personally it looks nice imo but done right i think black appliances I like better just because of maintenance. I seem to do better with our non stainless stuff. BUt I do love the way SS looks so really its just personal preference imo.
I say that because if what you have isn't horrible and works, save your money. Because really, things are always fads in retrospect. I am sure in the 70's avocado green was seen as super stylish and how could it ever go out of style. Now, I can agree that stainless is cool because professional kitchens are stainless and that won't change. They are what I consider a neutral color so more likely to stand the test of time.
However, some new styles seem to be coming into the picture as of late. The fridge that looks like your cabinets, stoves that are split from ovens and have warmer drawers. Yes, things constantly change.
So when something breaks (or is so hopelessly out of date you start hating your kitchen), look for the newest style that will get the most longevity. Does that make sense??
I say that because I wonder how fast it will become passe. My parents had stainless in 2000 so either it is going to be forever cool, or it is at the tailend.
Also, keep in mind they have faux stainless which is much cheaper, looks the same and is SOOOOOOOOO much easier to clean. I was forced to clean the stainless at my parents place and if a finger touches it, it's all over. Needless to say, we got the faux when I had to get apliances ASAP for our new house. Cheap and easy.
I say that because if what you have isn't horrible and works, save your money. Because really, things are always fads in retrospect. I am sure in the 70's avocado green was seen as super stylish and how could it ever go out of style. Now, I can agree that stainless is cool because professional kitchens are stainless and that won't change. They are what I consider a neutral color so more likely to stand the test of time.
However, some new styles seem to be coming into the picture as of late. The fridge that looks like your cabinets, stoves that are split from ovens and have warmer drawers. Yes, things constantly change.
So when something breaks (or is so hopelessly out of date you start hating your kitchen), look for the newest style that will get the most longevity. Does that make sense??
I say that because I wonder how fast it will become passe. My parents had stainless in 2000 so either it is going to be forever cool, or it is at the tailend.
Also, keep in mind they have faux stainless which is much cheaper, looks the same and is SOOOOOOOOO much easier to clean. I was forced to clean the stainless at my parents place and if a finger touches it, it's all over. Needless to say, we got the faux when I had to get apliances ASAP for our new house. Cheap and easy.
hmm, i didnt even know about the faux.
we did get the SS dishwasher and i'm thrilled with it. when the stove and fridge go, we'll replace with SS, but i'm not spending a cent till they're broken.
I agree with what has been said. If you don't need to replace it, I am not sure I would. If you are looking to sell in the relatively near future though, it would probably pay off-people still love stainless.
But ITA-it wasn't *that* long ago that the panelled fridges were the hottest thing in high end kitchens, and now they seem old and outdated. And I like a lot of the dark cabinetry that they make today, but guaranteed it will be old and outdated in time too.
i don't know whether or not it is a fad, but i am one of the few who hates stainless. i think it comes from cleaning offices--stainless steel shows finger prints like crazy and if you drip something on it and it dries, don't even think about scrubbing hard with a scrubby pad because often the surface will scratch and end up looking dull in that spot. also, if you use that stainless steel spray too often it will build up and get smeary and then you need another kind of cleaner to get all the build up off.
obviously, these are high traffic office kitchens i am talking about, but i still wouldn't want any stainless in my house.
