Cooking with color: When to use white in the kitchen
As much as I'm drawn to boldly colorful kitchens, I also have a soft spot for the opposite: the white kitchen. But you can't just specify white for all the materials, fixtures and finishes and call it a day. Similar to a slim-fitting white dress or a pair of white skinny jeans, white is not the most forgiving color — when something is white, we tend to notice small details about it, like the quality of the material or texture. This is because white reflects light — unlike darker hues, which tend to absorb light. So while I might use bold, bright color to distract the eye from lower-quality or less-interesting materials, I would use white to accentuate higher-quality or beautifully made materials, allowing them to take center stage.
Also keep in mind that too much white in your kitchen can feel cold, sterile and unwelcoming. You'll see that most of the kitchens below, while predominantly white, also tend to include natural wood in some way — usually in the form of flooring or furniture, which adds warmth, charm and character. White also makes the perfect backdrop for small dashes of bold color. Or, for a serene and soothing space, add other light neutrals, such as shades of beige, tan and gray.
