All-white kitchens whether modern or traditional, are quite simply classic, and have truly weathered every kitchen trend. The modern pearl-white laminate cabinets with an aluminum rim that I chose twenty years ago for my kitchen still look great, and the light color does make the room look bigger, more airy certainly, and you always know when they need a wipe down! That said I do look at photos of modern all wood cabinetry, or traditional cabinets in natural shades of green and blue and think, wow, I love that!
When it comes time to re-do my kitchen (hopefully not any time soon) will I actually choose something other than white? I really can't say at the moment, but what I can say is that if your white kitchen is looking a little too stark, or just a little bit too white, there are many ways to change the overall look of the kitchen, without a total re-do, whether in a very budget friendly way, or with some expense but changes that don't come anywhere near the cost of replacing the kitchen or even the cabinet doors. Of course there are many ways to go when thinking of how to update your white kitchen, and do think beyton the superficial by possibly investing in some new gadgets to make your cooking experience that much up to date as well. For starters how about the best meat thermometer, or maybe an instant pot and an air fryer, if you don't already own those popular items? Ah yes, and there is nothing like getting those cabinets and drawers organized to give your kitchen a feeling like it's been overhauled!
So many things to think about, indeed, and I love the idea of updating a white kitchen with touches of wood and organic elements, so lets dive in!
Above: What a difference the use of a wood counter makes in this small kitchen, and of course the wood floor helps warm up the entire room
How To Add Wood Elements To Your White Kitchen
Adding wood elements to your white kitchen can be as simple as a nice display of wood cutting boards in a range of shapes and sizes, or as involved as replacing your tile floor with a wooden one, adding a wood paneled wall, or even replacing existing countertops with wooden ones. Just keep in mind that when adding touches of wood, the look needs to be balanced with a combination of various applications around the entire room generally. Here are some ideas to get those gears turning:
• a gallery wall with wooden frames is a subtle way to add wood accents to your kitchen
• a collection of wooden bowls, cups and cake stands can make nice accents when displayed on open shelving
• a collection of wooden cutting boards, both to use for cutting and serving make a great addition to any kitchen
• open wooden shelving, whether floating or with brackets (that might match the cabinet hardware?) are a wonderful way to add touches of wood to your kitchen
• consider adding actual wood paneling or laminate wood-look paneling to your kitchen, possibly on a window wall where it won't overwhelm but makes a warm statement
• replace counters with wooden counter tops, or if you have an island, replace just the island with a wooden counter top
• replace the entire island with a natural wood version, or consider a built in wooden hood
• if you find yourself in need of a new floor without having to tear out the kitchen, consider wood-look tiles, wood parquet, or actual hard wood, all of whom are a huge game changer
Above: A stunning kitchen that combines wood touched and organic elements: wood paneled wall, wood shelves, wood floor, brass handles, handmade ceramic backsplash tile, rustic dishes and glass jars with wooden lids, and a touch of greenery
How To Add Organic Elements To Your White Kitchen
Organic elements are materials and objects either made from natural materials or whose look/surface/design echos nature or natural materials. The idea of organic is that like things in nature, nothing is cookie cutter or perfect, but rather "organic" meaning without machine perfect patterns and lines or uniform color. Organic might also mean handmade such as baskets and ceramics, or echo nature in a myriad of ways. Here is just a short list of how to infuse your white kitchen with an "organic" touch:
• Change the hardware to something rich and warm like antique brass or bronze, or depending on the style of your home you could opt for a wide range of options other than the traditional stainless steel (leather, ceramic, etc)
• Choose a backsplash made from handmade (meaning uneven) tile
• Invest in new counter tops made from real stone, or quartz in rich or neutral tones
• Display a collection of hand made ceramic plates and serving items
• Fabrics like linen and unbleached cotton are "organic", so keep this in mind when choosing curtains or tablecloths
• Baskets, baskets and more baskets, in a variety of shapes, to use as organizers, to hang on the wall and to just infuse your space with a handmade look
• Real living, breathing plants bring life to every room, and while they aren't for everyone, think about including some in your life! If you have a black thumb or travel a lot, look into which plants can be grown in water. Pathos is one, as well as heart leaf philodendron, and there are others as well.
Above: Flooring that is either laminate or tile but looks like wood, a wooden table, wooden countertop, wooden frames, organic/nature art, and plastic plants (yikes) that for me spoil the whole thing, so go with the real deal, or faux flowers, but please, plastic plants are just not it.
Above: Wooden shelves, and a wooden counter top on the island and phew, what looks like a real pathos plant up on the shelf
Above: Just the addition of some wood cutting boards, baskets hung on the wall and lovely organic bar stools makes all the difference in this kitchen, though personally I'd take it a few steps further with more of the same.
Hope you've enjoyed these tips for updating your kitchen with touches of wood and organic elements, enjoy! And don't worry if you don't love your kitchen right now, it will pass, believe me!
