The topic du jour: 11 White Kitchen Ideas to Add Cozy Factor, is an important one for fans of a white color palette, white kitchen cabinets, white backsplash, and a white color scheme. If you are designing a kitchen from scratch or renovating, make sure you follow my Pinterest Kitchens Board!
11 White Kitchen Ideas to Add Cozy Factor
I shared how a sweet little industrial cart or work table or mobile island can add function AND cozy right here, and I cannot imagine my own kitchen functioning without ours!
In addition to adding much needed work space, it provided character, age, and a surface that can be decorated for the season.
Too much brand new can feel artificial. A vintage piece or an antique is often just what is needed. Sometimes a subway tile backsplash can help since it is a very traditional material used in other eras and can add age.
So many times it is those small design details and additions that help a slightly cool space filled with new to emote a more comfortable, interesting, and inviting vibe.
Today we’ll explore decorating ideas for adding warmth to white kitchens by reviewing lovely examples that inspire.
White Kitchen Design Idea No. 1: Two-tone Cabinetry & Contrast
Even when there is low-contrast…for example, in this kitchen by Lisa Furey where she painted the island a light grey (BM Pashmina) and the cabinets a bright white (BM White OC-151), it’s a soothing shift for the eye and less formal.
White Kitchen Idea No. 2: Natural Wood
There’s just nothing like the combination of a beautiful, natural, character-enhanced wood and a simple white kitchen. This breathtaking kitchen design below is a lesson in just how much warmth wood pocket doors and a knotty hardwood floor can bring.
Here is another example of how natural wood flooring can balance an all-white pristine kitchen with brass hardware. (Obviously it hasn’t been styled with decor – just imagine what plants, pots, and pretty things could live here!)
Perhaps my favorite kitchen of all time – reiterating the point about what warm beauty natural, rustic wood can bring and also proving beautiful kitchens need not be grand in scale.
White Kitchen Design Idea No. 3: Add a Bold Pattern or Geometric
In the kitchen below, the herringbone brick pattern brings movement and keeps the range hood from being lost or cold.
Natural stone imparts pattern as well as does the veining in quartz. Busier veining in countertop materials like the quartz in my own kitchen is often less formal and less modern. Does that make it cozier?
White Kitchen Design Idea No. 4: Add Color to Island
Here’s an idea you may be toying with to add personality and dimension to a kitchen since it would not be difficult to experiment with the change.
Painting or staining the entire island/peninsula/breakfast bar or part of it a warmer hue is an option which may be just the right choice in a white kitchen lacking depth.
White Kitchen Idea No. 5: Flooring With Movement or Interest
In my neck of the woods, it seems every homeowner was adding white square ceramic tile to their kitchen floor in the 90s.
While that color and pattern can often look smart for a backsplash, it’s not ideal for adding interest to a kitchen floor. I mean. Unless you’re keen on daily cleaning of unforgiving, cold white square tiles.
Warm wood, painted encaustic tiles, and rugged stone add character and warmth.
Sometimes, just taking a more casual attitude about mixing tones and colors in the kitchen (avoiding strict matchy-matchy factor) can result in a warmer outcome.
White Kitchen Design Idea No. 6: Warm it With Rustic Wood
Whether it’s shiplap on the walls, beadboard on a backsplash, or wood planks on a ceiling, adding warmth with such texture is a smart way to turn up the casual and cozy factor while dialing down the “precious.”
White Kitchen Design No. 7: Classic or Vintage Style Cabinets
When new kitchen cabinets feel old, they impart a romantic nostalgia that is hard to beat in a white kitchen.
White Kitchen Idea No. 8: Counter & Bar Stools
If the white kitchen design involves a breakfast bar or island, turn up the warm factor with bar stools to add color, texture, and form.
White Kitchen Idea No. 9: Banquettes
They are cozy and a place to cozy on down with pillows or upholstered cushions for added warmth.
White Kitchen Design Idea No. 10: Farm Sink
These country sinks add character with their nod to the past and create informality.
While the kitchen above has pale, not white cabinets, I’m including it since the idea of bringing a warm hued farm sink (metallic or stone) can spell warmth.
White Kitchen Design Idea No. 11: Unexpected Accessories
I love seeing vintage treasures, sculpture, art and framed painted portraits brought into a white kitchen to add personality because when it feels personal and even quirky, it feels warmer.
Have an opinion about ways to add interest to white kitchens? Do add to the discussion!
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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I still enjoy viewing kitchens even though I did mine in 2010. I choice to go with creamy white cabinets, run the hardwood throughout , and paint my island a contrasting color, which at the time I feared might be a passing trend. Here we are in 2018 and still seeing a contrasting island everywhere. I also ran my countertops right up to the three windows that look out on my gardens. With no bottom trim, the gardens feel as though they are part of my kitchen. I must admit, I am in love with my kitchen.
Have a wonderful Sunday, Michele!
Author
And you describe it so perfectly that I’m in love with it too! Thank you for adding lovely here, friend. Happy Sunday. 🙂
Thank you so much for your inspiration thru not only photos but words as well.
I look forward to you daily in that it gives me time to stop and think.
Many thank you’s!!
May you find peace and comfort as you give to others.
Anne
Author
I’m so honored to be a part of your day, and so happy it’s a time of stillness and contemplation for you. Thank you for the peace and comfort – you are so kind, Anne. 🙂
So many beauties here Michele! I think the Mindy Gayor kitchen is speaking to me the loudest though. It seems to have just the right balance of quiet and energy. Have a great day!
Author
That kitchen IS A standout! Enjoy the day and summer lovely, friend. xox
love these ideas! Kitchen design is one of the most important activities. Here I got some great ideas for designing my new kitchen. Thanks for sharing the great article.
I love all these kitchen photos. We are building a home and I am at a loss for color combinations between cabinets and islands. At first I thought I wanted stained cabinets and a mustard island. But it just started to look so blah for me. Would you be able to post some photos of nice contrasting cabinets and islands in your blog. I do love the farmhouse look, but not sure I want an all-white kitchen. Thank you. Love following your blog.
Author
Great post idea! Maybe it is just because I paint everything as a DIYer, but don’t forget painting an accent color on the island is the easiest thing to change out if you tire of it or are tweaking it to get it just right. So making the right decision about cabinets (stain or paint) is the kicker! 🙂
Could you please share the size of the island?
Author
Hi. Which island are you referring to? There are many in this post.
Great! I am planning and thinking what designs should I do in my kitchen for past few days, then I see this site now this is a good sign huh! Thank you for sharing your ideas and designs, I will try it.
Author
Thanks so much for reading! It IS a good sign! 🙂
Layer Shades of White. Avoid a sterile look by mixing whites.
Use a Statement-Making Material. A well-designed white kitchen will depend on the finish materials used in the space.
Bring On Texture.
Add Accent Colors.
Take Advantage of Natural Light.
Provide Softness.
Top the Island.
Bring Texture to the Backsplash.
Author
Beautiful ideas – thank you for sharing them.
It’s really a cool and helpful piece of information blog.
Author
Thanks for reading.
Great blog!
Thank you for this useful content
Author
🙂