How To Make Your Boring, All-White Kitchen Look Alive!
We all love a white kitchen. Theyre pure, simple, and always stylish.
But theres a problem Im beginning to notice with them:
Theyre all starting to look the same.
White cabinets; white marble counters; white subway tile backsplash; white mouldings and walls; and maybe a wood floor: Wheres the visual interest?
Wheres that unique, special-something that says this kitchen is personally YOURS?
So youve done your kitchen all in white, and you love it!
But do you really? Because and I know what youre thinking, because I've thought the same youre asking yourself...
Did I do the right thing?
Has my all-white kitchen become
a bit boring?
If youve reached this point, and the job is complete, I say relax. Youve done a great job with the base. Youve made a great envelope.
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.
Theres bound to be something you can add that will inject some warmth or personality into that all-white base youve long coveted and now finally own.
Lets look at some examples!
Check out these all-white kitchens below to see how theyve 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.
The modern fixture in the middle of this white kitchen in Casa Perfect, LA, stands out and creates a distinctive style.
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 #whitekitchen
I used a bold trellis pattern on the valances in my white kitchens breakfast area. Designer, Carla Aston | Photographer, Tori Aston #whitekitchen
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
Patterned Rug In White Kitchen
I dont 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 #whitekitchen
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 #whitekitchen
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 #whitekitchen
These modern black counterstools give this white kitchen a more contemporary vibe. Designer, Carla Aston | Photographer: Colleen Scott #whitekitchen
Colorful upholstery on the counterstools add style and interest in this white kitchen. Carla Aston, Designer #whitekitchen
Need help w/ a backsplash? It's only a CLICK away!
