How to Warm up a Contemporary White Kitchen
Add comfort and texture to a white kitchen by introducing the rich tones of wood
Amanda Pollard
29 October 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 units give a fresh, bright feel to a kitchen – but how do you prevent the space from feeling cold? Incorporating wooden surfaces on cabinets, worktops and floors, and with accessories and furniture allows you to create a room that feels both airy and warm. Take a look at these gorgeous cookspaces for inspiration.
Leave some space
Gloss white cabinets bring a luminous quality into a kitchen, so to maintain the look introduce wood with a light touch. This island has bare-wood cabinetry below the gleaming worktop surface. The designers have left a gap between the two elements, which helps to lift the island and create a light, airy feel.
A full-height cupboard with a pale wood surface adds another warm element, and its recessed design ties in with the island cabinets.
Gloss white cabinets bring a luminous quality into a kitchen, so to maintain the look introduce wood with a light touch. This island has bare-wood cabinetry below the gleaming worktop surface. The designers have left a gap between the two elements, which helps to lift the island and create a light, airy feel.
A full-height cupboard with a pale wood surface adds another warm element, and its recessed design ties in with the island cabinets.
Cover up
Contrast shiny white base cabinets with warm wood wall units. Here, a row of wall cabinets has been covered with a dark wood that matches the flooring. The addition of a wooden panel on the side of the island ties the two levels together.
Contrast shiny white base cabinets with warm wood wall units. Here, a row of wall cabinets has been covered with a dark wood that matches the flooring. The addition of a wooden panel on the side of the island ties the two levels together.
Focus on the details
Consider the small details when incorporating wooden elements into your kitchen. Here, the overall white space has been warmed up with some well-crafted features, such as the wooden breakfast bar, the veneered cooker hood and the beautiful handles on the tall units.
Even the edging on the shelves has been thought about carefully, and adds to the quality feel of this cookspace.
Fit an eat-in option in your small kitchen
Consider the small details when incorporating wooden elements into your kitchen. Here, the overall white space has been warmed up with some well-crafted features, such as the wooden breakfast bar, the veneered cooker hood and the beautiful handles on the tall units.
Even the edging on the shelves has been thought about carefully, and adds to the quality feel of this cookspace.
Fit an eat-in option in your small kitchen
Bring in black
Add drama to your wood and white kitchen by incorporating jet black features. In this beautiful cookspace, black-framed windows, a pair of globe pendants and charcoal island legs contrast sharply with the gloss white units.
The light wood gives the space a honey-toned warmth, and the dark wood beams above help to bridge the gap between pale and dark.
Why match a pendant light to your kitchen
Add drama to your wood and white kitchen by incorporating jet black features. In this beautiful cookspace, black-framed windows, a pair of globe pendants and charcoal island legs contrast sharply with the gloss white units.
The light wood gives the space a honey-toned warmth, and the dark wood beams above help to bridge the gap between pale and dark.
Why match a pendant light to your kitchen
Showcase the graining
Make a feature of wooden elements in your kitchen by choosing wood with a beautiful grain. Here, two matching panels of wood have been divided into sections along the wall cabinets and base of the island. As they’ve each been cut from one sheet of wood the knots and grains form a continuous pattern.
The textured wood is the ideal contrast to the gleaming white worktop.
See more kitchen designs
Make a feature of wooden elements in your kitchen by choosing wood with a beautiful grain. Here, two matching panels of wood have been divided into sections along the wall cabinets and base of the island. As they’ve each been cut from one sheet of wood the knots and grains form a continuous pattern.
The textured wood is the ideal contrast to the gleaming white worktop.
See more kitchen designs
Focus on top
A simple way to include wood in a contemporary white kitchen is by choosing a wooden worktop. Here, the work surfaces tie in with the floor and sloped ceiling to give this light, bright space a cosy, welcoming feel.
There are many different types of wood you can use, from oak and pine to iroko and bamboo. The material you go for will depend on the tone you’re after and the level of durability you need. Maintain wooden worktops by oiling them regularly, or sealing them with a specialist product.
A simple way to include wood in a contemporary white kitchen is by choosing a wooden worktop. Here, the work surfaces tie in with the floor and sloped ceiling to give this light, bright space a cosy, welcoming feel.
There are many different types of wood you can use, from oak and pine to iroko and bamboo. The material you go for will depend on the tone you’re after and the level of durability you need. Maintain wooden worktops by oiling them regularly, or sealing them with a specialist product.
Say it with seating
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 elements, use it on accessories and furniture instead. Although this bright white kitchen has a pale wooden floor, it’s the seating and accessories that really warms the space. Wooden chairs and a wall-hung knife rack add enough of a natural finish to make the contemporary space feel cosy and inviting.
TELL US
Do you like the clean, contemporary look of a white kitchen with a touch of wood for warmth? Share your thoughts in the Comments section
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 elements, use it on accessories and furniture instead. Although this bright white kitchen has a pale wooden floor, it’s the seating and accessories that really warms the space. Wooden chairs and a wall-hung knife rack add enough of a natural finish to make the contemporary space feel cosy and inviting.
TELL US
Do you like the clean, contemporary look of a white kitchen with a touch of wood for warmth? Share your thoughts in the Comments section
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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!!