of the country, your location will buy you time before buyers in the area will want what's in and it will not be SS. The contrast is also an issue. I too have a small space.

I think the safest bet is to panel your appliances with the same doors that you use for your cabinets. It's a cleaner look and will date more slowly.

I disagree with Emily_mb. In my home growing up in the '60's, we had stainless wall ovens and cooktop. Stainless has been classic for the kitchen for decades, and isn't going anywhere. She didn't specify what "first signs" she is referring to, but you can open any Architectural Digest, which typically shows $100K kitchens, and find stainless appliances. You will also see panelled appliances there, but panelling appliances is more costly. You have not mentioned a budget, which it would be helpful to this thread if you did. Anyway, things that go "out" quickly, usually have also come "in" quickly, such as avocado green appliances, which burst on the scene in the '70's, and then were gone just as quickly.

Having said that, I myself have white cabinets and a mix of stainless and white appliances in my kitchen. The combination is a little more "homey" than all stainless would be. I also have my dishwasher panelled, because that appliance is the most prone to water drips down the front.

Well, I really hate to think that SS will be outdated, as after picking out my countertops, I've decided I need to switch my white appliances to SS to make it look good.

If SS becomes outdated, what will replace them as being better? I can't think of anything, so that makes me think they are pretty timeless.

Someone questioned my choosing granite for my countertops, and again, I think they will be timeless as there's nothing out there that's better (IMO manufactured quartz isn't better---*maybe* comparable but b/c it's manufactured with resins, etc. I don't think it will ever overtake slab granite in popularity).

So for the person saying SS may become outdated, do you think white and black will take over again or do you know of something better on the horizon?

I think SS with your white shaker cabinets and black quartz will look stunning. If you like the SS go for it, that is what it is all about-what you like and want. Good luck.

I think black, white and stainless appliances will always be timeless choices. Stainless will never be passe simply because it is the metal appliance in its basic but dressed up and polished form.

Black and white are classic colors, even reds and blues have a place in some period kitchens. You probably don't want to to with Harvest Gold and Avocado Green though. :)

Izel, go with what YOU thinks looks best in your kitchen. You will drive yourself nuts trying to design your kitchen for future trends. As long as you avoid the obvious trendy choices, which it sounds like you are, your kitchen will still looks great 20 years from now.

One thing to consider about an entire stainless appliance kitchen is fingerprints. I don't have kids in the house but I do have three big dogs and just realized I have officially begun "the battle of the nose prints".

Posted by sammiecanada (My Page) on Sun, Aug 1, 10 at 12:18

I think SS with your white shaker cabinets and black quartz will look stunning. If you like the SS go for it, that is what it is all about-what you like and want. Good luck.

Unfortunately for some of us, "what we like and want" isn't what it's *all* about. Some of us have to think about potential resale viability as well---just sayin.

if stainless is "on the way out" it's sure had a pretty long running time. i saw a stainless range from the '40s we almost purchased. imho, white looks (and probably is) plastic.

I think it's impossible to guess which choice a potential buyer would prefer...and unlikely someone would decide not to buy the house based on the color of the appliances. We're not talking about orange as a possible choice, so do agree that whatever choice the owner likes best of those under consideration will be fine for resale, too.

To the original point, I can see your hesitation about mixing black in with the stainless and white. Stainless and white is an attractive and calm combo, IMO, but the black trim on some appliances would interfere with that. I, therefore, would try to stick with those that are all stainless. A little black metal on the stove would be OK, but I'd avoid major black gloss or black glass. If not possible to do that in your price range, then you might be right to stick with white, or the white and stainless mix, like Akchicago.

Thank you everyone for your responses. We live in Southern California and our budget is modest but we did budget for either white or SS. We do not currently own a dishwasher or microhood so weÂll have to buy those anyways. IÂm going to stop by the appliance store again and see what feels good.

Again Thank You!