White Kitchens

A white kitchen. Does that sound unexciting to you? Well, like anything, it’s all what you make of it.

The prevalence of white surfaces when used creatively in a kitchen can function as a blank “canvas” to coordinate with other surfaces and interchangeable decorative items. Various textures and accent colors will surely enhance the overall mood and feel of this space, where people spend much of their home life.

Counter-Act

Let’s start with countertop materials. You may choose to break up the white space at the counter level, or save it for other places throughout the room. Either choice works well to add visual interest to the space. Also, when choosing your materials, keep in mind that each will have its advantages and drawbacks. For instance, marble with its natural veining is beautiful, but can be susceptible to staining from certain acidic foods, which can etch the surface despite any sealing that was applied. Since these stains can appear white and lighten darker marble surfaces, white is a good choice. Granite is of course a durable option that can be obtained in many colors, and does make for a beautiful working surface in your kitchen where durability is the name of the game. Over time, the surface will acquire a patina through years of use, and scratches can mar any surface but can add to the natural look. You may choose a “honed” treatment rather than a polished surface to hide some of these battle scars which will inevitably occur. Newer materials and manufacturing have made other surfaces popular, such as quartzite or even natural quartz.

Stay Grounded

Maybe you’ll choose your flooring to hold the space together and unify the rest of the kitchen. Tiling is a desirable choice of course, since it’s easily cleaned. You may also consider a wood floor to add warmth to the room. A choice such as walnut can add a bit of contrast to the rest of the room and it can serve to absorb light, as all darker colors will. If you choose to take the white theme to the floor, there are plenty of other areas to introduce some visual interest.

Texture

Gloss surfaces will reflect light throughout the space. These surfaces are ideal for a kitchen which doesn’t receive much natural light. For a kitchen featuring an abundance of windows, some matte surfaces will prevent excessive light from causing undue glare. Instead of polished steel, choose brushed steel or warmer nickel-colored finishes. Glass can work well for color and texture also, with interesting treatments such as hammered, etched or green glass. These treatments provided opportunities to interrupt light play in a creative way.

Appliances

Your appliances are part of the mix as well. Appliances that combine metal surfaces with cast iron for instance, can help harmonize your texture scheme, and keep things from getting too monotonous. Most recently, color appliances have made a comeback, so there are plenty of things to consider to make your kitchen your own unique culinary haven.

Accesorize

Color accents extend beyond the actual surfaces in the room of course. For instance, you can utilize open shelving to display your colorful cookware, glassware and items of culinary or cultural interest. Displayed items are easily changed to update the look of your room to keep it interesting and fresh. Lighting fixtures and elements that aren’t known for taking center stage, such as cabinet hardware, all play a part to carry on your theme. Speaking of cabinets, you may choose from a myriad of colors, textures and materials, from unpainted natural wood, to semi-opaque glass front panels, to open cabinetry. An island is a great place to create yet another touch point to visually unite the room and to create additional space elsewhere.

So at first thought, a white kitchen may seem one dimensional, but as we’ve seen, it can be the option with the most potential to create your ideal space to reflect your individual character and taste. Plan the room and map out your materials at that stage for the best result. Bon appetite!

Contact us today for a free design consultation to discuss your custom kitchen needs.