If you’ve been paying attention to what’s popular in modern kitchens these days, you would’ve noticed that white is hotter than ever. And despite their fame these days, white kitchens are as classic and timeless as they come.
But how much white is too much? How can you strike that fine balance between bright and airy, and blindingly colorless?
Whether you already have an all-white kitchen that is in serious need of an update, or are in the design stages of a brand-spanking new kitchen, consider the following tips to adding subtle-yet-effective punches of color that will help break up the monotony of stark white.
Add Accessories With Color
You might have white cabinets, white counters, white floors, and a white backsplash, but that doesn’t mean you can’t break things up a bit with some vibrant color in the way of accessories. Whether it’s vases, cups, flowers, bowls, or even your kitchen utensils, putting them out in the open is a great way to infuse just the right amount of color to break up the bright white. No matter where you choose to place them, this tip offers an easy and convenient way to add some non-white without committing to something permanent.
Make Use of Colored Fabrics
Textiles can go a long way to adding some personality to any room of the house, including the kitchen. If you’ve got an all-white kitchen, consider adding some color with your window drapes, tablecloth, or decor napkins. It’s another great way to experiment with color without anything permanent.
Reupholster Your Chairs and Bar Stools
Playing with textiles in a different, more steadfast way can be done by adding a hue other than a neutral on your dining chairs or bar stools. It’s an easy and affordable way to play with color. The neutral backdrop allows you to experiment with just about any color you like.
Paint Specific Surfaces in a Bold Hue
Even a drop of brightly-colored paint can make a massive difference in an all-white kitchen. There are all sorts of subtle surfaces that you can change in color, including window trim, baseboards, and even the insides of your cabinets. For a little more surface area, splash a bold hue across your backsplash or kitchen ceiling, which will provide the space with just the right amount of joy while leaving your vertical walls and cabinet doors alone.
Use Natural Lighting
White fluorescent light bulbs might serve a purpose for task lighting, but they do little in the form of ambience. In fact, they can be downright harsh, especially when they reflect off the already-bright whiteness of your kitchen. To offset the hospital-room effect, go for lighting that’s got more of a natural feel to it instead of fluorescent. Warm, natural light has a unique way of highlighting white surfaces without making the space feel cold and impersonal.
Add Elements of Natural Wood
While color definitely works well to counter the homogenous look of a room, natural wood also works wonders. There are a bunch of creative ways that you can incorporate wood on a variety of surfaces to break up the uniformity of your white kitchen. If your budget permits – and you’re not afraid of commitment – consider swapping your current countertop with butcher block. It’s a hot trend right now, and adds both style and functionality at the same time. You might even consider trading your white corner cabinet doors with wood ones for the same effect. If you’re not feeling that bold, add a more portable wooden cutting board or two on your counter for an instant effect.
Play With Different Textures
Just because you’ve got all one neutral hue in your kitchen doesn’t mean that the textures all have to be the same. Play around with different materials, finishes and patterns that will each bring about a unique characteristic to the space. The way light reflects each type of material or finish will add layers and dimensions to a space that could potentially be a bit bland. Consider surfaces like lacquer, glass, stone, porcelain, and even concrete to add a little depth to your neutral space.
Use Something Other Than White For Your Kitchen Island
Just because your upper and lower cabinets are white doesn’t necessarily mean that the island needs to match. A trend that’s been circulating for years now has been installing a kitchen island in a completely different color than the main cabinetry. Whether you choose chocolate brown, steel blue, terracotta, or another hue of your desire, you can easily add some flair to your kitchen by varying the color of your kitchen island to offset the all-white backdrop.
All-white certainly doesn’t have to mean totally boring. In fact, a white kitchen is both on-trend and classic at the same time. But throwing in a few subtle elements in the mix to change things up can really add some pizzazz to the space. Give one or two of these ideas a shot and you’ll be amazed at the results.
