How to Plan a White Kitchen That's Anything but Boring
Does the idea of an all-white kitchen make you go blah? Going all out on crisp, fresh whites can actually make quite the statement
Anne Ellard
17 November 2014
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane, Australia. I strongly believe that above all else, the most important thing when designing a kitchen is creating something that the client loves!
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane,... More
An all-white kitchen is a very popular choice amongst homeowners and renovators all around the world. And with very good reason. It’s a timeless, fresh, bright and sophisticated look. White kitchens are also very versatile and look great in any style, from sleek contemporary to traditional country style.
My clients are always requesting an all-white kitchen but are often not sure how to approach it, worried it might look stark or cold. Rest assured, there a plenty of ways to achieve the beautiful, crisp look you desire. Our guide will help you take the plunge and plan your white kitchen with minimal fuss.
My clients are always requesting an all-white kitchen but are often not sure how to approach it, worried it might look stark or cold. Rest assured, there a plenty of ways to achieve the beautiful, crisp look you desire. Our guide will help you take the plunge and plan your white kitchen with minimal fuss.
Choose the right shades
If you look closely, there are an endless amount of white shades to choose from, which, more often than not, baffle people from the very start.
Shades of white can be separated into two main categories: warm and cool. Many whites have an undertone of yellow or pink, which fall into the warm category; whites with blue undertones are cooler. Keep an eye out for these undertones when choosing white materials for your kitchen, and be careful not to mix shades of white that have different undertones as they will clash.
If your kitchen is very dark and feels cold due to the fact that it doesn’t get much natural light, consider a white shade with a subtle warm yellow or pink undertone to make your kitchen feel warmer. An ivory or very mild cream white would work great, too.
If you look closely, there are an endless amount of white shades to choose from, which, more often than not, baffle people from the very start.
Shades of white can be separated into two main categories: warm and cool. Many whites have an undertone of yellow or pink, which fall into the warm category; whites with blue undertones are cooler. Keep an eye out for these undertones when choosing white materials for your kitchen, and be careful not to mix shades of white that have different undertones as they will clash.
If your kitchen is very dark and feels cold due to the fact that it doesn’t get much natural light, consider a white shade with a subtle warm yellow or pink undertone to make your kitchen feel warmer. An ivory or very mild cream white would work great, too.
Add some warmth
One of the best ways to add some warmth to your all-white kitchen, without adding too much colour, is to add some wood. The look and feel of wood softens the starkness of the white and creates a homely aura. You could use wood features in the form of benchtops, or maybe even some feature cabinet fronts.
One of the best ways to add some warmth to your all-white kitchen, without adding too much colour, is to add some wood. The look and feel of wood softens the starkness of the white and creates a homely aura. You could use wood features in the form of benchtops, or maybe even some feature cabinet fronts.
Adding accessories in copper colours will also add some warmth to the space and give it a timeless look.
Avery Bronze Pendant Light: Castelle & Leon
Avery Bronze Pendant Light: Castelle & Leon
Create the illusion of more space
Using white finishes in your kitchen is a great way to create the illusion of more space. White, and all light colours, appear to recede, whereas dark colours appear to advance into a space.
By using white on all of your surfaces, such as doors, benchtops and walls, each surface will appear to blend into the next with no definitive lines.
You could also use finishes that have reflective qualities. Shiny finishes will bounce more light around the room and will make the space feel bigger.
Using white finishes in your kitchen is a great way to create the illusion of more space. White, and all light colours, appear to recede, whereas dark colours appear to advance into a space.
By using white on all of your surfaces, such as doors, benchtops and walls, each surface will appear to blend into the next with no definitive lines.
You could also use finishes that have reflective qualities. Shiny finishes will bounce more light around the room and will make the space feel bigger.
Add texture and depth
If you are opting for a completely white kitchen, from cabinets through to benchtops, splashbacks and walls, consider adding some texture to create depth.
You could add texture by using tiles that have uneven edges, grout that is a darker colour to your white tiles, or with different finishes, such as mixing matte white cabinets with gloss white benchtops.
If you are opting for a completely white kitchen, from cabinets through to benchtops, splashbacks and walls, consider adding some texture to create depth.
You could add texture by using tiles that have uneven edges, grout that is a darker colour to your white tiles, or with different finishes, such as mixing matte white cabinets with gloss white benchtops.
Another great way to add texture and depth to your white kitchen is to use doors and panels that have a routed profile as opposed to flat doors. The shadows cast by the routed profiles will add some depth and interest to the space while still maintaining a crisp look.
Add some wow factors
A white kitchen is the perfect blank canvas for any design statements or pops of colour you would like to incorporate into your kitchen design.
Add bold flourishes of colour with accessories such as books, flowers or small appliances – all of which can easily be changed. Or, make your pop of colour even grander with a colourful splashback.
A white kitchen is the perfect blank canvas for any design statements or pops of colour you would like to incorporate into your kitchen design.
Add bold flourishes of colour with accessories such as books, flowers or small appliances – all of which can easily be changed. Or, make your pop of colour even grander with a colourful splashback.
If you have some key designer pieces of furniture or cool accessories that you want to show off, displaying them in an all-white kitchen is a great way to allow them to take centre stage. The overall look of your kitchen can be easily updated with the addition of some new bar stools and different style pendant lights.
Create contrast
Add some striking contrast to your kitchen by using dark coloured flooring, furniture, wall paint or tiles.
As seen here, a classic black and white colour combination never dates, always looks smart and sophisticated, and even accentuates the white look.
Add some striking contrast to your kitchen by using dark coloured flooring, furniture, wall paint or tiles.
As seen here, a classic black and white colour combination never dates, always looks smart and sophisticated, and even accentuates the white look.
Add some bling
If you love the idea of an all-white kitchen but don’t want to commit to the full shebang, try adding some stainless steel, chrome, aluminium or any silver coloured items that will break the starkness of the white, and create a smart finish.
You could add polished chrome handles, a mirror splashback or reflective silver tiles. Any finish that has reflective qualities will reflect the white colour off the cabinets and will make the room feel bright and airy.
Karim Ubiquity tile in Brushed Stainless Steel: ALLOY
TELL US
How did you create your white kitchen? Did you opt for all white surfaces or did you introduce some colour? We would love to hear your story in the comments below.
MORE
6 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Designing Your Kitchen Island
How to Pick the Right Kitchen Sink
Think Like a Designer: 5 Steps to a Well-Planned New Kitchen
Have No Fear: It Is Possible to Keep Your White Kitchen White
If you love the idea of an all-white kitchen but don’t want to commit to the full shebang, try adding some stainless steel, chrome, aluminium or any silver coloured items that will break the starkness of the white, and create a smart finish.
You could add polished chrome handles, a mirror splashback or reflective silver tiles. Any finish that has reflective qualities will reflect the white colour off the cabinets and will make the room feel bright and airy.
Karim Ubiquity tile in Brushed Stainless Steel: ALLOY
TELL US
How did you create your white kitchen? Did you opt for all white surfaces or did you introduce some colour? We would love to hear your story in the comments below.
MORE
6 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Designing Your Kitchen Island
How to Pick the Right Kitchen Sink
Think Like a Designer: 5 Steps to a Well-Planned New Kitchen
Have No Fear: It Is Possible to Keep Your White Kitchen White
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https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/264349564
Hi Mwenje,
Sorry for the delay, been a busy week..
Thanks Im still so in love with it! All my windows from the kitchen are west facing too, so every night I have the most wonderful WA sunsets as I cook.
My pantry is 2460 x 3328. I have a huge storage cupboard for all the messy stuff though.. Kids are a nightmare ;-)