Stainless steel kitchen appliances are all the rage. They do look very sleek and sophisticated, to be sure, but they don’t come without their drawbacks. They’re hard to keep looking clean, for example, and they are usually much more expensive than their non-stainless counterparts. The good news is, stainless appliances aren’t necessary to create a stylish, beautiful kitchen. It can be done with plain ol’ traditional white appliances. The trick lies in the room’s balance…and, more often than not, white kitchen cabinetry. Here are some examples of kitchens with white appliances that don’t sacrifice style:

Cottage Charm.

White cupboards, including some glass-front uppers, bring in a crisp, clean feel to this charming cottage kitchen. Embossed metallic backsplash tiles (perhaps tin?) add in sheen and texture and serve as a nice contrast to the warmth of the large dark brown floor tiles. Hints of pinkish peach throughout the kitchen add freshness to this casual space with lots of reflective light. With so many other details to absorb, the white appliances here blend in seamlessly.

Warm Modern.

Larger kitchen appliances are kept white and flat-fronted in this modern kitchen, blending in with glossy white cabinetry for an overall sleek kitchen face. The checkerboard lay of the wood floor and mosaic tile backsplash add interesting detail and warmth to the contemporary vibe. I especially love the minimalist simplicity of the kitchen furnishings (e.g., square table, modern barstools) paired with the pop of color from the living room sectional.

Country Fresh.

Again, white appliances (here, the refrigerator and dishwasher) fit right in with this country kitchen. An extended stained butcher block countertop embraces the dishwasher, almost making it appear to be, at first glance, just another cabinet. Simple pendants hanging in front of some very large kitchen windows add a lovely touch of brightness, and the cobblestone floors paired with spring green walls make this white kitchen welcoming and fresh.

Timeless Classic.

A virtually all-white kitchen is grounded by warm traditional wood floors and a solid, dark countertop (I’m guessing granite, or maybe quartz?). I like the horizontal color blocking here – the stainless stove range carries the look of the horizontal countertop throughout the kitchen, and the large high-end hood in white provides an understated professional look. The white porcelain tile backsplash is both elegant and timeless, bridging the gap between the lower and upper cabinets perfectly.

Cheery Retro.

It feels like your mom’s, or grandma’s, kitchen right off the bat, right? In the best way possible. Cheery aqua walls and accents pop against the white kitchen, and the punches of red add the perfect exclamation point to this darling retro kitchen. Despite its being a modern addition, the white dishwasher here looks perfectly at home amid its retro-heavy neighbors. A great design decision was made in keeping the countertops themselves light grey, so as to not compete with the bright, cheerful vibe of the space overall. I don’t know about you all, but I could eat blueberry muffins here all day.

Picture sources: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.