White kitchens: timeless or trendy? Explore my designer tips to create your dream white kitchen, blending classic elegance with modern style. Keep scrolling for inspiration!

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving into the world of white kitchens—a topic that can spark some debate. You either love them or you don’t. Personally, I’m a huge fan.

In this post, we'll explore my top tips to elevate your white kitchen into a warm and inviting space that reflects your unique personality. White kitchens are celebrated for their clean, airy look but can be notorious for showing every smudge and spill, especially with a busy family. Don’t worry though—I’m sharing my top tips for creating a white kitchen that’s both stylish and practical. Let’s get started!

Tip 1: Choose your paint color wisely

When designing a white kitchen, my top tip: opt for a cabinet color that isn’t pure white. Choose shades like cream, greige, or off-white. These colors provide the elegance of white without the starkness or monotony that pure white can sometimes have.

Here are some of my favorite off-white shades to consider:

Tip 2: Layer with texture + materials

Incorporating natural elements like wood, stone, and metal accents can infuse personality and visual interest into your white kitchen. By mixing various materials and textures, you can introduce color and warmth, balancing the clean, white aesthetic with a cozy, inviting feel.

Scroll down to see how I combined different textures and materials in the Coeur d'Alene Lake House kitchen, creating a white kitchen that's simply irresistible.

Tip 3: Add statement pieces

When designing a white kitchen, there’s a common concern that it might come off as a bit dull. To combat this, incorporating statement pieces like distinctive lighting fixtures, a statement hood range, or standout furniture can define the kitchen’s overall style and ambiance. Bold pendant lights can infuse the space with drama and sophistication, while unique furniture pieces—such as the bar stools below—serve as functional focal points that anchor the room’s design.

Check out how I used statement lighting and unique furniture pieces in the Crescent Way kitchen. The saucer pendant lights and bar stools add a modern touch and infuse personality into a what would have otherwise been a more traditional space. I’m thrilled with how they turned out in the final design.

Tip 4: Don't be afraid of color!

White kitchens provide a clean canvas, so adding strategic pops of color through decor, textiles, and small appliances can break up the white and infuse your personality into the space. Consider introducing colors through wall tile, kitchen accessories, or textiles like rugs and curtains. By integrating these accents, your space will feel more warm and inviting.

I love designing kitchens with white perimeter cabinets and a colored or stained island—it's a style that instantly adds visual interest and personality. Scroll to check out our 51st Reno project to see this in action.

Tip 5: Avoid the trends

White kitchens: classic or trendy? While some view them as a passing fad, I believe white kitchens have demonstrated their timeless appeal over the past decades. However, there are trends within the white kitchen aesthetic that should definitely be avoided. Remember the stark white cabinets from 2014? Oof. They were often criticized as dull and impractical—and I can’t help but agree. I love white kitchens, but it’s crucial to steer clear of these outdated trends.

In my own home, I opted for greige cabinets that give the illusion of white, creating a light, airy feel while adding warmth and coziness. You’ll see how the cabinets appear white, yet the space maintains a warm, inviting atmosphere. This approach achieves the white kitchen look without going overboard.