The answer to the following question can divide everything from friend groups to social classes: What do you think of white refrigerators? When it comes to kitchen appliances, there are always concerns about this particular appliance: How and why are they so enduringly popular and divide people? Are they in fashion or out of fashion? Are white refrigerators cursed? Why does the mere mention of them elicit glances over the shoulder, smirks and condemnations from reality TV stars?
To get to the bottom of this frenzied discourse on home appliances, we spoke to Mattia Sala, the product manager at SMEG, the maker of all those beloved vintage fridges and other nostalgic homewares. Read on to get his take on why interest in white fridges has seemingly stopped in time, whether they’re relics that are nothing more than an undeniable decor faux pas, why they’re simultaneously loved and hated, and finally: are they in or out?
Here’s the simplest answer we could find: Whatever you think of them, white fridges aren’t going away anytime soon. According to Sala, they’re currently capitalizing on the white cabinet trend—and part of their popularity with the masses is that they hide fingerprints and blend in seamlessly, unlike a flashier option like stainless steel. And typically, the white finish requires less polishing than its glossy counterpart.
“White is a neutral color that can really blend into any color scheme or kitchen aesthetic – it’s extremely versatile, which is a huge plus when you’re trying to put together a cohesive space,” says Sala. “White can also give your kitchen a luxurious feel; think of the current trend of premium products outside of appliances (like Apple, for example) being available in white – the average consumer has started to associate the color with high-end products.”
The fact that white fridges have their own personal hate club can be attributed in part to their association with crappy rental properties and the widespread belief that they look cheap (even when prices say otherwise). For example, one landlord on Reddit claims that “renters consider stainless steel to be higher quality,” or an Airbnb host questions whether they should update their white appliances, including the fridge.
Whether you secretly wish everything related to white kitchens a slow death or simply daydream about how you can incorporate a white fridge into your current layout, your opinion of this commercial accessory “essentially boils down to design, quality, craftsmanship and personal taste,” says Sala. But the most common drawbacks of a white fridge underpin some of the longstanding disdain toward the color choice. As Sala points out, the chalky hue can be prone to discoloration and cause some cleaning difficulties—problems that are less likely when purchasing a fridge with quality craftsmanship. And while the white fridge hater in your life (trust us, there’s at least one) will argue that the color is simply dated and a telltale sign of a room in dire need of renovation, the numerous contemporary details argue otherwise.
“The introduction of high-quality design, premium finishes and unique hardware, knobs and handles elevates today’s sleek and modern white appliances so they no longer resemble their predecessors from the ’80s and ’90s,” says Sala.
In other words, you don’t have to settle for the hideous eggshell monster that lurked in the corner of your grandmother’s kitchen. Whether you hate them or love them, white refrigerators are apparently here to stay, and they’re working overtime to shed the old-fashioned label.
We don’t want to spoil it for you (your kitchen, your fridge), but if you happen to fall under the spell of a white fridge, choosing a color option to match is a no-brainer, says Sala. “That’s the beauty of a neutral color like white. It can accentuate or match any design, color or finish of your countertops, cabinets and other appliances.”
And now for the question that seems to be giving hordes of kitchen decor enthusiasts sleepless nights: Do white refrigerators ever go out of style? The answer remains subjective, but if you ask us, you can’t expect white refrigerators to become extinct for good.
“The industry goes through a new trend life every few years, so we always stick to the old saying: ‘Everything old is new again,'” says Sala. “So if something goes out of fashion, it will surely come back later!”
Top image courtesy of Hedrich Blessing/Chicago History Museum/Getty Images
