When it comes to choosing white countertops, it's not as simple as choosing something you like the look of; there's an abundance of white kitchen countertop ideas out there, and this means that when you are delving deep into the hunt for the perfect white countertop for your kitchen, there are a number of key things to consider to guarantee it works for you in every way, from design to durability and everything in between. Let's show you everything you need to know so you make the “white” investment.
Why Choose White Countertops?
Firstly, when it comes to choosing a white kitchen countertop, there are many good reasons for this to have pride of place in your kitchen:
A Clean and Hygienic Look
There's an array of colors out there, and if we are looking for something that straddles the balance between durability, design, and is amazing to look at, white provides a simple yet comforting aesthetic. A white countertop provides a sense of sterility but without making it look overly clinical. The kitchen should be a hub of hygiene, and when you're trying to make an impression on guests or you want to stand back and feel like you've got a thoroughly clean kitchen, even if it is anything but, white is all you need.
The Aesthetic Effect
We've talked about the fact that it provides a clean and hygienic look while creating a comforting aesthetic, but it can also work to make small spaces look bigger. This is a wonderful visual effect that can work wonders for your kitchen if you need to give the impression of size. Many people need a cozier kitchen because they don't have the opportunity to extend, and when you invest in a white worktop, you are making a room look larger. Light colors will make a room look larger, especially when it's bathed in natural light. A color like white or even off-white colors such as satin reflects the light, creating an appearance of even more space.
It Works Anywhere
Regardless of your room type or choice of aesthetic, white is the perfect palette to begin creating a number of different color combinations. Whether you are opting for a thoroughly modern kitchen or you're going rustic with your space, white will tie in the surrounding elements. You can use white kitchen worktops as an extremely versatile ingredient, either by having a small splash of extra color with the second shade accentuating the white to provide a framing for the room, or by using white with wooden additions to create a warmer feel. Choosing a white countertop means that it can fit seamlessly into any kitchen design, and if you don't believe us, you can check out this white kitchen countertop gallery to see how it slots in seamlessly with other colors and materials.
The Things to Consider When Choosing a White Countertop
If you are on the hunt for white kitchen countertop inspiration, you've also got to bear in mind several factors that guarantee you make the right choice for your kitchen space. The kitchen is a room that is meant to serve so many different purposes, and a white countertop is not just something that is supposed to add functionality to your kitchen space, but should have a number of components that elevates your kitchen space. Here’s some of the most important factors you should bear in mind:
The Material
There's a number of different materials available for your kitchen countertop. Every material has its own characteristics, maintenance requirements, durability, and of course, price and include, but are not exclusive to:
- Laminate
- Concrete
- Granite
- Marble
- Quartz
- Quartzite
- Recycled glass
- Porcelain
- Sintered stone
Decorating your kitchen, especially if you are opting for our copper sinks, means that the right material should provide aesthetics and functionality. For example, quartz is a very popular choice in white countertops because it is easy to clean, scratch-resistant, and you don't need to seal it. Quartz is a man-made material available in a wide variety of styles, including quartz that mimics natural stones like marble, but it can be a costly option.
Granite is another gorgeous-looking material that has been used for decades and is less costly than quartz or materials like marble, and laminate is the most popular option because it's inexpensive and can mimic the look of other materials like marble. However, laminate countertops are not heat-resistant.
Ensuring you understand the pros and cons of different materials based on your needs and your budget will provide you with the right solution for your needs.
Durability
Durability is another key component when you are refining your white kitchen countertop designs, and choosing the right one for you goes back to the right type of material. A durable countertop is a key investment. When you are hoping to upgrade your kitchen, either for the purposes of selling it in the future or you are looking to make your kitchen as resourceful as possible, a durable kitchen countertop is key to ensuring that you are not just looking after your kitchen, but are looking after your home.
If you are looking for the right material, the winner by a country mile is quartz. This is because of its blend of synthetic resins and natural stone, making it more resistant to common cleaning chemicals and supplies. It's also stain and bacteria-resistant, making it an amazing choice when you are looking to incorporate it into your kitchen design with other materials like copper. Copper is an antimicrobial surface, which was understood by ancient civilizations long before the concept of germs and microbes became fully understood! Additionally, quartz is tough and has double the impact resistance of materials such as stone. While quartz is the winner, if you're looking for more cost-effective white kitchen countertop inspiration, the following materials are also highly durable:
- Granite, due to its heat and scratch-resistant materials.
- Tiling, as it is easy to clean and has stain and heat-resistant properties.
- Solid surfaces, through mixing natural materials with acrylic or polyester resins, can create a robust and solid surface over time.
A white countertop, regardless of the material, will add an aesthetic edge to your kitchen. But it's important to remember that before you choose a white countertop, it can be prone to stains and discoloration, especially if they are porous. Some materials may require regular maintenance, and while no countertop is completely stain-resistant, choosing stronger materials like quartz and granite can make your life easier. Also having a sense of due diligence and avoiding anything with harsh chemicals, for example, detergents, oil soaps, and cleaners containing bleach can ensure you protect your white countertop properly.
How It Looks in the Right Light
When you are redesigning a kitchen, you've got the benefit of a completely blank slate; white kitchen countertop designs do not just ensure it provides aesthetic benefits for everyday life, but you can also use a white countertop to illuminate your kitchen. White is an incredibly reflective color, and when lighting your kitchen counters, pay attention to some of the following lighting tactics and tips:
- Avoid creating shadows by installing lights under shelves or cabinets.
- Install dimmer switches.
- Upgrade the middle island.
While the right lighting will instantly illuminate your space, when it comes to putting your countertop in the right light, you need to make sure that you are lighting the entire space properly, which is why we are making it easier for our customers to visualize their ideal kitchen with our 3-D configurator tool. This tool enables you to customize your ideal furnishings, like our copper sinks, to fully realize your vision, and you can also use our free samples to test how they will look under your kitchen lighting.
There is a right and a wrong way to light up your kitchen counters, but ensuring you provide the right layers of lighting, whether it's through LED lights or having as much natural light as possible, ensures your white countertop will sparkle.
How You’re Designing Your Kitchen’s Look
The design of your kitchen space will impact your choice of countertop in so many ways; a white countertop can be a very versatile component and complement a number of different designs, but if you are considering white kitchen countertop concepts, you may want to factor in some of the following design elements:
How the Countertop Works With Your Current Setup
Looking at your kitchen space, can you envision a white countertop seamlessly blending in with what you've already got in place? If you have a trendy white kitchen already, a white countertop may be one step too far. When it comes to the ebb and flow of your kitchen space, it's a good idea to choose pieces that complement each other, rather than opting for one complete “wall of white” aesthetic, such as brown, beige, and other warm white colors.
Your Accent Colors
A white countertop can be incredibly dominating, and if you've got an all-white scheme, adding different tones can make your kitchen look far more interesting. For starters, you could add pale neutrals, for example, pale gray, cream, or faint blues. Or if you are looking for a stronger aesthetic, you can incorporate bolder accent shades that punctuate your white countertop, for example, you could invest in flooring that has yellow, red, or citrus shades. Colors such as navy and green also add depth to your white countertop if you are feeling like you need to make a bigger impact.
The Patterns
You can also opt for a number of different patterns to liven up an all-white kitchen. These would include some of the following:
- Patterned tiles, for example, light brown herringbone flooring will provide a wonderful contrast in style and color without your kitchen countertop competing for dominance in the space.
- Printed textiles, which you can incorporate into your utensils, chopping boards, towels, and gloves, and create a stylish contrast.
- Woven materials like rugs can add another layer of warmth to your kitchen or curtains to introduce personality and warmth with colorful or eye-catching prints that tell the story of your space.
A white countertop can be very striking, but you need to ensure that you are complementing this strong look by bringing warmth, atmosphere, and coziness into the design and styles.
A Few Other Things to Consider…
How Much Upkeep Are You Willing to Commit to?
It's important to keep in mind how much upkeep you are willing to commit to because some white countertops may need sealing or specific care to prevent damage or staining. Lots of people prefer low-maintenance options, but if you're going for a material like quartz, as amazing as it can work in your kitchen, you may have to make peace with the fact that you will need to apply a little extra elbow grease from time to time.
What is Your Budget Really Like?
It is an incredibly important question, but you should determine what your real budget is for your white countertop. As there's an array of white kitchen countertop designs out there, we can easily go for something that is ultimately beyond our reach, but it is entirely possible to invest in a high-quality white kitchen countertop that complements the rest of the space within a budget. If you've opted for other kitchen components like our range hoods or sinks that are visually striking, a white countertop will complement that, but you don't need to go completely over budget to create an amazing-looking kitchen.
What Do You Feel Connected to?
If you are hunting for white kitchen countertop ideas, there's a lot to choose from that can match your taste, create the exact feeling in your kitchen space, and blend with the current decor or color scheme. Ultimately, it's about choosing the white countertop you feel a connection with, which is why it's essential to look at how those other utilities will work in the kitchen space. Our 3-D configurator tool can help you truly understand what will work in your kitchen space.
Conclusion
It is quite a journey getting white kitchen countertop inspiration, but when choosing the ideal white countertop, there is so much out there, but that you will create your ideal kitchen space. We’re always here to help you, so if you need some inspiration or you are ready to upgrade your kitchen space with our range of items, get in contact with us today and we can get you started on the kitchen of your dreams.
