How to create a classic white kitchen

Designers are always writing about trends but it is great to have a design element in the home that is a classic and a white kitchen is truly one of these.  Whether contemporary or traditional in style, a white kitchen is timeless.  I love to introduce colour into kitchens and do get excited when clients want something different in their kitchen design, but guess what?  I have a white kitchen!  And I love it!

I want to show you how to create a classic white kitchen but also to draw your attention to all the styles available with pointers to make them different.  You will see from this collection of imagery that although classic, there is certainly nothing boring or outdated about a white kitchen.  They have the benefit of being both classic and on trend.

A contemporary white kitchen

A contemporary white kitchen that is the same white as the walls and trim in a modern home is a timeless classic.  With clean lines, no handles and a simple mirrored splashback, this space will look good for years to come.  With a Caesarstone Ocean Foam bench top, the look is one that will endure the test of time.

A traditional white kitchen

Here is a more traditional kitchen which is another timeless classic but still with the white cabinets the same colour as the walls and trim.  Clearly designed to suit an older home, these white cabinets will work well with the house forever.  It is a classic and again, although so different from the contemporary style featured above, it is perfect for the house and will definitely stand the test of time.

How to add your own style to a white kitchen

As with a house that is painted a fresh white throughout, a white kitchen is the perfect backdrop to bring in colour and texture with accessories.  Some timber shelving, books, ornaments and natural pendants have transformed this very simple white kitchen.  This room has heaps of personality with minimal expenditure and these styling elements can be updated when trends and individual tastes change.

By adding statement lighting and greenery, you elevate the look of the kitchen. 

Related: Kitchen Styling - My 5 top tips

Do you have a plain white kitchen that you feel needs a touch of personality?  Then consider changing the door hardware and tapware.  Elegant gold accessories have transformed the look of this white kitchen and taken the look to a whole new level.

Related: How to choose kitchen door handles

A splashback can also completely change the look of a simple white kitchen. Rather than introduce another colour, white hexagonal tiles outlined with black grout is an extremely effective design statement.  This elevates this simple space to one that is a stylist's dream.

Related: How to choose the right kitchen splashback

Matt or gloss kitchen cabinets?

Don't forget to consider the gloss level of the kitchen cabinets too.  Matt finishes are all the rage at the moment, for both contemporary and more traditional style kitchens.  However, the more classic style can only ever be matt or at the most semi-gloss.  If you do love a crisp, modern style, you may still love the appeal of high gloss which will bounce the light around the room and give a sparkling finish to the cabinets.

Adding a natural touch to your kitchen

Individual styling is a great way to bring personality into your space.  So if you have a simple white kitchen but feel you need more colour, then consider using some greenery to achieve this.  Introducing colour in a natural format ensures that you maintain a great organic feel to the room and ensures that it is ever-changing.

Keeping a white kitchen sophisticated

Black, at the opposite end of the tonal scale to white, is its classic partner.  As we are talking about timeless styles, you can't go past a white kitchen with touches of black.

In the image above, the black kickboard, handles and grout are a very small element of the scheme yet they completely transform the look.

In the image below, the contemporary black sink, matched to the styling in the artworks, introduces a fabulous contemporary element whilst retaining a classic look.

My final points for selecting the right white for your kitchen:

• As with paint colours for walls, there are many different whites to select from, for both your joinery and benchtop and the same rules apply here.  For example, if you have a benchtop with a touch of grey, you will need to partner this with a cool, crisp white or one that is just slightly grey.
• Take your lead for the right white from the whites that are already in your colour scheme.  Consider whether you have a cool palette or a warm one.  If you are using a paint finish for your kitchen joinery you can select any white and it makes sense to use one that works with your wall and trim colour.  If possible I really like to keep the kitchen cupboards the same as the trim throughout the house.
• Consider the ceiling colour.  If your cupboards go right to the ceiling, you will need to ensure that the white you select for the joinery is the same as or works with the white that you use on your ceiling.  So always look at the kitchen whites together with the overall white palette for your home.
• If you are selecting from a melamine or laminate range, compare all the whites together so that you can see the underlying colour as they will have cool blue whites and warm creamier ones to select from.  Again, look at these in relation to the other whites in your house and ensure that you stay within the similar range.
• For a classic white kitchen, the bench top will either be a very similar white or one that just has a touch more colour and/or design.  The same rules apply here, so if you have a creamy white kitchen, ensure that the benchtop white is similar. Don't make the mistake of falling in love with a marble that is icy white and grey and then partnering it with a very warm, creamy white.  This is where a mood board is so important.  Use a large piece of black card and place all your samples on it. Include the benchtop, kitchen cabinet colour, splashback, walls, trim and ceiling.  This way you will easily see if one is standing out too much and spoiling the effect.
• Don't forget the styling tips above though and introduce all the finishing touches to make the classic white kitchen your own.

Related: Kitchen Styling - My 5 top tips

If you want more inspiration, explore my Pinterest Boards on Classic and Contemporary style kitchens and remember - a white kitchen is not a trend - it is classic! 

Still need to know more about selecting the right white - this article gives you more in-depth information and will help with choosing your classic white kitchen:  How to find the right white