Decorating: How to Enhance an All-white Kitchen Using Pops of Colour
Do you love your white kitchen but sometimes wish it had more colour? Here's how to introduce it without losing that cool wash of white
White kitchens are more popular than ever, and they will always be timeless and classic. But from the comments I’ve read, some of you with all-white kitchens are finding yourselves craving a little more colour lately. Maybe you’ve purchased a home where the kitchen is too colourless for you. Or perhaps you put in an all-white kitchen 10 years ago, and you’re looking to change up the look without a big renovation. The great thing about an all-white kitchen is that any punches of colour you add will make a big impact and stand out, and there are plenty of easy and inexpensive ways to do so.
Colour-code your cookbooks
Something as simple as a shelf of cookbooks can do the trick – pick out those with bright spines and stack them according to colour for a more thought-out display.
Something as simple as a shelf of cookbooks can do the trick – pick out those with bright spines and stack them according to colour for a more thought-out display.
Use colour in fabric accents
Another great opportunity to add colour in the kitchen is with window treatments. Roman blinds like these can be pulled up or down, allowing you to control how much of the colour and pattern shows, depending on what you’re in the mood for. This floral design adds to the country feel of the kitchen, as do the wall-hung plates – another way to bring in a hit of colour.
Another great opportunity to add colour in the kitchen is with window treatments. Roman blinds like these can be pulled up or down, allowing you to control how much of the colour and pattern shows, depending on what you’re in the mood for. This floral design adds to the country feel of the kitchen, as do the wall-hung plates – another way to bring in a hit of colour.
Add new seat cushions to kitchen chairs
An all-white background will let you get away with any colour or print you fancy on chairs or stools. Here, a mix of shades adds personality to the white island unit.
An all-white background will let you get away with any colour or print you fancy on chairs or stools. Here, a mix of shades adds personality to the white island unit.
Pick out a feature
Trimming this window in cheerful apple green has turned it into a strong focal point that draws the eye. You don’t even have to splash out on a whole tin of paint – just a sample pot might be enough to add the tiniest punch of colour that’ll still have a big impact.
Trimming this window in cheerful apple green has turned it into a strong focal point that draws the eye. You don’t even have to splash out on a whole tin of paint – just a sample pot might be enough to add the tiniest punch of colour that’ll still have a big impact.
Paint the ceiling
This kitchen has a burst of bright colour on its ‘fifth wall’, the ceiling. The effect is cheerful and sunny, while the white cabinetry, trim and floors maintain the light feel in the modestly sized space.
This kitchen has a burst of bright colour on its ‘fifth wall’, the ceiling. The effect is cheerful and sunny, while the white cabinetry, trim and floors maintain the light feel in the modestly sized space.
Choose a different colour for the kitchen island
This adds a wonderful big block of colour and is really easy to do. Choose heritage colours for a country kitchen, or more vivid tones for a modern look.
See how a bold piece of colourful furniture can wake up a room
This adds a wonderful big block of colour and is really easy to do. Choose heritage colours for a country kitchen, or more vivid tones for a modern look.
See how a bold piece of colourful furniture can wake up a room
Paint only the lower cabinets
If you’re considering painting all of the cabinets a colour, try doing just the lower cabinets first. It’s a nice way to anchor the room in colour, yet keeps that airy, crisp white vibe.
If you’re considering painting all of the cabinets a colour, try doing just the lower cabinets first. It’s a nice way to anchor the room in colour, yet keeps that airy, crisp white vibe.
Bring in the new
If you find yourself just plain tired of a sea of white, go for it and change the colour of all the cabinets. Paint is a quick and inexpensive way to totally transform your space – and it’s easy to go back to white if you have a change of heart! This mint green adds a wonderful historic feel to the farmhouse-style kitchen.
If you find yourself just plain tired of a sea of white, go for it and change the colour of all the cabinets. Paint is a quick and inexpensive way to totally transform your space – and it’s easy to go back to white if you have a change of heart! This mint green adds a wonderful historic feel to the farmhouse-style kitchen.
Use light grey
If brighter colours make you nervous but you’re ready for a change, consider a pale, elegant grey. It will change the feel of your kitchen but will soothe rather than shock your system.
Cabinets painted in Dove Tale, Farrow & Ball
If brighter colours make you nervous but you’re ready for a change, consider a pale, elegant grey. It will change the feel of your kitchen but will soothe rather than shock your system.
Cabinets painted in Dove Tale, Farrow & Ball
Add one big, bold splashback
There’s nothing better than an all-white backdrop to highlight an expressive, arty splashback like this one.
There’s nothing better than an all-white backdrop to highlight an expressive, arty splashback like this one.
Go for colourful appliances
There’s more to choose from than just black, white and stainless steel. Stoves, fridge-freezers and dishwashers all now come in a rainbow of colours. I can attest that this really changes things; I just swapped my white refrigerator for a cherry-red one in my mostly white kitchen, and it feels like a whole new room.
There’s more to choose from than just black, white and stainless steel. Stoves, fridge-freezers and dishwashers all now come in a rainbow of colours. I can attest that this really changes things; I just swapped my white refrigerator for a cherry-red one in my mostly white kitchen, and it feels like a whole new room.
Consider the light fixtures
Another easy way to make a big impact is to fit new lighting. These painted metal designs bring an industrial edge, while the pastel blue tone stops them from overpowering the all-white scheme.
Another easy way to make a big impact is to fit new lighting. These painted metal designs bring an industrial edge, while the pastel blue tone stops them from overpowering the all-white scheme.
Paint cabinet interiors
If you prefer to show off clear glassware and white china, amp things up by painting the inside of your glass-front cabinets, like this wall unit backed with cool turquoise.
If you prefer to show off clear glassware and white china, amp things up by painting the inside of your glass-front cabinets, like this wall unit backed with cool turquoise.
Keep it minimal on the outside…
This kitchen has the best of both worlds. When the cabinets are closed, they are almost seamless walls of white.
This kitchen has the best of both worlds. When the cabinets are closed, they are almost seamless walls of white.
…and bold on the inside
But when open, they draw the eye with electric-yellow interiors, completely changing the look of the room.
But when open, they draw the eye with electric-yellow interiors, completely changing the look of the room.
Add wood pieces for contrast
Wooden accents can add warm colour that has character and charm. Here, the vent hood, antique drop-leaf table and Toledo stools bring in a rustic look that keeps the large kitchen from feeling too stark.
Check out some other ways to use dark wood furniture in your home
Wooden accents can add warm colour that has character and charm. Here, the vent hood, antique drop-leaf table and Toledo stools bring in a rustic look that keeps the large kitchen from feeling too stark.
Check out some other ways to use dark wood furniture in your home
Use colour in the room beyond
If your kitchen is open-plan to a living or dining area, you could use the adjoining space to add zingy colour to contrast with the white. In this room, the deep tomato red of the distant walls is echoed in the accessories in the kitchen.
TELL US…
Have you mixed some colour into an otherwise all-white kitchen? Share it with us in the Comments below.
If your kitchen is open-plan to a living or dining area, you could use the adjoining space to add zingy colour to contrast with the white. In this room, the deep tomato red of the distant walls is echoed in the accessories in the kitchen.
TELL US…
Have you mixed some colour into an otherwise all-white kitchen? Share it with us in the Comments below.
Placing bright objects on open shelves, in glass-fronted cabinets or even just on the countertops is the easiest, least permanent way to experiment and will allow you to change the colours when you’re ready for an update.