Kitchen Ideas: 8 Cool and Contemporary White Schemes

One of the best things about the colour white is its versatility. It can act as a sleek backdrop or form the main element of a room. Style it up or play it down; there’s a way to work with white that will suit almost every taste. Unsurprisingly, white kitchens are perennially popular and the contemporary white kitchen is a failsafe way to bring sleek style into any home. It works wonders in a small space, it can open up a room like no other colour and will freshen up like a dream with a little elbow grease. Here are some things to consider when planning your white kitchen scheme.

Stay sleek and simple
White is perfect for a small space, and a contemporary handleless style prevents a small room from feeling cramped. Use storage to its maximum capacity with ceiling-to-floor units to keep surfaces clear and pick handle-free cabinets for a streamlined and clutter-free feel. Using the same material on all of the surfaces in this room also increases the feeling of space.

Pair with glass
The combination of a glass skylight with clean white rendering maximises every last drop of light and ensures this scheme feels fresh and bright. Sunlight helps the body to wake naturally, so what better way to start the day than over breakfast in a sun-filled kitchen. It could also save you electricity in the long run.

Brighten up with LED
Natural light isn’t the only way to go. In fact, if you struggle with lack of light in your kitchen, LED lighting can provide both a functional and stylish solution. LED lights come in a range of colour temperatures, from warmer colours that are closer to daylight to the cooler blue temperature seen above. Notice that there are no pendent lights in this kitchen but rather tiny tucked in halogens combined with recessed lighting. This is perfect for task lighting and creates that ultra-modern feel.

Be bold with colour
A vivid splash of blue such as this glass splashback adds zing to a cool white kitchen scheme.

Team with chrome
White and chrome are staples in a contemporary kitchen. This wall of units and chrome extractor fan complement the white island, and the grey and white marble splashback ties the two together nicely. The perpendicular lines and no-handle cabinets keep the look clean and angular.

Use wood to keep things interesting
Contemporary can also go retro, as this kitchen proves. The woodwork offer a different take on the style, whilst the angular lines and white cabinets and tops keep it very much contemporary.

Blend into the background
White is the perfect backdrop for stronger accent colours or tones. This single wall of white cabinets quietly recedes in the open plan living space whilst the eye is drawn to the statement black island unit.

Be transparent
Again, the white units in this kitchen open up the small space and the translucent chairs keep the look feeling light and airy. An oversized pendant lamp adds character.

Article by Catherine Macaulay