White kitchens may seem like they've only become popular in the last few decades, but they've actually been around for much longer — over the past century, in fact. “Just like colors have come and gone, so have white kitchens,” says Bailey Ward, founder of her eponymous interior design firm. And there are plenty of ways to make the classic white look timeless.
The secret to designing a white kitchen that feels homey rather than hospital-like? Ward says it's by choosing warm whites and natural materials, like marble, that have character and depth. Custom woodwork, lighting, and beautiful fixtures and hardware can set the kitchen's mood just as much as the cabinetry. “I also find ways to liven up a white kitchen with layers of color, like Roman shades, fun art, woven trays, and cookbook displays,” she adds. “Don't do it well, an all-white kitchen will never go out of style.”
The foundation of a white kitchen is, of course, white kitchen cabinets, which is why we've rounded up 17 ideas that bring the design staple to the forefront, proving that, like any project, the look and feel of a space is all in the details.
1. Compare and contrast
Though they're floor-to-ceiling, these white kitchen cabinets aren't designed to blend in. Instead, they're a classic element of contrast with the steel blue lower cabinets, matching walls and black penny tile trim.
2. Warm up
Sleek white cabinets form the base of this kitchen, but everywhere you look there's wood, adding organic character, and taupe beadboard, vintage decor, gold accents, and a dark rug add warmth.
3. Decorate with color
You can't go wrong with a timeless, neutral base of white, brass, and marble (especially if you're concerned about resale value), but the first thing that catches your eye in this room is the bold art that brings a unique splash of color and personality to the kitchen.
4. Fight back
This marine-inspired backsplash is a small task compared to its larger impact, but it plays with both color and shape, adding unique character to standard white kitchen cabinets. The fun continues with the wall color, which matches perfectly with one of the shades of the tiles used.
5. Make it an inside job
If some of your white kitchen cabinets have glass fronts, the interior doesn't have to remain white as well. Grab some paint and go bold with it. The dark blue paint here is impactful against all the white, including the backsplash and countertops.
6. Be open-minded
Adding open shelves has many benefits, but if you have an all-white kitchen, they offer a wealth of styling possibilities. These wooden shelves balance form and function, creating a focal point that doubles as storage.
7. Mix
It might sound counterintuitive, but hear us out: Details like the oil painting, rug, and lamps make this kitchen feel like the rest of the home, not just a place to cook and snack. (It's no coincidence that these elements also add some serious color.)
8. Turn on the lights
Lighting is often considered the jewel of the home, and this kitchen is a perfect example of this. The black pendant lights create a minimalist feel and draw the eye away from the white kitchen cabinetry.
9. Cutting the rug
Some people think of a white kitchen as stark, but in this kitchen, the ornate rug provides a rich, colorful base that instantly livens up the kitchen, setting the stage for a warm, homely space in which to cook, chat and snack.
10. Mix
When incorporating neutral colours, it's important to incorporate a variety of textures. Here, zellige tile, marble countertops, maple shelving and wicker stools come together to create a dynamic space around the white kitchen cabinetry.
11. Go to the counter
The era of extra thick countertops (with beveled edges) was exactly what traditional white kitchen cabinets needed: dramatic and upscale, yet not demanding. all Get noticed — what's not to like?
12. Show your true self
With half the walls covered in green tiles and matching pendant lights, this white kitchen cabinetry is anything but boring—rather, it's a neutral base that lets the color take center stage.
13. Insert printed materials
It's a simple concept, but also effective: Break up all the white with a small pattern — in this case, incorporating a variety of prints around the kitchen while still sticking to the same blue and white color scheme.
14. Double vision
Sure, a double island might make your kitchen even whiter, but think of the message it sends, and the possibilities it creates: more gathering, cooking, and memory-making. And no matter what the room looks like, it's never boring.
15. Add accents
Adding molding is one of the most popular DIYs right now, and it makes sense: It's a fairly inexpensive way to enhance the ambiance of a room (though it does require some math). Even on white walls, this design detail will stand out.
16. Create a focal point
As you walk into this kitchen, the first thing that catches your eye is the black island with more black accents that help separate the white kitchen cabinets, backsplash, countertops, and walls.
17. Stay in the dark
What's the opposite of white? Black, of course. In this kitchen, that color takes center stage, highlighting the white kitchen cabinets and creating a completely opposite look to the norm.