If you are keeping all the other appliances in black, Please get black;)
Consider a counter depth fridge as well.

Well what you think about vacuum refrigerator coils behind or beneath your fridge. Doing so will make the long life of your fridge.

I thought about trying to sell the others, since they have never been used, and replacing all. It seems like a lot of work, but might be worth it...what would you suggest if black was not already there?

I would do stainless even with a one year old, they grow up so fast, and it only takes a spritz of stainless steel cleaner just like windexing;)

I think your appliances shown in black look nice but I just am not a fan of a big black refrigerator, to be they look menacing;)

Hi, Stainless steel has an option that doesn't show fingerprints etc - stays clean. The trend is to go with all stainless steel appliances. Black is very dramatic, especially with your oak wood, current counter tops and flooring.

@Veronica- what is this option of which you speak? I was given no options;(

Selling new, unused appliances on Craig's List usually goes quickly

When you go to the appliance store they will show the options - there are several brands that have an option that doesn't show prints

I was told that Black draws the eye and a designer suggested stainless or chrome appliances and to get rid of my new Black dishwasher!

I just purchased a Whirlpool refrigerator from Lowe's that is smudge proof except for the door handles. I love it so much that my other stainless appliances are due in this week.

I would get a black counter depth refrigerator and change out the cabinet hardware to black handles and hinges. I think black looks nice with the oak cabinets even better than the stainless steel.

Here is a kitchen with black appliances and light cabinets (not oak, but close). I think this looks very nice and notice the black cabinet handles?

I am so glad I didn't go counter depth--everyone I know who did purchase one can't stand the small amount of space. Growing families need regular depth.

Oak with stainless appliances--either appliance color could work

hteg..you could be right about the counter depth not having enough space. I have a regular depth but I can't reach the back of the shelves anyway and I hate how far the refrigerator sticks out. But, we do have a nearby garage refrigerator where we keep beverages and large items. So, you bring up a good point to consider.

There is a lot of black accents in the stainless steel appliances in hteg's sample photo. At any rate, it's safe to say that either way would look nice.

As far as the debate on counter depth... I have counter depth and even though it lacks space at times I would be aggravated all day long just looking at the big size jutting out so if I were to do it again, I would go stainless counter depth, if I needed extra storage I would put one in a basement or garage. Once again as in most cases it is all preference;)

High end refrigerators convey luxury, they come in counter depth, however, they are usually wider, and more expensive, well worth the price if you are ready for it

Sell the black and go with stainless or smudgeproof stainless. GE has a new finish call "Slate" and it is a nice warm grey with a subtle almost matt texture. They don't have a lot of appliances in this finish yet but they have received such a positive response that they are expanding the offerings. If you can manage it, put in a true exhaust system; the under microwave type are almost worthless.

Thanks for all the feedback, it is very helpful!

I second the recommendation for GE's slate finish. No fingerprints.

Learned the hard way that the best bet is to figure out your "big picture", even if you have to get there gradually. Replaced one malfunctioning kitchen appliance with white just because I thought it should match what was already there. Bad move, in retrospect Within 6 months, appliance #2 was down. Now one burner on the stove is spotty ... So if I had picked what I liked, I would have already replaced three of the four appliances with something I really liked. Lesson learned.

if you are keeping the stove then you must get a black fridge, I rather have white appliances I dislike those finger prints on the stainless steel .

@River LOL- you are a putty cat! ;)))

I agree with the stainless appliances. But if you decide to keep the black appliances than definitely go with a black refrigerator.

I'd go with stainless or that new finish a few people have mentioned. Would look really nice with your cabinets, counters and tile work. Would really make it much brighter! A growing family needs a full size fridge. Just got a counter depth but it's just my husband and I. Have another fridge in the garage, thankfully! Good luck with everything , whatever you decide!

@River your designer is right about not getting a large pizza box in the refrigerator. Not in the freezer either unless you take it out of the box. Then you have to remember to cut the cooking instructions off the box and save. But, it looks good;)

At my last house we had a fridge that looked just like stainless but was just grey. It was from LG but others have similar offerings. I now have stainless. As a mom of little kids, I'd say a bigger problem than fingerprints is that you can't put magnets on them! You'll want to display their creations proudly and won't be able to do so. I miss that aspect of our old fridge the most! (and by the way it was a counter depth and unless you have an extra fridge in the garage, stay away from those! impossible.)

@River...
Perhaps the counter depth refer would've promoted healthier eating habits ... and helped you attain your goal of having a more "metro sexual" lifestyle ... lol

@River- my husband made fun of me to when I told him my "bucket list" car was a MINI. He scoffed and scoffed and kept showing me all kinds of other stuff. Now, he often asks to take my car instead of his gas hogging pick up truck, AND I can tell when he is driving it how much fun he is having. Plus it is fun to watch peoples faces when they see 2 *substantial sized* lol people come out of the car, people always think they are small but they are really quite roomy. They even have mood lights, perhaps to enhance this new "metro sexual lifestyle" of which @Select speaks ...;)-

I absolutely love the look of the back with the oak. Stainless or slate just isn`t as eye catching. BUT, remember that black shows finger prints even more so than stainless. So that said, if I had to choose, I`d go black because at least you can easily wipe the prints and smudges off with a damp cloth and follow with a dry one. The slate, to me, is just not attractive, even though it doesn`t show prints or smudges. It`s so `dull`, if you catch my drift.

My brother bought a very high-end counter depth fridge, against my advice I might add, and within two weeks he replaced it. So the fridge sticks out a couple of inches! Especially in a kitchen, we have to balance functionality against esthetics. Both are important but you really miss the functionality when it`s gone. You have small children... you need the space.

Yes, space is a necessity, especially with boys! Thanks!