When it comes to kitchen colors, white wins the popularity contest hands down. Although it may seem counter-intuitive to prepare food against such a pristine color palette, white lends a look of cleanliness, crispness and sophistication. And it’s one of the most versatile colors: a white palette can look extremely contemporary, casual and country, or traditional and historically appropriate.
Since white reflects so much light, it not only makes your kitchen feel bright and cheery, but it can also make a small kitchen look much larger. The subtlety of white showcases contrasting textures or a pop of color, making it the perfect backdrop. However, white is anything but boring. We take a look at a few famous and non-famous mostly white kitchens.
Traditional White Kitchens
Fashion designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka chose mostly white with brass and black accents for their kitchen in Lexington, Kentucky. Clean subway tiles by Urban Archaeology contrast a vintage-inspired clock and pendant lamps for a look that is more timeless than trendy.
Designer Susan Dossetter and architect Andrew Skurman joined forces to create this kitchen in an Edwardian brick house circa 1905. Although it’s not the home’s original kitchen, it certainly looks as though it could have been! Skurman copied the original moldings in the home and commissioned period-appropriate rippled restoration glass for the cabinets. A farmhouse sink with old-fashioned faucets provides country appeal, offset by luxurious Calacatta Oro marble. An island was fashioned out of an antique English baker’s table.
House Beautiful‘s 2007 Kitchen of the Year offers a slightly more modern take on the white country kitchen by pairing cutting edge appliances with an antique pendant and old-school hexagonal floor tile with black accents.
Modern White Kitchens
Is it possible to create a modern white kitchen within a historic brick building? Absolutely; this stunning kitchen combines clean white with stainless steel, exposed duct work and track lighting. Touches of gold lend a little warmth.
Hints of turquoise pop against a white backdrop and a strategically placed mirror furthers the expansive feeling of designers Melissa and Marc Palazzo’s modern kitchen in Orange County, California. Other colors that look dynamic when paired with white: lime green, orange, or red.
Cabinets are the most defining elements in a kitchen. When aiming for a mostly white look, there are many options when it comes to white kitchen cabinets. Painted white wood cabinets are traditional, but some may find the look a little on the dated side. Opt for lacquer cabinets for a sleek, modern look, such as these by Gorenje that seem more like furniture.
Tips for Designing Mostly White Kitchens
Charmed by the look of a mostly white kitchen? Before you tackle your remodeling project, evaluate whether the look is right for you and learn how to pull it off without a hitch:
- Mull over maintenance. White surfaces show every bit of dirt and wear, so be sure to choose durable, easy to clean materials. Also keep in mind that white surfaces can tarnish and yellow over time, especially when exposed to light. If you are a perfectionist or have small children at home, consider using shades of off-white rather than a totally pristine palette.
- Opt for off-white. While a pure white kitchen is dynamic, adding layers of color produces a more three-dimensional effect. Look for whites with undertones of gray, pink or yellow, and don’t worry too much about matching perfectly because it’s probably impossible! To coordinate hues, examine potential materials and colors under every type of light source: natural and artificial.
- Consider the context. Have you incorporated white into other rooms in your home? Especially if your kitchen is open to a living or dining area, it should flow with the context. Although a white kitchen as an anomaly within a home’s decor can be striking, a complete lack of transition might be too jolting.
- Try for texture. Successful white kitchen designs incorporate texture. If all the surfaces have nearly the same finish, the effect may fall flat. Try pairing white rough cut stone tiles, a subtly striped wallpaper and glossy cabinets, for example.
- Incorporate color! If you want to include color, stick with one or two accents for the most impact. Consider the balance between white and the accent colors, and decide whether you want your design to feel very proportioned or more asymmetrical.
- Avoid overload. There is such thing as “too much of a good thing,” so try adding warm wood or rustic tile floors, a dark stone or unexpected shade of Corian counter top and limit white to two large surfaces (the walls and the cabinets only, for example).
Though white kitchens have their drawbacks in terms of maintenance, their benefits far outweigh them. What other color looks so clean and provides such versatility when it comes to decor styles? You can rest assure that your white kitchen will still be in style years after your renovation is complete. Who said white is boring?
[Image sources: elledecor.com; homedesignfind.com; gorenje-oraito.com/]
Article by Murrye Bernard LEED AP
Murrye Bernard holds a Bachelor of Architecture, is a LEED Accredited Professional and has worked in architecture firms on a range of building types. She left the drafting board, or rather CAD station, to pursue her true passion: writing—about architecture. A native of the South, Murrye’s perception of space, color and texture was undoubtedly shaped by the humid backdrop of cotton fields and deteriorating downtowns. Now she calls the Brooklyn waterfront home. Her work has been published extensively on the web and in print, including Architectural Record, Eco-Structure and Architectural Lighting.
has written 23 awesome articles for Alluminare.
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