12 Sunny White-and-Wood Walk-Out Kitchens to Inspire
This favorite material combination is celebrated in kitchens that open up to the outdoors
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These 12 kitchens from Arizona to Australia showcase the popular pairing of white and wood, a combination embraced not only for its looks but also for the feeling it can give. “The combination of white cabinetry and natural wood tones evokes a very natural and peaceful presence to any space,” says Canadian architect Kyle England. “In particular, the kitchen is a hub of activity — cooking, entertaining, snacking — that is set in the calming backdrop of the natural and white tones.” By opening up to the outdoors through oversize windows, sliding doors and other walk-out options, these light-filled kitchens bring even more of a natural presence inside.
These 12 kitchens from Arizona to Australia showcase the popular pairing of white and wood, a combination embraced not only for its looks but also for the feeling it can give. “The combination of white cabinetry and natural wood tones evokes a very natural and peaceful presence to any space,” says Canadian architect Kyle England. “In particular, the kitchen is a hub of activity — cooking, entertaining, snacking — that is set in the calming backdrop of the natural and white tones.” By opening up to the outdoors through oversize windows, sliding doors and other walk-out options, these light-filled kitchens bring even more of a natural presence inside.
2. Location: Bethany Beach, Delaware
Why we love it: This vacation house mixes natural light with white and wood to create a relaxed, contemporary coastal retreat. Architect Scott Edmonston used warmer hues to balance out the home’s cool-toned concrete floors. “Making white and wood work well together is all about getting the tone right. If you want a warm finish on your wood, then you should complement that with a warm white,” he says.
Additionally, the kitchen opens up to a waterfront deck with roll-up doors and a large bay window. “Opening the kitchen up to the back porch makes a relatively small space feel much bigger and lets the people working in the kitchen feel like they’re never too far away from the party,” he says. With lots of windows, however, it’s important to balance practicality — such as storage — with aesthetics. “In this case, the low window in the backsplash added light and views behind the cooktop without sacrificing any storage space.”
Cabinets: custom bamboo by Shay Gallo with Shay Gallo Construction; countertops and backsplash: Pure White Neolith; glass garage door: C.H.I. Overhead doors; floors: concrete
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Why we love it: This vacation house mixes natural light with white and wood to create a relaxed, contemporary coastal retreat. Architect Scott Edmonston used warmer hues to balance out the home’s cool-toned concrete floors. “Making white and wood work well together is all about getting the tone right. If you want a warm finish on your wood, then you should complement that with a warm white,” he says.
Additionally, the kitchen opens up to a waterfront deck with roll-up doors and a large bay window. “Opening the kitchen up to the back porch makes a relatively small space feel much bigger and lets the people working in the kitchen feel like they’re never too far away from the party,” he says. With lots of windows, however, it’s important to balance practicality — such as storage — with aesthetics. “In this case, the low window in the backsplash added light and views behind the cooktop without sacrificing any storage space.”
Cabinets: custom bamboo by Shay Gallo with Shay Gallo Construction; countertops and backsplash: Pure White Neolith; glass garage door: C.H.I. Overhead doors; floors: concrete
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3. Location: Lake Rosseau, Canada
Why we love it: This newly built summer cottage overlooks the water, welcoming views and natural light from all sides. As they were building the kitchen from scratch, the architects carefully considered where people would spend time in the space and what they would be looking at. “Consider the point of view of the occupants, and provide a variety of views depending on the situation,” says architect Kyle England.
When selecting the materials, the architects chose white and wood to enhance the natural, calming presence of the space in its surroundings. “In selecting the wood tones and specific white color of the cabinetry, we had numerous samples prepared and brought to the location during construction in order to properly view them in the natural and artificial lighting,” England says.
Ceiling: whitewashed basswood; floors: custom stained reclaimed elm; windows and doors: Kolbe Windows & Doors, installed by Ridley Windows & Doors; lighting layout design and fixtures: Eurolite
Why we love it: This newly built summer cottage overlooks the water, welcoming views and natural light from all sides. As they were building the kitchen from scratch, the architects carefully considered where people would spend time in the space and what they would be looking at. “Consider the point of view of the occupants, and provide a variety of views depending on the situation,” says architect Kyle England.
When selecting the materials, the architects chose white and wood to enhance the natural, calming presence of the space in its surroundings. “In selecting the wood tones and specific white color of the cabinetry, we had numerous samples prepared and brought to the location during construction in order to properly view them in the natural and artificial lighting,” England says.
Ceiling: whitewashed basswood; floors: custom stained reclaimed elm; windows and doors: Kolbe Windows & Doors, installed by Ridley Windows & Doors; lighting layout design and fixtures: Eurolite
4. Location: Sydney, Australia
Why we love it: Vaulted ceilings and two triangular transom windows frame a green, terraced back garden, creating a tranquil kitchen and dining backdrop. While the rustic farm table, schoolhouse lamps and kitchen cabinet and hardware style feel traditional, the tiled floors, minimal trim and ceiling detail keep this space feeling light and fresh.
Cabinet paint: Soft Off-white, Dulux; bifold doors: Stegbar
Why we love it: Vaulted ceilings and two triangular transom windows frame a green, terraced back garden, creating a tranquil kitchen and dining backdrop. While the rustic farm table, schoolhouse lamps and kitchen cabinet and hardware style feel traditional, the tiled floors, minimal trim and ceiling detail keep this space feeling light and fresh.
Cabinet paint: Soft Off-white, Dulux; bifold doors: Stegbar
5. Location: Seville, Spain
Why we love it: Many times we look to the backsplash to add color or pattern to the kitchen, but in this space the floor does the talking. It leads to an enclosed central atrium, but sunshine bursts through the space — and from the floor.
Browse multicolored floor tile
Why we love it: Many times we look to the backsplash to add color or pattern to the kitchen, but in this space the floor does the talking. It leads to an enclosed central atrium, but sunshine bursts through the space — and from the floor.
Browse multicolored floor tile
6. Location: London, England
Why we love it: In another kitchen that combines contemporary and rustic, this clean-lined space warms up with natural wood beams and a touch of exposed brick. The kitchen and dining areas flow into a bright, verdant courtyard, adding color to the monotone space.
Why we love it: In another kitchen that combines contemporary and rustic, this clean-lined space warms up with natural wood beams and a touch of exposed brick. The kitchen and dining areas flow into a bright, verdant courtyard, adding color to the monotone space.
7. Location: Tucson, Arizona
Why we love it: Kathryn Prideaux remodeled this midcentury modern kitchen with David Papanikolas in Tucson so it would channel the original era of the home while still feeling current. She relied on a combination of white and wood — and brick — to get the look. “The trickiest part of using a liberal amount of white in a space is making sure that all the whites play well together,” she says. Here, the ceiling brightens the warm white of the counters without clashing or trying to match.
Countertops: Frost Quartz, Arizona Tile; sink: Strive, Kohler; cabinets: custom quarter-sawn white oak; hardware: flat back tab pulls, Europa; backsplash tile: New Ogawa Green, Heath
Why we love it: Kathryn Prideaux remodeled this midcentury modern kitchen with David Papanikolas in Tucson so it would channel the original era of the home while still feeling current. She relied on a combination of white and wood — and brick — to get the look. “The trickiest part of using a liberal amount of white in a space is making sure that all the whites play well together,” she says. Here, the ceiling brightens the warm white of the counters without clashing or trying to match.
Countertops: Frost Quartz, Arizona Tile; sink: Strive, Kohler; cabinets: custom quarter-sawn white oak; hardware: flat back tab pulls, Europa; backsplash tile: New Ogawa Green, Heath
8. Location: London, England
Why we love it: This light-drenched kitchen was extended as part of a home renovation. Ceilings over 10 feet tall welcome light from a new skylight and large glass doors, creating the feeling of an atrium. Brass hardware, an unexpected pairing with the light oak cabinets, feels especially of the moment.
Countertops: Arabescato marble; cabinetry: solid-oak drawers with specially made crown-cut white oak veneer birch plywood fronts (durable matte waterborne spray lacquer finish, sprayed in house)
Why we love it: This light-drenched kitchen was extended as part of a home renovation. Ceilings over 10 feet tall welcome light from a new skylight and large glass doors, creating the feeling of an atrium. Brass hardware, an unexpected pairing with the light oak cabinets, feels especially of the moment.
Countertops: Arabescato marble; cabinetry: solid-oak drawers with specially made crown-cut white oak veneer birch plywood fronts (durable matte waterborne spray lacquer finish, sprayed in house)
9. Location: Melbourne, Australia
Why we love it: Here’s a home that pulls the interior flooring material outside, creating a smooth transition from dining area to deck.
While the kitchen is almost entirely white, it’s contrasted by the light but rustic wood dining table. The same wood color from the kitchen shelves is picked up in the dining chairs, maintaining warmth and continuity. The extra room between the island and dining table means there is plenty of space to hang out and gather with friends.
Why we love it: Here’s a home that pulls the interior flooring material outside, creating a smooth transition from dining area to deck.
While the kitchen is almost entirely white, it’s contrasted by the light but rustic wood dining table. The same wood color from the kitchen shelves is picked up in the dining chairs, maintaining warmth and continuity. The extra room between the island and dining table means there is plenty of space to hang out and gather with friends.
10. Location: Menlo Park, California
Why we love it: Natural light streams into this L-shaped kitchen from all directions, creating interesting shadow play with the striped wood cabinets. The trio of oversize globe lights and midcentury modern-style metal bar stools create a playful, celebratory gathering space around the island — as does the black dry-erase accent wall.
See more midcentury-style bar stools
Why we love it: Natural light streams into this L-shaped kitchen from all directions, creating interesting shadow play with the striped wood cabinets. The trio of oversize globe lights and midcentury modern-style metal bar stools create a playful, celebratory gathering space around the island — as does the black dry-erase accent wall.
See more midcentury-style bar stools
11. Location: Sydney, Australia
Why we love it: While this kitchen features a decent amount of black, the high-gloss finish and wood-veneer cabinets feel bright and fresh — the abundance of natural light also helps.
Open shelving on the right showcases a collection of stemware, breaking up the expanse of black and balancing the space, while the solid cabinets on the left keep items you might not want to display out of sight.
Countertops: Quantum Quartz Venatino Statuario; sink: Schock single undermount sink, Abey; cabinets: Sharknose drawers & cabinets (no handles) with a Dulux black Domino satin finish polyurethane and NAV timber veneer in Byron Blackbutt
Why we love it: While this kitchen features a decent amount of black, the high-gloss finish and wood-veneer cabinets feel bright and fresh — the abundance of natural light also helps.
Open shelving on the right showcases a collection of stemware, breaking up the expanse of black and balancing the space, while the solid cabinets on the left keep items you might not want to display out of sight.
Countertops: Quantum Quartz Venatino Statuario; sink: Schock single undermount sink, Abey; cabinets: Sharknose drawers & cabinets (no handles) with a Dulux black Domino satin finish polyurethane and NAV timber veneer in Byron Blackbutt
12. Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Why we love it: There’s a lot to love about this traditional, grand kitchen, especially its oversize wood-topped island with seating all around it. The dark wood counter complements the stain on the exposed beams, while the floors brighten up the ground plane. Sliding French doors don’t take up any floor space and allow the breeze, and the party, to flow in and out.
More
19 Kitchen Projects Every Homeowner Should Know About
13 Fresh Ways With a White Kitchen
Find a kitchen designer on Houzz
Why we love it: There’s a lot to love about this traditional, grand kitchen, especially its oversize wood-topped island with seating all around it. The dark wood counter complements the stain on the exposed beams, while the floors brighten up the ground plane. Sliding French doors don’t take up any floor space and allow the breeze, and the party, to flow in and out.
More
19 Kitchen Projects Every Homeowner Should Know About
13 Fresh Ways With a White Kitchen
Find a kitchen designer on Houzz
Why we love it: Modern, warm and unexpected features, such as the vertical subway tile running up the island and the mixed material countertops, create a kitchen that is both inviting and innovative. “In this project we have seamlessly integrated the white stone and timber bench tops on the island to distinguish between preparation and dining areas and allow practical surfaces for both functions,” says architect Lucy Hyndman. Sliding wood doors and louvered windows welcome light and connect the space to a grassy, terraced courtyard.
Backsplash and countertops: engineered stone; black cabinets: melamine; wood (on island and cabinets): blackbutt