How to Add Colour to an All-White Kitchen
Is your kitchen too white for you? Here are some low-effort, high-impact ways to liven things up
White kitchens are more popular than ever, and they will always be timeless and classic. But from the comments I’ve read, some of you with all-white kitchens are finding yourselves craving a little more colour lately. Maybe you’ve purchased a home where the kitchen is too colourless for you. Or perhaps you put in an all-white kitchen 10 years ago, and you’re looking to change up the look without a big renovation. The great thing about an all-white kitchen is that any punches of colour you add will make a big impact and stand out, and there are plenty of easy and inexpensive ways to do so.
Something as simple as cookbooks can do the trick.
Add one big, bold splashback
There’s nothing better than an all-white backdrop to highlight an artful splashback like this one.
There’s nothing better than an all-white backdrop to highlight an artful splashback like this one.
Re-cover your benchtop stools or add new seat cushions to your kitchen chairs
An all-white background will let you get away with any colour or print you fancy.
An all-white background will let you get away with any colour or print you fancy.
Use colour in fabric accents
Another great opportunity to add colour in the kitchen is with window treatments. Different types will allow you to control how much of the colour shows. You can pull Roman shades up or down depending on how much colour and pattern you’re in the mood for. Another trick worth noting is hanging plates, as was done on the wall in this kitchen.
Another great opportunity to add colour in the kitchen is with window treatments. Different types will allow you to control how much of the colour shows. You can pull Roman shades up or down depending on how much colour and pattern you’re in the mood for. Another trick worth noting is hanging plates, as was done on the wall in this kitchen.
Open a paint can (even a sample-size one will do)
The tiniest punch of paint can have a big impact. Trimming out this window in cheerful apple green turned it into a strong focal point that draws the eye.
The tiniest punch of paint can have a big impact. Trimming out this window in cheerful apple green turned it into a strong focal point that draws the eye.
Paint the ceiling
This kitchen has a burst of bright colour on its ‘fifth wall’, the ceiling. The effect is cheerful and sunny, while the white cabinetry, trim and floors maintain the light feel in the modestly sized space.
This kitchen has a burst of bright colour on its ‘fifth wall’, the ceiling. The effect is cheerful and sunny, while the white cabinetry, trim and floors maintain the light feel in the modestly sized space.
Choose a different colour for the kitchen island
This adds a wonderful big block of colour.
This adds a wonderful big block of colour.
Paint only the lower cabinets
If you’re considering painting all of the cabinets a colour, try doing it on just the lower cabinets first. It’s a nice way to anchor the room in colour.
If you’re considering painting all of the cabinets a colour, try doing it on just the lower cabinets first. It’s a nice way to anchor the room in colour.
Darken things just a little
If brighter colours make you nervous but you’re ready for a change, consider light grey. It will change the feel of your kitchen but will soothe rather than shock your system.
Cabinet paint in ‘Dove Tale’: Farrow & Ball
If brighter colours make you nervous but you’re ready for a change, consider light grey. It will change the feel of your kitchen but will soothe rather than shock your system.
Cabinet paint in ‘Dove Tale’: Farrow & Ball
If you’re really ready for a big change, go for all of the cabinetry
If you find yourself just plain tired of a sea of white, just go for it and change the colour of all the cabinets. Mint green adds a wonderful historic feel to a country-style kitchen.
If you find yourself just plain tired of a sea of white, just go for it and change the colour of all the cabinets. Mint green adds a wonderful historic feel to a country-style kitchen.
Go for colourful appliances
Many choices beyond black, white and stainless are on the market. Ranges, stoves and dishwashers all come in a rainbow of colours. I can attest that this really changes things; I just swapped out my white refrigerator for a cherry-red one in my mostly white kitchen, and it feels like a whole new room.
Make colourful appliances work in your kitchen
Many choices beyond black, white and stainless are on the market. Ranges, stoves and dishwashers all come in a rainbow of colours. I can attest that this really changes things; I just swapped out my white refrigerator for a cherry-red one in my mostly white kitchen, and it feels like a whole new room.
Make colourful appliances work in your kitchen
Punch up the colour with light fixtures
These small elements will have a big impact in an otherwise all-white room.
These small elements will have a big impact in an otherwise all-white room.
Paint cabinet interiors
If you prefer to show off clear glassware and white china, amp things up by painting the inside of your glass-front cabinets.
If you prefer to show off clear glassware and white china, amp things up by painting the inside of your glass-front cabinets.
This kitchen has the best of both worlds. When the cabinets are closed, they are almost seamless walls of white.
But when open, they draw the eye with electric-yellow interiors, completely changing the look of the room.
Add timber pieces for contrast
This rangehood, antique drop-leaf table and Toledo stools bring in a rustic look that keeps the kitchen from feeling too stark.
This rangehood, antique drop-leaf table and Toledo stools bring in a rustic look that keeps the kitchen from feeling too stark.
Have you mixed some colour into an otherwise all-white kitchen lately? If so, please share it with us in the Comments section.
TELL US
Have you injected colour into your all-white kitchen? Show us your pictures in the Comments.
MORE
7 Super-Practical Things to Remember When Planning Your Kitchen
6 Kitchen Colour Schemes That Will Stand the Test of Time
20 Gorgeous Kitchen Colour Pairings
TELL US
Have you injected colour into your all-white kitchen? Show us your pictures in the Comments.
MORE
7 Super-Practical Things to Remember When Planning Your Kitchen
6 Kitchen Colour Schemes That Will Stand the Test of Time
20 Gorgeous Kitchen Colour Pairings
Placing them on open shelves, in glass-front cabinets or even just on the benchtops will allow you to switch out the colours when you’re ready for a change. This is the easiest, least permanent way to experiment.