Are White Traditional Kitchens Out of Style?
Recently, I read that Farmhouse White Kitchen Cabinets have gone out of style. In fact, white traditional kitchens are out.
As an owner of three white kitchens, one as old as twenty-three years, I am not panicking. Why?
Keep reading.
White Traditional Kitchens
Three white kitchens? I know it sounds crazy.
But here’s the thing.
I want my kitchen to be timeless. And I love white kitchens. They are bright, cheery, and create an environment where I want to cook and entertain my family and friends.
Plus, as far as I am concerned, timeless never goes out of style.
As you can see, I love white farmhouse kitchens and farmhouse white kitchen cabinets.
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Who Said White Traditional Kitchens are Out of Style?
So where did I read that white traditional kitchens are out?
Apartment Therapy published a story titled White Kitchens Are Out for 2022, According to These Home Pros.
The “ home pros” quoted were from The Plan Collection. Not only did they say that clean lines were out but they also said that the year 2022 is all about curves.
Wait. What?
I am sorry, but curves are in and white kitchens are out? Help me out here. Do you think curves in a kitchen are in our future?
At least Country Living started out their 2022 trends article by saying “While the all-white kitchen will probably never go out of style …”. They then added a few new trends which included a fun ceiling color and eco-friendly items.
Unlike past kitchen designs — like the Tuscan style kitchens in the 2000s or the mid-1970s olive green and orange kitchen — the all-white kitchen is timeless.
So why are white traditional kitchens timeless? Because they just don’t go out of style. White shaker cabinets, subway tile, and light countertops are a home run.
Do you agree?
White kitchens last throughout time. And since the most expensive parts of your kitchen are the cabinets, appliances, and countertops, you might want to consider neutral colors such as white or gray cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a light solid countertop. Cabinets can be painted but appliances and countertops are expensive to change. Just be careful with a trendy color or perhpas, um … curves.
The One Problem with White Kitchens
Actually, there is one big issue with white kitchens.
I think people are tired of them.
There are a lot of white kitchens in magazines and on social media everywhere. We like them so there are a lot of them! But I can see how they may get a bit tiring to some readers.
There is no doubt, what I call a white kitchen fatigue factor.
I think that is what causes stories like the one published at Apartment Therapy to appear every few years.
How can you prevent white kitchen fatigue factor (also known as WKFF)?
(Ok, I did just make that up.)
To prevent WKFF on my blog, I try to add lots of color to our kitchen with accessories and flowers.
Each season I add a bit of color to our kitchen. You can see below how I have tried to change up our kitchen with wreaths, color, and accessories over time.
It’s a subtle change but it helps. And you can do this too!
Making Inexpensive Changes in Your Kitchen
I have also made some changes to our kitchen over time.
I changed out the barstools and also replaced the lights above our kitchen island. (The stools were falling apart and dangerous to sit on.) Both are from Lamps Plus. The difference is amazing.
Other changes you can try are new cabinet knobs, new backsplash tile, and new blinds or drapes in the windows.
Past Kitchen Trends
Since the year 1990, a lot of kitchen trends have come and gone. But some have stayed. In the last twenty years, we have seen white farmhouse-style kitchens, dark cherry cabinets, dark (especially green) granite countertops, sage and hunter green cabinets, and creamy beige cabinets with creamy beige walls and creamy beige countertops.
It also seems that these trends will recycle every decade or so, right?
Does Everyone Need a Traditional White Kitchen?
Please don’t think I am saying that you have to have a white kitchen.
You do not.
Rather, just be careful. Make smart decisions if you are building or remodeling your kitchen and add color to places where it won’t cost a fortune. Try adding color with paint on the walls, paint on the cabinets, the kitchen island, art, and décor accents.
There is one style of kitchen that I love that tends to be trendy. Why? Because there are so many different styles. And that is modern kitchens. There are so many fabulous modern kitchens out there and they are fun and colorful!
Unfortunately, I don’t have any modern kitchen photos to share.
Just traditional white kitchens.
Swapping out hardware and lighting is as easy way to update your kitchen without a huge expense. Here are some of my favorite finds!
Adding something new to your kitchen can make a big change!
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It is nice to follow the trends, and yes some of the modern white kitchens are stunning. What is more important is creating a room that you love and is functional. All three of your kitchens are white but each unique in their own way. Thanks for reminding us of ways to keep the white kitchens in style.
I absolutely LOVE white kitchens. I agree that they are timeless, bright, fresh, and SO adaptable. I also love to completely change accent colors seasonally or just when I get a notion. It is so fun to ‘shop my house and closets’ and create fun spaces on the backdrop of my timeless white kitchen. No extra cost, no need to worry about ‘matching’.
I also agree that magazines and marketing companies have to keep re-inventing and creating a color or style of the year. While it is great fun to read and ponder, I will keep my white kitchen and will continue exercising my creativity with this timeless backdrop. ShWhew, that was a lot before my 2nd cup of coffee…..(smiles)
Love your blog! I have enjoyed your videos! Love your ‘shop my house’ section.
Amen Sister! I couldn’t agree with you more! Both of my houses have white kitchens, and I designed them way back in the early 2000’s when everyone was going dark and brown with the Tuscan trend. I liked white. . .& I didn’t want to pay for a costly re-do in a few years when the trend died! I also agree with you, white cabinets and countertops doesn’t mean the kitchen has to be “farmhouse” or even read as white! Add color to the upholstery, windows, accessories and art, even the ceiling as you said, no one will call your kitchen “white.”
One of my favorite tricks to update a kitchen is to simply change out the cabinet doors. Not NEARLY as expensive as many people think! You get a whole new look without a whole cabinet redo. I’ve found it’s actually cheaper for me to replace the doors than to pay to have them sanded and repainted!
I don’t care if white kitchens are out of style – I LOVE WHITE KITCHENS and I’m as snug as a bug in a rug in my white kitchen! Besides, who’s in charge of determining what’s in and what’s out? We can’t help it if they don’t know any better! LOL!
White kitchen, light grey countertops. Get complements all the time, almost embarrassed to admit it was done in 1996. Switch out accessories and update wall paint, pendant lights, change fabric on stools, occasionally update new appliances….that is it. Still cooking on my original white range…
Good morning; I agree with all your statements regarding white kitchens. I too read multiple recent articles that had similar statements in them that white is out. Well, I’ve always loved all white kitchens. I have a French Country Cottage aesthetic in my home. So, of course white makes sense. But, like you, I bring in touches of color with my accessorizing.
For the past couple of years, I use blue and touches of yellow. But, I also make changes for holidays and seasons. I get bored easily with things so I like to change up my decorating. But, one constant is my white kitchen.
Question: Where might I find the aged tin tiles that your using in your kitchens on the backsplash and on a tool caddy? Love the look!
I love white kitchens as long as they’re not stark. And yours are all gorgeous. I find them warm and inviting. Our home was built in 1985 and we had builders grade ugly oak cabinet which I lived with until the early 2000’s. I finally got my granite countertops and painted our cabinets a soft warm white. Not pure white since it’s a north facing kitchen. I love the look of it. I don’t follow decorating trends since I have no desire to sell my home and start over. I decorate the way I like. It’s my home and I’m the one living with my decorating and color choices. That’s not to say I’m still stuck in primitive 1980’s grunge! (What were we thinking???) I love the soft, soothing palette of the later 2000’s and am content with it. At least for now 🙂
I have a white kitchen very similar to yours with the columns and I absolutely love it.
I have had white kitchens in three of our houses, but in our new house I chose cherry wood cabinets. I am loving them. You have to be careful with white cabinet because they can look cheap if not painted the right way. To be honest I am really tired of gray and I think white is over used. I love the new kitchens painted the lovely shades of green and some of the blues. Green is so basic. I love your white kitchens and you know how to make them timeless. I was just ready for a change.
Nothing as satisfying as a white kitchen….nuff said!!!
As long as YOU are happy with your kitchen, that’s all that matters!!! It could be purple, orange, blue, or white!! The trends are so overrated and I’m over it. The feeling you get from your home is determined by you, not what’s in or out of style!! Btw, I LOVE your kitchen! It’s so homey, cozy, all those warm feelings that a home should be!
I was so happy to see your article about white kitchens. I get so mad when I see decorators saying they are out of style. These people just don’t understand classic! White kitchens are bright and positive and actually more sanitary because you can see the dirt so well! Haha. Thank you so much!
I do like your white kitchen – it’s absolutely great and timeless. What’s a life without a romantic touch?
We remodeled our kitchen 2 years ago into a white kitchen and I love it! It is so bright and fresh-looking. It’s costly to remodel so I knew I wanted a timeless kitchen to enjoy for years to come. Plus, like you, I enjoy cooking and baking and walking into a nice bright kitchen draws me in to get started. Everyone who comes into our kitchen always comments on how nice it looks. White may not be trendy for 2022 but it’s timeless for me. Love your blog!
I love your kitchens, I think the designers are over rated!!! I’m all for what makes you or ( one) happy. Where did you get your spice jars I looked on the blog and could not seem to find the info. Thank you
Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post on them!
I just remodeled my kitchen over the Summer….I call it my “100 year old home” inspired kitchen (especially the island)! Coincidentally my kitchen designer giggled when I showed her your kitchen. She said I know exactly what you want, you won’t believe this, but I grew up in South Pasadena and as a little girl I played in the 100 year old home. I guess her brother was friends with your husband😉.
I am absolutely in love with my kitchen!!! They can print a 1,000 articles that say it’s “out” and I won’t care. It’s a timeless blank slate ready for pops of whatever theme or color I want. Love your blog Leslie!!
I absolutely love my white kitchen with my blue and white china collection in our farmhouse. It is so light and refreshing. I agree that it is timeless.
Ooooh Sally, your kitchen sounds absolutely gorgeous!!!
I love to look at white kitchens and had one that I didn’t care for because it was cheap looking (I think it was an 80s remodel). We changed those out to cherry and then moved to another that house that already had cherry. I am spoiled, the wood is very pretty. What I love THE MOST is cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling, that is as timeless as your pretty white kitchens and steals my heart. No matter what anyone says, your version of white kitchen is definitely timeless.
Thank you so much Linda. I agree with you, I love tall cabinets that reach to the ceiling. It makes the room feel so tall!
As an Interior designer and a realtor the color white or off white is absolutely timeless.
On the color wheel there are so many variations of white. They are all so beautiful and neutral. They are easy to design as well as sell in the real estate market because it’s so neutral.
In my home I have a very soft creamy off white . It’s my happy color.
You are so right Tisha, there are a zillion shades of white! Soft creamy white is one of my favorites too! I love the description “happy color”!
I love my white kitchen! It just needs a fresh coat of paint on them and new hardware!!
A fresh coat of paint and new hardware is so much easier than a remodel! Check the blog post for the hardware I posted in case it is what you are looking for!