Do Kitchen Appliances Need to Match? Here’s How to Mix Finishes Like a Pro

Unless you’re building a new house, shopping for new appliances usually isn’t a one-and-done experience. Maybe your fridge quit before its time, but your stove still works fine. Or maybe you’ve spotted a gorgeous matte black dishwasher, though the rest of your kitchen is stainless steel. Or, perhaps you’re planning a kitchen remodel (exciting!)

But if you’re picking out appliances in different finishes, it’s easy to wonder: will this look mismatched? Will my kitchen feel unfinished? Can I mix and match appliance colors? Read on to learn more about the dos and don’ts of mixing appliance colors.

So: Can You Mix and Match Appliance Colors?

It’s always a personal choice, but we think that appliances don’t have to match perfectly to look cohesive. Instead of thinking in terms of “all or nothing,” think of your kitchen as a whole picture.
With the right mix of finishes, you can create a space that feels intentional, stylish, and even more personal, whether you’re upgrading one piece at a time to your dream appliance color or refreshing the entire room.

Today’s kitchens are built with that flexibility in mind. Manufacturers know people often replace appliances gradually, so stainless steel, black, and white finishes are designed to complement one another.

Think of your appliances like accents in a room. A black range can ground the space, while a stainless steel fridge adds shine and balance. White appliances can brighten a corner or blend seamlessly with painted cabinetry. When chosen intentionally, mixing colors isn’t a compromise—it’s a design choice.

Your goal doesn’t have to be to make everything identical. Instead, aim to create visual harmony. By focusing on coordination instead of perfect matches, you can make your kitchen look curated, not pieced together.

6 Smart Tips for Mixing Kitchen Appliance Colors and Finishes

The secret to making different finishes work together? Intention. Instead of thinking of each appliance on its own, look at how the whole room ties together. Even small swaps can make a huge difference. Here’s how to pull it off:

1. Anchor with cabinetry and hardware.

Cabinet pulls, faucets, and light fixtures can act as the “bridge” between mixed-and-matched appliance finishes.

Let’s say you’re pairing a black stove with a stainless steel fridge. Going for brushed nickel cabinet hardware or a matte black faucet (or both!) can make the two feel connected. These small touches transform separate pieces into a unified look.

2. Choose a focal point.

Not every appliance has to fight for attention. Decide which piece you want to stand out. Maybe it’s a bold range or a shiny new French-door refrigerator. From there, let the others play a supporting role.

This way, the mix feels intentional, with one star appliance leading the design story.

3. Limit your palette.

While we’re fans of mixing, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Mixing can quickly turn to visual clutter if you overdo it.

For your large appliances, we recommend you stick with two main finishes—like stainless steel and black—to keep the look cohesive and avoid that “patchwork” feel.

Still, don’t be afraid to reserve a third if it naturally fits. Some folks like to add flair and infuse personality with an accent color for their small appliances, like a festive blue toaster or a crisp white coffee pot.

4. Match style, not just color.

A matte black fridge with clean lines works beautifully with a stainless-steel oven in the same modern style.

On the flip side, a vintage-inspired white range can pair with a retro-style fridge, even if the colors differ. Aligning design styles, not just hues, creates harmony even when the finishes don’t match.

5. Blend with surroundings.

Your hardware doesn’t have to do the heavy lifting. Turn to your kitchen’s countertops, backsplash, and flooring to help tie things together, too.

For instance, a marble countertop with gray veining can bridge the look between white and stainless-steel appliances. A warm wood floor can soften the contrast between black and silver finishes. Think of these surfaces as the “backdrop” that smooths out differences.

6. Visualize it in practice–and don’t overthink.

When you’re the one calling the shots, it’s easy to get too zoned in. Instead, step back and put it on paper.

Imagine a kitchen with a stainless-steel fridge, a matte black range, and white cabinets with brushed nickel pulls. The stainless echoes the hardware, the black range is anchored by a matching faucet, and the white cabinetry ties it all together.

Take your proposed vision to paper before committing. Most likely? The result isn’t mismatched—it’s modern, cohesive, and unique to your home.

Are There Times When Kitchen Appliances Should Match?

When should kitchen appliances match? There are situations where a uniform look might make more sense. For example, if you have a smaller kitchen, matching finishes may create a cleaner, more streamlined feel.

Open-concept layouts also benefit from consistency since the kitchen is always in view. And if you’re planning to sell your home soon, buyers may prefer a matching set over a bespoke feel.

Don’t feel locked into buying everything at once or committing to an existing finish you don’t love. Mixing can be both practical and stylish–and doesn’t have to be a permanent choice.

Upgrade Your Kitchen Appliances with Rent-A-Center

One of the biggest reasons people hesitate to mix finishes is cost—they can’t replace everything at once. That’s where rent-to-own kitchen appliances can help. With Rent-A-Center’s rent-to-own options, you can upgrade gradually, swap in new finishes over time, and avoid the pressure of making one big purchase all at once.

Ready to make it happen? RAC makes it easy to create the kitchen you want. Shop appliances in-store at your local Rent-A-Center or online today!