22 of the best white kitchens to inspire your next home update

When it comes to timeless design schemes in the home, a white kitchen could arguably top the list. A white kitchen can be simple and minimalist, decadent and luxurious, or charming and rustic – the possibilities are endless when you start with such a versatile base.

Minimalists are spoilt for choice with sleek, handless white cabinets, the perennially popular subway tile, and a smattering of Scandi-inspired accessories. Those with more decadent tastes can add classic marble countertops, brass accents, and interesting architectural detailing like decorative moulding and reeded glass. A country kitchen meanwhile can take off-white shaker cabinetry, charming, mismatched accessories, and an abundance of natural wood.

White is a gift when it comes to creating a complementary colour palette, at home amongst other soft neutrals, as a clean contrast to jewel tones, or in a dramatic monochromatic paring. And of course, the classic grey and white kitchen is almost impossible to get wrong.

Read on for 22 white kitchen ideas to inspire your next home update.

Marble is the classic choice for a white kitchen, adding texture and warmth that breaks up a pure white palette. Solid blocks of marble across kitchen countertops, splashbacks, and shelving is as luxurious as it is impactful, especially with matte brass finishes.

Pictured: Kitchen by Blakes London

If a pure white kitchen is too plain or clinical for your taste, use it as your base colour across walls, floors and countertops, and have some fun with pops of colour. Grab your colour wheel to find two complementary colours to add to your base – such as the deep blue and bright orange used here. Read the Top 10 Instagrammabe paint colours.

Pictured: Limehouse Kitchen at Neptune

Cool tones are perfect for a clean and simple kitchen. A high gloss white, with a deep blue or forest green, pairs perfectly with light, natural woods. Keep your lines clean and use accessories sparingly – this is a very easy scheme to do well, and within a tight budget.

Pictured: Ringhult Kitchen Cabinets at IKEA

This white kitchen nods to a quintessential country kitchen style, displaying classic copper pots and pans, plenty of plants, shaker style cabinets, and mixing in charming and unexpected elements like mismatched pendant lights.

Pictured: Lighting by deVOL

Not an inch is overlooked in this bespoke white kitchen by Blakes London. White kitchen tiles add texture and a touch of the unexpected in this display cabinet, as well as being a fitting backdrop to patterned crockery and glassware.

Pictured: Kitchen by Blakes London

This kitchen uses plenty of surface detailing – ridged fronts to the kitchen island, decorative moulding, and reeded glass – to add interest and depth to pure white cabinetry. A clever device to prevent your white cabinets from appearing too slick or clinical.

Pictured: Kitchen by Blakes London

If you like to display your crockery, glassware, and kitchen accessories, employ some clever organisational hacks to keep your white kitchen looking clean and organised. Wall mounted railings make the perfect spot for hanging herbs and planters, and keeping cutting boards or pots and pans close to hand.

Pictured: AXSTAD White Kitchen at IKEA

If you don't want plain white countertops in your white kitchen, marble makes for a visually interesting alternative. With a huge variety of colour options, from classic grey-toned veins, to soft pink or deep reds. Read our guide to kitchen worktops.

Pictured: Wilbur Kitchen by Roundhouse

High gloss cabinets in clean, geometric lines can become quite clinical without any balancing factors. Here, the textured pink wall and gold splashback, with an assorted display of kitchenware, herbs, and fresh plants offset the simple IKEA cabinets for a soft and welcoming kitchen.

Pictured: Metod kitchen units at IKEA

Shaker style cabinetry, with unexpected silver rather than the classic gold or brass hardware, a smattering of pure white accessories, and a feature chandelier is all that is needed to create a quietly opulent white kitchen.

Pictured: Grace Kitchen at Mowlem & Co

White kitchen cabinets provide the perfect base for a bit of design fun. Go bold with intricately patterned floor tiles, paint your floorboards or use a high-quality vinyl for a similar effect – everything goes when your base palette is so versatile.

Pictured: Tatton Kitchen at Magnet

Simple and streamlined, white handleless cabinets are a must for the ultra minimalists. With a neutral palette of black and white, mixed with natural woods, and a small collection of Scandi accessories.

Pictured: Madison gloss white at Benchmarx

If you'd prefer to keep your white kitchen counters free of decoration and accessories, a feature wall is a great way to add some colour and texture. Explore 13 paste the wall wallpapers for easy application.

Pictured: Gable wallpaper at Farrow & Ball

For a sustainable and sophisticated take on the white kitchen, avoid the synthetic materials we're so accustomed to seeing in kitchens. Clear your counters of plastic, and instead, display interesting wood artefacts, clay pots, and stoneware.

Pictured: Sondergaard kitchen by Roundhouse

Keeping your white kitchen clean and streamlined means some clever design features. Opt for sleek, handleless cabinets, an undermount sink, and integrated features such as this understated wine fridge.

Pictured: House Beautiful Westbourne Kitchen at Homebase

Pink is a deceptively versatile paring in a white kitchen. A soft blush can lend themselves to country styles, peachy pinks can be rustic when mixed with natural materials, whilst this pale bubblegum pink instantly modernises. Use your pinks in unexpected places, like these pink statement bar stools and wall tiles.

Pictured: Country Ermine Kitchen at Wren

If you want your white kitchen cabinets to stand out, go for a contrast. Jewel-toned accents, such as emerald green tiling, sapphire blue doors, or amethyst accessories will make your whites appear crisper and brighter. Metallic hardware is the perfect compliment for this design scheme.

Pictured: Chichester kitchen at Neptune

A white palette stretches from a clean pure white to a grey-toned off-white. The latter is a great choice for kitchens that use a lot of black, where pure white would create a modern monochromatic design scheme, an off-white creates a softer and warmer environment.

Pictured: Minim at Paint & Paper Library

An easy way to break up great swathes of white walls and counters, splashbacks can be as intricate or plain as you choose. Go bold with patterned tiles, add a touch of luxury with brass metallics, or keep it simple with this peel, stick and seal peacock blue version.

Pictured: Country Living Peacock Blue Matt Splashback

A failsafe choice for country kitchens with an abundance of natural light. Country style is characterised by its eclectic and mismatched nature, and so here, you can go to town with your white shades, mixing pure whites with shades of off-white, pale grey tones and warm beige.

Pictured: Kitchen by Artichoke

A grey and white kitchen is a perennially popular colour combination. White kitchens can sit happily with shades of grey, from deep charcoals for a rich contrast, to light blue/greys for a bright and airy colour scheme.

Pictured: House Beautiful Bermondsey Kitchen at Homebase

Where bold colours can make your white cabinets stand out, soft contrasts can have a calming effect in a white kitchen. This mix of pale wood floors, off-white shaker cabinets, and delicate blush walls is modern without being overly saccharine.

Pictured: Shaker Forest Kitchen in Shadow at Wren

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