all black

If you're getting all black appliances, make sure you have lots of lighting in the kitchen. A large black refrigerator, coupled with a black dishwasher can be overwhelmingly dark.

After figuring out my budget, I'd choose the best that I could afford of each and is closest to meeting my needs and wants. I would compromise on matching the finish unless stacked. I'm an outlier on this. All black is usually less expensive but, occasionally, a model will only offer stainless.

I disagree with the above posters who say all black. You can mix stainless and black. If you add more black appliances it will make your kitchen darker than it already is.

Think about when the time comes in the future to replace your fridge. Your black fridge is the thing sucking the most light out of the room. If you get a dishwasher in stainless steel now, when the fridge breaks you will be able to get a stainless steel fridge to replace it, and lighten up the room a lot. If you get a black dishwasher now, when you need to replace the fridge in the future you are stuck with black again.

Get all stainless black gobbles light IMO while you are at it get a counter depth fridge and take that black thing off the window

small kitchen....get them to match....there are newer finishes now....go look at them...there is a "black" stainless.....there is "no smudge" regular stainless....there are some nice newer arctic whites with a beautiful sheen. If you have a package of appliances you want to do, get them matching. And, mind you, I am not a "matchy" type..but in your space, with the size, and you want to replace most or all, I think matching with a finish you like would be great. The traditional black that's been around would not be my favorite.

"...there is a "black" stainless....."

Avoid "black stainless" finishes on appliances. That is just a cheap coating, being pushed real hard by appliances salespeople right now; that coating will scratch easily. Also, they are bound to go out of style, and then when you have to buy another appliance you won't be able to find a "black stainless" one. Also, with a small kitchen, you do not need any more black sucking what little light there is out of the room.

Black stainless is a bad idea. With a small kitchen I would want matching color. I like stainless better, it doesn’t matter. Choose one and stick to it.

i would go all stainless. black is overwhelming and light sucking. change out your valance, its too small for your window and taking light from your kitchen. maybe do something all the same length, short, straight across .

I would recommend all stainless steel appliances. I went from white to stainless and it made a big difference in our kitchen. I think black would be too dark.

What kind of of curtain if you are suggestion a change of them?

My first choice for window would be nothing, no curtain or blinds. Second choice would be roman shade mounted high as possible.

I think a stainless steel dishwasher would look nice with your stainless steel sink. It looks like your appliances are on different walls. A black dishwasher would look nice near the range but your range looks old--is it(?) so it might die soon then you can match the new range to the fridge or the dishwasher.

I had the same delimma when I had to purchase a new fridge BEFORE I could begin the kitchen remodel. I chose white (yuck) because I couldn't afford stainless steel. When the remodel started 2 years later I chose white textured oak cabinets which work beautifully with the textured fridge. My range and hood are SS and my dish drawers are paneled.

Stainless. No black.

All stainless, for sure. Black appliances are like black holes in most cases.

Are your appliances still in working condition? If so, and assuming you don’t have unlimited funds, I’d put my money towards upgrading the layout before I worried about the color of anything.

@sammy how do you change the layout?

@renee there is no range its a microwave above the oven

I happen to like black and stainless mixed, so wouldn't give it a second thought. OTOH, I probably am not your designer kitchen (or anything else) cover page. I haven't had anyone snickering or worse, refuse to visit because my appliances didn't match (I did black and white appliances in a previous kitchen). What about the black cooktop and stainless oven combo that many people that do induction have? Does that count as mixing colours?

@sherri1058 yes that counts.. lol thanks

I agree with the Roman shade idea instead of current valence that blocks light. Or maybe no window treatment at all. Without causing clutter, maybe something with some color on the soffit above window?

The money to buy new appliances is much less than the funds needed to change a layout. That has the potential to involve electrical, plumbing, add lighting, new cabinets, new countertops, and any structural changes. It isn't in the same league, at all.

The functional issue is that the work zones are all together, which can be irritatinging when more than one person is working. Lots of kitchens are set up for one person, though. One thing that would bug me is the lack of counterspace between the sink and range for prep. However, the peninsula has tons of room even if that adds steps and is in front of the d/w.

If your microwave exhausts to the exterior, I'd remove the OTR one and put in a dedicated hood. They work much better, overall. A countertop microwave, or space-saver type, can live by the fridge and be handy for frozen snacks/meals/re-heating. I'd put the coffee maker on the fridge counter, too, to reduce traffic in the work zone. We fill ours with a Brita we keep in the fridge (tap water is disgusting here), so only need to go to the sink for cleaning.

It looks like you have coil burners? My one tip if staying with electric is switching to induction. It's miles better to use than the other electric options! If the bottom of your cookware is magnetic, they will work. If not, you'll need to buy induction compatible. These don't have to be expensive, at all. I found my favorite saucepan at TJ Maxx for less than $20. Some of my others are Ikea. I have a variety of brands and price points. For any cookware, look for heavier bottoms. The more aluminum there, the more even heating they are. I can give you cookware recommendations if you choose (the far superior) induction.

As to your original question, I'd think long and hard before replacing the fridge if it's working correctly. Out of all the appliances, the reliability here is the most hit and miss. Maybe keep it as a back-up in the garage until you feel confident the new one won't fail. When my friend's new Samsung stopped working, it took the retailer and manufacturer over 6 months of part ordering and service calls before they replaced it. Ridiculous.

Finally, I agree with Sherri. Mixing stainless and black, to get the best performance you can in your budget, is perfectly fine.

I would not put any type of valance. You have a blind & the wood valance. If u feel u need anything, then a short sheer, all same length straight across.
Big difference between black induction cooktop which is horizontal & a black DW, which is vertical. And not all induction cooktops are all black.
I would switch to an induction stove, SS DW, & SS counter depth frig. Do counter MW & install a vented exhaust.

I would go all stainless steel. I think it makes the kitchen more uniform and also looks more top of the line.

To be honest I like white appliances:)

They look nice with warm wood and don't suck out the light like black and don't smudge like stainless.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042