Some argue they are overdone while others say they are timeless, but either way, we don’t think white kitchen cabinets are going away any time soon. White cabinets continue to be popular for kitchens as they are neutral, versatile, and leave a lot of opportunities to style them to your taste. Essentially, there is no one way to do white cabinets. Our designers have used white cabinetry in countless kitchens and still manage to end up with many different final outcomes. Especially with the option for fully custom cabinetry, you truly have endless design options to play with. If you like the idea of white cabinetry but are not sure how to make it your own, get inspired as we share our designer’s tips on how to style white kitchen cabinetry three different ways.
1. Light & Airy
Perhaps the most common reason for wanting white cabinets is so that the space feels light and airy. Especially if you’re used to having dark cabinets, white cabinets can definitely make a huge difference! If you are all in for light and bright, we’ve got some tips for you. First off, take time to select the right white for your cabinets (yes, there are several different versions of white!) and browse some door samples to see how the color looks on cabinetry. Our designers have a few tried and true white paint colors that they’ve used successfully on kitchen cabinetry, so feel free to ask them for their recommendations to narrow down your search. If you want to bring in a second cabinet color, try for a coordinating light gray to add a bit of dimension. When it comes to countertops, there’s countless options of white and off-white colors, so choose your favorite and make sure it looks good next to the cabinet color you selected. To make sure your design doesn’t fall flat, try framed drawer fronts to optimize the look of the cabinetry. For hardware, go for a dainty look and incorporate knobs over pulls. Stay minimal with glass light fixtures and a neutral subway tile.
2. Warm & Earthy
If you like white cabinets but want to give your design a little twist, try mixing in some warm tones and earthy textures. This style is perfect for someone who likes neutrals but doesn’t want everything to be bright white. To achieve a warm and earthy kitchen, aim for a warmer white for your cabinets, such as Soft Chamois (Benjamin Moore) or Shoji White (Sherwin Williams). Pair your cabinetry with a warmer hardware finish such as gold or oil or rubbed bronze. Incorporate wood accents through shelving, a custom range hood, or your kitchen island. We recommend going with an oak or hickory wood as it shows more natural grain. Find ways to bring in more texture throughout your kitchen with a reeded cabinet door style or a multi-tonal tile with an imperfect edge as a backsplash. For countertops, opt for a natural stone, such as quartzite, with a detailed edge. For furniture and décor, look for coordinating textures like wicker or brown leather. Keep the color palette earthy with greens, browns, and beiges.
3. Modern & Moody
If you are looking for a more edgy take on white kitchens, we’ve got you covered. For this final style, the goal is to incorporate high contrast features throughout the space. To achieve contrast, you want to mix darks and lights. Your white cabinetry will obviously be one of your light features, so we recommend pairing it with a dark countertop such as Carbo Brushed Quartz. For the most contrast, make sure to choose a bright white paint color for the cabinets. If you want to keep your countertops lighter, opt for a quartz that has a white background with deep, bold veins. You can also mix in a second cabinet color on the lower cabinets or just the island to get the right amount of rich color. If you need recommendations for a deeper cabinet color, we are fans of Graphite, Hale Navy, and Iron Ore. If you want to achieve a modern feel, stick with clean, straight lines on your cabinetry and countertops. For hardware, try matte black or gold for a more luxurious look.
Feeling inspired by one of these three styles? Perhaps you love different parts of each! That is the wonderful thing about designing your dream kitchen with us at Gravel Lane Design– our designers can help blend your favorite styles seamlessly while you get to sit back and watch your unique space come together. Even if you’re not sold on white cabinets for your kitchen, our showroom in Eureka, IL has plenty of other cabinet colors to browse in person. When we say we do custom cabinetry, we truly mean just that. Custom styles, colors, dimensions, storage inserts; you name it, and we can make it happen! Feel free to visit our showroom to see the fabulous options that await you.
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