Appliance Panel or Stainless Steel? Advice from the Pros at JWH Design & Cabinetry
It is a big decision to incorporate matching appliance panels or stick with stainless steel in your new kitchen. Here are a few things to consider:
1. Dishwashers: Think Beyond Stainless
Let’s be honest: a stainless steel dishwasher doesn’t always age gracefully. Between wet hands, fingerprints, and inevitable smudges, it often becomes an unwanted focal point in an otherwise pristine kitchen.
If you’re replacing your dishwasher as part of a renovation, we highly recommend investing in a panel-ready dishwasher that allows it to disappear seamlessly behind custom cabinetry. The cost of adding a custom panel is comparable to the upgrade price of stainless steel—yet the aesthetic payoff is far greater.
Of course, if you’re keeping an existing stainless dishwasher, it’s not a dealbreaker. Just stock up on Stainless Magic or similar products to keep it looking its best!
2. Refrigerators & Freezers: A Worthwhile Investment
The decision becomes more nuanced with refrigerators and freezers, where cost and design come into play. Luxury brands like Sub-Zero, Thermador, Monogram, and Viking are designed to accommodate custom panels beautifully. These appliances fit flush with surrounding cabinetry, minimize exposed metal, and accept custom hardware for a cohesive, high-end look.
If you’ve already invested in premium appliances, why not complete the vision with integrated panels? The result is a sophisticated, seamless kitchen that allows the cabinetry, not the appliances, to take center stage.
Alternatively, if you love stainless steel’s modern, industrial vibe, these high-end brands also deliver that option in style. Either way, you’re getting quality and flexibility.
3. Mid-Range Appliances: Panel Potential Matters
In the next tier—brands like KitchenAid and JennAir—the appliances may technically be “panel-ready,” but the execution doesn’t consistently deliver the same sleek results. These models tend to protrude more from the cabinetry, expose more metal around the edges, and lack the fully integrated look of their luxury counterparts.
I told a recent client: “A poorly designed appliance panel is like putting lipstick on a pig.” Not precisely the elegant effect we’re going for in a new kitchen! Sometimes, it’s better to embrace the stainless rather than forcing a panel that doesn’t quite fit in these cases.
Bringing It All Together
There’s no universal right or wrong answer—just the right choice for your kitchen. At JWH Design & Cabinetry, we weigh your goals, lifestyle, appliance selections, and budget to recommend the best approach for every project. Whether you dream of a kitchen where every appliance disappears into the cabinetry or love the professional edge of exposed stainless steel, we’ll help you create a functional, beautiful, and uniquely yours space.
Please look at some of our stunning completed kitchens in our JWH Project Gallery for more inspiration!