Minimalist interior designs have reigned supreme for several years now, and in spite of the arrival of several other trends, the love for the stripped-down aesthetic remains alive and well among homeowners. The reason for that is quite simple: there’s a timeless appeal to this design and the fact that it will always look elegant and put-together is a bonus for the people who want to escape the constant churning of new trends that come and go in as little as a couple of months. The most popular type of minimalist kitchen is the all-white one, a style that has nonetheless become quite polarising over the past few years.
Although many swear by this style, there are some who don’t see it as something sophisticated and versatile but rather as a strange and sterile choice for a home environment. It’s clear that committed maximalists won’t like this style, but if you enjoy neutrals and believe they have the unique ability to create a calming and relaxing environment, choosing an all-white kitchen for your household is an ideal choice. Here are some of the most important features you should take into consideration and which can elevate the style even further.
Glamour
There’s no denying the glamorous appeal of a classic white kitchen, and this is, in fact, one of the main reasons why homeowners choose them for their own houses. They blend in perfectly with any other home décor but can nonetheless act as the centrepiece at the same time. If the layout and area are relatively small, you should know that white and other light hues, such as cream, porcelain and ecru, all have the innate ability to reflect light, meaning that any place using them as part of the colour palette will look brighter and more spacious. Even the smallest kitchen can become a brighter, more inviting and welcoming space through the use of this design.
To make the style even more elegant, you should mix it with other neutrals that will truly bring out its unique characteristics. Light brown and sage green are some of the best examples, as they pair well with the pristine white. There’s also a strong trend going on at the moment that calls for the incorporation of natural materials and colours reminiscent of organic landscapes. The use of a marble island can also bring together the entire ensemble, creating a very chic layering effect in your kitchen.
Personal touch
One of the main reasons why people are not keen on white kitchen and minimalism in general is because it can seem impersonal and like it has no character of its own. However, that doesn’t have to be the case, as it is very much possible to create an all-white design without compromising on the originality of your household. All you have to do is come up with features and design choices that are of personal importance to you. For instance, you might want to expose some of the wooden beams of your ceiling for a vintage effect or add some upholstered chairs that remind you of Victorian-era designs. If you enjoy greenery, then get houseplants and flower arrangements, as they can truly transform a room. There’s also the option of integrating style elements from another interior design aesthetic. Paying homage to Mediterranean design is very simple when you have an all-white kitchen since all you need are some blue accents. The floors, wooden shutters, an accent wall or a simple wall trim, are some of the areas where you can integrate cerulean hues.
Using wood
Natural materials are enjoying a resurgence in popularity as homeowners are increasingly looking for sustainable solutions. Wood is remarkably sturdy, so you won’t have to worry about replacing it very often, something that will lead to the creation of waste. It is also timeless and never goes out of style, much like the all-white kitchen look. Timber elements can make your kitchen feel far more welcoming and warmer. You can choose wood for your storage since it is a resilient material that can accommodate the weight of cookware, appliances and other kitchen items you might need to put out of view when they’re not in use.
Stone
Alongside wood, stone is also gaining popularity among the general public. When it comes to the kitchen, there is probably no better option than stone flooring. This material is naturally very resilient, meaning that it can withstand a lot of foot traffic. It is also resistant to things that would cause chipping or denting in the surface of other flooring materials, such as dropping a pan to the floor. Since it is a natural product, stone flooring will also have unique characteristics, so you can be confident that you’re getting something unique to your household instead of something that is mass-produced. It goes without saying that stone floors are a perfect match for the all-white kitchen. The most common shade of this type of floor is typically neutral, so there’s no way for the colours to clash.
There’s also the option of choosing stone tiles of different colours to create a complex, chequered design.
Shelving
Minimalism has also started a trend for unique storage, with people looking for various ways to keep their gadgets out of view. This isn’t just important for the appliances themselves since it ensures that they won’t become damaged, but it also makes your kitchen more streamlined and allows you to be more efficient when cooking or preparing meals. If you own colourful cookware and bakeware, you can display them on open shelves. This way, you’re treating the all-white décor as something akin to a blank canvas to which you’re adding splashes of colour.
Having a white kitchen might seem boring for some, but there are many ways to elevate the space and make it feel more personal. Incorporating Scandi style, mixing matte with glossy textures, adding natural elements like wood and stone and displaying some brightly-hued kitchen items can make all the difference and create a kitchen that feels chic and unique at the same time.