For the Love of White Kitchens offers inspiration to help you see the wide range of possibilities even when you’ve narrowed it down to white. Also find ideas for white paint colors for cabinetry, trim, walls, ceilings, and windows. If you happen to be renovating, building a home, or refreshing a kitchen, ease the process with a review of my Pinterest Kitchens Board!
For the Love of White Kitchens + White Paint Colors
If it is a white kitchen you dream of, pay no mind to voices echoing OH IT’S TOO SAFE or
![BM Collingwood on kitchen cabinets in a beautiful white kitchen with Chantilly Lace walls - design by AKBDesign. #collingwood #bmcollingwood #chantillylace](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/akbdesign-white-kitchen-modern-french.jpg)
EVERYONE’S OVER BORING WHITE or
IT DOESN’T HAVE ENOUGH PERSONALITY or
![SW Alabaster on kitchen cabinets in a gorgeous timeless kitchen with Holborn lanterns over island - Thompson Construction. #swalabaster #sherwinwilliamsalabaster #kitchencabinets](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/sw-alabaster-white-kitchen-thompsondb-construction-island-lanterns.jpg)
YOUR KITCHEN IS GOING TO FEEL COLD AND STERILE or
IT’S SUCH A BORING MOVE AND YOU’RE NOT BORING AT ALL or
KEEPING A WHITE KITCHEN CLEAN IS THE DEVIL or
RESALE IS ALL ABOUT WOOD TONES, MOODY VIBES, AND COLOR or
IT’S JUST TOO SAFE AND COMMON or
![White modern French kitchen by Carolyn Malone and D. Stanley Dixon - limestone floors and Imperial Danby marble. #modernfrench #frenchkitchens](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/white-kitchen-malone-veranda-dixon-architect.jpg)
IF YOU SEEN ONE WHITE KITCHEN, YOU’VE SEEN THEM ALL. (This opinion may be my favorite myth. Good gracious. Are you seeing the images of an eclectic mix of white kitchens I’m seeing?)
![Shoji White painted kitchen cabinets in a farmhouse design by @weepingwillow.farmhouse. #shojiwhite #whitekitchencolors](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/sw-shoji-white-kitchen-weepwillow.farmhouse.jpg)
In Praise of White Kitchens
While I could turn this post into one of those “how to add more warmth” ones, Lord knows I have exhausted that topic, and I’m just over it. You are allowed to love the clean, spacious, cloud-like, ethereal, calm, serene, tranquil timelessness of a white kitchen in all its glory without fear here.
You’re too safe? Think about that for a second. Is that worst thing in the 2020s to be? To go toward safety and those spaces that help you feel a little safer? What does that even say about cultural messaging at the moment? Why is “dangerous” and “on trend” so sexy to marketers? I think we all know the answer.
Things I Have Learned Living With White Kitchens
Let’s just chat as friends about what I have learned after decades of experience living and helping others with design decisions.
![Hello Lovely's white European country modern French kitchen with Minuet Viatera quartz counters, farm sink, industrial cart, and marble subway backsplash.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/hello-lovely-studio-white-kitchen-oak-floor-marble-subway-backsplash-industrial-cart-stool-1.jpg)
Mix Old With the New
First of all, and this just doesn’t apply strictly to white kitchens, when everything in the kitchen is brand new, the balance often feels off. Bringing in vintage pieces is one way to improve the balance. What’s amazing in this day and age is that there are a wealth of sources to find vintage and antiques.
![Artful white kitchen vignette with plaster range hood and marble vessels - @erinashkelly. #modernrustic #moderncountrykitchen #europeancountrystyle](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/001-erinsashkelly-white-kitchen-2.jpg)
You don’t even have to leave your home if you don’t feel like it. But it’s more satisfying and helpful to shop at brick and mortar stores. You get the pleasure of not knowing what you’ll discover. You get to touch and sense energies from objects calling to you. Does this sound woowoo? Not sorry. Things carry energy.
![Traditional and elegant white farmhouse kitchen with grey and brass accents - The Fox Group. #kitchendesign #modernfarmhouse #traditionalstyle #classickitchens #thefoxgroup #beadboard #greykitchens](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/white-grey-modern-farmhouse-kitchen-the-fox-group-salazar-photo.jpg)
Notice in this magnificent kitchen above there’s a rich mix of old and new.
![Rustic wood beams and antique street lights from Barcelona in Pale and serene French interiors in a luxurious Houston home built with authentic European materials and bespoke finishes. #timelessdesign #interiordesign #frenchcountry #europeancountry #antiques #oldworldstyle #modernfrench #frenchkitchen](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/722-friar-tuck-lane-houston-french-country-kitchen-breakfast-bar-antique-mantel.jpg)
Not everything has to be authentically antique, but including weathered finishes, vintage details, and collected objects and art you love adds warmth and meaning.
Even the choice of pattern on the floor can lend a feeling of age. Checkered tiles may be trending, but there’s something so nostalgic and historical about this simple gesture.
Should You Add Color to the Island?
I only have a bit of experience living with a two-tone kitchen. In our prior kitchen, all of the cabinetry was white, and I added a vintage steel work cart which I painted a soft French grey. Just that bit of contrast felt lovely to me.
![White roses in vintage ironstone pitcher on an industrial steel cart in my serene white kitchen - Hello Lovely. #whitekitchens #modernfrench #farmhousekitchen](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/hello-lovely-studio-white-Shaker-kitchen-industrial-cart-white-roses.jpg)
Black or dark charcoal colors are quite popular for islands in white kitchens. Here’s a simple design that could work in a variety of smaller white kitchens:
This timeless kitchen which belonged to my friend Tina shows you how warm white, black, wood tones, and warm stone can mix beautifully.
You can also add that high contrast on window trim as evidenced here:
Even when there is low-contrast…for example, in this kitchen by Lisa Furey Interiors where the island is painted light grey (BM Pashmina) and cabinets a bright white (BM White OC-151), it’s a soothing shift for the eye and less formal.
![Kitchen. Board and batten coastal cottage in Palmetto Bluff with modern farmhouse interior design by Lisa Furey.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/coastal-cottage-kitchen-lisa-furey-light-grey-island.jpg)
White Cabinetry With Natural Wood Islands
The beauty of a wood toned island, work station, or table is you can always change your mind about the color and paint it if it doesn’t suit you down the line.
![Modern farmhouse white kitchen with beautiful wood ceiling detail and breathtaking architectural design - The Fox Group. #modernfarmhouse #thefoxgroup #kitchendesign #woodceiling #traditionalkitchens #twotonekitchen #zinchood #whitekitchens](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/the-fox-group-white-modern-farmhouse-coastal-kitchen-scott-davis-photo.jpg)
And can we talk about how friendly a blue range feels in a white kitchen!?!
Sometimes it is hard to tell whether the island is a contrasting tone or there is shadow in the space making it appear darker.
![Gorgeous California laidback modern rustic luxe kitchen by Amber Lewis with Garvey Counter Stool, brass dome pendant, black window trim, and white cabinets. #modernrustic #kitchendesign #laidbackluxe](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/amber-lewis-anthropologie-kitchen-garvey-counter-stool.jpg)
deVOL is unmatched in their commitment to sophisticated simplicity, and here’s a taste of how they consistently set the bar. In this kitchen, it’s as if they are answering the question BUT WHAT IF I’M NOT SURE IF I’LL LIKE A TWO-TONE KITCHEN WITH UPPERS PAINTED A DIFFERENT COLOR THAN BASE CUPBOARDS?
The answer is: maybe opt for white shelves above creamy mushroom cabinets.
BTW. Cream and mushroom can be transcendent together…
![Encouragement quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #encouragementquotes #strugglequotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/encouragement-quote-not-a-failure-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
White Eases Flooring Options
When you’re building a new kitchen or renovating a new one, there are a million details and decisions to be made. The flooring choice is a huge consideration. When you go to the trouble of a new kitchen, you don’t want to be ripping up the floor anytime soon.
![Beautiful European country white kitchen by Giannetti Home (photo: Lisa Romerein) in C Magazine. #vintagependantlights #giannettikitchen #europeancountry](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/giannetti-allerton-california-kitchen-lisa-romerein.jpg)
I love how white cabinets in a kitchen make it far easier to decide on flooring material, stain, finish, etc. With a kitchen full of wood cabinets (and I have lived with such kitchens) and you also want hardwood on the floor, it can be a challenge to get the tone of the floor right.
![All white marble kitchen with brass lanterns and luxurious French range - The Fox Group. #allwhitekitchens #classicwhitekitchen](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/the-fox-group-emilyjackson-all-white-marble-kitchen-herringbone-wood-floors.jpg)
No matter what white paint or finish you choose for the cabinetry and trim, it is probably going to look stunning with the warmth of wood or stone.
![Brené Brown quote about empathy, courage, boundaries and vulnerability on Hello Lovely Studio. #selfhelpquotes #personalgrowth #brenebrownquotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/BRENE-BROWN-personal-growth-quotes-vulnerability-courage-hello-lovely-studio-.jpg)
In the kitchen below, the French limestone floor, linen curtains, and pale table top are various whites that harmonize and feel timeless.
![Gorgeous French inspired kitchen with limestone floors, old lantern pendant and banquette in breakfast nook - Carolyn Malone. #frenchcountrykitchen #breakfastnooks](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/carolyn-malone-atlanta-banquette-kitchen-limestone-floor.jpg)
Whether it’s shiplap on the walls, bead board on a backsplash, or wood planks on a ceiling, adding warmth with texture can turn up cozy factor and dial down the preciousness.
![Brene Brown quote about people doing their best on Hello Lovely Studio. #vulnerabilityquotes #personalgrowthquotes #brenebrownquotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BRENE-BROWN-quote-people-doing-their-best-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Inspiration and Ressources
![Coastal Grandmother Kitchen Shop the Look - ideas from Hello Lovely! #coastalgrandmother #coastalkitchen #shopthelook](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/coastal-grandmother-kitchen-shop-the-look-hello-lovely-studio-banner.jpg)
Dark countertop with white cabinets…
![The Scullery is one of the three rooms that make up the downstairs of the Millhouse showrooms at Cotes Mill, itâs a very simply furnished room and of all the spots to see this Classic English range, itâs the most humble. You see the piece of furniture, solid hardwood, handmade and hand-painted, itâs not a modular kitchen cupboard that needs another one next to it, itâs a whole cupboard all-encompassing. 10 Amazing English Country Kitchens by deVOL. #deVOLKitchens](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/37/cf/2c/37cf2c1318ce88b240b95a9683a1a16c.jpg)
![Mies van der Rohe. Less is more. #design #quote](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/000001-less-is-more-quote-hello-lovely-studio-black-and-white.jpg)
Here’s a great example of a slight tweak that changes a mood in a white kitchen:
I didn’t think I could love the French inspired kitchen above any more, but then a couple of changes were made:
![@thefrenchnestcointeriordesign French farmhouse kitchen with reclaimed wood island and copper pots hanging above. #frenchfarmhouse #frenchkitchens](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/001-thefrenchnestcointeriordesign-kitchen-french-farmhouse.jpg)
Which is further proof that white kitchens evolve and age and improve so well over time!
![Simple yet sophisticated white modern farmhouse kitchen with wood topped island and rattan stools - Park and Oak. #kitchendesign #classickitchen #whitekitchen #coastalkitchen #whiteoak #modernfarmhouse](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/park-and-oak-elmhurst-kitchen-white-shaker-cabinets-knotty-rustic-hardwoods-1.jpg)
So go ahead and release your anxiety about a white kitchen’s potential. There are so many different ways to give it personality, customization, warmth, and interest.
![Timeless kitchen design and architecture (look at that nook!) by Atlanta-based Jeffrey Dungan who mixes rustic with elegant in luxury home design. #architecture #luxuryhome #jeffreydungan #timelessdesign #sophisticateddesign](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/jeffrey-dungan-timeless-interior-design-011.jpg)
Neutralizing the big elements makes way for all sorts of other opportunities for texture and beauty.
![Modern French kitchen with rustic elegant design by Jill Egan and architecture by Kirby Mears. #modernfrench #kitchendesign](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/jillegan-kitchen.jpg)
![Inspiring quote about design from William Morris. Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. #design #quote #williammorris](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/000001-william-morris-quote-hello-lovely-studio-black-and-white.jpg)
Thanks for taking the time to visit this little white decor lovin’ space on the web. It’s better with you here.
![Farm sink, subway tile backsplash, and open shelving in a modern farmhouse kitchen by Leanne Ford. #restoredbythefords #leanneford #modernfarmhousekitchen #farmsink #modernrustic #interiordesign](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/leanne-ford-warm-minimalism-modern-farmhouse-kitchen-3-alexandra-ribar.jpg)
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Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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I love white kitchens as well! They are like wearing the perfect white blouse that you can dress up any way you want and so easy to change it up. Loved all these kitchens and your blog came at a perfect time. We are in the middle of our 16th diy kitchen remodel (yes we have moved that many times but we refuse to rent) when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. Needless to say that everything came to a screeching halt. We live in Savannah, Ga but we stayed in Atlanta for his treatments for a lengthy period time. Thankfully he beat it and we have finally returned home but walking back into the reality of an unfinished kitchen was a major YIKES moment. This post is helping me put my brain back in the game 😂🤣😅 I thank you and love how much effort and information you put into every post. I do not pin sections of them, I pin the entire thing ❤️
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I’m so happy to hear about your husband’s progress! What a blessing. Keep pinning, Jeannie – you are such a lovely cheerleader for me and this little blog. Can’t wait to hear how #16 turns out! Wow! 🙂