We all love a white kitchen. They’re pure, simple, and always stylish.
But as you may have noticed….
They’re all starting to look the same.
You also may be wondering about all the comments out on the web about how white kitchens are going out of style. :-/
Where’s that unique, special-something that says this kitchen is personally YOURS?
So you’ve done your kitchen all in white, and you love it!
But are you wondering, in the back of your mind….
“Did I do the right thing? Has my all-white kitchen become a bit boring?
Now the time has come to give it some flavor; add some spice; make it yours!
How, you ask?
With some unique lighting.
With a custom, unique island.
With some open shelving or contrasting cabinet details of some kind.
With a graphic rug.
With an amazing statement backsplash.
With some bold and interesting bar or counter stools.
There’s bound to be something you can add that will inject some warmth or personality into that all-white base you’ve long coveted and now finally own.
Let’s look at some examples!
Check out these all-white kitchens below to see how they’ve managed to show some personal flavor, in spite of all that white. :-)
Unique Lighting Adds Style To A White Kitchen
Quality decorative lighting can bring so much style to a room that is borderline a little plain.
The large brass pendants, below, fill the volume of space in this white kitchen with high ceilings, one of my projects from a few years ago.
Large brass pendants fill the volume of space in this white kitchen with a high ceiling. Carla Aston, Designer
The modern fixture in the middle of this white kitchen in Casa Perfect, LA, stands out and creates a distinctive style.
Statement modern lighting works well in this simple white kitchen at Casa Perfect in LA.
White Kitchen w/ Beautiful Fabric Window Treatments
I almost always present a few fabrics when I share either a kitchen or bath design. Even though those spaces are primarily hard surfaces and cabinetry, fabrics will excite a client and add so much personality to the room.
This white kitchen uses a fabric window treatment to create style and bring in some color. | Designer, Carla Aston | Photographer Miro Dvorscak
I used a bold trellis pattern on the valances in my white kitchen’s breakfast area. Designer, Carla Aston | Photographer, Tori Aston
Custom, Contrasting, Unique Islands Stand Out in a white kitchen
An island can be a large cabinet piece or something small like an antique table. Creating contrast with the island can sometimes be just the thing to liven up a white kitchen.
This dark stained island with turned legs stands out in the white kitchen. Designer, Carla Aston | Photographer Miro Dvorscak #whitekitchen
White Kitchen With Open Shelving or contrasting cabinet details
Instead of a whole wall of white cabinets, consider adding interest with some open shelving. The items on the shelves can create a ever changing focal point in the room.
Imagine this room below without the open shelves.
Wood open shelves add interest in this white kitchen. | Designer, Carla Aston | Photographer, Tori Aston #whitekitchen
The design and contrast in these upper cabinets, below, add just enough visual interest.
High contrast details on the cabinetry, in my white kitchen, adds interest and creates a striking backdrop. Designer, Carla Aston | Photographer, Tori Aston #whitekitchen
Even a single open shelf box like this adds warmth and interest to a run of white upper cabinets. Carla Aston, Designer | Colleen Scott, Photo
Patterned Rug In White Kitchen
I don’t often put rugs in a kitchen, as they have to be able to take so much abuse and resist possible spills and stains. When my kids or dogs were living at home, they would have been ruined!
However, with all the washable / outdoor rugs now and so many gorgeous patterns available, almost anyone can do a rug in the kitchen.
This white kitchen has more personality with the addition of the patterned rug. Designer, Carla Aston | Photographer: Tori Aston
This brightly colored runner adds some more color to this kitchen. carlaaston.com
Statement Backsplash In A White Kitchen
Bold, colorful backsplashes can really bring some life to a white kitchen. I just love how this kitchen turned out in one of my projects.
A bold blue mosaic tile backsplash makes a big statement in this white kitchen. Designer, Carla Aston | Photographer: Colleen Scott
I just did a consultation in a home where the homeowners were picking a paint color for their walls in an open plan family room / kitchen / dining space. While it was a mediterranean style with some dark wood furniture, colorful fabrics and wood floors, the kitchen was all white. It had white cabinets, white counters and a white tile backsplash. It looked rather divorced, design-wise from the rest of the more warm, textural space.
We selected a medium blue/green/gray color for the walls and I mentioned that in the future, they might want to redo the backsplash so that the paint color wraps into the kitchen. Then they could also paint the island that color and it would relate more to the rest of the adjacent spaces.
I’m anxious to see if they do that and would love to see how it turns out!
And that’s how to add color to your white kitchen that doesn’t entail painting the whole space.
Bold And Interesting Bar Or Counter Stools in White Kitchen
Sometimes it is up to the furniture to carry the style and make a statement. I love when my clients invest in nice stools in their kitchens. It gives a feel of quality and completion of the whole room.
These colorful mid-century modern stools create a style statement amongst all the white cabinetry and paneling in this kitchen. Designer, Carla Aston | Photographer, Tori Aston
These modern black counterstools give this white kitchen a more contemporary vibe. Designer, Carla Aston | Photographer: Colleen Scott
Colorful upholstery on the counterstools add style and interest in this white kitchen. Carla Aston, Designer
Items to Add To You All-White Kitchen
Here’s an example of how adding these type of items to a white kitchen can add personality and style and make it feel more interesting.
Here are some basic white kitchen finishes that could use a little color and some more interest.
Add a fun, colorful backsplash tile. A backsplash is not the most expensive item to redo in a kitchen. This fun blue tile really adds some punch.
A fabric window treatment always helps to add interest and personality in a white kitchen.
Bar or counter stools in a caramel leather adds richness and warmth to this scheme.
A graphic, colorful rug on the floor will add some pizazz to a white kitchen.
Plants and accessories to style the kitchen can add color and fun to a white kitchen.
Do you have a nice white kitchen that needs a little styling help? I have just the post for you!
This blogpost was thoughtfully written by me, Carla Aston, and not by AI, ghostwriters, or guest posters.
Since times are a little tough these days, large remodels and a whole house of new furniture is something many people are holding back on. However, we can sometimes lift our spirits with a few new items for our kitchens and a few tips on how to make them a little more pleasing and photo-ready. :-) Check out all these ideas for your kitchen styling…….