Kitchen design trends come and go, but there is one style that seems to have infinite staying power: contemporary white kitchens. There’s something about these rooms that make homeowners want to keep returning to them. Even if other trends don’t last, the white kitchen remains ever-present.
Interestingly, modern white kitchen cabinets were not the norm historically. Homeowners only began including them in classical designs in the 1950s, with minimalism influencing them from roughly 2005 onwards. Before then, pine and other characterful cabinet styles dominated.
Cooking up modern all-white kitchen concepts isn’t straightforward. That’s because all-white spaces tend to lack variation. To the casual observer, it seems like you can’t do much with them.
This post is here to prove that statement wrong. We explore multiple ideas centering on modern white kitchen cabinets. We show what you can do with white and create the fresh, charming cooking and dining spaces you’ve always wanted.
What Is A White Kitchen Design?
White kitchen designs feature white cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, appliances, and accessories. They don’t necessarily have to be all-white – that can make everything look too monotone. But they tend to be predominantly white and celebrate their neutrality.
White kitchens are popular because of their versatility and adaptability. You can find them in all varieties of homes, including modern, farmhouse, coastal, and minimalist. White kitchens are the perfect backdrop for emphasizing centerpieces, such as CopperSmith’s copper sinks and range hoods. What could make them stand out more?
What Are Modern White Kitchen Cabinets?
Modern white kitchen cabinets are popular for homeowners looking to create sleek, contemporary looks in their kitchens. These cabinets have a unique capacity to brighten up spaces by reflecting light, helping them appear bigger. They are a desirable option in apartments because of their neutral appearance and how they generate spaciousness, often appearing larger than they actually are.
White modern cabinets aren’t generic, though. They come in various materials and finishes, like matte and gloss. They also come with additional features, like glass paneling, which gives interior designers more options.
Modern white kitchen cabinets have various features, including:-
- Handleless doors – doors without any visible handles or knobs that open by pushing them, activating a hidden automatic latch mechanism
- High-gloss finish – a high-reflectivity style of cabinetry that gives cabinets a shiny surface and makes them easier to maintain
- Matte finish – a non-reflective finish that helps kitchen cabinets generate a cozy, welcoming atmosphere and hides annoying fingerprints
- Glass doors – a type of white kitchen cabinet with a full glass panel for the door, or mullioned glass section, usually for displaying decorative items
- Flat-panel doors – doors with a smooth minimalist design without any raised or recessed sections, creating a more streamlined appearance
As you will discover in the ideas we present below, modern white kitchen cabinets can be paired with various backsplashes, flooring styles, appliances, and countertops to create unique atmospheres and ambiances in the kitchen. As such, they are delightfully versatile. Most kitchen designs accept them with open arms.
Why Choose A White Kitchen And Cabinets?
As discussed so far, white kitchens and cabinets are a popular choice among many homeowners. But why should you choose them, exactly? Let’s take a look.
You Want A Kitchen That Reflects The Light
The main reason for choosing a white kitchen and cabinets is that they reflect light and infrared heat. Commercially available white paints reflect between 80 and 90 percent of incoming light, with some offering more than this for additional energy efficiency.
For this reason, white themes are ideal for kitchens with small windows. They amplify incoming light, helping the space feel brighter and less reliant on artificial lighting.
You Want A Kitchen That Matches Any Color Scheme Or Accents
Another reason for choosing white kitchens and cabinets is to get something that complements anything else you put in the room. White is a suitable backdrop for most interior themes and materials, giving you massive creative freedom. You can use it to change the mood in your kitchen, again giving you more flexibility.
You Want To Make Your Kitchen Look Bigger
Another reason for choosing a white kitchen is to make it look bigger. White gives the room the illusion of space and depth and is a superior option for long, narrow kitchens. It also reduces visual clutter, helping spaces feel cleaner and more streamlined, even if you have a lot of stuff.
You Want Something Easy To Clean And Maintain
White kitchens and cabinets are also surprisingly easy to clean and maintain. While food splatter will show up immediately, it is also easy to see, letting you wipe it away effortlessly.
Some white finishes also resist scratches and stains, helping your kitchen last longer. If you choose quality materials, the room could look clean and fresh for years.
You Want Something Timeless And Elegant
Lastly, many homeowners choose modern white kitchen cabinets and a white theme because they want something timeless and elegant. As discussed above, white kitchens have been in vogue for over seventy years, and that’s unlikely to change in the future.
Timeless kitchens are sometimes challenging to design. However, using plenty of white makes it much easier to get the desired effect. White doesn’t age like other designs and color schemes, making it more appealing and valuable.
Given these facts, white is an excellent choice for landlords or anyone planning on selling their home. Buyers and renters can stamp their mark on it.
Tips For Designing White Kitchens And Cabinets
Before we dive into specific white kitchen and cabinet ideas, we present some guiding tips for anyone considering this type of design.
Choose The Right Shade Of White
Did you know multiple shades of white are available, each offering something unique? You can choose from:
- Pearl
- Alabaster
- Snow
- Ivory
- Salt
- Lace
- Coconut
- Powder
- Parchment
- Porcelain
- Frost
- Rice
- Cream
- Eggshell
When you think about these white shades individually, you realize they are quite different from each other. Frost gives your kitchen a cool feel, while coconut adds warmth.
Add Textures And Patterns
Adding textures and patterns is essential for white kitchens, particularly if you’re going for an all-white theme. These help to add character and prevent the room from looking whitewashed or monolithic.
When it comes to adding textures and patterns, you have several compelling options. For instance, you can:
- Experiment with various flooring materials
- Add white marble to your countertops
- Use glass to contrast with marble
- Add mosaics or white subway tiles to your backsplash
- Add sections of white wallpaper with subtle patterns
Add Flecks Of Color
While you want the theme of your kitchen to be predominantly white, adding hints of color here and there is an excellent idea. It helps to liven up the room and make it more sophisticated.
For instance, you might:
- Choose a single accent color and use it in many parts of the room
- Paint the island or one wall a bright color and leave the rest of the kitchen white
- Use colorful appliances from brands like Smeg to add depth and character
Balance Light And Dark
Another pro tip for contemporary white kitchens is to balance light and dark. You don’t want the white theme dazzling that it overwhelms you. But, at the same time, you don’t want a dark, dingy room that doesn’t do itself justice. Something in the middle would be best.
For instance, consider using dark colors for the flooring or the island while adding pendant lights above your table and recessed lighting on top of your cabinets. You could also place spotlights on various focal points around the room, like the stove, to highlight them.
Keep It Clean And Organized
Our final tip for anyone considering white-modern kitchen ideas is to keep the space clean and tidy. White kitchens can wind up shabby if you don’t take proper care of them because dirt shows up easily.
When cleaning a white kitchen, avoid using abrasive sponges or implements and only use mild soap. If you can, keep baskets, bins, and jars out of sight to maintain a clean, seamless aesthetic.
