White Kitchen - Splashback and Benchtop Colour

7 years ago

Hi there,

We have decided to go for a white modern kitchen. However, I'm worried that it will end up looking too clinical, so would like to get your opinion on it.

We have decided we'll go ahead with Quantum Quartz stone for both the splashback and the benchtop, our original pick is White Swirl. We are budget conscious and are trying to stick to the standard or deluxe ranges and avoid the designer range or natural quartz ranges (husband also doesn't like the marbly looking natural quartz range). At this stage we are very locked in with Quantum Quartz - Caesarstone is more expensive and other engineered stones not too sure about, so have ruled out.

We are also not keen on the mirror splashback, and do prefer stone over the glass splashback.

We have already selected a wooden looking tile showcased below in the colour scheme picture. In this picture you can see the wooden floor tile, the white poluriethane for cupboards and the white swirl sample.

The kitchen will be spanning along a 5 m wall - I've also attached the kitchen area pictures to help visualise.

Two alternatives I've come up with:

Option 1

Darker splashback, such as ash grey - but I'm a bit nervous that it may be to dark. Will it look ok having a darker splashback contrasting with a white benchtop? I don't think I want to have a darker benchtop.

Option 2

Leaving the benchtop and splashback on White Swirl, and painting the wall where the door is, as well as the side wall with the window a slightly different colour to break the whiteness of it. When I say a slightly different colour I'm thinking not white, but a very light gray or very light brown tone - keeping the kitchen still with natural tones. If you think this would be a good idea, could you please suggest paint colours?

Would love to hear your thoughts and help this decision paralysis :) Thanks in advance!

Desired Look - It's white but still has character and doesn't look to clinical to me.

Undesired Look - too white and clinical

Colour scheme - Wooden floor tile, white polyurethane cabinet and White Swirl benchtop.

Featured Answer

PRO

The Mural Shop

7 years ago

Hi Sofia, the latest trend is that all white kitchens are on the out, so breaking up the colour scheme is and introducing natural elements, which is now the trend, is bang on. Well done.
A natural style includes natural materials and colours. The thing is what sort of natural. This comes back to your style. What is it? Natural rainforest feel, desert, beach?
If you think of your home in this light, it helps you to choose the right direction through textures that you can then take throughout your home to streamline it and increase it's appeal.
In decorating we also look for opportunities to add contrast, so I see nothing wrong with a dark bench but here's the other lesson! Uniting your colours is vital. You have a timber look floor and a grey splashback - they are different. They need to be merged. Merge them in your benchtop with a Ceasarstone (which is worth every penny you put into it for the resale of your home).

Something like this one: http://www.caesarstone.com.au/colour/6270-atlantic-salt

...Which isn't too dark, has a gorgeous contrasting texture and yet the timber and spalshback hues.
Wallpapers are in big time and have been for a while and are not going out. Try picking out a major wall here and there and hanging a textured or a natural themed wallpaper ie leaves pattern, depending on the style, in a natural colour palette to match your floor. The whites, greys, blacks are neutrals - which go with anything.
Compliment the colour scheme with Green which is a receding colour and will create the illusion of more space in a small space, and you'll have a natural style and theme.
Lastly, again, depending on your style and theme, you'll need art to confirm exactly what these are. I am a customised artwork specialist.
Your artwork again, will unite all your colours and create a focal point for the space... and so very much more.
Have fun!

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Comments (7)

chubbychicky
7 years ago
I personally think that the all white is all right :). I like that you have softened the floor by using timber tile......how about incorporating timber into the window furnishings and add a lush green plant or two to give it it that softer natural feel? Go for it, I say :)
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User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hi Sofia, it sounds like you are getting into the 'fun' things of your reno now!

We had an interior designer set a colour pallet for us. This made all other decisions so much easier and didn't cost too much. We have Manorburn on the walls, then 1/4 Manorburn on the cabinets, architraves- it all blends really well. Given our kitchen, like yours is an entertaining/living space we wanted it all to blend- not stick out too stark white and clinical.

I was like you too with mirror splashback, but have changed my mind now after entertaining in my new kitchen (and no splashback yet!). I'm looking forward to being able to still see and talk to my guests in the mirror- it is hard to talk to people while cooking at the range and turning around all the time. We've chosen a smoked grey mirror to add some depth to our really well lit, white kitchen. You need all the light you can get, so don't rule out plain mirror.

The stone suggested by Tailored is gorgeous!
Nicole K
7 years ago
I love white kitchens. You can also dress it up with your appliances :) mines white with black appliances... That kitchen you don't like looks clinical because their appliances aren't silver or stainless, take that into consideration what your stovetop etc will be . The white swirl bench will also break up the white! What's your flooring ?
watchedpoppy
6 years ago
I have the same dilemma on choice of bench top colour and splashback with a white kitchen and timber floorboards. What did you end up doing? Are you happy with it?
tam1980
4 years ago
Sofia I am looking at white swirl, just wondering what you ended up doing on your cabinets to go with it. I’m not sure. I don’t want stark white either but I don’t want the white swirl to look yellow if the cabinets are too white I want it to blend perfectly.
PRO
Lauren Shiels Interior Design
4 years ago
The colour scheme you have is lovely and I like the stone splash back too! Remember this colour scheme is the base of your space I would suggest working with this for a moment and finishing your planning, will you have handles, pendant lights etc, these elements will bring in interest, try creating a mood board to complete the look and see how the overall style makes you feel.

White Kitchen - Splashback and Benchtop Colour

The Mural Shop

Comments (7)

chubbychicky

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