5 Ways to Make Your White Kitchen Stand Out

White kitchens are like blue jeans, truly timeless and will never go out of style. It’s the perfect blank canvas for you to change up seasonal color schemes seamlessly and it helps to create an illusion of a bigger, cleaner kitchen. Don't’ believe us? According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) 67% of its members said white is their top cabinet preference, a 20% increase from two years ago! Kitchen appliance companies like Whirlpool are also jumping on board the increasingly popular trend with white appliance models. Surprisingly, white appliances are easier to clean than stainless steel - think fingerprint smudges! White cabinets, Carrera marble counter tops and white subway tiled backsplash are in every white kitchen. It’s hard to re-imagine the white kitchen to make it truly unique – so how can you make your white kitchen different than your neighbors? You’ll have to think outside the box and some of the bolder choices might make you nervous but it’s those bold moves that will lead to unique designs! Here are five big and small ways you can make your white kitchen stand out from the rest.

1. Lighting

No need for tons of strong lighting in the kitchen since the white on white look reflects lots of light. This means you have a ton of options for lighting without worrying about the strength of the light. Because white on white is such a simple design, the light fixture you choose will make a big statement no matter how small and minimal the design might be. Consider recycled industrial lighting for a traditional farmhouse design, glass orbs for a minimal vibe or mini chandeliers for a Victorian look.

2. Unique Backsplash

It’s tempting to just go with white subway tiles –it’s what everyone else does and you know it’ll look great. With so many unique tile options out there, seems like such a waste to go with plain rectangular tiles. You can still go with white, but why not experiment with different shapes and sizes? Try hexagon tiles, beveled arabesque tiles, star and cross tiles or use the subway tiles in a herringbone pattern. Even if it’s still white, the unique tile shapes will give your kitchen backsplash tons of texture and personality. Still leaning towards basic subway tiles? Consider a bold grout color like gold to offset the white!

3. Hardware

The options are endless, you can choose from glass, acrylic, concrete, silver, bronze, antique bronze, copper, gold, satin nickel, chrome and so much more. After you pick a finish you have to choose from different styles of knobs and handles. Try something different and opt for twig brass handles, rectangular knobs, black marble knobs, clear glass knobs, lava stone geometric knobs, brushed hexagon knobs, marble pulls or whatever else may catch your eye! There’s no reason to choose the obvious when there are so many options for you to choose from. Follow your heart and don't be scared to stray from the norm.

4. Rugs & runners

Area rugs and runners can make a huge impact on white kitchens. This is where you can add the most flare and be as adventurous as you want because changing out a rug is so much easier than painting all your cabinets. This is the best way to liven up your kitchen if it’s too white – choose an intricate Kilim rug for a bold pop of color and texture.

5. Color scheme

White on white kitchens can be super trendy but you’ll need some sort of color so that your kitchen isn’t hospital white. You can add cool grey tones into your design for a subtle break in the white or be bold and choose bright accent colors like red or yellow. Think red barstools and plates or a yellow accent wall. No need to go overboard, small accents will go far in an all white kitchen. If you want to make a bigger statement, consider doing a darker color for the bottom cabinets. It can help break up the space and transition into darker floor colors.