When it comes to choosing paint colors to match stainless steel appliances and fixtures, the options may seem overwhelming. Stainless steel has a cool, sleek look that can work with many different paint colors and themes. The key is to find the right undertones that will complement the metallic finish. Consider the overall look you want to achieve and the other materials and finishes in the space. With some guidelines, you can confidently select paint colors that will enhance your stainless steel rather than clash with it.
Understanding Undertones
Paints and finishes have subtle undertones that affect how they coordinate. Stainless steel has a very light cool gray tone. You want to look for paint colors in compatible tones. Cool undertones like grays, blues and greens are ideal. Warm earth tones with yellow, orange or red undertones tend to look incompatible next to the crisp stainless finish.
When comparing paint swatches, look at the base tones rather than the top colors. A paint chip labeled as a green may have a warm yellowish base for example. Look for chips with cooler, muted bases for best pairing with stainless appliances.
Matching Metallics
Metallic paints are a go-to choice for pairing with stainless steel. The sheen and tones complement for a cohesive look. Silver, pewter, platinum, gunmetal, steel gray and other metallic paints make a natural match. Just take care not to go too dark or warm. Dark bronzes and coppers will contrast too much. Stick to metallic paints with cool gray undertones.
Cool Neutrals
You can’t go wrong pairing stainless steel with neutral white, gray, black or even some shades of brown. Crisp bright white has a clean modern look next to stainless finishes. Soft dove gray or Benjamin Moore’s popular Silver Fox are quiet neutrals that blend well. Charcoal grays to black also complement stainless beautifully. Light stone and taupe colors work as long as they have a cool base tone without yellow or red.
Bold and Vibrant Colors
While cool neutrals may be the safest choice, don’t be afraid to use color with your stainless steel finishes. The key is sticking to colors with a cool blue, green or gray base. Think beyond the basics like navy blue. Greens like sage and seafoam complement stainless, as do violets, teals and slate blue. Even bright pops of turquoise or lime work with the right undertone. Just avoid warm reds, oranges, yellows and browns.
Nature-Inspired Colors
Nature contains many cool-toned hues that can match beautifully with stainless steel. Watery ocean blues, sea glass greens, frosty silvers and mineral colors like sand, stone and slate are ideal. Greens from sage, to forest, to mint, to lime all work well. You can even bring in moody, mushroomy grays or taupe colors reminiscent of stone and driftwood. Take a cool-toned palette from sand, sky, water and rocks.
Crisp White for Contrast
While matching tones are safe, sometimes contrast pops. A crisp bright white paint is a classic high-contrast pair with stainless. White kitchen cabinets or walls make stainless steel finishes stand out. White trim can also emphasize stainless appliances without clashing. Use white judiciously though, as too much can feel sterile. Try white walls with a gray-green accent wall or neutral cabinets with a white island.
Consider Sheen
Paint sheen affects how colors coordinate with finishes like stainless steel. Matching sheens creates harmony, while contrasting sheens can help different materials stand out. Stainless steel has a bright, slick look. Eggshell, satin or semi-gloss paint offers matching shine. Flat and matte paints offer contrast through their low reflectiveness. Consider your goals for the space when selecting sheen.
Choosing Accent Colors
Neutral wall paint is easy to match with stainless but color can add vibrancy. Use accent colors strategically. For example, paint an accent wall in a coordinating cool tone like slate blue-gray or violet. Paint bathroom vanities a glossy turquoise that picks up the tones in stainless fixtures. Use a moody teal on lower kitchen cabinets with glossy uppers. This allows color without overwhelming. White counters and backsplashes keep the look light.
Tips for Coordinating
– Pick an inspiration color from your stainless steel finishes like the brushed metal tone or a gray blue. Match that color in matte paint for cohesion.
– Repeat compatible colors in appliances, fixtures, decor and paint for harmonious style. If your refrigerator is slate blue, use that color in paint.
– Use sheen strategically. Satin or semi-gloss paint offers shine like stainless fixtures while providing color.
– Try analogous color schemes choosing adjacent cool hues. For a blue stainless fridge, use seafoam green, teal and violet paint colors.
– Don’t forget ceilings. A blue-gray or silver ceiling color enhances stainless appliances without overwhelming.
– Add warmth and contrast with wood tones and textures. For example, use oak or walnut cabinets with stainless fixtures and cool gray walls.
Best Neutral Paint Colors for Stainless Steel
Cool grays, whites and silvers are surefire neutral paint choices:
| Paint Color | Paint Brand |
|---|---|
| Silver Fox | Benjamin Moore |
| Gray Cashmere | Benjamin Moore |
| Gray Owl | Benjamin Moore |
| Mindful Gray | Sherwin-Williams |
| Agreeable Gray | Sherwin-Williams |
| Passive | Sherwin-Williams |
| Accessible Beige | Sherwin-Williams |
| Big Chill | Behr |
| Silver Drop | Behr |
| Classic Silver | Behr |
Best Metallic Paint Colors for Stainless Steel
Metallic silvers, grays, and cool tones directly complement stainless steel:
| Paint Color | Paint Brand |
|---|---|
| Silver Strand | Sherwin-Williams |
| Passive | Sherwin-Williams |
| Desktop | Sherwin-Williams |
| Iron Ore | Behr |
| Galactic Silver | Behr |
| Chrome | Valspar |
| Dreamy Metallic | Valspar |
| Metallic Rain | Valspar |
Best Cool Paint Colors for Stainless Steel
Blue, green, and violet paint colors with cool undertones complement stainless beautifully:
| Paint Color | Paint Brand |
|---|---|
| Hale Navy | Benjamin Moore |
| Gray Cashmere | Benjamin Moore |
| Crystalline | Sherwin-Williams |
| Rainwashed | Sherwin-Williams |
| Seaside | Behr |
| Casa Blanca | Behr |
| Stormy Sea | Valspar |
| Hillside Lavender | Valspar |
Avoiding Clashes
Steer clear of paint colors with warm, yellow, orange and red undertones. They will clash and make stainless steel look dingy and out of place. Avoid these color families:
– Warm whites like cream
– Yellows, golds, ochre
– Oranges and corals
– Reds including pink and rose
– Rich wood browns with red undertones
– Warm grays with brown, tan or greige bases
While bold warm colors may look great on their own, their undertones will compete and conflict with the cool polish of stainless steel. For a cohesive look, stick to colors that share similar cool blue, green and gray bases. Then you can confidently blend stainless fixtures and countertops in with your home’s color palette.
Conclusion
With so many paint and finish options, choosing colors to match stainless steel can be daunting. Look for the subtle undertones that tie colors together. Cool-toned grays, blues, greens, violets and metallic silvers, platinums and chrome coordinate beautifully with stainless steel’s inherent cool gray color. Crisp bright white also offers classic contrast. Avoid warm earth tones and colors with yellow, orange and red bases. Pay attention to sheen and use it to unify or differentiate. With the versatile range of cool-toned paint choices, you can select both neutrals and bold colors that will complement your sleek stainless steel finishes. The right colors can make the beautiful stainless steel fixtures shine.