The color you paint your kitchen will have a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your space. And while neutrals are favored in almost every room of the home, is white a good color for a kitchen?
It's long been considered a go-to kitchen color idea, but have white kitchens had their time? It might be a classic neutral, but kitchens need to be durable and hardwearing – just think about all the stains and splatters from cooking and food prep.
So, is it a timeless hue or a boring shade of the past? We've asked designers and color experts whether white is a good color for a kitchen or if something else is taking its place.
Is white a good color for a kitchen?
This year's kitchen trends favor more colorful and eclectic schemes, but is there still space for shades of white? It's a timeless hue that works in almost any interior design style, which is why it's been the go-to in kitchen ideas for so long.
'White is arguably one of the most adaptable colors. It’s a timeless choice that complements a wide range of hues and materials, effortlessly transcending styles. It can instantly and affordably transform outdated wooden cabinets, brightening the space and creating a light, airy, and refreshed look,' says Hannah Yeo, senior manager of color marketing at Benjamin Moore.
'While white can help the appearance of light within a room, you absolutely must take into consideration the aspects of said room you’re decorating. Otherwise, you could end up with dreary and soulless,' adds Patrick O'Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball.
The shade of white you choose for your kitchen is incredibly important to achieving the desired aesthetic. You might think white is just white, but there are few colors with as many shade variations.
'A warm white paint color is always in style for a kitchen because you get a neutral look that's also very bright and inviting. A thoughtfully chosen white paint works equally well with a more rustic or farmhouse kitchen as with a sleek and modern kitchen – the possibilities for design elements and accent colors are endless,' says interior designer Kathy Kuo.
It's not just the shade of white you use in your kitchen that needs to be considered. Every variation looks different depending on the light your space gets, so consider which direction your kitchen faces before deciding between warm and cooler whites.
Patrick suggests going for warmer whites in south and west-facing kitchens, cooler hues in east-facing, and 'off-whites that contain some yellow or red pigment to inject some much-needed warmth' in north-facing kitchens.
And, once you've chosen the right shade of white for your kitchen, where you choose to introduce white to your space is just as important. Will you opt for a color-drenched scheme, or perhaps you'd rather go for white walls and more vibrant cabinetry?
'White can be used throughout a space to create a cohesive look. Applying the same color to cabinets, walls, trim, and ceiling unifies the area and makes it appear larger, as the boundaries between surfaces become less distinct. This approach allows for creative use of accessories like colorful plates, vases, or artwork to add personality to the space,' says Hannah.
Or, if you prefer a more dramatic pop of color than just accessories, white can be the perfect backdrop for statement cabinetry. Of course, you'll need to make sure you choose the right shade of white to compliment your kitchen cabinet color, but Kathy always prefers a warmer hue.
'Because the kitchen is so often a place for gathering, enjoying food, and more relaxed and informal interaction, I love a warm white to create a coziness. Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee is one of my favorite off-whites. It's both inviting and sophisticated all in one, thanks to very subtle green undertones,' she explains.
'I love the look of warm white kitchen walls with contrasting cabinets – either in a statement color like sage green or navy blue or in a natural wood with a darker stain,' Kathy adds. Opting for these shades ensures your scheme feels cohesive and timeless, but still has a sense of character and personality.
White is a great color for a kitchen – and it always will be. It's simply a case of choosing the right shade of white for your space and pairing it with complimentary hues and hardware finishes.
