I don't think it's "too white", but I do think you need something to warm up the space, and the answer to that is COLOR. Pick ONE color as your accent and bring it into a couple places:

- Reduce the countertop clutter by 50% ... and add colorful canisters to "tidy up" what's left.

- Consider colorful cloth toppers for your stools. Perhaps colorful placemats too.

- Add either a colorful valance in your window OR something colorful -- plates, a plaque -- over the window.

Then bring in some organic features:

- You have empty space above your cabinets. Add storage baskets -- woven brown baskets, which will tie into the floor.

- Add some small green plants at the window. (If you're a plant-killer like me, you can be excused for using quality plastic plants.)

Last thought: Adjust the shelves in your glass-front cabinet so they match the mullions. No, it won't help a bit with the color issue, but it'll look neater.

On my screen it looks fine. I guess it depends on what type of overall look you are hoping to achieve.

The 1st easiest less $ change would experiment with light bulb tones.

If want to "warm" the room warm bulbs may help, but be careful not to go to warm or may look yellow. This well help a little.

You may want to paint the walls. I know, what a pain, but maybe that is the answer to achieve your goals. Cheaper than painting cabinets & much easier to do.

The wall color contrast may be interfering with the overall look you are going for.

Here's some photos to compare wall colors & the overall look with white cabinets & black counters.

Dark Walls

Light Walls

It may sound counterproductive to paint white if the concern is the cabinets are too white, but white walls that match close to white cabinets makes cabinets blend into walls & makes room look bigger. I like this open bright feeling.

A very light off white with white cabinets & black counter top is gorgeous in my opinion.

Also adding white crown where ceiling meets walls would be a nice added feature to your kitchen.

Hope that helps you get the kitchen to your liking soon.

I love those examples that you posted actually! That makes me feel a bit better. It is also a big change because although we had white cabinets before, they were a very yellow white that always bothered me so I knew I wanted to brighten up. Crown molding is a good idea and something we have thought of. And yes... the clutter is mostly due to this being mid-project so stuff was in disarray. One more example at night

Thanks! I think I need some reassurance because you are RIGHT.... panic set in and I started spiraling. Truthfully, pure white would have been better but they are so close that it probably wouldn’t be a giant change. Right?

it looks good. mixing metals is happening lately. I might look for a warm metal for the hardware. Could be" not ultra expensive " and certainly easy and a little perk for space. Can the pendants be swapped for a warm tone while keeping the ceiling bar? Not sure if the hanging part is interchangeable.....You're good: also.....colored canisters , some wooden bowls, etc.

One of the pictures posted by artistsharvona has wood accessories. Change out the stainless on your counters for accessories with the warm wood colors of your floor. Utensils holder, canisters, a beautiful large cutting board-these will balance the black and white. I love your contrast. You could also embrace it with white canisters, etc. and a black and white fabric at your window.

You got used to your yellowy cabinets and your brain just hasn't processed the change yet. We always second guess these expensive projects.

These canisters may help warm it up?

It looks fine. Normal to second guess a change. You did good. You got rid of the yellowish,too :)

Here is looks cold to me...

Because of the direct sunlight?

It looks great you just are not use to it yet!

Honestly, I think it looks great and you probably just need to get used to the change. But if you are still not happy after you've given yourself time to adjust, I think you gotten a lot of good suggestions, some of which I implemented below (wall color, wood and warm-colored accessories). Changing your light bulbs to a warm white (assuming they aren't already) will also help, as someone else suggested.

I think it looks great. I love the contrast of light cabinets with dark countertops. I agree with bringing a little more warmth to the space with wood but I don't think you need to do anything drastic.

Truthfully, pure white would have been better but they are so close that it probably wouldn’t be a giant change. Right?

No, it wouldn't have been better.

Extra White is a much, much, much prettier color of white than Pure White. SW's Pure White is one of my least favorite whites out of the 30 brands I work with. JMHO

Technically they are different. Extra White is a cleaner, crisper white compared to Pure White which is more grayed.

Since they have only recently been cleaned, sanded and painted, is there a way for me to just add another topcoat in a softer white without taking everything down? They are hidden hinges so that wouldn’t be an issue.

You just need more light with a mix of task and accent lights. Ideally I’d like a different wall color.

Lori- I see you are a color consultant! Thank you for weighing in! Do you use extra white often for cabinets? Our contractor said that they almost always use it.

Yes. :) It's on the doors, trim and cabinets in my own home.

And you're going to be fine with the color once you get everything put back in place and add some accessories.

EW works really well with the back splash. A softer white probably won't look as good as what you've already got.

My cabinets are extra white and I don’t find them cold at all. In fact I chose the color because of its chameleon abilities. It works with so many colors. I really think your feeling of it looking stark is because you haven’t had “clean” freshly painted cabinets in a long time. By clean I don’t mean they were dirty before simply that new paint is completely unblemished and always feels stark before you get used to it and add other elements to it.

I definitely do think the cabinets are to white. I think the plants and baskets are a great suggestion but to me the main thing is lighting. The top lights are not even on in the top picture. Under cabinet lights would be good and a little less "stuff" on the counters and see if you aren't pleased. But the cabinets are great.

Thanks bobbiewhitten- you think they ARE too white? Or are not? Sorry...wasn’t quite sure. Under cabinet lighting is a great idea- thanks!

Catherine you got a thumbs up from Lori who is the expert so I wouldn't worry another minute. Once you get used to it, I think you'll love it. I did Pure White for mine so it's a bummer to see her take on it, but then again, I think it works well and I'm happy with it. Enjoy your beautiful cabinets.

I agree with artistsharonva! We have Sherwin Williams extra white on our cabinets in our basement and have warm white led recessed lights which make our cabinets look a warm soft white. Try replacing your recessed light trim with adjustable color LEDs. They have 4-5 different settings that you can play with that dramatically change the color tone of paint colors.

Looks great! Cabinets are a lovely contrast to the black countertop, while the wood floor warms the space and softens the high visual drama.

What was your previous cabinet color?

If you had a creamy colored backsplash with black counters and white cabs, OR orange-gray swirled granite, then I'd agree that white may be too stark. However, this is not your situation.

where is the sink drawer? Are you getting a new sink?

!!

I like them. I think you just need to get used to them. I do agree, you need some color in there with accessories. Sometimes it just takes a few days, to get used to change.

I did Pure White for mine so it's a bummer to see her take on it

It's a perfectly nice white. It's just that I have other favorites that fit into my very unscientific category of "pretty".

Pure White is actually a good choice for several marble/marble-look tiles and counter tops.

You can use the space above the cabinets for colored ceramic pieces, woven baskets w/ plants or wire baskets for storage. Coordinate two complementary colors like yellow or tangerine with blue, plum w/ sage green, red & shades of grey which will pop against the B & W. Paint the walls a medium grey. Remember to tie whatever colors you choose to another place that adjoins like canisters, cushions on counter stools, artwork, etc. I think once you get used to it, you'll be fine.

I dont think it looks cold, I think the problem is that it looks too sterile, because there is nothing with color anywhere, except the dark color on your wall.

What were your cabinets before? Maybe you’re just not used to seeing the change yet. The counters being black (they look black on my screen) and the cabinets are giving you a strong contrast. The cabinets actually are reading an off-white on my screen and I think they could stand to be whiter if we’re being picky. They look nice though! I‘d add some wood (cutting boards) to warm it up and add maybe a plant.

Hmmm... looking at your picture again I see you have a rug and there is a cutting board. I think the biggest thing making it seem cold is the bar stools. I’m sorry for suggesting this because they're probably new but that may be a good place to add wood and replace them. Just a thought if this continues to bug you weeks from now. I still think you just need some time for your eyes to adjust.

Maybe prop a colorful piece of art against the backsplash. And/or wall space at the sides of the kitchen.

Roman shade maybe for at the window would also add color and some softness.

Can you post a photo of the area behind the kitchen?

Before the cabinets were a more yellow white that came off as dingy next to the subway tile backsplash. And the original paint job wasn’t great- the wood grain was showing through terribly and it just looked not great. So these are new doors and new paint- they did a great job painting, it’s just that is read “stark” to me and then I went down a rabbit hole of sherwin Williams extra white reviews which people commented could come off as “too white” and it just sent me into a panic. I am going to clear off the counters, get wood-topped canisters (and only two probably) and maybe a cream jar for utensils, and get some better greenery for the windowsill and then just give myself time to adjust. The contractor and another painter did say that they use mostly bright white now in new construction kitchens so I dunno. And yes... I know I have to adjust the shelve height in the glass cabinet...

Honestly they aren’t coming across stark at all. I REALLY think you are just used to a cream cabinet and probably one that had a lot of yellow to the tone now this seems over the top because of what you are used to. Imagine trying on 10 shades of ivory in a wedding dress then trying on a white one . It’s going to look different until you’ve worn it awhile. I would get some real plants or herbs you can plant in some pretty pots that are subtle and do your canister thing. But really time will be your friend. They look great and I wouldn’t change them.

cabinets look really nice. How you feel about repainting walls in very light gray? Also hard to tell from picture, but it might be good idea to paint ceiling bring white too. Adding wood elements like chair seats with black metal legs, wood cutting board or bowl for fruits. Don't do too much, one or 2 would be enough.

Thanks everyone, seriously:) I think I will eventually adjust .... and get over my “pure white” regret. Small changes are helping....

I think it looks beautiful & your eyes (& brain) are just not used to the change yet. With time, I bet you will find them to be beautiful, too!

I think they are beautiful and it’s probably just a bit of a shock - I think over time (and probably a matter of weeks) they will seem less intense white. You just need time to adapt!

I think they look spectacular, and would not mess with it!

I think they look great!!! Nice job:)

Thank you! If anyone has sw extra white cabinets that they love and wouldn’t mind sharing I would love to see pictures in others home- it will take some of the emotionality out of it and I will be more objective I think.

Catherine every space is going to look different dependent on lighting. Not only lighting but what the person taking the photo has their camera set to and. What additional lighting they’ve brought in. Counter tops wall color backsplash these things are all going to affect how the cabinets look. So comparing your space to pictures isn’t really going to be productive . That said here is my kitchen In extra white

My kitchen · More Info

My kitchen · More Info

And here is my bathroom in extra white

MASTER BATHROOM · More Info

and here are other kitchens in extra white

My kitchen · More Info

My kitchen · More Info

My kitchen · More Info

Your kitchen is GORGEOUS pink_peony. I love it. Thanks for sharing those. I still think I should have gone softer.... but it’s ok. It’s not terrible and I will get used to it!

Pics

Catherine I think the difference you’re seeing isn’t the cabinet color but your wall color. your wall color is much deeper creating more of a contrast Which in turn is making your cabinets seem brighter. If you notice in all the photos the wall colors are softer and lighter. So you don’t have the darker background to make the cabinets “pop” more.

oops hit submit before saying thank you ;/)

replace the stools with something lovely. too much metal. Add nice valance Problem Solved. Paint the walls lighter. Not too stark. :)

I just got new white cabinets and also feel they are too white. The sample color I saw in the showroom didn't look so stark. My house was built in 1933 and all the white in the house is warm and old feeling. I wanted the cabinets to blend and it just feels to bright compared to the trim that leads to other rooms from the kitchen. I wasn't interested in changing all the other white in the house. Now I'm considering a glaze.

I like how they look, super clean.

@Lori A. Sawaya What's your feeling about SW Pure White vs. Extra White for all the drywall. I am unable to get in beforehand to see the light. I'm afraid Pure White will be too warm and Extra will be too cold. I see you love Extra for cabinets but what about drywall. The cabinets are going to be a real icy white so I'm also afraid Extra will look like I tried to match but failed while Pure White at least has a darker LRV. I'm just afraid of mixing a warmish white (Pure) with cool cabinets. So difficult without being able to get in with my Samplize samples! Thanks for any feedback (and from anyone else as well!)