7 Ways to Warm Up a Contemporary White Kitchen
Add comfort and texture to a monochrome kitchen by introducing rich timber tones
Amanda Pollard
30 September 2018
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Modern flat-fronted cupboards and drawers give a fresh, bright feel to a kitchen, but how do you prevent the space from looking sterile? Incorporating timber in cabinets, benchtops and floors, and adding wooden furniture and accessories, lets you create a room that feels both airy and warm. Take a look at these gorgeous kitchens for seven stylish tips and countless inspiration.
1. Keep the wood light
Glossy white cabinets lend a luminous quality to a kitchen. To maintain that look, introduce timber with a light touch. This kitchen island has natural timber cabinetry below its gleaming white benchtop. The designers left a gap between the two elements, which helps lift the island and create an airy feel.
A full-height ash pivot door with a pale surface adds another warm element, and its recessed design ties in with the island cabinets.
Room of the Week: A Secret Kitchen With a Dash of French Flair
Glossy white cabinets lend a luminous quality to a kitchen. To maintain that look, introduce timber with a light touch. This kitchen island has natural timber cabinetry below its gleaming white benchtop. The designers left a gap between the two elements, which helps lift the island and create an airy feel.
A full-height ash pivot door with a pale surface adds another warm element, and its recessed design ties in with the island cabinets.
Room of the Week: A Secret Kitchen With a Dash of French Flair
2. Repeat it
Contrast shiny white lower cabinets with warm wood uppers. This row of high wall-mounted cabinets is covered with a dark wood that matches the flooring and contrasts with the white floor-mounted cabinetry below. The addition of a wood panel on the side of the island bench ties the two tones together.
Contrast shiny white lower cabinets with warm wood uppers. This row of high wall-mounted cabinets is covered with a dark wood that matches the flooring and contrasts with the white floor-mounted cabinetry below. The addition of a wood panel on the side of the island bench ties the two tones together.
3. Consider the details
This overall white kitchen gets its warmth from well-crafted features including the timber breakfast bar, the veneer rangehood and the beautiful handles on the full-height cupboards. Even the edging on the shelves adds to the look of quality in this kitchen.
This overall white kitchen gets its warmth from well-crafted features including the timber breakfast bar, the veneer rangehood and the beautiful handles on the full-height cupboards. Even the edging on the shelves adds to the look of quality in this kitchen.
4. Bring in black
Add drama to your wood-and-white kitchen with a touch of black. In this striking space, the black-framed windows, globe pendant lights and charcoal-hued island legs contrast sharply with the glossy white cabinetry.
The light timber gives the space a honey-toned warmth, and the dark wood beams above help bridge the gap between black and white.
Browse more white kitchens
Add drama to your wood-and-white kitchen with a touch of black. In this striking space, the black-framed windows, globe pendant lights and charcoal-hued island legs contrast sharply with the glossy white cabinetry.
The light timber gives the space a honey-toned warmth, and the dark wood beams above help bridge the gap between black and white.
Browse more white kitchens
5. Showcase the grain
Make a feature of your kitchen’s timber elements by choosing a variety with a beautiful grain. These two matching panels of wood were divided into sections along the upper cabinets and the base of the island benchtop. As they were cut from one sheet of timber, the grain forms a continuous pattern.
The textured wood is the ideal contrast to the gleaming white countertop.
Make a feature of your kitchen’s timber elements by choosing a variety with a beautiful grain. These two matching panels of wood were divided into sections along the upper cabinets and the base of the island benchtop. As they were cut from one sheet of timber, the grain forms a continuous pattern.
The textured wood is the ideal contrast to the gleaming white countertop.
6. Bring it to your benchtops
A simple way to warm up a contemporary white kitchen is by choosing timber benchtops. In this kitchen, they echo the floorboards and the sloped ceiling to create a bright yet cosy feel.
You can choose from many different types of timber including oak, pine, iroko, bamboo and many more. The material you go for will depend on the tone you’re after and the level of durability you need. Maintain timber benchtops by oiling them regularly or sealing them with a specialist product.
Details That Count: 17 Designer Tips for a Great Kitchen
A simple way to warm up a contemporary white kitchen is by choosing timber benchtops. In this kitchen, they echo the floorboards and the sloped ceiling to create a bright yet cosy feel.
You can choose from many different types of timber including oak, pine, iroko, bamboo and many more. The material you go for will depend on the tone you’re after and the level of durability you need. Maintain timber benchtops by oiling them regularly or sealing them with a specialist product.
Details That Count: 17 Designer Tips for a Great Kitchen
7. Introduce timber furniture
If you want to add wood to an existing white kitchen but don’t have the time or budget to change any of the main, in-built elements, introduce timber through your furniture and accessories instead. Although this bright white kitchen has a pale wood floor, it’s the timber chairs and wall-hung knife rack that really warm up the space.
If you want to add wood to an existing white kitchen but don’t have the time or budget to change any of the main, in-built elements, introduce timber through your furniture and accessories instead. Although this bright white kitchen has a pale wood floor, it’s the timber chairs and wall-hung knife rack that really warm up the space.
Tell us
Do you like the look of a contemporary, white kitchen with a touch of timber for warmth? Share your thoughts and post your photos in the Comments, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
More
Find kitchen designers and renovators near you
Do you like the look of a contemporary, white kitchen with a touch of timber for warmth? Share your thoughts and post your photos in the Comments, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
More
Find kitchen designers and renovators near you
Related Stories
Most Popular
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Kitchen Designer
The right designer can bring your dream kitchen to life – three kitchen designers reveal where to look and what to ask
Full Story
Kitchen Expert Advice
7 Common Kitchen Design Challenges & How Experts Get Around Them
From bad layouts to poor storage, here are seven issues pros come up against (and overcome) in clients' kitchen renos
Full Story
Kitchens
A Good Fit: 10 Questions to Ask a Potential Kitchen Designer
By lwkkitchens
A good designer knows which questions to ask about your kitchen project. But what should you ask them before you sign?
Full Story
Most Popular
8 Dos and Don'ts for a Well-Functioning Butler's Pantry
Having a little help behind the scenes is key to a pristine kitchen – here's how to create a functional butler's pantry
Full Story
Most Popular
Key Measurements to Consider When Designing the Perfect Kitchen Island
By Anne Ellard
Discover the correctly proportioned kitchen island bench dimensions so your space works as well as it can
Full Story
Kitchen Renovations
10 Times You Should Hire a Kitchen Designer
These specialists can solve layout issues, save costs, update an older space and create custom design details
Full Story
Popular Houzz Series
How Practical Is... Handleless Joinery?
Handleless joinery is popular in modern homes. But how suitable are cupboards that can only be opened with a touch?
Full Story
Renovation Guides
Room by Room: Experts on Ways to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders
From the kitchen to the garden, and all areas in between, experts identify common mistakes and share priceless insights
Full Story
Most Popular
From Planning to Pendants: Kitchen Lighting Essentials
By Joanna Tovia
This valuable guide will give you all you need to know about choosing kitchen lighting for fabulous form and function
Full Story
Kitchen Renovations
A Kitchen That Uses Special Elements to Punch Above Its Weight
This couple wanted a well-designed kitchen that incorporated their pre-bought furniture; this designer delivered
Full Story
They are all stunning! I love the wow of the wood and the white. I'm doing a kitchen in ash and white. Soft warm, and stunning. Not a lot of eye noise. Love it!!