All-white kitchens have always been praised for their simple, classic and timeless appeal. They can make a space feel much brighter and adapt to every single design type, so it’s no wonder they’ve stood the test of time and transcended all other trends and styles. But as popular and versatile as these kitchens may be, they can also look rather dull and sterile at times. After all, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, and white kitchens are definitely not everybody’s cup of tea.
So, if you’ve grown tired of your white cabinets and you crave more colour and visual appeal, it might be time to give your kitchen a much-needed refresh. This will have you facing another dilemma – what other style should you choose? There are certainly more than enough options that could help you add interest to your kitchen. But since you probably don’t want to spend ages going through countless interior design magazines, websites and galleries or deal with a costly trial-and-error process, you can check out our recommendations instead.
We’ve done the research for you and came up with a carefully-curated list of five popular alternatives you could try or use as a source of inspiration.
Two-toned cabinets
Worried that switching from all-white cabinetry to a completely different colour all of a sudden might be too big of a leap for you? Then you can change only half of your kitchen’s chromatic by opting for two-toned units. As the name implies, this means you can incorporate two different hues in your furniture to provide more visual interest and freshen up your kitchen.
You can keep part of your cabinets white and choose a different colour for the rest of the units or combine two contrasting nuances for a more striking effect. In order to achieve a unified look, it’s generally recommended to have a lighter or neutral colour for the top units and use a darker or more intense hue for the lower ones. This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to turn a plain kitchen into an elegant and inviting space.
Hich-gloss kitchen
It’s not just colour you can play with if you want to make your kitchen stand out. The finish of your units is another important element to take into consideration when looking to create a unique and highly personal design. This is where high gloss kitchens come in.
There are numerous benefits to choosing a high-gloss kitchen, apart from offering some variation from the traditional matte finish. With their sleek and clean lines, they provide a modern and fresh vibe that can instantly upgrade even the most outdated of kitchens. If you’re dealing with poor lighting and space limitations, the glossy finish of these cabinets can serve as a reflecting surface, making the space look much bigger and brighter. Aesthetics aside, high gloss kitchens are also very easy to clean and maintain, so keeping them in tip-top shape will feel like a breeze.
Deep blue hues
Blue kitchens are far from being a novelty, but they’ve certainly grown in popularity over the past few years. Navy blue cabinets especially have seen a resurgence recently, being featured in numerous interior design magazines. Their appeal comes from the stylish and sophisticated ambience they create and their versatility. This allows them to be paired with a wide variety of colours, so you can create numerous combinations that match your personal style and design vision.
Navy blue cabinets are also a very practical option, which is something you should keep in mind if you cook a lot or use the space for entertaining. As one of the most used rooms in the house, kitchens tend to be subjected to a lot of wear and tear. The navy-blue hue of the cabinets can withstand intense usage better than other colours and can mask some of the signs, so they’ll look better for longer.
Shades of grey
If you don’t want to steer too far from the simple and clean style of an all-white kitchen but still want to give your space a quick facelift, opting for various shades of grey can be a good option for you. Grey cabinets can be considered the bolder cousin of the classic white kitchen, so it makes sense to choose a colour from this range for a subtle yet effective improvement.
Which shade of grey should you opt for? That’s a tough question to answer, considering there are numerous variations, some of them quite indistinguishable from one another. The good news is that grey being a neutral colour can work wonderfully with any other nuances, styles or appliances you may want to integrate into your kitchen. This gives you plenty of room to use your creativity and experiment.
Wood tones
Switching from an all-with kitchen to wood-toned cabinets will feel like transitioning from one classic to another, although they create rather opposite effects. Maybe you are reluctant even to consider adding wood tones in your kitchen as you associate this style with the outdated designs of the ‘80s and ‘90s kitchens.
However, today’s models are a far cry from the old-fashioned cabinets that you remember from back in the day. Dark wood units can bring a touch of elegance and refinement to your space, while lighter-toned pieces provide a sleek and clean look. Some designs exude tradition, while others take a more modern approach to the timeless wood-toned kitchen. Regardless of the hues you decide on, you can be sure your space will always look warm and inviting.
The’s no reason to settle for an all-white kitchen if what you really want is a bit of colour and liveliness in your home. With so many interesting options to explore and so many fabulous design ideas you can draw inspiration from, you’ll surely find the right style and finally bring the kitchen of your dreams to life.
