White interior décor is associated by some with a fad, the result of a hype for minimalism that has held many people in its grip over the last few years. Some believe the design to be plain boring and devoid of any personality, but the truth is that white kitchens are indeed a timeless design choice that can look absolutely stunning if you know how to style them.
They create the optical illusion of a large and airy space that is full of light no matter how tiny your kitchen actually is, and there’s nothing that compares to the appeal of an expansive space like that. If you’ve been thinking about integrating this style into your own home and have started planning your remodelling project, here are a few things you should focus on in order to create a space that feels warm and inviting and which avoids the pitfall of seeming too sterile.
Texture
Having all-white everywhere can seem like too much, only if you don’t know how to mix and match different textures. The colour gets repetitive if there’s no additional dimension to it, so you should mix matte and glossy finishes to add a new dimension to the kitchen.
If your space is on the smaller side, this design choice can add depth as well and create the impression of the room itself being wider. For instance, you can combine pristine, glossy units with a matte white (or off-white) splashback.
Add marble
The allure of white kitchens can be enhanced if you know exactly what items you should pair up with them. The fundamental aspect of this design is its elegance, so including some design choices that can enhance that quality can only help your kitchen stand out even more. Marble is a luxurious material that is perfect if you want a sophisticated countertop, but apart from the aesthetics, it is also incredibly durable and improves your home’s value should you wish to resell it in the future.
There’s a large variety of colours and finishes to choose from so that your countertop can serve as your contrasting piece. Marble is also great if you enjoy baking, and you can actually spot marble counters in plenty of old-school French bakeries. The main advantage that these countertops provide is the ability to keep the butter in the dough cool.
Unique items
One of the main reasons why some people criticise the growing popularity of white kitchens is that many of them tend to look the same. But that doesn’t have to be the case for you as well. There are many ways to add a personal touch to your kitchen. For example, if your home is quite old and you have some vintage or retro features you can accentuate you should definitely do that instead of removing or hiding them from view.
Joists, rafters, and even decorative ceiling wood beams are one of the most charming things you can have in your kitchen, but make sure to restore and refinish them if they’re very old. With proper care, they can last many more years but if you don’t look after them the wood will become brittle and crack.
Masonry heaters
A masonry heater is another special item that will instantly elevate a kitchen. Modern heaters are often made out of soapstone, a material that has particularly high heat retention properties, but olivine, a magnesium iron silicate, is also commonly used in Finland as well. Tiled stoves have huge storage capacity as a result of their volume and mass, meaning that they radiate heat in the room over an extended period.
There are many different styles and hues to choose from, since these heaters have a long history in many countries from all over the world. You can choose a classic, Scandi-style round ceramic stove, as well as something more ornate, either in a calming shade such as forest green or a soft blue or with geometric or nature-inspired prints.
Rustic appeal
French country kitchens will never go out of style, so when you choose one for your home, you can be certain that it will always look good. Add weathered stone flooring to lean into this aesthetic, and anything raw and made from organic materials will feel right at home in this design. White is the ideal colour scheme for a rustic kitchen because it is timeless and feels like something you could achieve on your own as part of a DIY project.
Natural materials
An ever-growing number of homeowners are focused on exclusively integrating natural materials into their households. Wood is the most obvious choice due to its versatility and eternal beauty. There are so many different types to choose from that there’s definitely something for you out there.
Take your time to learn about the intricacies of each different type. For instance, there are some kinds that have antimicrobial properties, such as beech, oak, or ash. Blending white units with wooden cupboards will add an organic touch and make the overall look of your kitchen feel warmer and more welcoming.
The details
The chairs and seats are often not taken into careful consideration when it comes to the kitchen design, but they actually help tremendously. If you host frequent dinner parties or your friends visit you often for brunch, you should be able to provide them with a comfortable experience. Vintage stools with a 1950s-inspired design, will pair perfectly with white kitchens due to their elegance and simplicity.
Bar stools with a mid-century, brutalist design can be found pre-owned as well, and although the price tags can be hefty sometimes due to the fact that these items are fairly rare, their sturdiness compared to their aesthetic appeal makes it very much worth it.
Having an all-white kitchen is always a good chance because the design never goes out of style. However, to make it feel like it is an actual part of your home, your kitchen should also be decorated with a few accent pieces and items that feel unique and have personal value to you. That’s what makes a house feel like a home.
