After Decades of Popularity, Are White Kitchens Finally Out?

The classic all-white kitchen has been around for more than a century. And not so long ago, it seemed like everybody aspired to one (no doubt thanks in part to a couple of swoon-worthy white kitchens featured in Nancy Meyers movies).

But now, with so many kitchens featuring cabinets in wood or colorful finishes, you might be wondering whether the white kitchen has finally come to the end of its run. If you have a white kitchen or want one, are you out of date? We took the question to a couple of interior design pros, and they all had a similar take.

White Kitchens Aren't Out, But They're Changing

Our pros agree that all-white kitchens are not as buzzy or ubiquitous as they were at the height of the modern farmhouse style trend. But that doesn’t mean the white kitchen is “out” or no longer a good choice. Not even close.

“I don’t view them as outdated. I view them as being very classic,” says interior designer Jess Cooney. “When I did my kitchen 15 years ago, I painted it white because I knew I would never get sick of it.”

One reason for the white kitchen's enduring popularity is purely practical. Kitchen remodels are expensive, and versatile neutrals like white are a good choice for the long term.

“I don’t think you will ever see a time when we’re not doing white kitchens," says interior designer Betsy Wentz. “It’s classic, it’s beautiful, it works in traditional and modern settings, and it’s safe. And you can put different things with it, different backsplashes, different upholstered chairs, different lighting.” 

Wentz continues, “I don’t think white kitchens are over. We are just reimagining them in a different way.”

So what does a reimagined white kitchen look like? Designers mention three big shifts that have hit white kitchens recently. They all focus on minimizing any potential for the space to look cold, sterile, or boring (a common ding on white kitchens) and pumping up the personality against the quiet backdrop of white cabinets.

Whites Are Warming Up

Compared to the crisp, cool whites that used to dominate all-white kitchens, cabinet colors are getting softer and creamier. The colors that are in favor right now still read as whites, but a closer look reveals beige, pink, or yellow undertones that make the colors look and feel much warmer and muddier.

“Especially if you go with a more nuanced, warm white, versus a flat white paint, it can be really beautiful,” says Cooney. “A warm white is going to have a level of warmth to it that draws you in and makes it feel more complex. You won’t be able to quite put your finger on why you’re drawn to this white. It’s because it’s a little more of a complex paint pigment than just white white.”

Cabinet Styles Are Getting More Varied

Whereas simple, boxy Shaker cabinets dominated modern farmhouse kitchens, designers are now using a variety of cabinet designs, which they call profiles, to make white kitchens more visually interesting and up-to-date. 

“I’m seeing a ton of colored kitchens, but mainly I’m seeing profile changes,” Wentz says. “So instead of doing the Shaker style, we’re seeing inset, beaded, and reeded cabinet profiles—all things that make it just a little different.”

Along with those new cabinet styles, Wentz is also seeing more curvy shapes come into kitchens, both white and otherwise, to counteract all the rectilinear shapes inherent in cabinetry and appliances. For example, the edges of countertops on islands are becoming curved rather than straight, and cabinet doors and islands are getting fluted details.

Backsplashes Are Getting More Attention

White subway tile used to be the norm for a kitchen with white cabinets because of its crisp, clean look. And in modern farmhouse kitchens, we saw a lot of beadboard backsplashes. Rather than blending the backsplash with the cabinets, designers are viewing it as an opportunity to bring more color, pattern, interest, and an updated sensibility. 

“If they are still doing white cabinets, they’re definitely adding color through the backsplash,” Wentz says. “I do think color is definitely more in vogue right now than neutral.”

A backsplash can also help unite the kitchen with the rest of your decor. “You don’t want your kitchen to feel like a letdown compared to the rest of your house,” Wentz says. “If you’ve used color and pattern and your personality throughout the rest of the house, you should carry that through to the kitchen.”

A White Kitchen Always Works

So if you have a white kitchen or want one, rest assured, you’re not out of style. Our designers liken a white kitchen to a foundational wardrobe piece, such as a tan cashmere sweater or a great pair of blue jeans. Both are classics that always work, but the key is how you accessorize. 

“You can always make something beautiful out of a white kitchen,” Cooney says. “It's just finding those other elements to draw it out.” Cabinet hardware, lighting, and faucets stand out much more prominently against such a visually quiet backdrop. And these elements contribute immeasurably to the personality of a white kitchen, so choose them carefully.