In recent years, slate has emerged as a popular new color option for major appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, and more. Slate is a grayish tone that adds an element of modern, sophisticated style to kitchen and laundry room designs. While stainless steel and black remain top choices, slate provides a fresh alternative for homeowners seeking a more unique look.
Slate appliances can work with a variety of color schemes from bold tones to neutrals. The versatility of this shade makes it an intriguing choice to consider when shopping for new stoves, ovens, fridges, washers, dryers, and other appliances. Here’s an in-depth look at the slate appliance trend and what it could mean for your next kitchen or laundry room remodel.
The Rise of Slate in Home Appliances
Slate first started gaining attention in the appliance industry around 2015. Top brands like GE, Samsung, Whirlpool, and LG introduced the moody gray shade in some of their luxury appliance collections. The response from style-focused homeowners was enthusiastic.
Since then, the use of slate has expanded across more product lines and collections. It is now a staple neutral color offering alongside mainstays like white, black, and stainless steel. Data shows an upward trend in the selection of slate appliances in recent years.
According to the 2022 Houzz & Home Study, 10% of homeowners chose slate for their major kitchen appliances last year. That’s up from just 6% in 2018. Industry experts forecast slate to continue rising in popularity through 2023 and beyond.
As more manufacturers add slate to their color palettes, the stylish shade becomes more widely available. That makes it more likely for slate to show up in homes wanting to achieve a personalized, upscale look that feels inviting yet modern.
The Benefits of Choosing Slate Appliances
What is driving the growing preference for slate appliances in contemporary homes? There are several beneficial factors motivating homeowners and designers to gravitate toward this hue:
1. Versatility
One of the most appealing aspects of slate appliances is their versatility. Slate is a neutral palette that coordinates well with a wide range of colors and materials. The grayish-blue tone complements both warm and cool schemes equally.
Slate ovens and fridges feel right at home in settings from traditional to modern. This adaptability makes it easy to incorporate slate into your design, no matter your style. You don’t have to overhaul your entire color scheme just to take advantage of this fresh, sophisticated neutral in your appliances.
2. Visual Interest
While neutral, slate also holds more visual intrigue than basic white, black, or stainless options. The muted, smoky blue-gray hue provides added depth. Slate creates a subtle focal point without dominating the space.
The pleasing color also contrasts nicely with cabinets, floors, and walls. This makes slate appliances stand out just enough while still blending in. Choosing slate over more expected finishes like stainless steel or glossy white injects soft contemporary style.
3. Cohesive Look
Another slate advantage is achieving a streamlined, cohesive look. Matching major appliances in the same colorway promotes harmony in an open concept kitchen. Having a slate range, hood, refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave presents as upscale and pulled-together.
You can take the cohesion a step further by extending the slate color into additional elements like kitchen island base cabinets. This strengthens the modern, custom appearance.
4. Texture Potential
Slate appliances also tend to feature textured finishes that reinforce the natural stone association. Many slate appliance exteriors include brushed patterns or a stippled effect. This adds dimension and visual depth beyond flat matte or glossy surface treatments.
Textural slate appliances support contemporary kitchen motifs while offering softness. Matte textures also cleverly disguise fingerprints so appliances stay looking freshly polished.
Key Brands Offering Slate Appliances
Homeowners have numerous options when it comes to purchasing major appliances in on-trend slate. Many leading manufacturers now include at least one slate selection in their offerings. Some of the top brands to look at include:
| Brand | Notable Slate Appliances |
| Samsung | Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator, smart slide-in gas range |
| GE | Slate finish available across multiple fridge styles, ranges, dishwashers, and washing machines |
| Whirlpool | Slate no-fingerprint French door refrigerator, electric and gas ranges |
| LG | Exclusive slate finish on LUTD washer and dryer, suite of slate smart kitchen appliances |
| Bosch | benchmark® Series dishwasher, 800 Series refrigerator |
| KitchenAid | Slate window wall oven, Architect Series II refrigerator |
| Miele | M Touch slate control dishwasher |
| Thermador | Freedom® Collection refrigerator columns and wine preservation |
This table showcases some of the most popular slate finish offerings across appliance market leaders. Options run the gamut from budget-friendly to luxury.
Key Considerations When Purchasing Slate Appliances
If you find yourself captivated by the slate appliance trend, there are a few key factors to weigh before committing:
1. Style of Kitchen or Laundry Room
Think about the overall look you want to achieve in the space where slate appliances will live. The versatility of slate allows it to work in traditional to contemporary spaces. But very ornate rooms may feel more natural with classic white, stainless or custom wood panels.
2. Color Scheme
Evaluate the colors used throughout your kitchen or laundry area. Cool-toned paint colors like blues, greens and grays complement slate especially well. Warm paint palettes can work too by repeating some gray, blue or brown tones in the scheme. Stick to accent colors that share slate’s muted quality.
3. Textures and Materials
Factor in the textures and materials in your existing room too. Slate works best against a backdrop of stone, wood, concrete, porcelain or metal versus brightly colored solid surfaces. Match the slate appliance finish with other natural, subtle textures.
4. Budget
As a newer finish option, slate appliances come at a range of price points. In general, expect to pay $100-$500 more for slate versus the standard white, black or stainless equivalent model. High-end custom slate designs run even higher. Make sure it fits within your budget constraints.
5. Durability Concerns
While slate finish appliances offer stunning style, you may sacrifice some durability compared to stainless steel. Extra care is required to prevent scratches, dents and discoloration over time. Be prepared to thoroughly research warranty details if investing in luxury slate appliances.
Get the Slate Appliance Look on a Budget
If you love the slate trend but have budget limitations, there are a few options to achieve the slate look for less:
– Select slate finish for one “feature” appliance only like the refrigerator. Get standard finishes for remaining appliances to save costs.
– Search for slate in more affordable appliance brands or discounted clearance sections both online and in-store.
– Use contact paper or appliance paint kits to transform your existing stainless, white or black appliances into slate. This creates a temporary slate effect.
– Purchase small or portable slate appliances like microwaves first. Then slowly build up to bigger investments down the road.
Caring for Slate Appliances
To help your new slate appliances maintain their good looks:
– Use microfiber cloths when cleaning to prevent fine scratches.
– Promptly wipe away spills, grease splatters, and fingerprints. Avoid using abrasive scrub pads.
– Check the manual for any special slate care instructions from the manufacturer.
– Consider applying a clear sealer made for slate finishes 1-2 times per year for extra protection.
The Future for Slate Appliances
Going forward, expect slate to stake its claim as a standard neutral shade for appliances. The 2023 Houzz Color Trends Forecast named Warm Gray as a newly popular go-to paint color. As this trend emerges, look for more homeowners to embrace slate appliances for their harmonious, up-to-date look.
While styles evolve, slate provides enough versatility to complement future kitchen design trends as well. The muted gray-blue hue works great with whites and wood tones popular in transitional spaces. Slate also pairs perfectly with industrial and contemporary concrete and metal finishes.
For homeowners seeking appliances that make a subtle style statement, slate delivers. This sophisticated, nature-inspired neutral offers just enough personality without overpowering your space. As the demand for slate appliances continues, expect more advancements in durability and pricing too.
The stylish slate trend showcases the ongoing desire of homeowners to use color to express their personal tastes. Appliance manufacturers will likely continue expanding the slate collections available at diverse price points. With smart selection, slate appliances can bring the perfect note of soft, modern elegance to your home.
Conclusion
Slate is making its mark across the appliance industry for good reason. The muted gray-blue tone provides sophisticated style that works with a variety of kitchen and laundry room designs. Brands ranging from budget to luxury now offer slate appliances to meet growing homeowner interest.
Considerations around room style, color scheme, texture, budget and durability can help guide slate appliance selections. When thoughtfully incorporated, slate ovens, refrigerators, washers and more contribute beautiful visual harmony and dimension. Their versatility enables slate appliances to maintain relevance as interior design preferences evolve. With proper care, slate makes a compelling contemporary alternative to bring personalized flair into your space.
