Many interior design trends come and go. Design styles, especially those used for homes, have changed drastically over the decades. But while sleek contemporary styles and bold colors are more and more common these days, there’s just something irresistible about traditional kitchens.
What most usually associate with the traditional style are natural wood cabinetry. The phrase “traditional kitchen” makes us think of warm rustic interiors, wooden beams, intricate millwork and a tinge of old-world atmosphere. However, dark wood tones and grainy textures are not for everyone. If you’re one such person, maybe a white traditional kitchen is a better fit for your home.
General Advantages of White Kitchen Cabinets
White is a Blank Canvas
White is a neutral color that goes well with just about everything. This creates the perfect backdrop for your own personal expression. Everything from your choice of door pulls, appliances, to the little accessories you decorate with will be a lot more noticeable against a white backdrop. By letting the cabinet’s color take a step back, everything else can take a step forward.
If you think white is boring, it’s not the end of the line just yet. The blank canvas that is white cabinetry is also good for those who love color. Sounds counterintuitive, but it’s true! You can add color to your kitchen through various items such as your curtains, cushions, fabrics, and other accessories. By choosing to put color into movable items, you can tweak your kitchen’s look without a full remodel. In the summer you may choose fabrics in yellows or blues for a more outdoorsy vibe. Then come the winter holidays, you can decorate with more festive Christmas colors. White is perfect for those who like to mix and match or change things up.
A compact kitchen in a traditional shaker style by Wood & Co.
White is Bright and Fresh
If you love bright spaces, then white is the color for you. White reflects lights better than other colors and amplifies the effects of both natural and artificial lighting in your room. The bright and radiant atmosphere this creates will make your kitchen feel more spacious. This is especially useful in smaller spaces like those in New York City apartments.
Aside from making the space brighter, a predominantly white kitchen looks clean and fresh. There’s nowhere for dirt to hide, which makes it much easier to spot areas that need some wiping. As one of the most commonly used spaces in any home, hygiene should definitely be a priority; and a white color scheme helps with that.
White is Timeless
White is undoubtedly a popular color choice for kitchens. It’s not anything new and has been seen in many kitchens for decades. It’s a color that works well with just about any style whether traditional, contemporary, or everything else in between. This means that white is a classic and timeless color. White kitchens will age better and stand the test of time. This is a plus for those looking to sell their homes in the near future, or those looking for a kitchen that won’t look outdated in ten years’ time.
A white traditional kitchen with raised panel doors by Wood & Co.
Advantages of White Cabinets in a Traditional Kitchen
As we’ve mentioned above, a predominantly white kitchen is timeless and works in various styles. It works for transitional, farmhouse, and contemporary styles. Of course this also means that it works wonders in a traditional style kitchen. On top of the general advantages we’ve listed above, using white cabinetry for your traditional kitchen has additional advantages.
White Balances Tradition and Modernity
When someone says “traditional” we associate it with various things. It can conjure sweet memories of grandma’s old oak cabinets. We might imagine an old-world style kitchen with dark wood cabinets and very distinct grains. We may think of corbels, raised panels, and ornate crown mouldings. For some, this might be exactly what they want. But for others, it can feel too vintage or too overwhelming.
White cabinetry, however, can be the solution for that. With white being a neutral and blank canvas, it can serve as a counterbalance to the intricacies of the traditional style. In a way, it modernizes the overall kitchen design without sacrificing the classical detailing and craftsmanship that we love to see.
As a bonus, white also makes your kitchen feel more welcoming and inviting. This is perfect as kitchens have become more social spaces in the modern day.
White Emphasizes Visual Texture and Details
White cabinetry allows the details and materials of your kitchen shine. Instead of having cabinetry as the focus, you can instead shift it to other elements such as a stunning crystal chandelier centered above a kitchen island. You can also choose a more intricate stone backsplash which may clash if you tried to pair it with dark stained oak wood cabinets. When you have a predominantly white kitchen, it’s easier to create a focal point in your space by way of contrast.
Of course, the cabinetry themselves can still remain the focus even if they’re white. What we mean by this is that white cabinets can better show the intricacies of the kitchen millwork. The shadows created by fluted mouldings, raised panel doors, and decorative table legs are more prominent when using a light color. This play of lights and shadows can be highlighted with white cabinetry.
If your love for the traditional style comes mainly from the intricate details and visual texture, then a predominantly white color scheme may just be the perfect fit for your traditional kitchen.
White traditional kitchen with red accent rug by Wood & Co.
Final Thoughts on White Traditional Kitchens
The traditional style kitchen is one that still appeals to many homeowners to this day. Even with the advent of clean and sleek contemporary styles, there’s just something about the intricate details of classic cabinetry that we love. However, there’s that fear that a traditional kitchen is too antiquated or outdated. A white traditional kitchen is a way to achieve the best of both worlds.
When you’re ready to start with your new traditional white kitchen, get in touch with Wood & Co. We’ll be happy to help make your dream a reality.
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