57 White Kitchen Ideas That Are Total One-Tone Wonders
You’ll wonder if you’ve died and gone to design heaven.
Despite their timeless appeal, all-white kitchens are a deceptively polarizing design trope. While some people applaud the pared-back palette for its enduring versatility and sophistication, die-hard maximalists might find these spaces on the snoozier end of the spectrum. If you’re not sure which side of the great kitchen debate you fall on, we’re here to make a case for the neutral culinary corner.
Don’t let this one-tone wonder fool you. Whether you incorporate tactile materials, sprinkle in a little bit of art, or incorporate an occasional pop of color, all-white kitchens are packed with ample design potential. “If you want a kitchen that will last a lifetime, white is a classic color that will always be in style,” says Atlanta-based interior designer Morse Design’s Andi Morse, who sees an all-white space as a prime canvas upon which one can bring in daring accessories and bold accents.
Looking to give your kitchen a clean transformation? A sleek space can transform the smallest details of the room into a museum-worthy backdrop, be it some cool cabinetry hardware or a fresh batch of brownies. To prove it, we’ve culled the archives for the very best white kitchens to use as inspiration. From farmhouse-forward setups to modern masterpieces, these 57 kitchens prove that an all-white theme equals a creative carte blanche.
Minimalist and Neutral
Uncharacteristic of the maximalist, color-on-color decorators Miles Redd and David Kaihoi, who seemingly have never met a fire-engine red or kelly green they did not like, their latest project proves their versatility as designers. In this four-bedroom duplex penthouse in Manhattan, not a single bright hue can be found. And it’s simply stunning. In the kitchen, white walls in Venetian plaster take on a golden hue as the sunlight comes round from the east.
Beautiful and Glamorous
When the fashion superstar is your neighbor, your apartment is in good hands. Look no further than Christian Siriano’s TriBeCa apartment project for a reason to think white. High-contrast marble brings together the bold black accents for chic layering.
Keep It Original
The custom cabinets in this Greek revival Hudson Valley, New York, home, designed by Miles Redd, are paired with a vent hood by Wolf. Giving contrast to the white kitchen, the 19th-century chairs upholstered in a botanical Bennison print ground the airy space.
Mediterranean Flair
In Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s Los Angeles home, the white kitchen pays homage to the house’s Mediterranean style. The cabinetry and wall tiles original to the house were given a full-on white wash, complementing the barely there white 1930s O’Keefe & Merritt stove. Bold wall trim and rustic flooring give added dimension.
Forever Classic
When renovating her French country farmhouse kitchen, decorator Tricia Crist turned to historic period-style kitchens as a reference point. After every white kitchen stood out to her, she opted to go for the color scheme that clearly withstands the test of time: white.
Tiny and Functional
Not all kitchens need to be white on white to get that clean effect. Take, for example, the kitchen of this 490-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment in New York City. The white marble-topped island is punctuated by warm-wooded oak. “We joked internally that we were going to make a modern Parisian treehouse,” the homeowner adds.
Always on Trend
Interior designer Bethanie Kendra’s kitchen lacks natural light, something she took into account when determining the scheme for her culinary space. This white and bright aesthetic brings a stunning crisp and clean vibe that lights up the dim room.
Pops of Color
If this is a sad beige kitchen, we don’t want to be happy. In jewelry designer Matthew Harris’s pied-à-terre in Lisbon, an artwork by Jean Cocteau sits on a custom shelf in Portuguese Rosa marble. The white-on-beige scheme is complemented by pops of color in every corner. Hashtag obsessed.
Employ Powerful Pigments
White might be the star of your kitchen, but it doesn’t have to be the only hue. In this Manhattan apartment, Dorothy Berwin, working with designer Sandra Arndt of Studio AKTE, gets the best of both worlds by adding a bubblegum pink Sabine Marcelis table to this high-contrast space.
Wood Wonderland
For an all-white kitchen with Mother Nature’s seal of approval, incorporate some organic touches. In this Malibu, California, home, Standard Architecture and Martha Mulholland warmed up the neutral space with timber elements.
Opt for Open Shelves
As this Long Island, New York, home proves, an all-white kitchen can be a great blank canvas to show off all of your plates, cookware, and snacks. To perfect the look, designer Linda Rodin employed floating shelves.
Sit Pretty
All-white kitchens often receive the reputation of being cold and uninviting. So what better way to flip the narrative than by adding some well-appointed seats? Alex Logsdail perfected the look with these Carl Malmsten stools.
Mix and Match
Why settle for one material when you can choose two? Michael K. Chen deftly juxtaposed a ribbed wood base and Cristallo quartzite in this Manhattan abode.
Opt for Retro Touches
For an all-white treatment that feels truly timeless, consider adding retro touches. With curved countertops as well as tiled walls and floors, this small kitchen by Mark Grattan feels like a walk down memory lane in all the right ways.
Style with Symmetry
Seeing double? Well, that’s sometimes the trick to bringing some visual intrigue into an all-white kitchen. Case in point: this space from Nicholas Obeid, which boasts dual Allied Maker pendants and vintage stools.
Add Art
Never underestimate the power of great art. Designer Laura Hodges incorporated muted pieces into this newly renovated kitchen. The result? A happy medium between pared-back and personable.
Design to New Heights
Ready to bring a dose of drama into your all-white kitchen? As Tim Godbold’s East Hampton, New York, home proves, the only way to go is up. Here, the designer enlisted Apparatus illuminants to flank the pitched ceiling, drawing the eye upward and making the room appear a lot larger.
Paint with the Softest of Pinks
At first glance, fashion designer Carly Cushnie’s kitchen looks all-white. The reality? Barely-there pink walls offset the crisp cabinets, backsplash, and countertops, giving some warmth to the all-white-kitchen concept.
Take Neutrals Up a Notch
If the thought of an all-white kitchen feels too sterile—but a pop of color is too bold—weave in some neutrals. Designer Delia Kenza worked with existing gray cabinetry in her otherwise white space. The classic island is updated with Patricia Urquiola barstools and lighting from Michael Anastassiades.
Work with Statement Stone
Turn your all-white kitchen into a wow factor with the help of a standout island. Made with gray Bianco Gioia stone, this supersized setup in Tamsin Johnson’s home anchors the kitchen and acts as a jumping-off point for the entire Sydney home. Sink fittings from Perrin & Rowe and a vintage Gio Ponti chandelier round out the look in style.
Sofia Quintero is the Editorial Assistant for ELLE DECOR. She helps out with all aspects of print production and is a frequent contributor to elledecor.com. She graduated from university in Paris, and is originally from Costa Rica.
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, and ELLE Decor, among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
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