One of the hottest trends in kitchen decorating is replacing standard wood cabinets with sleek, modern stainless steel. While stainless steel kitchen cabinets have been around for years, they’ve mostly been hidden away in restaurant kitchens. Restaurants love them because they are so easy to clean and maintain. The trend now is to achieve this same functionality and show off in the updated home kitchen.

When you walk into a kitchen filled with stainless cabinets and appliances, you immediately know you’re surrounded by modern elegance. Stainless steel kitchens are catching on in part because this metal is recyclable, making it very environmentally friendly. Plus, this material won’t stain, warp, or attract pesky little critters like termites the way wood does. There really is a lot to like about getting stainless steel kitchen cabinets when you think about it.

As a homeowner, the options you have for using steel in your kitchen are numerous. You can go for the dramatic all-steel look, or you can choose to have your cabinet doors accented with wood or glass fronts. Accents give cabinets a polished sophistication that is truly beautiful to behold. Many kitchen designs are now incorporating stainless steel drawers into existing wood cabinets. This is a more cost effective way to add the look to your home without investing in full cabinets.

Stainless steel and wood make great decorative partners, and steel goes great with all kinds of wood colors. For example, a dark cherry wood with steel inset doors looks very striking in a modern kitchen. Let’s not forget that many renovated kitchens also have granite countertops. These elegant counters are also a perfect match in home decor heaven. If you have old countertops that need to be replaced, you can always choose to fit all steel countertops to match your new cabinets.

You can also opt for a mixed look with stainless steel upper cabinets and wood lower cabinets with steel hardware. If these possibilities are getting your imagination going, you won’t mind one more decorating suggestion. Another innovation is the finishes that mimic the appearance of real wood. In fact, you can have this paint finish professionally applied to your new stainless steel kitchen cabinets to maintain that warm wood look while maintaining all the easy-care benefits of stain-proof metal. With a little research online, you will be able to find a manufacturer that can provide this service.

To keep your steel cabinets looking like new, you’ll also want to apply a special clear coat that protects them from chlorine and salt, which can erode the finish over time. This is especially important if you live in a hot climate near swimming pools or seawater.

Another hot trend involving stainless steel kitchen cabinets is outdoor kitchens. Because steel is so strong and can be made weather resistant, it is the ideal material for any type of outdoor kitchen. The beauty of your second kitchen will impress your guests as you prepare full dishes for them to feast on. Now is a great time to update your kitchen with the modern beauty of stainless steel.